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Nic may be a slave in the mines outside Rome, but he has never stopped dreaming of freedom. When he is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones. An ancient bulla — an amulet that belonged to Julius Caesar — is filled with a magic once reserved for the gods. That magic now pulses through Nic’s own veins.
Some Romans would kill to obtain the bulla, and soon Nic finds himself on the run, chasing after the freedom he dreams of. Instead, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and spark a war that will destroy Rome from within.
Enemies and traitors lurk at every turn. All of them are desperate to use the bulla for their own dark purposes. If Nic hopes to secure his own freedom, he’ll have to find a way to harness his magic, stop the rebellion, and save Rome.
I picked up Mark of the Thief after reading and loving the Ascendance series — also written by Jennifer A. Nielsen — and it’s hard not to compare the two.
Mark of the Thief is an entertaining, fast-paced young adult fantasy book. I loved the influence of ancient Rome fused with fantasy elements, Roman mythology and historical details. Plus, there are griffins!
I also liked Nic. He is flawed and sometimes uncertain, but also brave and a bit reckless. I could feel for him during his many struggles, but at the same time, I couldn’t understand the reason for everything he did. Sometimes this is both confusing and frustrating. For example: Nic doesn’t act like a slave even before he gains magic. He also cares for his family and friends, but only when it seems convenient. His sarcasm, however, strongly reminded me of The False Prince and Sage, and I loved every minute of it!
The humor and fast-paced action that I’ve come to expect from Nielsen’s writing are definitely present throughout the story, but I didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped. Overall, I found it to be a simple tale, with a convenient big reveal at the end. I’m still not sure of the age of the characters or the intended age for readers, but it is a fun read — just one that does fit best with a middle-grade audience.
Rated: Mild, for action and peril.
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