City of Stolen Magic, Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
City of Stolen Magic, Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
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City of Stolen Magic

Author: Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Narrator: Shaheen Khan

Unabridged: 10 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 06/29/2023

Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

A spellbinding, epic and heart-racing magical adventure from an exquisite new storytelling talent.

India, 1855. There are two kinds of magic in Chompa's world. The kind her mother favours: writing-magic, which anyone can do if they take the time. Write a spell in Farsi, and wait. It's calm, controlled, safe, says Ammi. It's slow, frustrating, boring, thinks Chompa.

Then there's finger-magic, which only those descended from ancient djinn are born with. Immediate, powerful - and dangerous, for every act of finger-magic leaves a trace, and comes at a price . . .

Growing up in an isolated village, hot-headed Chompa has never understood why her mother forbids her from using her potent finger-magic - until, one day, Chompa defies Ammi, and casts a spell. Soon after, a group of pale men attack their home and snatch Ammi.

In desperate search of her mother, Chompa must travel to another world: to England, and the smoky, bustling streets of East End London, where the powerful Company is transporting magical people like her and Ammi for the most sinister purpose . . .

'A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure' - Jasbinder Bilan

'An unexpected gem of a story . . . A stellar setting, a gut-punch of a twist, and an unforgettable heroine. This has all the hallmarks of classic children's storytelling' - Nizrana Farook

©2023 Nazneen Ahmed Pathak (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Reviews

Goodreads review by Thibault on September 23, 2023

Chompa always knew she had powers, as her mother’s a witch. Her mother trains her a little bit, but she’s not allowed to use her powers as much as she would like. And her mother always tells everyone else that Chompa has no powers. Because the British rulers are taking everyone with powers and shipp......more

Goodreads review by Brok3n on July 22, 2025

Historical Fantasy of India and England Nazneen Ahmed Pathak's City of Stolen Magic begins in a small village in what was then India and is now (I believe) Bangladesh. Chompa and her mother Amina live there. They are witches, and that, Amina knows, is a dangerous thing to be. Chompa, a rebellious kid......more

Goodreads review by Valinora on July 08, 2023

This story has a super premise, a fantastic magic system, great characters, nice plot twists, and a wonderful setting. I loved that the story is set in India during British rule, and to be honest, I wished the entire story was set there (although I also enjoyed reading about the many migrant communi......more

Goodreads review by Kirsty on December 22, 2023

This was a cultural explosion of fantasy and delight. I throughly enjoyed this middle grade adventure for two reasons. One it was magical and mystical and filled with suspense and heart but I also loved it because of its exploration into another culture that I know very little about which I found no......more

Goodreads review by Karen Hammond on June 07, 2023

The children loved this book, adventure, travel, history and magic, what more could you want. My granddaughters appreciated the strong female lead. Suitable for family reading together.......more

Quotes

Exhilarating, thoughtful and rich . . . Easily one of the year's best books for children Guardian

A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine . . . Highly imaginative Daily Telegraph

Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story

City of Stolen Magic is phenomenal - vivid storytelling that skilfully and unflinchingly weaves colonial history into an epic, breathtaking, magical adventure

One of the best children's books I have read in a decade . . . Cracking pace, fabulous magic system, characters, relationships, the whole package!

Dazzling from start to finish. A spellbinding adventure fused with Indian folklore which sees glorious heroine Chompa journey from rural India to Victorian London as she searches for her mother

An unexpected gem of a story. Packed with atmosphere - whether the narrow streets and red dust of Dacca or the grimy Dickensian squalor of Spittlelfields - it's populated by larger-than-life characters you will love and hate. A stellar setting, a gut-punch of a twist, and an unforgettable heroine. This has all the hallmarks of classic children's storytelling

A gripping and spellbinding fantasy woven together with threads of magic, secrets, and colonial history. An incredible cast of characters and a truly multicultural Victorian London that we don't see often enough in books

Exhilarating and enthralling - I relished every page. A glorious blend of history, magic and thrilling adventure with a truly unforgettable heroine, this book is rare, rich and special

A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure filled with thrilling characters, pacy storytelling and important historical detail. Children and adults are in for such a treat

Awards

  • The Branford Boase Award
  • The Week Junior Book Awards
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