Mark of the Thief (Mark of the Thief, Book 1)

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Feb 2015 · Sold by Scholastic Inc.

About this ebook

Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of the NYT and USA TODAY bestselling Ascendance Trilogy, has woven an electrifying tale of greed and power, magic and destiny, and one boy's courage at the heart of it all.

When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones: He discovers an ancient bulla, an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods -- magic some Romans would kill for.Now, with the deadly power of the bulla pulsing through his veins, Nic is determined to become free. But instead, he finds himself at the center of a ruthless conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and spark the Praetor War, a battle to destroy Rome from within. Traitors and spies lurk at every turn, each more desperate than the next to use Nic's newfound powers for their own dark purposes. In a quest to stop the rebellion, save Rome, and secure his own freedom, Nic must harness the magic within himself and defeat the empire's most powerful and savage leaders.

Ratings and reviews

Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Mark of the Thief is an excellent start to the series. This historical fiction/fantasy novel takes place during the Roman Empire three hundred years after Julius Caesar’s death. Mine slave, Nicolas Calva, discovers the Bulla of Julius Caesar in a sealed cavern. The amulet gives him magical abilities allowing him to talk to animals and added strength. All he wants is his freedom, but he finds himself trying to stop a plot to destroy Rome. I loved this story that is suitable for young adults. Jennifer A. Nielsen does a fantastic job with the historical aspect and plot of this novel. I like Nic. He is hard working, brave, and devoted to his sister Livia. I enjoyed his relationship with Caela, the Griffin. I loved Nic’s appreciation for food, and all the things that a free person would take for granted. Nic undergoes a lot in this story. He has no idea who he can trust. Radulf is a worthy opponent. The Roman General will do anything in his power to crush the empire. I found his connection to Nic interesting. Mark of the Thief is a great new historical fiction/fantasy. This book kept me mesmerized and was hard to put down. I would love to see this book turned into a movie. Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Maybe she's a good author, but I can't stand when the whole premise of a character is off, especially the main character. He'd be dead the first time he refused an order as a slave, let alone the beatings first for opening his mouth.

I tell you, if you're a reader looking for an adventorous and addictive book. You found it! The Mark of the Thief is by far, the best book I have read.

About the author

Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne, The Captive Kingdom, and The Shattered Castle. She also wrote the New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game and its sequels,The Deceiver's Heart, and The Warrior's Curse; the New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy: Mark of the Thief, Rise of the Wolf, and Wrath of the Storm; the standalone fantasy The Scourge; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, Rescue, Lines of Courage, Iceberg, and Uprising. Jennifer collects old books, loves good theater, and thinks that a quiet afternoon in the mountains makes for a nearly perfect moment. She lives in northern Utah with her family, and is probably sneaking in a bite of dark chocolate right now. You can visit her online at jennielsen.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @nielsenwriter.