By Sarah Prineas

Quercus £6.99

Connwaer a wretched urchin attempts to pickpocket an old wizard (Nevery), and manages to get his hands on a magic stone. Nevery is impressed that Conn isn't killed and begins to take an interest in him. Returning to the city he with the thuggish Benet, who is actually a softy at heart, he plans to restore his old house on a river island and get to the bottom of the reduction of magic levels in the city. Although Conn is being hunted by the local crime lord detects a possible magic ability in him and he is despatched to the wizarding school where he befriends the aristocratic Rowan. Despairing that he will ever find his own magic stone, and with time running out he will make an amazing discovery and also get to the bottom of the cities problems with near fatal results.

Set in a fictional city called Wellmet where the two sides of the river are in complete contrast, this shows Conn gradually becoming adept in both places. The city is carefully constructed (we know nothing of what lies outside) and is vividly brought to life by Prineas, who also has a keen eye for character. There are some stock characters such as the nominal head of the wizards, and some obvious villains, but it is so well put together that it is hard to resist.