City of Stolen Magic

By: Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, Sandhya Prabhat

Narrated by: Shaheen Khan

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

Critic reviews

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

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

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 (Katherine Rundell)

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

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

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 (Abi Elphinstone)

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 (Nizrana Farook)

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 (Rashmi Sirdeshpande)

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 (Katherine Woodfine)

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 (Jasbinder Bilan)

Good but it is racist

Don’t get me wrong, it is a good book. The plot twist is amazing but Chompa and Mohsin are just rude to the entire British culture. I can’t believe it calls everyone in London a hypocrite just because there is ONE person who is being bad to them. If the author relaxed those scenes with chompa missing India, this would become a very good book. The narrator was good, she(I think)had an Indian accent, which makes the characters come to life. Overall, this book is ok plus a little good.