3 Reasons Why You Should Read Crow: Thief of Magic by Fiona Dixon

What’s the book about?

Twelve-year-old Crow is a thief.

Scraping a living on the winding streets of Starsgard, Crow works for the leader of the criminal underworld, stealing from the city’s wealthy ruling class. But when a routine job takes Crow to the home of a mysterious sorcerer, his whole life is turned upside down – and after a planned heist goes wrong, leaving Crow alone and with nowhere to turn, he finds himself a new position as the sorcerer’s apprentice.

Before long, Crow is introduced to the ancient art of dream magic – catching dream essence and using it to create dreams for the rich citizens from whom he once stole. But when Crow learns of an ancient strain of nightmare magic that threatens to unleash devastation on Starsgard, he must make a terrible choice… and decide who he can really trust.

With a stunning, richly-detailed world, an incredible story, and a wonderful cast of characters, Crow: Thief of Magic is an extraordinarily exciting fantasy debut – perfect for fans of Impossible Creatures, His Dark Materials, and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.

Recommended for: 

Ages 9+

Three reasons to read it: 

1. What really stands out here is how quickly Crow’s world shifts from something he understands to something completely unfamiliar. At the beginning of the book, he knows how to survive on the streets and how to do his job as a thief. But after a heist goes wrong, all of that security disappears. Suddenly, he’s not just in a new place physically, but living a totally different life, working with a sorcerer.
2. The idea of dream magic gives the story a really imaginative twist. Dixon introduces something unique, where dreams themselves become something you can work with and shape. Crow learning to catch dream essence and turn it into dreams for others adds a creative layer to the story. It also connects to the world around him, especially the wealthy citizens who benefit from this magic, which makes it feel like an important part of how the city works. The contrast between dream magic and the darker nightmare magic also helps build tension, showing that this kind of power can be used in very different ways.
3. The setting of Starsgard feels super layered. On one side, you have the winding streets where Crow has been scraping by. On the other, there are wealthy citizens and powerful figures like the sorcerer. This mix of underworld activity and high society helps make the world feel bigger and detailed. It gives the story plenty of space for different kinds of scenes, from tense moments in the streets to more mysterious or magical environments, making the setting feel like an important part of the adventure rather than just a backdrop.

Buy a copy of Crow: Thief of Magic here.

About the author:

Fiona Dixon has been getting lost in fantasy worlds for a long as she can remember. As a child, she spent a lot of time in wardrobes hoping to find a portal to another world or exploring the woods on imaginary adventures. After travelling the globe and working in New York and New Zealand, Fiona now lives in a 200-year-old cottage on the Oxfordshire/ Northamptonshire border with her husband and two cats.