Mage-Queen's Thief

Starship’s Mage #12.5

by Glynn Stewart

She’s supposed to find a husband.
He’s supposed to steal a shuttle.
They’re each other’s only hope.

Kiera Alexander is the Mage-Queen of Mars, ruler of a hundred worlds and the protector of humanity. She is also unmarried and in desperate need of an heir—a duty that has left her traveling the Core Worlds of the Martian Protectorate aboard the luxury liner Extravagant Voyage.

Her mission? Meeting every eligible bachelor Mage that can be found.

Barry Carpentier’s only interest in the Queen’s traveling show is the strange shuttle hidden aboard Extravagant Voyage. The unique spacecraft, the smallest jump-capable ship he’s ever heard of, is worth a small fortune to the right buyer.
Like the one sending him aboard Extravagant Voyage.

A thief doesn’t want to meet the Mage-Queen of Mars—but when a thief accidentally inserts himself into galactic politics, neither of their lives will continue unchanged…

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

Glynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.

Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, with big consequences

This is a short story in the Mage of Mars universe that has a very big consequences on the bigger storyline. Really want to read Damien reaction to this news

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story expanding the Starmage cast

I really enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the next story. I wonder what a mage affecting technology will do?

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like Barry. I do hope his romance with Keira and his particular brand of magic will play a big part in the next book. Keira's geneticists will be clamoring for his genetic material and see if it can be combined with a mage wright's genetics.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this 4* because I like the two main characters, but seriously, how many times is Glynn going to have the supposedly elite Royal Guard fail.

There seem to be a few minor discrepancies between this book and how the event is described in Nemesis.

[Morgan Biscup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from the first chapter

I love everything about this book. Barry's characterization includes a well-presented representation of ADHD, which only serves to make him an even deeper character. I love him. I also love learning more about his character and morals as the story progresses. He's thrown into a very different situation than the one he expected, and his reactions to that feel natural and understandable.

I love Kiera, too. Particularly her thoughts about Barry as she slowly tries to figure him out. I'm looking forward to learning more about her in the main series.

This was my first read in the Starship Mage universe. It stands well on its own, and the characters and worldbuilding are clear. Also, now I'm even *more* excited to dive into the rest.

[Awhona K.G. Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging read, I loved the technical aspects of the world building but the actual plot fell a bit short for me.Barry - a Mage and a shuttle thief tasked to smuggle out a specific jump shuttle from the Royal Starship Cruise liner accidentally finds he's not alone on the shuttle he was supposed to steal.His company is none other than the young Mage Queen of Mars and they're both in a difficult situation where they need to collaborate in order to survive. Meanwhile, the Mage Queen had invited all the young suitors for a short trip on the Extravagant Voyager - a Royal Luxury Starship Cruiser but with a life threatening conspiracy brewing behind the luxurious richness of the Extravagant Voyager - the Royal Staff somehow manages to deport their unaware Mage Queen safely in a jump shuttle but its destination is unknown. Evading all odds the plot meanders its way as the thief and the Mage Queen struggle to trust each other and evade the threat they face as they travel further.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Help me read more books

I had no idea this story existed, but I'm sure glad I found it. I've liked all of the books about the mages of mars, and I *always* want to read more of them. Great stuff here. It's only a novella, and I'd have been unhappy if I'd had to pay $2.99 for it, because it was so short, but it's a good story nonetheless, and now I'm anxiously awaiting January 2024 for the next book in the series.
If you're a scifi or fantasy fan, then you'll find something in this series to enjoy, go grab a copy, and read it today, you won't be disappointed.

[Ridel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of Mage-Queen’s Thief is spoiled in the opening of Nemesis of Mars, so this book is similar to the novelization of a movie. Packed with indulgent details, there’s never any doubt where the plot is going and the twists are already known. I presume this is Barry Carpentier’s origin story, and he’ll play a more significant role in the Starship’s Mage universe. Kiera also gets some well-deserved screen time, though one mostly learns how she responds in a crisis.

Recommended with Reservations: this is optional reading.

[Francheska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Addicting

Novellas are usually a hard pass for me, but I gave this a try, and now I most definitely need more. This was a heck of an appetizer.

Well developed characters, sufficient world building to set the stage, action and problem solving that lends itself to cleverness even though it is magic. More often than not, magic becomes an easy button, and ruins conflicts emotional impact, not so here.

[Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry you perv

Young love a popper and the royal love story set in a land space ships and magic.

Lay it’s good you expanded on the Mage-Queen’s daily life has the readers have hot only a little time with the royal characters do the inclusions of a new magic type was incessant it just seemed odd. Has after so many books a new magic linage just seems like just like you want to add technomacy has a new angle to thrown into the story.

[Joseph Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally got to read this little book

Have listened to all the audiobooks multiple times and finally decided to track down this little gem in the course of a current re-listen. Always interesting to see the side stories, and am excited to see what Barry’s genome and special skills will add to the mix. Each mage has their own little niche of power and can’t wait to see even Barry get a tune of power someday and how he will influence the future of ships with his Queen.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup, Keira lives up to her teen potential of being practical, direct and willing to get her hands dirty. Combine an adult Amazon-at-heart with a truly grandiose kidnapping attempt makes her choice of boyfriend almost inevitable. Such a hoyden, this Mage-Queen!

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great space opera!

This is a great novella that introduced A Starship’s Mage series to me. I really enjoyed Barry’s character development. He and the Mage Queen certainly had an odd introduction to one another. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short story

I find it amazing how quickly Glynn gets you wanting the new characters to win through even in a short story. Loved this and it filled the gap from the last main book which lauded to it. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Vickie Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Kiera's search for a potential husband puts her in harm's way but allows her to stumble onto someone intriguing. Barry, a Mage by Right, is a thief that uses magic very differently from other mages.

I am really looking forward to more of Barry.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrgh!

Glynn Stewart is a great big meanie!

Having glimpsed Barry elsewhere in the series, this gives some welcome back story.

But… it could have been longer. Still, a little bit is better than none at all. Let’s see where this story goes.

[Kyle Bagdonat · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read

I pick this book up out of the blue. It sucked me in and the pages flew by. Well built story line and a satisfying end. I will be checking out a few more of Mr Stewart’s books

[Jim Basl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good novella

This was a good novella set in the Starship’s Mage Universe. The author gave more depth to the queen who is main character in the main story. He also gave context to events that were mentioned in the main series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp!

This is a fun, quick read! Entertaining and not overwritten. The main character is engaging and likeable, the charming rogue.

Perfect for a break from heavier tomes. Definitely enjoyed it!

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book as always!

Great short story about the kidnapping of the Mage-Queen of Mars and the meeting of her Thief. Great story, I would have read a full length book about this..

Thanks!

[Berry Beresford · Rating 3 out of 5]

dying of italics

Looks to be an interesting story and I would have got further with it if the internal speeches weren’t overly-larded with italics which made it hard to read and stay interested.

[Albert Kirshen · Rating 3 out of 5]

novella

Very brief, minimally developed insight into attempted abduction. Not worth the $3. Go back and expand this novella, please. Bye

[Tommy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great entry from Glynn, well written and engaging. I really enjoyed this. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice background for a good series. Looking forward to the next one.

[mark white · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novella

I have read all the books in the starship mage series and thoroughly enjoyed this short read I look forward to seeing what happens to Barry in the next book.

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story

Thank Glynn Stewart for this phenomenal book and story.
I wish I read this book before Nemesis of Mars.
Read this book.

[Yancee9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun! But even for a novella, got a little bogged down in some of the techy stuff

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A bit over detailed on some of the stuff but it is a fantastic story.
I like the fact that she isn't against his assistance and they are working together.

[Gary Feierfeil · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay

Not a solid start to a story line but was good for a change of reading material. Maybe the ending with the jumping

[Raymond Moffat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable spinoff

The Mage-Queen of Mars and a Thief get entangled in each others problems, and the result is a cracking good yarn that leaves you wanting more.