Rise of the Wolf (Mark of the Thief, Book 2)

About this book

Jennifer A. Nielsen’s electrifying tale of  greed and power, magic and destiny, and one boy’s courage at the heart of it all.

Nic may have escaped enslavement in the mines outside of Rome, but his troubles are far from over. The Praetor War — the battle to destroy Rome from within — is in full force, and Nic is caught in the crossfire. The secretive Praetors are determined to unlock a powerful amulet — one sure to bring the empire to its knees. Worse, the Praetors believe Nic holds the key to finding this amulet, and they will stop at nothing to steal it, even if that means harming the people Nic holds most dear. When the Praetors capture Nic’s mother, Nic knows he must do anything to save her. He challenges the Praetors to a chariot race. If he wins, they will release his mother. But if he loses, he must hand over a magic that will certainly destroy Rome and end his own life. Can Nic once again harness his magic and gather the strength to defeat his enemies? Or will he lose his mother and bear witness to Rome’s destruction?

Reviews

Praise for Mark of the Thief:

* "The fast-paced, ingenious plot, charismatic hero and highly diverse cast of characters... make this series opener a captivating joy ride." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Vivid... [with] page-turning twists." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Rise of the Wolf:

A New York Times Bestseller

"Fast-moving fun with broad audience appeal, especially recommended for reluctant readers, Rick Riordan fans, and pedal-to-the-metal adventure aficionados." -- Kirkus Reviews

"The novel's Roman mythology connections...will have great appeal for fans of Rick Riordan. Heavily plot-driven with a movie-script feel." -- Booklist

"The plot in 'Rise of the Wolf' builds momentum from the beginning and doesn't end with the last page. The book is full of action... keeping readers on their toes to the very end... Jennifer Nielsen does an outstanding job with the first person narration, subtle foreshadowing and wit. Her characters are well-rounded, intelligent and realistic." -- Deseret News
"The world of Rome, treacherous enough in reality, is made more so by the magic Nielsen adds." -- The Salt Lake Tribune

Praise for The False Prince:

A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A USA Today Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book
A Cybils Award Winner

"A page-turner." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." -- The Wall Street Journal

"A swashbuckling origin story... chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." -- Los Angeles Times

* "An impressive, promising story." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." -- School Library Journal

"Gripping." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Should appeal to fans of . . . Suzanne Collins. . . . A sure-fire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." -- The Horn Book
Praise for A Night Divided:

"Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger. Nielsen (Mark of the Thief) evokes the constant unease of life in a divided Berlin through Gerta's sober narration... but the family never loses sight of the power of humility and forgiveness." -- Publishers Weekly

"Nielsen, best known for her fantasy novels, proves she is equally skilled at historical fiction in this solidly structured, balanced account of the origins of an infamous historical landmark... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page." -- School Library Journal

Praise for The Scourge:

"A strong, feisty main character... narrates a story that is equal parts adventure, mystery, and political intrigue." -- The Horn Book

"Ani's willingness to help others, a hard battle in herself as she tries to get over long-held assumptions, demonstrates effectively how emergencies can bridge distances." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Nielsen's (A Night Divided) polished fantasy smoothly combines medieval elements with hints of mystery and romance.... it delivers a significant message about how misinformation breeds intolerance." -- Publishers Weekly

"Nielsen provides readers with a strong, three-dimensional heroine and a plot that will keep readers guessing." -- School Library Connection

"The characters are well defined and memorable. Feisty Ani, a likable character who is thoughtful and strong, drives the story forward and keeps readers wanting to know more.... A solid choice for readers who enjoy tales of strong heroines set in the ever-popular dystopian genre." -- School Library Journal