Enter ancient Rome with Nic
Start with Mark of the Thief, which introduces Nic's enslavement, the magical amulet, and the conspiracy that drives the trilogy.
Book Series · 3 Books
Mark of the Thief Books
In order from Mark of the Thief to Wrath of the Storm.
A completed alternate-history fantasy trilogy about Nic, an enslaved boy in ancient Rome who gains dangerous magic and becomes central to a conspiracy against the empire.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Mark of the Thief Trilogy
Read Mark of the Thief, Rise of the Wolf, and Wrath of the Storm in order. Nic's fight for freedom, the magical bulla, and the conspiracy threatening Rome form one continuous story.
Sources: Scholastic's official Jennifer A. Nielsen page, Scholastic's Mark of the Thief discussion guide.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The trilogy includes enslavement, cruel treatment, political conspiracy, arena and battle danger, magical violence, injuries, betrayal, and deaths. Nic's determination to win freedom gives the adventure a strong moral center, while the action and threats intensify as the war for Rome grows.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
Mark of the Thief
A slave discovers a magical amulet, igniting a deadly conspiracy to overthrow Rome.
352 pages· 79,951 words· Est. 9 hour read
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Nic, a slave in ancient Rome, stumbles upon a magical amulet in Caesar's lost treasures. This discovery thrusts him into a deadly conspiracy to overthrow the emperor. With traitors lurking and the Praetor War looming, Nic must master the amulet's power to save Rome and secure his freedom. Can he outwit those who seek to exploit his newfound magic, or will he become a pawn in their ruthless game?
In reading order
Mark of the Thief Series
3 books · Published 2015–2017
#1
Sale price
$858
Mark of the Thief
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
A slave discovers a magical amulet, igniting a deadly conspiracy to overthrow Rome.
#2
Sale price
$858
Rise of the Wolf
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2016
A chariot race decides Rome's fate and a son's desperate bid to save his mother.
#3
Sale price
$1597
Wrath of the Storm
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017
Magic and danger surround Nic as he battles to save Rome and his loved ones.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Mark of the Thief series?
There are 3 books in the Mark of the Thief series. It began with Mark of the Thief in 2015, and the newest book, Wrath of the Storm, was published in 2017.
What order should you read the Mark of the Thief books in?
Start with Mark of the Thief and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the Mark of the Thief books best for?
The series is best for ages 9–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Mark of the Thief book is the longest?
Wrath of the Storm (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 81,007 words (343 pages).
Which Mark of the Thief book is the shortest?
Rise of the Wolf (Book #2) is the shortest at 79,273 words (352 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Mark of the Thief to life.
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