Mark of the Thief

Readers often ask about the inspiration for a book or character. Mark of the Thief began when I happened upon a random fact: Emperor Julius Caesar used to claim he was a literal descendent of the goddess Venus. Historians believe he created this part of his image to make himself seem more powerful, but I began to wonder, what if he had been telling the truth? What if he really did have special powers, if he was a sort of demigod?

That led to other questions, with answers that took my imagination into exciting possibilities. Slowly, ancient Rome came alive in my mind — but now in a time filled with magic, competing forces between good and evil, and a journey where the least likely of all — a young mining slave — rises to save an empire. My stories often begin this way, by asking questions that I can’t wait to answer.

But though my stories begin in this simple way, bringing them into readers’ hands is a much bigger process, one I could never do alone. So for that, I am forever grateful to Jeff Nielsen, my husband, best friend, and true companion, and to our three children, for their support, encouragement, and willingness to split the last square of dark chocolate. Few things are a truer act of love. Thanks also to my amazing agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, whose wisdom and knowledge greatly outdistance her years. Heaps of gratitude to everyone at Scholastic — it is a privilege to work with each of you in your various areas of expertise. Finally, warmest thanks to my editor, Lisa Sandell, who does far more than help me shape a story for publication. You are mentor, advisor, teacher, therapist, guidance counselor, and above all, a true friend. You are gold.

One final word — to all those who were my teachers, even in the subjects where I clearly wasn’t paying attention — if you’ve ever wondered whether you made a difference to any of your students, here’s at least one answer: For me, you made all the difference in the world.

JENNIFER A. NIELSEN is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Trilogy: The False Prince, The Runaway King, and The Shadow Throne. Je

She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. Born and raised in northern Utah, she lives there today with her husband, three children, and a dog that won’t play fetch. You can visit her at www.je

ALSO BY

JENNIFER A. NIELSEN

THE ASCENDANCE TRILOGY

The False Prince

The Runaway King

The Shadow Throne

Copyright © 2015 by Je

All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, SCHOLASTIC PRESS, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nielsen, Je

Mark of the thief / by Je

page cm. — (Mark of the Thief ; book 1)

Summary: When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds himself in possession of an ancient amulet filled with magic once reserved for the Gods, and becomes the center of a conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and destroy Rome.

ISBN 978-0-545-56154-9 (jacketed hardcover) [1. Magic — Fiction. 2. Slavery — Fiction. 3. Amulets — Fiction. 4. Rome — Antiquities — Fiction. 5. Insurgency — Fiction. 6. Rome — History — Empire, 30 B.C.–476 A.D. — Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.N5672Mar 2015

[Fic] — dc23

2014017068

First edition, March 2015

Cover art © 2015 by Larry Rostant

Cover design by Christopher Stengel

e-ISBN 978-0-545-56203-4

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