Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk
by Angie Sage

As his name would suggest, Septimus Heap is a seventh son – and so is his father, Silas Heap, who supports his large family by working as an Ordinary Wizard. Much is to be expected of the seventh son of a seventh son, particularly in a family full of wizards. But only hours after Septimus is born, a midwife declares him dead and bundles his little body away. His mother has scarcely begun to grieve when Silas returns from collecting herbs...and puts a foundling baby girl in her lap.

Jenna grows up thinking the six older Heap boys are her brothers. Even though she looks like none of them, and does not share their wizarding powers, she is accepted as part of the family. But mysteries surround the day of her birth – mysteries like the assassination of the Queen and the Extraordinary Wizard who stood by her – mysteries like the disappearance of a newborn princess. Meanwhile, the Castle where the Heaps live has been taken over by the harsh Custodian Army, magic has been outlawed, and the Heaps struggle more and more to survive.

Finally the day comes when the secret is finally revealed. Jenna is the lost princess. And now her life is in danger from the Custodian Army, and especially from a fallen wizard named DomDaniel who wants her out of his way. The Heaps scatter for dear life, accompanied by a ghost, the Supreme Wizard, and a member of the Young Army who knows no name other than Boy 412.

Jenna finds herself in the care of a White Witch aunt, surrounded by creatures of the swamp, menaced by DomDaniel’s magic and minions, and betrayed by not one but two boy wizards who call themselves Heap. She comes more and more to depend on a boy wizard who would rather be a sailor, and on a boy soldier who is turning out to be a great wizard. But in the final face-off against DomDaniel, her fate will depend on a buried secret and the true fate of Septimus Heap.

This is a wonderful book, full of charming characters, quirky magic, suspense, intrigue, humor, and pathos. Angie Sage has invented an original world, with its own unique flaws, dangers, beauties, and legends. The story has the outlines of a classic fairy tale, combined with a wealth of detail that could appeal directly to Harry Potter fans – including a description of what it might be like to “grow up Weasley.” And if you are restless to go on with the series, Book Two is titled Flyte.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 12+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.