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eBook editions

Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One (Septimus Heap #01)

by Angie Sage

Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One (Septimus Heap #01) Cover

ISBN13: 9780060577315
ISBN10: 0060577312
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The seventh son of the seventh son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a new born girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this myster ious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son Septimus?

The first book in this enthralling new series by Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters and magykal charms, potions, and spells. magyk is an original story of lost and rediscovered identities, rich with humor and heart.

Review:

"Sage's debut novel, the launch title of the Septimus Heap series, introduces the seventh son of a seventh son, destined to have deep magical powers but who, as the book opens, appears to have died soon after his birth. Silas Heap, the father (who is also a wizard), has just returned home after discovering a newborn baby girl in the snow, and finds Septimus being whisked away from mother Sarah by the midwife. On the heels of these events, Marcia, the newly appointed ExtraOrdinary Wizard, commands Silas to raise the baby as his own, which he does and names her Jenna. The author quickly reveals the girl's heritage via a busybody tavern owner who passes along some gossip: it seems the Queen was assassinated and the baby princess disappeared. The tale then jumps ahead 10 years, where readers find corrupt wizard DomDaniel trying to finish off the royal line. A chase lands Jenna and friends at the island home of the matronly Aunt Zelda, at which point the pace slows dramatically. The author introduces several subplots, summarized rather than dramatized, incorporating many cameos (e.g., Jenna's best friend and Simon's fiance are mentioned in passing), and one boy claims to be Septimus. The author eventually reveals the real Septimus in a clever, if predictable, turn of events, making way for the next installments. Ages 9-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[S]cores of less-jaded youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling, which enfolds supportive allies and horrific enemies, abundant quirky details, and poignant moments of self-discovery." Booklist

Review:

"Heads?up, Harry, there's a new young wizard on his way up....A quick?reading, stand?alone, deliciously spellbinding series opener." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"[A] fine choice for fantasy readers looking to delve into a new world with lots of magic, plenty of action, and a few neat surprises." School Library Journal

Review:

"[T]his story makes use of the themes of identity and belonging, perhaps not altogether originally, but with strong family bonds and interesting characters. Older children may find they have guessed a twist or two before they occur, but will read on anyway." Children's Literature

Synopsis:

The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story — who is Septimus Heap? Includes CD-ROM with map, spells, games, and a Web link.

About the Author

Angie Sage was born in London and grew up in the Thames Valley, London, and Kent. She currently lives by a creek in Cornwall, England, where she writes while overlooking oyster boats passing to and fro. She also sails a little green boat with red sails called Muriel. Angie has created many picture books and chapter books for children. This is her first novel.

Mark Zug has loved fantasy novels since he was a teenager. He has illustrated many collectible card games, including Magic: The Gathering and Dune, as well as books and magazines. He lives in Pennsylvania.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

Shoshana, June 21, 2007 (view all comments by Shoshana)
A nice start to this children's fantasy series. Magyk works intelligibly; it also is finite and not to be used frivolously (a characteristic that magic sadly lacks in the Harry Potter books). Sage includes enough absurdities to entertain both adults and children (a red door painted black, for example, or Marcia's preoccupation with stylish boots) without sliding over into farce. The language is often clever (Silas is an Ordinary Wizard, while Marcia is an ExtraOrdinary Wizard). The action moves swiftly and progresses logically with only a few deus ex machina moments and incongruities (for example, on p. 386 Jenna suddenly realizes that she has been in the tunnels before, in her dreams, but we did not know about these dreams prior to the revelation).

While Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy is the best I've read recently in this genre, the Septimus Heap books may hold that role for younger readers. Older readers will figure out much of the plot fairly early on, but this does not detract from the pleasure of the story. Mark Zug has provided engaging illustrations at the head of each chapter, and the cover art is explained not too far from the end of the book.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(7 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
Virginia, December 19, 2006 (view all comments by Virginia)
I loved this book! Like JK Rowling, the author is British. This story centers around a family of wizards (seven sons & an adopted daughter) and assorted friends. In this world wizards & humans live together in cooperation. There are as many plot twists as a Harry Potter book but it never gets as dark as HP has become. There is lots of humor. Everything about this story is delightful and I recommend it to kids 10 through adult. My favorite chapter ia actually the postscript where the fates of many of the minor characters is explained.
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(12 of 22 readers found this comment helpful)
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780060577315
Illustrated by:
Zug, Mark
Publisher:
Katherine Tegen Books
Illustrator:
Zug, Mark
Author:
Zug, Mark
Author:
by Angie Sage and Mark Zug
Author:
Ward, David
Author:
Sage, Angie
Subject:
Family - General
Subject:
Royalty (kings queens princes princesses knights etc.)
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General
Subject:
Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Fantasy
Subject:
Magic
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
Wizards
Subject:
Children s-Science Fiction and Fantasy
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Hardcover w/Dust Jacket
Series:
Septimus Heap
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
March 1, 2005
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
from 4
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
576
Dimensions:
7.50 x 5.00 in
Age Level:
09-UP

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Related Subjects

Children's » Action and Adventure » Adventure Stories
Children's » General
Children's » Middle Readers » General
Children's » Science Fiction and Fantasy » General
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Children's » Action and Adventure » Adventure Stories
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Children's » General
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Children's » Science Fiction and Fantasy » General

Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One (Septimus Heap #01) Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$7.50 In Stock
Product details 576 pages Katherine Tegen Books - English 9780060577315 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Sage's debut novel, the launch title of the Septimus Heap series, introduces the seventh son of a seventh son, destined to have deep magical powers but who, as the book opens, appears to have died soon after his birth. Silas Heap, the father (who is also a wizard), has just returned home after discovering a newborn baby girl in the snow, and finds Septimus being whisked away from mother Sarah by the midwife. On the heels of these events, Marcia, the newly appointed ExtraOrdinary Wizard, commands Silas to raise the baby as his own, which he does and names her Jenna. The author quickly reveals the girl's heritage via a busybody tavern owner who passes along some gossip: it seems the Queen was assassinated and the baby princess disappeared. The tale then jumps ahead 10 years, where readers find corrupt wizard DomDaniel trying to finish off the royal line. A chase lands Jenna and friends at the island home of the matronly Aunt Zelda, at which point the pace slows dramatically. The author introduces several subplots, summarized rather than dramatized, incorporating many cameos (e.g., Jenna's best friend and Simon's fiance are mentioned in passing), and one boy claims to be Septimus. The author eventually reveals the real Septimus in a clever, if predictable, turn of events, making way for the next installments. Ages 9-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "[S]cores of less-jaded youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling, which enfolds supportive allies and horrific enemies, abundant quirky details, and poignant moments of self-discovery."
"Review" by , "Heads?up, Harry, there's a new young wizard on his way up....A quick?reading, stand?alone, deliciously spellbinding series opener."
"Review" by , "[A] fine choice for fantasy readers looking to delve into a new world with lots of magic, plenty of action, and a few neat surprises."
"Review" by , "[T]his story makes use of the themes of identity and belonging, perhaps not altogether originally, but with strong family bonds and interesting characters. Older children may find they have guessed a twist or two before they occur, but will read on anyway."
"Synopsis" by , The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story — who is Septimus Heap? Includes CD-ROM with map, spells, games, and a Web link.
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