Septimus Heap Book One: Magyk by Angie Sage

• 01/15/2014
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Septimus Heap Book One: Magyk
Angie Sage
Katherine Tegen Books (2005)
ISBN 9780060577315
Reviewed by Neha Kashmiri (age 14) for Reader Views (10/08)

“Magyk” is the very first book in the Septimus Heap series.  It starts with two infants.  Septimus Heap is born to Sarah Heap and is pronounced dead and taken away by the midwife.  The other is a girl with purple eyes found in the snow by Silas Heap.  With the boy born to them supposedly dead, they raise the girl as their own and name her Jenna.

Ten years later, Marcia Overstrand reveals that Jenna is actually the daughter of the assassinated Queen.  An assassin named The Hunter, sent by the Supreme Custodian (who has taken over the Castle), follows Jenna and Marcia when the ExtraOrdinary takes Jenna away for her protection.  Marcia takes Jenna to Aunt Zelda’s in the Marram Marshes, with “Boy 412” following them.  When at the Marshes, Boy 412 finds a dragon ring that sends a light out in the dark.

While trying to leave, Marcia is caught by guards and The Hunter comes back to assassinate Jenna but he is stopped by a spell by Aunt Zelda.  Another boy, claiming to be the supposedly-dead Septimus, has been apprenticed to the evil Dom Daniel; he is caught by the group at the Marshes.  He escapes, however, and tells Dom Daniel where the group is hidden.

Meanwhile, secrets about the ring found by Boy 412 are revealed. The group visits the dragon boat that belonged to the first ExtraOrdinary Wizard.  Can they use it to save Marcia?  And who is Boy 412?

Though it’s really obvious from almost the beginning what the ending is going to be like, “Maygk” is actually a very enjoyable read. There are a lot of characters to keep straight–most of them are very loveable.  Anyone wanting a full-fledged fantasy without much gore should definitely follow the series. The series is continued in “Flyte,” which is just as magykal as the first book.