MAGYK: Septimus Heap, Book One
by Angie Sage
Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060577312
Ages 9-12
576 pages

• Read an Excerpt

When Silas Heap brings home a baby girl he finds in the forest, his wife Sarah tells him that his son, Septimus, has died. Jenna, the baby girl, becomes the Heaps' treasured daughter, but of course Silas and Sarah never forget Septimus. However, Silas nearly forgets that soon after he found baby Jenna, the cranky ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, commanded him to tell no one he found her and to claim she was born into the family.

Curiously, six months later Sarah hears that the queen was killed on the day her daughter was born. Rumor has it that Marcia rescued the princess. Sarah realizes that Jenna must be the princess.

A spy discovers the young princess living at the Heaps and notifies the evil Supreme Custodian. He orders Jenna and all the Heaps killed. Luckily, his order is overheard by the ExtraOrdinary Wizard ghost, Alther Mella, who notifies Marcia Overstrand. Marcia takes Jenna, and suggests the Heaps hide in the forest where they will be safe.

In short order, Marcia revives a frozen, nearly dead sentry boy named Boy 412. Jenna is overcome at the magnificence of the Wizard Tower and of Marcia's apartment in which the fireplace lights itself, the sofa situates itself in front of the fire, and warm socks materialize on cold feet. Silas and his son Nicko appear in order to give Jenna her birthday gift --- a pet rock that walks around and then naps cozily on Jenna's palm.

The Assassin arrives at Marcia's apartment prompting Jenna, Marcia, Nicko, Silas, Maxie the dog, and the silent sentry boy to escape down the rubbish chute. After a breathtaking fall (while being continually pelted with garbage), they land in the garbage dump.

The group head down the river in a sailboat with the ruthless Hunter and his Pack close on their heels. The killers catch up to them when the wind dies. Is this the end?

Full of magic, an endearing pooch, breathless adventure, quirkily original humor, and fascinating characters (including math-challenged mirrors, cantankerous magic pens, a duck that's actually a cat, and a dignified Message Rat), this irresistible book is a must-read for fantasy lovers and is destined to become a classic. Highly recommended.

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

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