Sage, Angie.
MAGYK
New York : Katherine Tegan Books, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN  0060577320

(3 booktalks)

When the seventh son of a seventh son is born, you know you have a magical read ahead. In these pages we find a hidden princess chased by an evil Hunter with a silver bullet in his gun. An Ordinary wizard and an Extra Ordinary Wizard are helping the princess hide. A poor soldier boy whose only name is Boy 412, must decide whether to help the Hunter or the hunted princess. Witches, boggarts, and ghosts roam through the pages of this exciting first book in the Septimus Heap series. This fantasy offers clever twists and turns of plot, surprising characters, and humorous spells. Magyk is a thick book but, magically, a quick read. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Booktalk #2

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 very same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a newborn 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 mysterious baby girl, and what really happened?

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?  Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2006-2007

Booktalk #3

Ten years ago Septimus Heap died in infancy, or so his family thought. Just as the sorrow took hold in the home, Silas finds a baby girl whom they name Jenna.

Jenna is a welcome addition to the family. She is raised in The Ramblings, along with her brothers, until the faithful day that ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, reveals Jenna to be the baby girl of a murdered queen.

Ten- year-old Jenna, the future queen, is in danger. A spy has found out about her and is sent to kill her. Marcia tries to help, but nowhere is safe. There are assassins, a Hunter and an apprentice to an evil wizard after them.! ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia, along with Silas, Nicko, the ghost wizard of Althus and Boy 412 are on the run to save Jenna's young life.

A cast of characters from the forces of Darke Magyk, Boggart and an engaging array of colorful, magical beings bring about this well woven tale of magic, humor and funny clothing.

Will these characters ever stop the menacing necromancer DomDaniel from taking over the land? And who is Septimus Heap, anyway? Not everyone is as they seem!

Septimus Heap Book One: Magyk, by Angie Sage, is a promising start for a new series, but is a good book when read on its own. Young readers who loved Harry Potter will devour this book. (By Tammy L. Welshon)  Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2006-2007