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Summary and Reviews of Magyk by Angie Sage

Magyk by Angie Sage

Magyk

Septimus Heap Book 1

by Angie Sage
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (6):
  • Readers' Rating (35):
  • First Published:
  • Mar 1, 2005, 576 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Mar 2006, 592 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Book Summary

The first part of an enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells. Ages 9+.

The 7th son of the 7th 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 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 to their beloved son, Septimus?

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?

Angie Sage writes in the tradition of great British storytellers. Her inventive fantasy is filled with humor and heart: Magyk will have readers laughing and begging for more.

Chapter One

Something in the Snow

Silas Heap pulled his cloak tightly around him against the snow. It had been a long walk through the Forest, and he was chilled to the bone. But in his pockets he had the herbs that Galen, the Physik Woman, had given him for his new baby boy, Septimus, who had been born earlier that day.

Silas drew closer to the Castle, and he could see the lights flickering through the trees as candles were placed in the windows of the tall narrow houses clustered along the outside walls. It was the longest night of the year, and the candles would be kept burning until dawn, to help keep the dark at bay. Silas always loved this walk to the Castle. He had no fear of the Forest by day and enjoyed the peaceful walk along the narrow track that threaded its way through the dense trees for mile after mile. He was near the edge of the Forest now, the tall trees had begun to thin out, and as the track began to dip down to the valley floor, Silas could see ...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
About the Book

On the same night that Silas Heap’s seventh son, Septimus, is pronounced dead at birth, Silas comes across an abandoned baby in the Forest. The Heap family takes her in to raise as their own, unaware that she is the Royal Princess. Ten years later, the Supreme Custodian, who has been searching for the baby now named Jenna, and his hired Assassin have discovered her whereabouts. To save Jenna’s life, the Heaps must take the Princess deep into the marshes to hide. Escaping with the Heaps are Marcia, the ousted ExtraOrdinary Wizard, and Boy 412, an unwilling participant from the Young Army. But fate has placed Boy 412 with the fleeing wizards for a reason.


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Reviews

BookBrowse Review

BookBrowse

The first part of a planned trilogy 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?..continued

Full Review (202 words)

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(Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).

Media Reviews

Children's Literature - Cindy L. Carolan
It is easy to pick this chunky book up and difficult to put down; the characters are colorful and lively and the storyline reads quickly but contains plenty of intrigue to keep readers guessing. This is the author's first novel, although she has previously written numerous picture books and chapter books for children. Highly recommended. Ages 9-12.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Starred Review. This first book in the Septimus Heap series is a cheerful, clever offering.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This first book in the Septimus Heap series is a cheerful, clever offering.

Kirkus Reviews
A quick–reading, stand–alone, deliciously spellbinding series

Publishers Weekly
The author introduces several subplots, summarized rather than dramatized [then] eventually reveals the real Septimus in a clever, if predictable, turn of events, making way for the next installments. Ages 9-up.

Author Blurb Clive Barker
Septimus Heap: Magyk is a book full of wonders, charms, and surprises. Beautifully written and richly imagined, it invites us into a world we never want to leave. Marvelous.

Reader Reviews

Tigrissia Rosefeather

My Review for Magyk
I love this book and the others that come after. They are my fave books (other than Warriors) and Angie Sage did a good job.
jd

It's good
I like the book because it is very intriguing.
Nancy

Magyk
This is a really cool book because I'm already on book 7 and I have 2 more chapters then i'm done.
leni

magyk review
This was a great book- one of the best of the hundreds of books I have read. Angie Sage really outdid herself on this one. The rest of the series is good, but not as wonderful as this book. This is a great book for 4-6 graders. (I read it in 4th ...   Read More

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Beyond the Book



Sage says that all the locations in the book are inspired by areas around where she lives, and that the whole 'slightly off-the-wall felling of the place comes from living in Cornwall.'

About Cornwall: 
The Peninsula at the South-West tip of England is the former Celtic nation (and now county of) Cornwall.  

It's southerly location and the fact that it's on the path of the Gulf Stream gives it a mild climate which, combined with its endless beaches, makes it a favorite destination for British holiday makers (the resident population is about half a million, but around 4 million visit each year).

The last native Cornish...

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Read-Alikes

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