Magyk (Septimus Heap #1)

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. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

When life gets stressful, what is better than reading a middle grade book that you know will have a solid ending?  This book covers the origins of Septimus Heap (whoever he is) and Jenna as they try to sort out what is going on in the world.  There are a slew of things that are endearing about the story that made this refreshing and a perfect pick me up.

If there’s anything that I didn’t like in the book it’s that I found the bolded and alternate spellings of some of the words (ex. Magykal) distracting rather than adding to the story, but Sage is consistent in her world building which meant I could forgive it.  Definitely still recommended and worth picking up or recommending to younger middle grade kids!

Rating: 5 stars!

Who should read it? Anyone young (or young at heart) looking for a fun magical adventure.

Want to read the whole series?

• The Darke Toad (Septimus Heap #1.5)

• Flyte (Septimus Heap #2)

• Physik (Septimus Heap #3)

• Queste (Septimus Heap #4)

• Syren (Septimus Heap #5)

• Darke (Septimus Heap #6)

• Fyre (Septimus Heap #7)

• The Magykal Papers (Septimus Heap #7.5)