 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Septimus Heap Series
- By Angie Sage
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Charming series for kids not ready for big, dark fantasies.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, among current fantasy novels, this is among the least dark or violent, and almost uniquely in this genre, fighting and killing are not portrayed as the answer to anything and are assiduously avoided, villains are seen as redeemable, and heroes are both stronger and more compassionate than their enemies. This series' gentleness makes it especially recommended
for those not quite ready for the big, dark fantasies.
What's the story?
Just after the apparent death of the sprawling, wizardly Heap family's newborn seventh son, they are given a baby girl, Jenna, to care for. Ten years later they are forced to flee their home in the Castle when it turns out the girl is the daughter of the murdered queen, and the Supreme Custodian, who has taken over the city, sends an assassin to complete his destruction of the royal family. Pursued by a professional Hunter, and accompanied by the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, a ghost, and a young soldier known only as Boy 412, they head into the Marram Marshes to find refuge with their Aunt Zelda, the White Witch. But the Necromancer, DomDaniel, who is in league with the Supreme Custodian, is determined to see them all destroyed.
Is it any good?
Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book 1
This author may have slept through the classes in Story Construction and
Character Development, but she was the star pupil in Blithe Spirit.
With a light touch and gentle humor, she carries readers through this
overlong novel, with some explosions of imagination along the way. A
wealth of fascinating magical creatures and an intriguing new design for
magic make this a delightful, at times exciting, read.
Flyte: Septimus Heap, Book 2
Septimus, now apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, seems to be the
only one alarmed with his brother Simon, doing the bidding of
Necromancer DomDaniel, rides off with Princess Jenna. He knows she's
been kidnapped and goes after her. This installment is just as fun as
the first with the same light touch and unique approach to magic. It's
nice to see Septimus fleshing out as a character, learning magic, and
facing his fears.
Physik: Septimus Heap, Book 3
Septimus is kidnapped through a magic glass and taken back 500 years to
be the apprentice of alchemist Marcellus Pye. Meanwhile Pye's mother,
Queen Etheldredda, haunts the present and attempts to reclaim the crown
from Jenna. There are plenty of what-ifs with the time travel theme, but
the story bogs down in its length and some of the heart is missing in
this installment. Queen Ehteldredda is a fun villain, however.
Queste: Septimus Heap, Book 4
Thanks to a cruel ghost, Septimus is set up for a quest that no other
apprentice has returned from -- but not if he escapes the Questing
Guards first. He, Jenn, and his friend Beetle would rather rescue Nikko
and Snorri, stranded in the distant past in book 3. It takes almost 300
pages for the trio to hit the road and this book is poorer for it. The
focus should have been on their journey, not a slew of minor characters.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the author's aversion to violence. How does the author make the story so exciting without battles and fighting?
How is the approach to fantasy and the good/evil struggle different from other books?
This is yet another fantasy book being made into a movie. If you read the book first, what do you think would make it a good movie? Who do you envision playing Jenna? Boy 412?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Watch out, Harry Potter, because here comes Semptimus Heap!
I loved this book, even if it was different and a little dull. It's full of charms and sadness and laughter. There is already 5th one that the author, Angie Sage is writing. I read some of the 2nd, and a portion of the third, but then after awhile it was too long and I got a bit bored. (Please note the pages are usually 500-600 pages). I loved the series while I was reading it, though. 10+!
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Kid, 12 years old
May 1, 2011
AGE
Awesome book!!!
I love this series!!! I read it last year and I really liked it. The author is really good at showing how human nature is never completely bad.
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AGE
Not fun for all ages, Incredible for all ages
This series is AMAZING!!! I can't wait until book six comes out (April 2011). I love the story, and even I run into words I don't know. Septimus, Nicko, Jenna, Marcia, Beetlee, etc., you just gotta love 'em, even though Sep is a bit angsty in book 5. About violence, the only thing i'd mention is that Nicko can be violent at time, when they push an evil character off the edge of a cliff (but you'll see why it wasn't as bad as it sounds), and DomDaniel's skeleton is creepy. But, it is definitely a lighthearted series for all ages. I've read the bokks three times and enjoyed them every single time. There was one really negative review I saw and I just have to say that is untrue.
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AGE
sort of dull
question: did csm delete all the unfavorable reviews people gave when they updated their site?
anyhow. i guess i'll review this again,
it's an ok story, i guess, but at times it's rather dull and charming, it is glaringly obvious who septimus heap is for most of the book. i don't really recommend it to anyone over nine. the author does have a funny sense of humor though. at the end of the books there are profile sketches of each character- hat happened to them after or before the story. so you read about witches maids- and then all of a sudden: SLEUTH. sleuth was a tennis ball, once...
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AGE
The best book ever. The author, Angie Sage is brilliant at writing, and knows how to blend great humor into a great story. Everyone should read this book, and it will be on their tops within the first few chapters.
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AGE
PERFECT BOOK
It is a book i have read and enjoyed SO many times?!
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AGE
Math Problem: Septimus Heap series ? Harry Potter series
If you like magic or fantasies in even the slightest way, READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!! I liked this series as much or possibly more than the Harry Potter books.
Check out the rest of the series too:
Book 2: Flyte
Book 3: Physik
Book 4: Queste
Book 5: Syren [coming soon in 2009]
The Magykal Papers [series reference book; coming soon]
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AGE
Great book for kids not ready for the big stuff
I really liked the book, because it was a page turner. You never know whats going to happen next. Great for kids who aren't ready for the big stuff.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 4, 2011
AGE
Classic
This book was very predictable, and not very original. the only reason i read it was because my friend recommended it, but i found it.....pretty boring. An evil king that sends an assasin to kill them??? You've GOT to be kidding me cuz how many books have that plot again?
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2010
AGE
Good for younger readers, hardly any violence, very apropriate for ages 8 and uo.
Very adventurous,but apropriate.
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| Author: | Angie Sage |
| Illustrator: | Mark Zug |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | August 10, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 564 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Paperback price: | $7.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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