Magyk (2005) by Angie Sage is the first book in the Septimus Heap series. The series is a thrilling seven-book tale of magic, spelled in the book as magyk; family and adventure, similar in many ways to the Harry Potter books. You might even think of the Heaps almost like you think of the Weasleys: disorganized, poor, loving and magical.
Magyk itself tells the story of a young soldier boy named, “Boy 412.” He quickly finds himself caught up in the politics, magyk and adventures of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, only to eventually find that his own life is not quite what he thought it was.
Also mixed up in the adventures of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard are the somewhat magykally gifted Heap family. The members include parents Silas and Sarah Heap, their daughter Jenna Heap, and Jenna’s six brothers. As the Septimus Heap series goes on, the readers get to know more of Jenna’s family — each of their personalities, quirks and gifts.
I give this book a five star rating. It is great for ages 8-12, as the main characters fit in about this age range. But I first read the Septimus Heap books when I was much older and still enjoyed them to the fullest.
More Books Like This
If you like Magyk, you will probably also like its sequel, Flyte (2006).
Angie Sage also has another series in the same world called TodHunter Moon, starting with Pathfinder (2014).
And if you liked these books, but you still haven’t read Harry Potter, just give in and read it already!
– by Abbie Call
Read next: King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table Book Review, Inkheart.
Abbie Call – Cannonville/Kirksville, Missouri
Abbie Call is a journalist and editor at The Byway. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University. Her favorite topics to write about include anything local, Utah’s megadrought, and mental health and meaning in life. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with family, quilting and hiking with the dog she’s getting soon — fingers crossed.
Find Abbie on Threads @abbieb.call or contact her at [email protected].