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A lost child? An unlikely hero? A powerful wizard?
Enter the magykal world of Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk, the first book in an exciting world-wide publishing event. Author Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, spells and potions and a roller-coaster ride to discover the mystery at the heart of the story – who is Septimus Heap? To be published in March 2005 by HarperCollins US and in April 2005 by Bloomsbury UK. Also publishing in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Russia and Croatia. (All other rights available from HarperCollins Publishers USA.)
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 the whole Castle spread before him. The old walls hugged the wide, winding river and zigzagged around the higgledy-piggledy clumps of houses. All the houses were painted bright colours, and those that faced west looked as if they were on fire as their windows caught the last of the winter sun's rays. The Castle had started life as a small village. Being so near to the Forest the villagers had put up some tall stone walls for protection against the wolverines, witches and warlocks who thought nothing of stealing their sheep, chickens and occasionally their children. As more houses were built, the walls were extended and a deep moat was dug so that all could feel safe.
As the winter sun sank below the Castle walls, Silas quickened his pace. He needed to get to the North Gate before they locked it and pulled up the drawbridge at nightfall. It was then that Silas sensed something nearby. Something alive, but only just. He was aware of a small human heartbeat somewhere close to him. Silas stopped. As an Ordinary Wizard he was able to sense things, but, as he was not a particularly good Ordinary Wizard, he needed to concentrate hard. He stood still with the snow falling fast around him, already covering his footprints. And then he heard something – a snuffle, a whimper, a small breath? He wasn't sure, but it was enough……… For more about Septimus Heap and author, Angie Sage, visit: EARLY REVIEWS“This book has great potential to rival any of the most popular children's books.” “An exciting read while waiting for the next Harry Potter. For young and adults alike – the “As Tolkien brought Fantasy to a new height, now Sage has raised the bar again. This is fantasy at its best.” And from Angie's first fan letter from Matt Espinosa in Michigan (not sure how he got an early copy!): “You just wrote the best book I have ever read! You have taken place of my favorite author, so now J K Rowling is second.” Septimus Heap - Copyright: Text © Angie Sage, Illustration © Mark Zug
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Soon the Castle was attracting skilled craftsmen from other villages. It grew and prospered, so much so that the inhabitants began to run out of space until someone decided to build The Ramblings. The Ramblings, which was where Silas, Sarah and the boys lived, was a huge stone building that rose up along the riverside. It sprawled for thee miles along the river and back again into the castle, and was a noisy, busy place filled with a warren of passages and rooms, with small factories, schools and shops mixed in with family rooms, tiny roof gardens and even a theatre. There was not much space in The Ramblings but people did not mind. There was always good company and someone for the children to play with.
characters come alive and the plot has lots of hooks to pull the reader along.”