Septimus Heap facts for kids
The cover art for all seven main titles in the series
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| Author | Angie Sage |
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| Illustrator | Mark Zug |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Genre | Juvenile fantasy |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) Katherine Tegen Books (US) |
| Published | 23 September 2005 – 16 April 2013 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
The Septimus Heap series is a collection of exciting fantasy novels. It was written by the English author Angie Sage. The series tells the story of a boy named Septimus Heap. There are seven main books in the series: Magyk, Flyte, Physik, Queste, Syren, Darke, and Fyre. The first book, Magyk, came out in 2005, and the last one, Fyre, was published in 2013.
There's also a special book called The Magykal Papers. It has lots of extra details and pictures about the series. You can also find a short online story called The Darke Toad. The adventures continue in a new series, The TodHunter Moon Series, which starts seven years after Fyre.
The books follow Septimus Heap on his amazing journeys. He is a seventh son of a seventh son, which means he has incredible magical powers. He becomes an apprentice to the "ExtraOrdinary" Wizard, Marcia Overstrand. Septimus must study magic for seven years and a day. In the first book, he is known as Young Army Expendable Boy 412. Later, his great-aunt, Zelda Zanuba Heap, reveals his true identity.
His adventures are filled with the love and strength of his family. He also shares adventures with Jenna, his adopted sister. Jenna is the heir to the throne of the Castle, where they all live. The novels are set in a detailed fantasy world. They show the many challenges Septimus and his friends must overcome.
The Septimus Heap books have been very popular. They have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. Critics have praised the series for its realistic characters and exciting stories. Many people have compared it to Harry Potter and other fantasy books.
Contents
How the Series Was Created
Author Angie Sage shared how she came up with the Septimus Heap series. She said that Septimus, his future, and his world were clear in her mind from the start. However, she didn't know all the steps of his journey or the characters he would meet. Sage described Septimus Heap's world as a place where many creatures and people suddenly appear.
Angie Sage explained that Septimus Heap is a character in a strange world. He doesn't know who he really is at first. The series became even more exciting when the character of Marcia Overstrand was developed. Sage said Marcia was a big inspiration.
The Septimus Heap series is all about the strong and loving Heap family. Angie Sage said in an interview:
I like their chaotic acceptance of life, and the fact that they don't do what they are told by authority if they think it is wrong. Stuff happens to them that makes their life difficult at times but they don't moan about things, they just get on and sort it out as best they can. They are remarkably accepting of other people, I think because they are so strong as a unit. They are also a family which becomes separated by circumstances- and I wanted to show that families can still be close to each other and care for each other even though they live apart. The family relationships develop as the books progress, and are central to the story.
Angie Sage has a real boat named Muriel, just like the character Sally Mullin in Magyk. Other ideas for the series came from Sage's love of history. She also found inspiration in the misty landscapes of Cornwall, where she used to live. Daydreaming was also a big part of her creative process. She would keep her thoughts and ideas in an old envelope.
Sage also explained the unique spelling of "Magyk." She felt the usual spelling of "magic" made people think of stage tricks. She wanted to avoid that. In the past, people spelled words however they liked. "Magic" was often spelled "magyck," so she changed it a little. She continued to use old spellings for words related to magic. This gives the books a special feel.
Books in the Septimus Heap Series
The Main Seven Books
Magyk
The first book, Magyk, was released in March 2005. It introduces the Heap family: Silas, Sarah, and their seven children. The story begins when Silas finds Jenna in the snow. Septimus is born on the same day. But the midwife says he is dead. She actually steals the baby and takes him to DomDaniel, an evil wizard. Septimus is then confused with the midwife's own son. He is sent to the Young Army.
On her tenth birthday, Jenna learns she is a princess from ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand. Jenna and her family are in danger. Jenna and Nicko Heap escape to their Aunt Zelda's cottage. A boy from the Young Army, Boy 412, goes with them. He discovers his magic powers and a special ring at Zelda's. Marcia is captured by DomDaniel. Boy 412, Jenna, and Nicko rescue her. They find a flying Dragon Boat in a secret cave near Zelda's cottage. Jenna also finds a beautiful stone there. At the end of the book, Boy 412 is revealed to be Septimus. His family learns about his past.
Flyte
The second book, Flyte, came out in March 2006. Septimus is now Marcia Overstrand's apprentice. He sees Jenna get kidnapped by her older brother, Simon Heap. Septimus gets help from Nicko and a friend from the Young Army. He finds Jenna at The Port. But Simon follows them. They fly back to The Castle in the Dragon Boat. They have an aerial battle with Simon. Marcia's life is threatened by the bones of DomDaniel, who has returned. Septimus helps her destroy him again. This book also features the discovery of the lost Flyte charm. The stone Jenna gave Septimus turns out to be an egg. It hatches into a dragon, which Septimus names Spit Fyre.
Physik
The third book, Physik, was published in March 2007. The main bad guy in this book is the 500-year-old spirit of Queen Etheldredda. Silas Heap accidentally releases her. She sends Septimus back in time to her immortal son, Marcellus Pye. Septimus becomes an apprentice to the young Marcellus Pye, an alchemist. He learns about Physik (old science).
In the present time, The Castle is hit by a deadly plague. Queen Etheldredda created it with her rat-like creature. She plans to live forever. Jenna and Nicko meet a young trader, Snorri Snorrelssen. They travel back in time with her to bring Septimus back. Nicko and Snorri get stuck in the past. Jenna is taken to the living Queen Etheldredda. She is thought to be Princess Esmerelda, the Queen's lost daughter. But Jenna escapes with Septimus. They return to the present Castle. Marcia destroys Etheldredda's spirit. Septimus uses his knowledge of Physik to create an antidote for the plague. When Etheldredda is defeated, her lost crown appears. Jenna takes it for when she becomes queen.
Queste
The fourth book, Queste, was released in April 2008. The main mission in this book is a journey to the House of Foryx. This is a place where "all times meet." The goal is to bring back Nicko and Snorri. They were trapped there after the third book. Septimus is sent on this mission by a ghost named Tertius Fume. Fume wants Septimus to "Darken his Destiny" for Merrin Meredith. Merrin now has the Two-Faced Ring. Septimus gets help from Jenna and his friend Beetle. He puts together a map to the House of Foryx. When they reach the house, Septimus meets Hotep-Ra, the very first ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Jenna and Beetle find Nicko and Snorri. Marcia and Sarah Heap arrive outside the house on Spit Fyre. They all return to their own time together.
Syren
The fifth book, Syren, came out in September 2009. It picks up right after Queste. Septimus brings his friends to the Port, a place by the sea. Septimus, Jenna, and Beetle get trapped on a mysterious island. There, Septimus meets a girl named Syrah Syara. She tells him she is possessed by the Syren, an evil spirit. She also warns him about a dangerous plan by Tertius Fume to destroy The Castle. With help from his friends and a safe-charm jinnee sent by Aunt Zelda, Septimus stops Fume's invasion of The Castle. He also saves Syrah from the Syren.
Darke
The sixth book, Darke, was published in 2011. Septimus and his friends fight against the Darke domain. This dark magic has covered The Castle and everyone in it. The only one standing in their way is Merrin Meredith. He created the Darke domain with his gang of Things and a Darke Dragon. Alther Mella was accidentally banished by Marcia. Septimus wants to free him from the Darke Halls. He believes Alther can help undo the Darke. Marcia Overstrand, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, undoes the Darke spell using the Paired Codes. Everything returns to normal. Beetle becomes Chief Hermetic Scribe. Simon reunites with his family. Princess Jenna is happy that the Palace and Castle are back to normal.
Fyre
Fyre, published in April 2013, presents the toughest challenges yet. Septimus is nearing the end of his ExtraOrdinary Wizard training. The Darke wizards from the Two-Faced Ring, Shamandrigger Saarn and Dramindonnor Naarn, escape. They take over Silas Heap's brothers, Ernold and Edmund. They try to destroy Marcellus Pye's Alchemical Fyre. But they are defeated and sent back to the Two-Faced Ring. The ring is then destroyed in the Fyre.
Other Books in the Series
Septimus Heap: The Magykal Papers (published in June 2009) is a special book. It's a full-color guide to the series with illustrations by Mark Zug. Angie Sage said she enjoyed creating this book. It's full of information about Septimus's world and its creatures. It includes secret files, journal entries, charm theory, basic spells, and maps.
The Darke Toad is a short eBook story for Amazon Kindle. It was published in February 2013. This story brings back DomDaniel and the Port Witch Coven. It takes place between Magyk and Flyte. The eBook also includes two chapters from Fyre.
The TodHunter Moon trilogy starts seven years after Fyre. It follows Alice Todhunter Moon, who becomes Septimus's apprentice. The first book, Pathfinder, came out in October 2014. It was followed by SandRider (October 2015) and StarChaser (October 2016).
Film Plans
Warner Bros. bought the rights to make a movie based on the first book, Magyk. Karen Rosenfelt was set to produce the film. Angie Sage would be an executive producer. It was said that the movie would not start production until the last Harry Potter movie was finished. Sage mentioned that the script would be developed after a writer's strike.
On July 17, 2009, it was announced that the movie would be live-action. It would also use computer animated effects. David Frankel was chosen as the director. Rob Lieber was to adapt Magyk. In 2009, a new version of the script was being written. Warner Brothers was also working on early design ideas. Sage said, "It is very exciting to know that others are putting their creative input into my work—quite amazing really. [...] I'm really looking forward to seeing the whole Septimus world up there on the big screen coming to life."
Later, on the official Septimus Heap Facebook page, it was shared that Warner Brothers decided not to make the movie. The rights to the series were returned to Angie Sage in May. Now, they are hoping to find a TV series for Septimus Heap.
Main Characters
The main character of the series is Septimus Heap. As the seventh son of a seventh son, Septimus has amazing magical powers. He shares his birthday with Jenna, his adopted sister. But his family believes he died at birth. For most of the first book, he is known as Boy 412. He spent his first ten years in the Young Army after DomDaniel tried to kidnap him. After that, he becomes an apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand. He has curly hair and wears green apprentice robes. He also wears a Dragon Ring on his right hand. In the second book, he gets a pet dragon named Spit Fyre.
Jenna Heap is adopted by the Heap family. She is actually the daughter of the assassinated queen of the castle. She is a small girl with deep violet eyes and dark hair. These features are common for queens and princesses. She has fair skin and wears a deep red cloak. She also wears the gold circlet of the princess on her head. She is loving and caring, but can be very stubborn. In the first book, she has a pet rock named Petroc Trelawney. She loses it when the Marram Marshes flood. Later, she gets a pet duck named Ethel, who becomes Sarah Heap's pet.
Marcia Overstrand is the powerful and strong ExtraOrdinary Wizard. She is often described as strict and a bit grumpy. But she has a good heart. She cares deeply for her apprentice, Septimus. She feels responsible for protecting him and his sister, even risking her own life. She is a tall woman with long, dark curly hair and deep-green eyes. She usually wears a deep purple tunic and purple python-skin boots. Her symbol and source of power is an Akhu-Amulet. It hangs around her neck and makes her the ExtraOrdinary Wizard.
The main bad guy in the first two books is DomDaniel. He is a Necromancer (someone who uses dark magic) and a former ExtraOrdinary Wizard. He wants to take back control of the Wizard Tower from Marcia Overstrand. In the third book, the bad guy is Queen Etheldredda. In the fifth book, the bad guys are the Syren and Tertius Fume. In the sixth book, it's Merrin Meredith and his dark magic. In the seventh book, it's the two Darke ring wizards. Many other characters appear in the books. These include Septimus's parents, Silas and Sarah Heap. Also, Septimus's friend Beetle, and a trader named Snorri Snorrelssen.
The World of Septimus Heap
The Septimus Heap series takes place in an imaginary world. Each book includes maps to help readers understand the setting. Magyk has a map of the Castle and the area around it, down to the Port. It also has a bigger map of just the Castle. Flyte shows a map of the Badlands and the Borderlands to the north. Physik has a detailed map of the Castle, including the Alchemie chambers. Queste has a map for the House of Foryx, drawn by Snorri. Syren includes past maps and adds the Isles of Syren. The map in Syren also mentions that Septimus lives in "The Small Wet Country Across the Sea."
At the end of Fyre, Septimus writes a date: 4 July 12,004. The book ends with a quote from Arthur C. Clarke: "Any Sufficiently Advanced Technology is Indistinguishable from Magyk." This hints that the series might be set far in the future. There are other clues too. In Syren, Lucy Gringe and Wolf Boy talk about a "Red Tube." Wolf Boy says he heard stories of people traveling to the moon in things like that. Lucy doesn't believe him. But it seems they are talking about Apollo moon missions. Also, Septimus and the possessed Syrah enter a chamber that moves up and down with a button. This suggests they used an elevator.
The Castle
The Castle is the main place in the series. It's on a circular piece of land by a river. This land is cut off from the surrounding forest by a man-made moat. Inside the Castle are the Wizard Tower, the Palace, and the Ramblings. Angie Sage based this structure on old walled cities. These cities were like small, self-sufficient nations.
The Wizard Tower is where the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, lives. Ordinary Wizards and their apprentices also live there, including Septimus. The first ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Hotep-Ra, built it. It's a purple tower with 21 floors and a gold pyramid on top. It glows with magic. The Palace is where the royal family lives, including Jenna, Sarah, and Silas. It's much older than the Wizard Tower. It has secret places, like the Queen's room, which only the Queen or Princess can enter. There's also a secret passage to the Marram Marshes.
Places Around the Castle
Marram Marshes
South of the Castle are the Marram Marshes. This is a long area of marshland near the river's mouth. Many creatures live there, such as Brownies, Quake Oozes, Boggarts, and pythons. Zelda Heap's cottage is on Draggen Island, in the middle of the marshes. It's built above a secret temple. Septimus finds the Dragon Boat in this temple. He also found the egg (which he thought was a rock) from which Spit Fyre hatched here. Sage based the marshes on boggy areas near her home. The tides and moon phases in the books are based on those for Falmouth, Cornwall.
The Forest
The Forest is to the north-west of the Castle. People in the Castle fear it because it's dark and dangerous. The Wendron Witches and other witches live there. Galen, Sarah Heap's mentor in Physik, also lives there. The Forest has many mysterious parts. It's full of shape-shifting or meat-eating trees, including Benjamin Heap. It also has wolverines and many secrets. There's a secret path in the Forest that leads to the House of Foryx. Sage based the Forest on medieval forests. These were huge and had their own rules, separate from the outside world.
The House of Foryx
The House of Foryx is a magical house deep inside another forest. It's always winter around it. The building is octagonal with four octagonal pillars. This is where all times meet. Characters can travel from one time to another here. People can enter the building from any time. But they can only leave in their own time if someone from that time is waiting outside the main door. Otherwise, they get lost in time. They might even end up in a time before the House of Foryx existed, making it impossible to return. The house is named after Foryx, a huge elephant-like creature in the Septimus Heap world.
Other Important Places
The Port
The Port is in the far south, near the sea. It's shown as a place full of strangers. Ships load and unload their goods here. A customs officer, Alice Nettles (who is no longer alive), used to check the cargo. A dangerous group called the Port Witch Coven can trick strangers or turn them into toads. There's a shortcut from the Port to Zelda's house in the Marram Marshes. The author created the Port because she loves the busy atmosphere of boats arriving. Sage sees the Port as a place of "beginnings and adventures—and endings too."
The Badlands
The Badlands are a rocky, hilly valley on the northern borders of the Septimus Heap world. Dom Daniel used to practice his dark magic in an observatory on top of a hill here. Giant snake-like animals called Land Wurms live there, making it a dangerous place. Simon Heap also used to live in the Badlands.
How the Books Were Received
The Septimus Heap novels have been published in 28 languages worldwide. Over one million copies have been sold in the United States. Each book has appeared on national bestseller lists. The first book, Magyk, became an international bestseller. It reached number one on the New York Times Best Sellers List in March 2005.
What Critics Thought
The series has mostly received good reviews.
A review in The Independent newspaper about the audiobooks said the chapters are short enough to keep children aged seven and up interested. It also mentioned that with ghosts, rats, soldiers, and dragon boats helping Septimus and the young Princess fight the evil necromancer DomDaniel, there's enough to keep the whole family entertained.
Comparisons to Other Fantasy Books
Some critics have noticed similarities between names in Septimus Heap and Harry Potter. For example, Petroc Trelawney (Jenna's pet rock) and Sybill Trelawney (a professor in Harry Potter). Both series also feature Boggarts. In Septimus Heap, they are intelligent marsh creatures. In Harry Potter, they are shape-shifters.
British author Phil Knight explained these similarities. He said that Petroc Trelawney in Septimus Heap is likely named after a real-life radio presenter. He also pointed out that Boggarts have been part of English folklore for a long time, long before either Sage or J. K. Rowling wrote about them.
The series has also been compared to other fantasy novels. Hotep-Ra's magical ring reminds some of The Lord of the Rings. The journeys in the series are "somewhat Narnia-esque." The idea of a powerful seventh son of a seventh son was also used in the Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card. However, these borrowed ideas are not seen as a bad thing. They help create the unique feel of the series and don't take away from its originality.
Images for kids
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Chinle Badlands is similar to the Badlands depicted in the book.
See also
In Spanish: Septimus Heap para niños
