Flyte

Storytellers these days, it seems, cannot write a novel that begins and concludes in a single volume. Some stories, however, are just too gloriously delightful to try and cram into one book and they beg for more space to breathe, to be enjoyed and savoured. Angie Sage began her Septimus Heap sequence of stories with Magyk, and this refreshingly still-just-as-good sequel continues the story of Septimus with great skill and panache.

It's been a year since Septimus Heap, the seventh son of a seventh son, discovered his real family and true destiny to be a wizard. As Apprentice to ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, he is learning the fine arts of Conjurations, Charms, and other Magyk, while his best friend Jenna (the adopted girl who lived with his family for ten years until it was discovered that she was royalty!) is adapting to life as the Princess and enjoying the freedom of the Castle.

But, as is the way with all good fantasy stories, something sinister is still afoot. The evil necromancer DomDaniel may have been has been disposed of, but something Darke is undeniably stirring. A Shadow pursues ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, following her every move, growing stronger every day. Septimus realises the danger but, before he can act, Jenna is snatched, taken by the most unlikely kidnapper. Could it really be his jealous brother Simon who is responsible? Septimus must rescue his sister but does not, at first, realise the nature of the threat apparent.

This satisfying second volume, again stuffed with mayhem and thrilling adventure, confirms the immense readability of Sage's novels and consolidates the reputation for her growing sequence of funny fantasy novels that should mean they remain popular with young readers for many years to come.

(Age 10 and over) --John McLay

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Courtesy of Teens Read Too - Rated
Septimus Heap, seventh son of a seventh son, has settled into his life as the Apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Formerly thought to be only an orphan boy serving in the Young Army, it was quite a shock to the Heap family when they discovered that Boy 412 was actually their youngest son, who they believed had died after childbirth. Now that Marcia Overstrand has taken Septimus back to the Wizard Tower as her Apprentice, Septimus is truly learning how to use the Magyk that flows strongly through his lineage.

Although DomDaniel is believed dead after the wreck of his boat, and, in fact, the end of the first book in the series saw his skeleton sinking to the bottom of the Marram Marshes, not all members of the Heap family are happy to have the prodigal son return. Simon Heap, the oldest of Silas and Sarah's sons, had always hoped to gain the apprenticeship to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. When that goal was thwarted by the reappearance of young Septimus, Simon's anger turned to revenge. After rescuing the bones of DomDaniel, the evil Wizard, from a watery grave, Simon disappeared into the Badlands, much to the worry and horror of his family.

Nearly a year has passed, and Jenna, the Princess who will one day become Queen, is enjoying the quiet, peaceful life in the Palace. She has settled into her life on the Palace grounds, once again happy and secure. Nicko Heap has taken a job at the boatyard; the four wild Heap children are still living in the Forest with Wolf Boy; Septimus is learning the ways of Magyk. All is well until one day when Simon Heap, surrounded by Darkness, rushes onto the Palace grounds upon a black horse and kidnaps Jenna, taking her away to the Badlands.

Simon, who now considers himself to be the Apprentice of evil DomDaniel, knows he must get rid of the Princess, and his brother, Septimus, if he has any chance of returning to the Wizard Tower as ExtraOrdinary Wizard one day. Bent on revenge, he has a plan to get DomDaniel back into a position of power, and it is up to Jenna, Septimus, Nicko, Aunt Zelda,
the entire Heap family, and the Dragon Boat to make sure that doesn't happen.

FLYTE is a great follow-up to book one, MAGYK. The Septimus Heap series continues to delight, with its introduction of new characters, intriguing plot lines, and great dialogue. I'm eagerly awaiting book three, which should no doubt continue to entertain!

[...]

still just as wicked, witty and whimsical! - Rated
She did it again. Yet another funny and delightful story of the, somewhat strange, Heap family. The story is actually deeper and more inovative than the first one. I cant wait for Physik to arrive.

Septimus has gotten into his role as apprentice in the wizard tower, and it is never boring. Jenna has moved into the Palace with her parents, and she is enjoying her newfound freedom. But one day Jenna is kidnaped by her older brother. A brother blinded with jealousy and rage. He is in lead with the evil necromacer, and once again Jenna and Septimus will have to fight for their lives, the safety of everyone they love. Are they up to the task? Is Jenna ready for her role as the young Queen?

Another thrilling adventure. Fast paced and hillarious! Great stuff!!!! :)

This Rocked! - Rated
Flyte continues where Magick left off, with Jenna returning to the castle to take her position as queen and Septimus heading to the wizards tower to take up his apprenticeship under the Extraordinary Wizard; Marcia Overstrand. The Evil Dom Daniel has mysteriously returned and so the heaps and their new friends must once again defeat him. The plot is generally very good and does indeed hold many twists and turns however they can be slightly transparent.

A great kids book that can be enjoyed by all. It is fast paced, gripping and wickedly funny. Sage has included the return of all the major characters including the hilarious message rat Stanley and the ever-grumpy Bogart. The second book in the Septimus Heap trilogy is just as good as the first this is funny tale of magic and intrigue that you will not want to miss. If you liked the first one then you will love this.

Spell-binding! : ) - Rated
This book is marvellous!

It's a bit slow at first, but as you read on, you'll find that you can't put the book down.

There are a lot of twists and plots in this book that will surprise you and keep you going. The boys have all grown up and started to lead their own lives. For Simon, he had just came back from some unknown places and has changed a lot since then. His family felt that somethings odd about Simon, but they just can't place what. For Sam, Edd, Erik, Jo-jo, they went to live in the forest and has slow down their pace of living, just like the forest. Nicko went to work at Jannit's boatyard and is working along with Rupert Gringe, Lucy(Simon's lover)'s brother. Septimus has learnt more about Magyk since the Apprentice dinner and is growing more accustomed to it. He lives in him own room in the Wizard tower, and tidy the Library every morning, since it's his job as Apprentice to the Extraordinary Wizard. The Heap family has moved to the Castle along with Jenna, Septimus visits there sometimes, when he has his day off, which is not a lot.

But when Simon kidnapped Jenna and no one believed it(except Nicko), Septimus must find a way to rescue her, no matter how much it costs. On the other hand, Jenna felt uneasy being with Simon, he seems to have changed and his moods are unpredictable, sometimes he would be kind to her, but only for a second, then he became the evil man again. Both Septimus and Jenna must find a way, for the former, to save Jenna; for the latter to escape Simon's grasps. And together, the three of them, Septimus, nicko and Jenna, undergoes a perilous journey to face the unknown.

The author has done a great job in writing this sequel to the best-selling "Magyk", she has gave us the whereabouts of the familiar figures that appeared in the first book, such as the Heap family, the ex-Apprentice of DomDaniel, Stanley, etc. She also introduce us to some other new characters and some that have been mentioned in the last book but never appeared.

I sincerely recommend this book to you all, but if you haven't read "Magyk" yet, then read it now!

very enjoyable magical adventure - Rated
Like its predesssor, MAGYCK, this is a story about wizards and witches, ghosts and dragons and an evil magician who wants to rule everyone else. Sound familiar? They have the same publisher, and much of the same sense of humour, but Septimus is no Harry Potter. The evil Dom Daniel manages to reanimate as a skeleton in the marshes and persuades Simon, Septimus's brother and rival Apprentice to serve him. Soon Princess Jenna has been kidnapped,Jenna's Dragon Boat mortally wounded and something nasty is stirring in the Palace.
Lots of fun for readers of 8+