Lindsey's Library

Critique

This series is often compared to Harry Potter, but I think in many ways it’s much different. The only parallels that I see are that it involves a boy, who at one point is an orphan, and magic. Definitely written for a younger audience, the Septimus books have a tendency to be a little silly sometimes and the endings easily resolved. However, in contrast, Sage deftly creates an interesting world with often odd and humorous characters who have the ability to surprise the reader. The plot structures of each story vary, and, to any fantasy reader’s great joy, she doesn’t use the same antagonist throughout every single book. Some of the characters switch sides, and other, new bad guys emerge as the series progresses. Also, unlike many series writers, Sage will start a chain of events that last throughout several books, continuing to hook readers from book to book. She does not wrap everything up neatly, but is still able to finish a book in a way that makes the story seem complete. Then, the reader has the anticipation of discovering how some of the issues that arise in earlier books will unravel in later additions. 

Within Flyte specifically, Sage pulls some interesting twists out of her magical hat. I especially like the fact that Simon becomes the new bad guy and DomDaniel isn’t as much of an influence. Also, some of the magical elements and intricacies that emerge from this book continue to add to the enrapturing nature of the series overall. Even the darke magic proves to be unique and engaging in its own way. Also, I love Septimus’s new friend Beetle, and the ice tunnels beneath the castle seem like exactly the kind of place I would want to be careening around in a given afternoon. Sage really brings out the sense of the unbridled adventurous spirit throughout the novel. I recommend this to all readers 9+, skewing more toward boys.

The other books in the Septimus Heap series so far are Magyk (book 1), Physik (book 3), Queste (book 4), and Syren (book 5).