Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2005 Gr 4-8-A wide cast of characters battle the forces of Darke Magyk in a well-realized world of fantasy. At birth, Septimus Heap is carried away for dead, and his father, Silas Heap, is entrusted with a baby girl. When the villainous Supreme Custodian tries to assassinate the now 10-year-old Jenna, who, it turns out, is the daughter of the murdered queen, the girl flees to the Marram Marshes along with some family members, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, and a young army guard known only as "Boy 412." Pursued by the servants of the Necromancer DomDaniel, and aided by an engaging array of magical beings, they finally prevail in a satisfying and fairly exciting conclusion. Despite the hefty length, the novel is quite easy to follow. Many creative magical elements, such as the deliciously repulsive Magogs, add to the fun. Frequent point-of-view shifts give a well-rounded picture of the multiple plot threads and add many opportunities for light humor. On the other hand, with so many characters represented, it's hard to feel strong empathy for any of them. Jenna, the Queenling, and Boy 412, in particular, nearly emerge as full-blooded individuals at times, but neither quite stands out as an engaging hero. Villains are well drawn and varied, and most are more comical than truly menacing. The ease with which a once-formidable enemy like the Hunter is finally dispatched, however, detracts a bit from the eventual triumph of the protagonists. Overall, this is a fine choice for fantasy readers looking to delve into a new world with lots of magic, plenty of action, and a few neat surprises.-Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2005 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 02/01/2005 As the seventh son of a seventh son, Septimus Heap was destined to become someone special. At least, everyone thought so until he died suddenly in infancy and his place in the Heap home was taken by a foundling baby girl, whom his father found abandoned in the snow. Ten years later, the girl Jenna is discovered to be the mislaid heir to the throne—an empty title, since her mother the Queen has been assassinated at the behest of the evil wizard DomDaniel, and a dreary tribe of Custodians has taken over running the Castle. Now the whole Heap family—six boys, two parents, and Aunt Zelda—must join with two ExtraOrdinary Wizards (one alive, one dead) and a mysterious orphan known only as Boy 412 to overthrow the powers of the Darke and restore Jenna to her rightful place. An affable incarnation of the lost-heir tale, Jenna’s (and Boy 412’s) story is packed with personable minor characters and histrionic villains, engaging verbal interchanges, and witty commentaries on the foibles of individual cast members. The eccentrically spelled (“Darkenesse” and “Magykal” are representative) and liberally bolded enchantment terminology can become tiresome; however, these quirks of typographical representation are minor drawbacks compared to the pull of genuinely warm domestic relationships and acutely practical character development. Heavily textured pencil sketches head the chapters, their rough lines providing open-ended visual cues which spark the reader’s imagination without constraining it. This first book in the Septimus Heap series is a cheerful, clever offering; readers seeking a lighthearted dip into the world of fantasy will find safe haven here. An informational/recreational CD is packaged with the book. - Copyright 2005 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 03/15/2005 As the magically (make that Magykally ) gifted seventh son of a seventh son, hated and feared by a powerful necromancer, Septimus Heap is more Harry Potter than Artemis Fowl. But unlike most characters who lend their names to fantasy cycles, Septimus--whose birth shortly before chapter one set this series in motion--is killed off in chapter one, whisked away by a midwife shouting, Dead! Fast-forward 10 years, when it becomes apparent that Jenna, a foundling girl whom the large, boisterous Heap family has adopted, has her own grand destiny to fulfill. As for Septimus, could it be that his death is more presumed than actual? Many will dismiss this first novel, put off as much by its obvious parallels to existing blockbusters as by elements of affectation (like placing all Magykal spells in distracting bold type). But scores of less-jaded youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling, which enfolds supportive allies and horrific enemies, abundant quirky details, and poignant moments of self-discovery. A CD-ROM with games and extras is tucked inside the front cover of the trade edition. - Copyright 2005 Booklist.

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