Customer Reviews

Septimus Heap: The Magykal Papers

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Magykal Papers is a charming compendium of "published" (Pamplets, restaurant reviews, etc) and private papers (journal entries, etc) which, together, help to increase our understanding of delightful world created by Angie Sage. The "papers" are loosely collected into chapters corresponding to different regions of the Castle, such as the Palace and the Wizard Tower.
Some Pros Include:
1. Ms. Sage's trademark gentle humor is present thoughout most of the book. I particulary enjoyed the tour pamplets by Silas Heap.
2. The book begins with a bit of the history of the Castle. Just how did the Castle come to have a Queen? You learn that here
3. Fabulous illustrations. I enjoyed seeing how mark Zug envisions the Heaps and the Wizards, especially Alther Metha.
4. While there is limited new material, the sections tend to add tremendously to the overall depth of the world being created by Ms Sage. For example, you gain empathy for Sarah Heap and difficult it must be for her to have been separated from her sons.

Cons:
1. A note of caution - this is NOT a stand-alone book. Appreciation of it requires that you read the other books in the series first.
2. Some of the material was rather redundant, others simply didn't add much backstory. For example, for this book to make any sense you will have to read Magyk. Well, in that book you cover the rules for the Message Rat Service, so it is redundant to repeat it here. The journal entries don't seem to add much backstory.

Overall, this was a pleasant, quick read. I am looking forward to the next installation of the series, Syren.

If you are thinking (or reviewing) that this book is a sequel - forget it. If you find yourself hungry at 3 pm and dinner isn't until 6 pm and you eat a small snack -- that's what this book is about. It is a menu of the books preceeding it. It is a very GOOD menu because it reviews all the characters, their situations, the places you travel in the book and much more. If you think of it as an interim book - something to "tide you over" until the next book, then you will purchase and enjoy and not give bad reviews because it wasn't "enough". Good book and a wonderful addition to the shelf with your Sage collection.

You can tell that this book was written with love. Even the physical book itself is exceptional, with glossy pages and full-colored drawings of all the main players in the books, along with their backstories. I love books that give behind the scenes tidbits about the stories, and I have them for Artemis Fowl and Leven Thumps, and I'm glad that now there's one for Septimus Heap.

I was disappointed in the quality of the Kindle edition of this book. The section on Marcia Overstrand was missing many letters. There were numerous spelling errors throughout the book. The background info on the world of Septimus Heap is interesting, but not well-done for the Kindle. Go for the paper edition instead.

if whoever reads the book and DOESNT realize that sage spells words in her own way obviously doesnt know the series. i rented the book from the library, and i luved it. cant wait until i get it.

This is a nice graphic book that goes behind the scenes to let you see a little of the history of the castle and the people and things within it. It is a nice little side event to the series.

I am a big fan of Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series, and this addition makes it even better. The illustrations alone in this book are worth it--this book helps you visualize the world she has created!

Each Septimus Heap book is a joy! But this supplement has a lot of new things and is full of fun (as always) and full of wonderful illustrations created by the talented Mark Zug!
I recommend it to all the Septimus Heap fans!

It is a quick read. I expected a little more to the book. It is cute, just not worth the hard cover copy price.

The Septimus Heap series has earned its place his year on my favourites list, and for good reason. Entertaining plots that sweep you along, a wonderfully and brilliantly imagined world, and a perfectly ridiculous sense of humour that is strongly reminicent of J K Rowling.

However, this book is not one you would read on its own. It provides background materials and quirky observations from Angie Sage's world. It fills in some missing history, recapitulates some of the story and keeps you smiling. However, the book is not a story in its own right. This is a book for people who already love the series.

But if you love the series you will want this book. Not that it is brilliant in the same way the stories are. But it is just good fun, and if you cannot get enough of Septimus Heap then this will fill your longing until the autumn when the next book is due out. It is also beautifully illustrated, and with a good few fun items to pore over and consider. It is also possible to guess which parts of this book may be used in the next one.

I enjoyed this very much - but if you are new to the series, don't start here - buy "Magyk" instead.