Flyte

Harrowing at times, this continues the Septimus Heap story. In the Star Trek "We know the captain won't die, because that would end the series," knowing Septimus will live to have more adventures in the coming books does change things, but that doesn't change the interesting story that unfolds. I love that Jenna, future queen, has such a large part in the story. Her relationship with a dragon that's a boat is sweet and tender. Our hatred of Simon, rejected son, grows.

Flyte, the 2nd book in the Septimus Heap series, started a bit slow for me, but once you feel your heart pounding in your chest whilst racing a horse or flying a dragon, you know Angie Sage has done it again! And this is only the beginning! Another exciting escapade with the Heaps! …But don’t go to the circus! ;)

After listening to Flyte, I think I’d still recommend this series as a good middle grade alternative to the Harry Potter series, but it is becoming abundantly clear that there are a lot of very convenient things that happen in the Septum’s Heap series. It’s entertaining enough, and somehow, the characters do feel like they have a few struggles, but everything is resolved so easily. But yes, it is entertaining. Middle school me would have loved this so much.

A lot has changed for the Heaps since the beginning of Magyk. Jenna and Septimus’s lives have dramatic changed, the assorted Heap boys have all gone their different ways, and one of those ways happens to be into dark magic and villainy. Simon Heap, eldest of the Heap boys, show more doesn’t love that his world has changed. In fact, Simon wanted to be the Extraordinary Wizard’s Apprentice… and he hasn’t taken kindly to the fact that his long lost baby brother has usurped his dreams. Which is what leads him to dark magic and kidnapping. No big deal.

Let’s talk characters. The shifts in behavior are dramatic and unfounded between books. Sage had a story and wanted to keep writing it, so the characters are twisted to fit the vision rather than letting the story guide itself. Simon’s development in particular felt forced. For whatever development there was in Magyk, the quick, chaotic pacing of Flyte did not allow for subtleties and slow reveals. Sage relies on her readers being hooked by book one and wanting to continue.

The plot is all over the place. Flyte exists to forward a couple events and set up a villain, but I didn’t feel like it was really a standalone story. There was no new world building and generally just a lot of movement. Even difficulty Septimus and Jenna faced was easily overcome, generally just by the text announcing it was overcome. It’s not great writing.

All that said, it’s a middle grade magic story and if you’re not looking for deep epic fantasy, it’s decent. It’s fun. It’s got magic and mythical creatures and complicated sibling relationships and a princess. I’ll probably listen to the next book because it is entertaining, but I’m not going to go so far as to say it’s high quality literature. show less

It would be extremely hard to write a book that was better than Magyk, and in this second book in her series, Angie Sage does not quite manage that feat. But all the same this is an extremely enjoyable story, which again mixes an off beat sense of humour with a wonderful tale of danger, deception, kidnappings, magic, friendship and love.

In this story, Septimus' eldest brother, Simon, is consumed by envy for the younger brother who he feels has stolen his birthright - to be apprenticed to the extraordinary wizard, and consequently he takes matters into his own hands to rectify the injustice.

The story is full of wonderful twists and turns, which leave you hankering after more of everything - except maybe Aunt' Zelda's cooking.

More uneven than Magyk, but still fun, and I'm still looking forward to reading the next one.

Septimus Heap has been restored to his family and become the apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand. His parents, Silas and Sarah, have moved into the castle with their foster daughter, Princess Jenna. When Simon, Septimus' oldest brother, arrives on a Darke horse and carries Jenna off, no one seems to take this as seriously as Septimus does. He is determined to save his sister whether he has help or no.

It's hard for me to sum up my reactions to rereads. I have both current and past ideas of the story so wrapped up together that it's hard to make head or tails of it. For example, when I first listened the story, I remember being really taken aback by the change in narrator, and the resulting change in every show more character's voice. Expecting that this time, and remembering odd bits of the plot, I was not as enamored of the story as before. I still like the characters, but I find myself getting more annoyed with the narration, which tends to add tangents and unnecessary background to the story such as how Nicko learned to swim in a passage discussing his work at the boathouse. While I still think it's necessary for me to reread the books in order to remember what's going on when I finally read Syren for the first time, I often remember plot points just before the story reveals them, which takes the edge off any tension. Still, a series I would recommend. show less

This is the second novel in the Septimus Heap series written for children. The recorded version is very well done. It is narrated by Jim Doyle and his voice is perfect for children. Even though the plot and characterization seems very simplified to a sophisticated adult listener the narration alone makes for great listening.

In this installment, Septimus has to deal with a disgruntled older brother who had grown up with the idea that as the eldest he was the one who would be the important wizard in the family. When his talents clearly lie in a different area, he becomes disgruntled and vengeful, and acts on his feelings. There is also a side story about distracted parents and adults and a reader does have to ask why these adults aren't show more paying closer attention to the children in their lives, but their distraction provides a convenient, if unimaginative, plot for the novel. This is another great car ride listen for both adults and children. show less