Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Septimus Heap: Physik, a novel by Angie Sage

When Silas Heap unSeals a forgotten room in the Palace, he releases the ghost of a Queen who lived five hundred years earlier. Queen Etheldredda is as awful in death as she was in life, and she's still up to no good. Her diabolical plan to give herself everlasting life requires Jenna's compliance, Septimus's disappearance, and the talents of her son, Marcellus Pye, a famous Alchemist and Physician. And if Queen Etheldredda's plot involves Jenna and Septimus, then it will surely involve Nicko, Alther Mella, Marcia Overstrand, Beetle, Stanley, Sarah, Silas, Spit Fyre, Aunt Zelda, and all of the other wacky, wonderful characters that made magyk and flyte so memorable.

A little difficulties here. When Septimus trapped in Ancient Time, the language changed to Old Language. I felt dizzy reading those. Old Language is far difficult with it’s words, spellings. And I think the accent, too, if I listen to audio book of this Physik book. Aargh! My brain have to work twice harder than usual.

Half book is set in Ancient Time. It’s fun imagining this that our protagonists are know but yet not know. I mean they were in their own town with passages and places from their Time. They can walked everywhere they wanted because they knew the way. But the Ancient people and the language got them frustrated. Near the climax, the story is more fun. I like it.

As previous Septimus Heap books, I feel bored in the first few chapters, because I don’t know where the story will take me. But after the middle of the book, the Septimus’s adventure became interesting.

Other thing that made my forehead creased. The title “Physik”. Physik was not took part in most of the book. It was told almost at the end of the book. I think “Alchemie” suit well.

Indeed, giving title is a difficult thing. I appreciate Sage for giving unique words in this series. Physik instead of Physic, Darke instead of Dark, Magyk instead of Magic. I don’t know if these words are in old languages.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Septimus Heap: Flyte, a novel by Angie Sage


It's been a year since septimus heap discovered his real family and true calling to be a wizard. As Apprentice to Extra Ordinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, he is learning the fine arts of Conjurations, Charms, and other Magyk, while Jenna is adapting to life as the Princess and enjoying the freedom of the Castle.

But there is something sinister at work. Marcia is constantly trailed by a menacing Darke Shadow, and Septimus's brother Simon seems bent on a revenge no one understands. Why is the Darke Magyk still lingering?

Not as good as the first book. The adventure is plain and boring. I’m not too excited when Septimus finally gets his Flyte Charm. This must be happen in the end, though. But the sensation is flat. There are no thriller and suspense when DomDaniel’s bones walk through Marcia and wants to touch her to death.

The good thing here is Septimus meet his missing friend in Young Army, 409—now called Wolf Boy. The other surprise that not too surprising is Jenna’s real father is back. But… what I like the most is: DRAGON! Septimus has green baby dragon that chew and scratch everything named Spit Fyre. It’s a funny name. Of course a dragon spit fire from its mouth. At the end of the book, Spit Fyre is as big as a pony and Septimus is riding on it (reminds me of Eragon and Saphira). He must be very cute.

I’m waiting for the third book. I hope the adventure is better. Keep on practicing, Septimus.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Septimus Heap: Magyk, a novel by Angie Sage

The 7th son of the 7th son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby's father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a newborn girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son, Septimus?

A different magical world from the one that stuck in our head (Harry Potter sagas). Wizards and witches live with human, ghost and soldiers in ancient country which was lead by a queen. They live in castle, tower or barracks. They wear robes and tunics and hunt animals for food. The spells are unique. We hold the charm and then say the incantation. It’s in English, tends to poem style with modification in writing. For example: Magyk for Magic, Darke for Dark. Half Harry Potter, half Chronicles of Narnia. This story is full of imaginations.

Good story, but I feel a little bored especially before Boy 412 started to talk. After that, the intensity grow bigger and bigger. A child knows nothing about magic and he doesn’t realize there is super magic inside of him. I can’t stop reading. I see their world, I see their journey, I see many weird creatures. In the end of the book, Ms. Sage gives us surprise (actually I can gues what it is and I’m right).

I can’t wait to the second book, Flyte.

Book-O-Meter

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Tales of Beedle The Bard (J.K. Rowling)

Out Now!

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink illustrations by Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life frontispiece for each one. Professor Dumbledore’s commentary—apparently written some eighteen months before his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of Wizarding lore, but also more of his personal qualities: his sense of humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his hard-won wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels sprinkle the pages, including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his forebears, and Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (or “Nearly Headless Nick”), as well as other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the Elder Wand. Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the Wizarding world, like hilariously troubled theatrical productions at Hogwarts or the dangers of having a “hairy heart.” But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding world that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest mysteries in life.

Scholastic Inc.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a novel by J.K. Rowling

The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise.

It's hard to imagine a better ending than the one she's written for her saga after 10 years, more than 4,000 pages and close to 400 million copies in print. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows may be a miracle of marketing, but it's also a miraculous book that earns out, emotionally and artistically. …I cried at the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It's that rare thing, an instant classic that earns its catharsis honestly, not through hype or sentiment but through the author's vision and hard work. - The Washington Post - Elizabeth Hand

Hurray! Lord Voldemort is dead. At last. The best ending I can think of. JK. Rowling heard what I was saying: don’t kill Harry Potter. This book is the most complicated than others. I have to think and rethink, read and reread, open and watch the prequel to get what they meant. Phiuh! It need big efforts to understand all. When I’ve finished it, one word came out from my mind. AWESOME! I can’t say anymore. SUPER DUPER AWESOME! I can’t believe someone has ever written such a superb saga. My eyes won’t blink because of the charm, even once. Up til now, if I imagine Harry Potter and his friends. I really enjoyed the flow of the story. The magical world pulled me and made me look from the inside. As if I was one of the witch (of good side, of course, not Death Eater). I’m waiting another book of JK. Rowling.

Book-O-Meter