Septimus Heap Series #1 MAGYK by Angie Sage

Advertised as the new Harry Potter, this has been optioned for film. When the throne was overturned, its queen killed, a new born princess was spirited away and substituted for a supposedly dead new born boy to keep her safe from the evil leaders. Years later, spies have figured out who the princess is as had her magician substitute parents and now evil huntsmen are out to assassinate her. With the help of the high wizard, Marcia, the princess and some of her foster family escape to the island inhabited by an aunt/witch, after a scary wild chase. During the escape a young army boy #412 is rescued half frozen from the snow. One son is captured when he returns home to see the girl of his dream and reveals the hiding place, unwittingly. Marcia is later captured, lured away from the island by a false message sent by message rat. Who boy 412 is, how Marcia is rescued, how the princess is kept safe once again, the discovery of a legendary Dragon Boat in its underground dwelling place mixed in with lots of interesting magical spells and slimy creatures like mud loving boggart make for fun but light reading. This story is not nearly as complex as the Harry Potter series. I enjoyed it and will go on to read the next book in the series. JDW 7/12/10