(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. As the spinoff trilogy comes to a close, all of Magyk is in danger unless Alice TodHunter Moon, apprentice to wizard Septimus Heap, can find a new KeyStone and restore an ancient enchantment. Perspective jumps from person to person as Sage brings together the many pieces of Tod's tale for a predictable conclusion that will nevertheless satisfy series fans.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Tod, wizard Septimus Heap's apprentice, needs to find sorcerer Oraton-Marr to stop him from gaining mass magical powers. But when the only clue runs away, Tod must choose between staying safe or risking her and her friends' lives. Once again, the number of cameos bogs down the plot, but Septimus Heap fans will enjoy the escapades and adventure in this second spinoff.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. After Tod's father and village are kidnapped, she must learn PathFinder Magyk and team up with Septimus to save them. Fans of the Septimus Heap books will enjoy seeing the old characters in this spinoff series, but the sheer number of cameos bogs down the plot; new secondary characters are flat, but Tod has a clear, relatable voice.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. The time has come for Septimus and the others to destroy the two-faced ring before the evil wizards trapped inside escape and exact their revenge. The plot slowly meanders, but fans of the series will be pleased with how Sage takes each character and crafts an expanded narrative to tie multiple elements together into a tidy ending.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Just as Septimus is learning about the dark side of magic during his wizarding apprenticeship, a figure from his past returns to destroy his world. Though fans of the series may enjoy seeing so many of the characters together, their sheer number occasionally slows the pacing and hinders character development. Nevertheless, the story is well plotted.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Zug. American boy Oliver and his Baladi friend Zee stumble upon a secret about seven ancient keys that supposedly lead to buried treasure. Soon the keys--and people--start disappearing. The novel mixes mystery and action with a bit of Indiana Jones thrown in. The vividly described setting, a fictional country called Balabad, was inspired by Afghanistan.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. In their fifth adventure, Septimus and Jenna eventually wind up stranded on an island. There, they investigate mysterious (and magical) goings-on. Though the story tends to meander and the plot is more forced than others in the series, entertaining dragon-poop and cabbage-sandwich jokes abound.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. This Septimus Heap series companion volume gives background on the characters and locations within the Castle. Included are a collection of travel brochures, diary entries, a recipe, and other ephemera. Though it's too scattered to stand alone and won't really help readers unfamiliar with the books, this volume, with its high-quality design and typical series humor, will nevertheless please fans. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Princess Jenna is determined to rescue her foster-brother Nicko from the past, and she needs apprentice Septimus Heap and scribe Beetle to help her. Alas, Septimus has been tricked into going on a dangerous Queste. The many subplots and secondary characters are overwhelming, but fans of the previous books should enjoy this humorous and richly textured adventure.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Zug. Turnatt, a wicked megalomaniac hawk, has enslaved all the other birds to feed his dreams of power. The warring cardinals and jays join forces in order to survive and summon the mythic, Christ-like Swordbird to defeat Turnatt. The oft-repeated message of peace is lost in all the bloody duels, but the quest is exciting.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Septimus Heap series. Illustrated by Mark Zug. Septimus, apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, gets pulled into the past, leaving the usual unlikely gang of family and adventurers to rescue him. The ghost of an evil queen attempts to entrap them; meanwhile, a not very frightening disease threatens the royal palace. Despite some missed notes on the humor, this is an intricate, energetic romp of a fantasy.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Zug. The well-loved author brings her usual comedic flair to three short fantasy stories, linked by the theme of unwelcome guests. This edition features new illustrations.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.