Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk
- Author: Angie Sage
- Narrator: Allan Corduner
- Length: 12:10:17
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 15/03/2005
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
- Genre: Kids, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Humor
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that happens when a well-crafted story meets the perfect narrator’s voice – it becomes more than words, transforming into an experience that lingers in your senses long after the final chapter. This is precisely what I discovered when I first listened to Angie Sage’s ‘Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk,’ narrated by the wonderfully talented Allan Corduner.
As I wound through the mountain roads of northern Portugal last autumn, the audiobook became my traveling companion, its whimsical world unfolding alongside the misty valleys outside my window. The experience reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca, gathered around as the grandmother spun her tales – there’s that same quality of oral tradition, of stories meant to be heard as much as read.
Angie Sage has created something truly special with this first installment of the Septimus Heap series. At its heart, it’s a story about identity – lost, found, and sometimes magically transformed. The premise immediately hooks you: a newborn boy disappears, declared dead, while that same night his father discovers an abandoned baby girl with mysterious violet eyes. What follows is a delightful puzzle of swapped destinies, magical mayhem, and the kind of world-building that makes you wish you could step through the pages (or in this case, headphones) into the story.
Allan Corduner’s narration is nothing short of alchemy. He brings each character to vivid life with distinct voices and impeccable timing. His portrayal of Marcia Overstrand, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, perfectly captures her no-nonsense authority with just the right touch of warmth. And his interpretation of the bumbling but well-meaning Silas Heap had me chuckling aloud more than once – no small feat when you’re navigating narrow mountain roads!
What struck me most was how Corduner handles the book’s humor. There’s a particular scene where a spell goes hilariously awry, and his delivery had me pulling over to fully appreciate the comedic timing. It reminded me of listening to Gabriel García Márquez in the Atacama – that same sense of a skilled narrator knowing exactly when to pause, when to emphasize, when to let the words work their magic.
The world of Magyk is richly imagined, from the Wizard Tower with its purple doors to the various magical creatures that populate the story. Sage has a gift for creating characters that feel immediately familiar yet wholly original. Young Jenna’s journey of self-discovery, Boy 412’s gruff exterior hiding unexpected depths, even the villainous DomDaniel – each character is rendered with care and complexity.
As a travel writer, I particularly appreciated how Sage builds her magical world. There’s a tactile quality to her descriptions – you can almost feel the crunch of snow underfoot when Silas finds the baby, smell the various potions bubbling in Marcia’s workspace, hear the creak of the Heaps’ ramshackle boat. Corduner’s narration enhances these sensory details, his voice becoming a kind of magical transport itself.
The story moves at an excellent pace for an audiobook – enough action to keep younger listeners engaged (and this older one too!), but with quiet moments that allow the characters and their relationships to develop naturally. At just over 12 hours, it’s substantial enough to feel like a proper journey but never drags.
If I had one minor critique, it would be that some of the magical terminology can be slightly confusing in audio format at first. However, Corduner’s clear enunciation and the contextual clues quickly help orient the listener. This is a small price to pay for the joy of hearing this story performed rather than simply read.
For those familiar with the Harry Potter series, there are surface similarities – a magical world existing alongside our own, a young protagonist discovering their abilities – but Septimus Heap stands firmly on its own merits. Where Rowling’s work often leans into darker tones, Sage maintains a lighter, more whimsical touch throughout, making this particularly suitable for younger listeners or those seeking magical adventure without too much intensity.
As someone who’s spent years collecting stories from around the world, I can confidently say that ‘Magyk’ earns its place among the great modern fairy tales. It has that rare quality of feeling both timeless and fresh, traditional yet innovative. And in audiobook form, it becomes something even more special – a shared experience between narrator and listener, much like those storytelling evenings that have stayed with me from my travels.
With wanderlust for stories that transport us,
Marcus Rivera
