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[katara]

Title: Magyk (Septimus Heap #1)
Author: Angie Sage
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.85/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 29, 2017 to December 6, 2017
Book Summary: The first part of an enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells. Ages 9+.

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?

The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story...who is Septimus Heap?

Angie Sage writes in the tradition of great British storytellers. Her inventive fantasy is filled with humor and heart: Magyk will have readers laughing and begging for more.
Book Review: When he was born, Septimus Heap was whisked away by his nurse claiming that the baby was stillborn after birth. It is during this time as well that Silas Heap finds a baby girl and takes her home to raise. Years later, Jenna has grown up in the Heap household and they learn exactly who she is - a princess and that Septimus is alive. Now she, Silas, ExtraOrdinary Wizard named Marcia, a brother named Nicko, and boy who was a guard to the wizard tower are off to visit Aunt Zelda to find where Septimus is and why he had been taken.

This story was actually a fund read and I rather enjoyed it. Although I will admit, there seemed to be a lot of Harry Potter elements weaved into the story but not to the point where the story feels like it is a Harry Potter rip-off. This story stands out on its own. It's storyline weaves itself, drawing you in, and keeping you glued until the last page has been turned. You will find yourself wanting to read more and looking forward to reading the next book.

This book is geared toward both children and the young adult genre. I believe if they liked the Harry Potter books, I think they will definitely enjoy this one.

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[katara]

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #9
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Francesco Mattina (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 6, 2017
Book Summary: As the threat of the Jedi continues to menace the fledgling Empire, Vader finds himself on the trail of Jedi his master has commanded him…to keep alive?
Book Review: This issue picks up right where we leave off with the last. Vader has been made aware of Master Jedi Jocasta Nu is still alive by Emperor Palpatine. However, Palpatine, who normally prefers to have the Order of Jedi dead, wants this one kept alive and sends Vader out to retrieve her. Vader does as he is told by his Master and heads out to the Jedi Temple to retrieve Jocasta Nu. He informs the clone troopers stationed outside to allow no one in.

Inside, Jocasta Nu has drawn out her lightsaber against the Grand Inquistor in the library. Jocasta Nu is angry that anyone not a Jedi would dare step foot within these sacred walls of the temple and she lets it be known that his kind is really not welcomed whatsoever in the temple. A battle ensue between the two of them but not without Vader finally appearing to halt the Grand Inquistor from doing any harm to Jocasta Nu. He does, after all, need her alive because the Emperor wants the Jedi secrets.

Of course, Jocasta Nu isn't going to go quietly and sets out to destroy the Jedi files of force-sensitive children. She knows that if this information falls into the wrong hands, there could be horrible repercussions. As Vader arrives, she tells him that it is too late. It is then that the Droid that guards the temple archives announces that the Jedi within the Vader uniform is Anakin Skywalker and this surprises Jocasta Nu. She knows that this is very bad...extremely bad that Skywalker is a Sith lord now.

If you love lightsaber battles, then this is definitely the issue for you! Unfortunately this issue held very little of Vader but that is going to be expected especially when there is a larger storyline playing out around you. The interesting bit is that there is a bit of a small relationship between Jocasta Nu and the Grand Inquistor and it is not in the romantic sense. I would suspect that he was once a Jedi Apprentice who tried undoubtly to get pursue the information within the walls and was thawed.

I would love to see a limited series about Jocasta Nu. She seems to be a pretty interesting character.