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Quick answer: If you loved Septimus Heap, read Harry Potter, The Wizards of Once, How to Train Your Dragon, Nevermoor and Fablehaven. All are adventurous middle-grade fantasies with magic, quirky characters and brave young heroes.
Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series begins with Magyk, in which a baby is found in a bundle on a snowy night and a seventh son of a seventh son becomes a wizard apprentice. The books are witty, inventive and full of strange places. The books below offer similar magical worlds, friendly humour and fast-moving plots.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | All ages | the classic |
| The Wizards of Once | Cressida Cowell | Ages 8-12 | wild fantasy |
| How to Train Your Dragon | Cressida Cowell | Ages 8-12 | Viking comedy |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | Ages 9-14 | whimsical city |
| Fablehaven | Brandon Mull | Ages 9-14 | magical preserve |
| Artemis Fowl | Eoin Colfer | Ages 10-14 | fairy heists |
| The Book of Three | Lloyd Alexander | Ages 9-13 | classic quest |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Ages 11+ | thoughtful wizard school |
| The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide | Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black | Ages 8-12 | hidden creatures |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | Ages 9-14 | quest adventure |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 10+ | witty magic |
| Skulduggery Pleasant | Derek Landy | Ages 11+ | dark comedy |
| The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell | Chris Colfer | Ages 8-12 | fairy-tale quest |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | Ages 9-13 | animal epic |
| The Wolves of Willoughby Chase | Joan Aiken | Ages 9-13 | Victorian adventure |
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
A boy learns he is a wizard and starts at Hogwarts. The best-known gateway to magical fantasy.
Best for: the classic.
2. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
A young wizard and a warrior girl meet in an ancient forest. Funny, fast and full of illustrations.
Best for: wild fantasy.
3. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Hiccup tries to train a small dragon. Silly and warm, quite different from the film.
Best for: Viking comedy.
4. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow escapes a curse and joins a secret society. Charming and imaginative.
Best for: whimsical city.
5. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Two siblings discover their grandparents' estate is a refuge for magical creatures. Inventive and scary in places.
Best for: magical preserve.
6. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A boy genius kidnaps a fairy. Clever and high-tech.
Best for: fairy heists.
7. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
An assistant pig-keeper joins a quest to stop a dark lord. The start of the Chronicles of Prydain.
Best for: classic quest.
8. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard unleashes a shadow and must face it. Serious, lyrical and influential.
Best for: thoughtful wizard school.
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Three children find a field guide to faeries. Short, spooky and richly illustrated.
Best for: hidden creatures.
10. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is the son of a god. Funny and fast.
Best for: quest adventure.
11. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
A young woman cursed to old age meets the wizard Howl. Funny and original.
Best for: witty magic.
12. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
A teenager teams up with a skeleton detective. Quick and funny.
Best for: dark comedy.
13. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a world where fairy tales are real. Light and fun.
Best for: fairy-tale quest.
14. Redwall by Brian Jacques
Mice, badgers and hares defend an abbey. Rich with feasts and fights.
Best for: animal epic.
15. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
Two girls fight a wicked governess in an alternate England. Gothic and thrilling.
Best for: Victorian adventure.
How to Choose
For the classic comparison pick Harry Potter. For humour choose The Wizards of Once, How to Train Your Dragon or Skulduggery Pleasant. For whimsical worlds try Nevermoor or Fablehaven. For older classics read The Book of Three or A Wizard of Earthsea. Septimus Heap is a seven-book series, so there is plenty to read if your child likes it. Angie Sage's books were illustrated by Mark Zug, whose pictures add to the sense of wonder. Younger readers may like to start with The Wizards of Once or How to Train Your Dragon, which are lighter and heavily illustrated. Readers who enjoy a longer quest should try The Book of Three or Redwall. If your child likes the sense of being the chosen apprentice, Nevermoor and Fablehaven both capture that thrill. Many of these series have audiobooks narrated with fun character voices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Septimus Heap about?
A boy discovers he is destined to be a wizard apprentice in a world of magic and intrigue.
Who wrote it?
Angie Sage.
What is the first book?
Magyk.
How many books are in the series?
Seven.
What age is it for?
Usually ages 8 to 12.
Is it like Harry Potter?
It is also about a young wizard, but with its own tone and humour.
Is it good for reading aloud?
Yes, the chapters are fast and fun.
What should I read next?
Try The Wizards of Once or Nevermoor.
Is Septimus Heap scary?
There are villains and dangerous moments, but the tone is mostly light and humorous.
Should I read the series in order?
Yes, since the story builds across the seven books.