TWILIGHT HAUNTINGS

In this series opener from Septimus Heap creator Sage, an oracle’s accidentally truthful prophecy feeds a monarch’s paranoia and prompts his magically enforced ban on Enchanters.

Ten years ago, unable to escape themselves, Alex’s parents handed her to a woman with two daughters on the last train out of Rekadom. Now 11, Alex endures life as Mirram’s foster daughter and bullied household drudge. Secretly reading cards in the Luma marketplace yields her spending money—also danger; Sentinels are everywhere, enforcing the city’s ban on Enchanters and their magic. Alex fears she’s been seen reading for her last customer, Benn. Instead, Mirram’s youngest daughter Names not only Alex, but her own mother and little brother, Louie, to the Sentinels. Dire consequences ensue. Fleeing with Louie and the family’s pet pokkle, Alex is spotted by King Belamus’ magical enforcers: the enormous Hawke and its novice Flyer, who, fortunately, can’t bring himself to shoot them or his next Quarry, an old man in the forest. Once again, Sage offers intricate worldbuilding, richly evocative settings, nuanced characters (all have flaws and don’t always manifest their good intentions), deftly woven plotting, and wry humor. The downside to eating dried snake is revealed; the royal ex-Enchanter offers caustic comments on the king’s penchant for alliteration; and visitors making the arduous climb to question the Oracle are confronted with a “No Picnicking” sign. Characters are default white.

An unmitigated delight.