The second volume in the Septimus Heap series picks up some of the loose threads obviously dangling from the end of Magyk. Most of your favourite characters are here but I was most distressed to discover that Petroc Trelawny does not feature.
More humourous adventures ensue, with a somewhat narrower focus on some of the children, who continue to be fallible, lucky, clever and talented in about equal measure. Again some events are predictable well in advance, but others are not. A slightly greater air of menace resides around the villain of the piece, which is something lacking in the first volume.
Another entertaining, fast read.