Septimus Heap by Angie Sage

The text provides excerpts from a fantasy narrative centered on the Heap family, beginning when father Silas Heap secretly adopts a baby girl, Jenna, who is later revealed to be a hidden Princess, or "Queenling." Jenna's existence immediately threatens the power of the evil Necromancer DomDaniel and his agents, including the Hunter and the Supreme Custodian, forcing her to flee the Castle with the powerful ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand and other family members. Their tumultuous journey leads them into the magical, dangerous Marram Marshes to seek sanctuary at Aunt Zelda's cottage, often navigating threats from both natural creatures and human adversaries. During the escape, they are reluctantly accompanied by a captured Young Army soldier, Boy 412, whom they eventually discover is the Heaps’ long-lost seventh son, Septimus Heap. After Marcia Overstrand is captured, the group uses a newly awakened sentient vessel known as the Dragon Boat (Muriel) to confront DomDaniel, leading to Septimus officially beginning his training as a Wizard Apprentice.