Book Five: Syren, Septimus Heap

I think that this is a great book. it solves the questions of the last one and gives you a few more to answer. the only flaw of this series is that its unrealistic that septimus and jenna, the princess, would constantly be away from home.

I was quite disappointed in this book. The first books, while an obvious copy of, or an attempt at capitalizing on the success of Harry Potter, at least had a moderately interesting and somewhat complex story line. This latest version of the story could have easily been told in 15 or 20 pages. To call the plot linear would be an undeserved compliment. Reading it, there is no question that this literary travesty was produced only to make money. There is also no doubt that there will be yet another weak story told in the next release. Why? Because these books follow the Harry Potter series exactly.

The story is Septimus gets promoted and takes his dragon for a spin. He goes to get his friends and takes a tour. He has a tantrum and leaves with his friends. He doesn't make it home and has to land on a small island. There is some magic and Septimus does his magic and saves the day and everyone is happy. Really, that is not an abbreviated plot; that is why I said it could be told in 20 pages.

If you enjoyed the previous books in this series, I am afraid you will be not enjoy this one. I, for one, will not be purchasing anymore books in this series. Two stars instead of one because I reserve one star ratings for complete and unadulterated garbage.

Magyk started strong and Flyte was good, but the series has been going downhill. We were barely able to plow through Syren. The action was split between too many characters, so the story never built up a good head of steam; Spit Fyre was asleep through most of the book; and what was left was just weak. A big disappointment.

I am really sorry to give such a poor review, but Book 5 is so different from Books 1-4. I liked the focus on Wolf Boy, but the dozens of new characters seemed thrown together. There were times when I felt I was reading a pitch for a movie or merchandising. I think what's missing is the chemistry of the Heap family (which includes Aunt Zelda, Marcia, and Alther), and more character development for Septimus (rather than stories about him getting new things).

While I have been a big fan of Septimus Heap in the past I have to say that I was dissapointed in this latest installment in the Septimus Heap book line.

To start, I feel that the story has drifted apart from what I liked so much in the earlier books. I felt that this book was written to just keep the series going without as much attention to detail and to magic as the past books have had.

I struggles at times to continue but kept on reading hoping to get that spark that I got from teh previuos books... only the spark never came. I don't know where the authur is heading but I am likely to not take the ride with her any further at this point.

Syren is the latest book in the Septimus Heap series and I can not say that I was overly impressed. After Magyk I noticed a slight flaw in the books, the flaw is that the author uses the same formula over and over again.

Step 1: There are very stong hints that something very terrible is going to happen.

Step 2: Something bad does happen and the pampered little kids have to deal with it.

Step 3: Don't worry! We solved it very fast. It was slow going so I thought there should be a conflict but don't even worry one bit, we solved it before anything actually happened.

Although Angie Sage uses this formula numerous times, I was glad to see that somethings were left hanging until the next book. The newest character added, Syrah Syara, was very different than the other teenagers (which I think are whiny and helpless); Syrah is a dark character that is technically 500 years old and sometimes not in control of her own body. Although I like her, I'm not sure it was wise for the author to make a nineteen year old and a twelve year old a prospective couple.

Septimus is a well rounded character and, as I noticed in Syren, a little haughty as he is not used to being treated with disrespect (being the Apprentice and all). Jenna however I feel should be tied up and thrown off a cliff with sharp rocks at the bottom. She is so stupid, naive, and frankly the last person I would want with me on a deserted island.

Marcia is my favorite character and I am majorly pissed of at the small role she was given. Wolf Boy, at the beginning, was semi interesting yet he seemed to be the same good guy character that belongs to most every male character in the series.

Syren itself is not well planned out as it seems like the plot threads either get cut short or go to long. I did like the parallel scenes in the second to last chapter though (Teenagers in the boat trying to get Jim Knee to freeze the soldiers and Silias and Sarah meeting with Marcia in the Wizard Tower), but it was very predictable that they would win and everyone would live.

When I first started reading book 1 of this series (Magyk), I was not at all sure about it. It seemed that here was another series about wizards in a faux medieval setting, with nothing much to distinguish it. But just as I was thinking this to myself, Boy 412 leapt from the pages and slapped me around the face with a damp herring! I was totally hooked, because this series is second to none in terms of imagination, lovable characters (princess Jenna, Marcia the extraordinary wizard, Beatle and Aunt Zelda to name but a few) and hilarious plot elements and twists that are strongly reminiscent of a mixture of J K Rowling and Roald Dahl. Angie Sage is in the top flight of British children's authors - and one thing these books are not, is derivative. They are original and enjoyable stories that will be loved by children, young adults and adults alike.

This book takes up where the last left off. Princess Jenna, Beatle, Nicko and Snorri have not yet made it home after the adventures in Queste, and a newly promoted Septimus takes it upon himself to collect them on his dragon, Spitfyre. But all is not as it should be, and Aunt Zelda's attempts to get a safecharm to Septimus do not run exactly according to plan! The result then is an adventure that is every bit as good as those in previous volumes.

In this story we learn more about Princess Jenna's father, and wrap up some other storylines. We learn about another type of magical (or should I say "magykal") creature that has not yet made an appearance, but makes up for it here in Angie Sage's usual off the wall but captivating style. As usual there are issues of love, friendship, trust and betrayal, forgiveness and reconciliation. There are poignant moments and exhilarating ones, and all wrapped up in a zany world that is characteristic of this series.

One new twist in this book is that the world of Septimus Heap gains a whole new and unexpected dimension to its history. Some people will love this for the way it fills in some questions about why the world is as it is. Others will perhaps be less sure, having been quite comfortable with a world that had some mysteries as to how it got the way it is. I'll avoid spoilers by not saying more about that here.

All in all, though, this is a first class book in a first rate series. I would have no problem in recommending this to pretty much anyone at all.

Gold Star Award Winner!

In the fifth installment of the SEPTIMUS HEAP saga, Septimus has been made senior apprentice after having returned alive (the only apprentice to do so) from his Queste.

Septimus and his dragon, Spit Fyre, set off on what is supposed to be a simple mission to retrieve his friends Princess Jenna, Nicko, Beetle, Snorri, Ullr, and Milo from the Trading Post, where he had left them at the end of the last mission. The retrieval quickly becomes complicated when Septimus mistakenly refuses the live SafeCharm sent to him by Aunt Zelda.

The SafeCharm, which holds a jinnee, is stolen from the delivery boy to whom Zelda had entrusted it and opened by a boy named Merrin. Since Merrin is not particularly bright, he has no idea of what a jinnee is, let alone what to do with one. As a result, the jinnee is set free to wreak havoc.

Meanwhile, Wolf Boy, one of Septimus' best friends, sets off on his own Task, which will lead him to fulfill the role of Zelda's apprentice, or Intended Keeper.

When Septimus meets up with his friends, they are on a ship owned by Milo Banda, Jenna's father, and only Jenna and Beetle decide to return with Septimus and Spit Fyre. The separation of the friends causes problems for both groups, as Septimus' group runs into a dangerous storm during which Spit Fyre is injured and crash lands on a small island, and Nicko's group must deal with a mysterious chest that Milo has brought onto his ship.

As usual, Sage captures attention from the first page and holds readers enthralled until the last. Fans of Septimus Heap will find this new journey as enjoyable as his previous ones - and will wait impatiently for the next adventure of this likeable young hero.

Reviewed by: Theresa L. Stowell

This is the 5th book in the Septimus Heap series and let’s say it was a bit different.
I missed the castle and its surroundings. We’ve spent most of the time in Port or on The Islands. Surrounded by water, that means waves. Going up and down. Being a bit bored when the water was calm and the days seemed to take forever. This totally changed after we found out what Miro’s cargo contained and [spoilers removed]. What an adventure!
Can’t wait to read Darke! And hopefully find out what became of Syrah! ^_^

As mentioned earlier, the book starts off with Septimus
getting his promotion and his fist assignment (to pick up
his friends from the port). Once Septimus gets his friends,
they meet an old figure from the past and stay with him for
the night. On the way back to the Tower, they crash into one
of the Isles of Syren. This is where the book takes place.
Meanwhile Wolf Boy and Lucy go on an adventure that also
takes them out to the Isle. They witness an object being
stolen and placed strategically. They meet up with Septimus
and Co. and they figure out the evil plan of an enemy from
the past and his henchman. They confront him and&&&&&&&&&.
Who will win the battle? What happens after? What is on the
Isles of Syren?

I read the book Syren recently and it
definitely lived up to my expectations. To any person who
has read any of the books in the series, it will not
disappoint. To people who have not read the series, I
recommend starting from the first book. The plot instantly
hooked me with Septimus getting a promotion and going on his
first solo assignment. The book features an intricate plot
filled with corporal amounts of suspense, action, twists,
and battle. The characters were as good as ever. The
emotions they express are realistically portrayed and make
you relate to the characters as if they were your personal
friends. Overall, this book is excellent and is not a
disappointment.

Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
Flamingnet Book Reviews
Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers

Fifth in the Septimus Heap fantasy series for young middle-grade readers and revolving around Septimus, a young magykal Apprentice.

My Take
Syren is a whimsical fantasy sure to appeal to children (and adults, ahem, *she said with a grin*) complete with the gross and the responsible that will make you laugh and worry. I do love a children's story that places children in adult-like positions in which they make decisions, realize truths, help each other, and save the day…*grin*…

"…possibly not much more intelligent than the average Port fish crate — indeed, there were some Port fish crates that might have successfully disputed that."

It's not all roses for that wicked Merrin. For every evil deed, he gets a fright of one sort or another. I keep hoping he gets his! Then there's that nasty, little Linda who scares the pants off me! Now, Jim Knee, he is a crack-up. A jinnee with an annoyed-child attitude who snarks off in his mind and to the Great One, lol.

"…in fact it was down to Spit Fyre's innate ExtraOrdinary Wizard-ignoring skills."

There are multiple sub plots in Syren that find Tertius Fume at the center of them all. And Sage is tying together all sorts of loose ends that involve Septimus' time-traveling past as well as why Jenna's father was missing for so much of her life.

That Milo is an obnoxious, bragging man with a need for power and control. It's part of why I had to laugh when Spit Fyre started inhaling their fancy dinner with Milo pulling fiercely on the other end of the tablecloth!

There are some scenes which are confusing, and on second look, stay confusing, yet Syren is fun to read with great visuals from Sage. It's a child's view of life with all the bravery, scariness, and treats a child imagines.

It's freedom, a badly injured dragon, a deserted island that turns out not to be so deserted after all, and the most humongous betrayal. I cannot wait to read Darke, 6, and find out what happens next!

The Story
Septimus ends up on a captivatingly beautiful island, one of seven set in a sparkling sea. He's stranded there with his badly injured dragon, Spit Fyre, along with Jenna and Beetle. There are some strange things about the island, including a Magykal girl named Syrah, a cat-shaped lighthouse that has lost its Light, and an eerie presence that sings to Septimus — can he escape the persistent call?

Trouble is also brewing for Lucy and Wolf Boy, who have become entangled with some nefarious sailors at sea, and for Milo Banda, Jenna's father, who is harboring a mysterious treasure chest in his ship's hold.

The Characters
Port is…
the town where the Heaps and Princess Jenna live and is the home of the Wizard's Tower, the Manuscriptorium, and the Ramblings. Barney Pot has joined the Castle Cubs, a type of Boy Scouts. Uncle Billy Pot tends Spit Fyre. Alther Mella and Alice Nettles are ghosts who live in the striped tent on the Palace grounds.

Septimus Heap, once known as 412 in the Young Army, is the seventh son of a seventh son and an ExtraOrdinary Apprentice under Marcia. House Mouse serves Septimus. Spit Fyre is the dragon he Imprinted in Flyte, 2.

Nicko Heap and Snorri have been hopping through time on their adventures. He's gone from a carefree boy to a sober one who thinks before he speaks. Simon Heap is Septimu's wicked brother who wanted to learn Darke Magyk. Lucy Gringe is his girlfriend who's gone missing (Queste, 4). Sleuth is his Tracker Ball that Marcia appropriated. Maureen runs the Harbor and Dock Pie Shop. Mistress Sarah Heap is the mother who raised Jenna and the other little Heaps, and she is now in charge of the Palace. Silas Heap is their wizard father, and his arthritic wolfhound is named Maxie.

Princess Jenna and her panther/kitty, Ullr, usually live in the Palace. Domino is her horse. Good Queen Cerys was Jenna's birth mother, murdered some twelve-and-a-half years ago, who now guards the Queen's Room. The bragging Milo Banda is Jenna's birth father, a roguish merchant with a ship, Cerys . Jem is a deckhand with some experience in Physicking and the Darke.

The Wizard's Tower is…
…where the wizards live. Marcia Fusspot Overstrand is the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Hildegarde Pigeon had been possessed by a Thing in Queste, 4.

The Magykal Manuscriptorium and Spell Checkers Incorporated is…
…where Beetle Beetle used to be the Front Office Clerk until he was fired by Jillie Djinn, the idiotic Chief Hermetic Scribe. Ephaniah Grebe is half-human and half-rat and does restorations, when he's not recovering from events in Queste . Romilly Badger is the new Inspection Clerk. Partridge is one of the other scribes. Merrin Meredith, a.k.a., Septimus Heap and Daniel Hunter, is now the very nasty chief scribe who's rarely at work. He had been Simon Heap's apprentice and still has a too-greedy desire for Darke Magyk.

Tertius Fume is a plus-500 years old mean old ghost, one of the Ancients, the former first Chief Scribe, and a seven-day ExtraOrdinary Wizard back in the time of Hotep-Ra, his best friend. Well, former best friend. Tertius was the assassin who tried to kill Hotep-Ra who Banished him. Tertius is also the Ghost of the Vaults.

Aunt Zelda lives in her patchwork dress and the Keeper's Cottage in Marram Marshes outside Port. Wolf Boy has been her Apprentice, her Intended Keeper, really, and Aunt Zelda has sent him off on the Task. Until Wolf Boy, a.k.a. 409, fell off a bridge, he had been Septimus' friend in the Young Army. The Boggart will guide Wolf Boy out of the Marshes.

Jim Knee is the jinnee with his hat of ever-shrinking yellow donuts in the SafeCharm. He's been looking forward to his release from the bottle, but expected a LOT more from Septimus. Before he became a jinnee, he was a turtle trader's fourth wife.

The Ramblings is…
…a neighborhood in Port. Larry owns Larry's Dead Languages where he does translations. Stanley is a Message Rat who has restarted the service and has hopes of the four rescued ratlets: the quiet Sydney, the snuffly Lydia, the confident Faith, and the boisterously silly Edward. Dawnie is Stanley's ex-wife, and he doesn't seem to want her back anymore.

The Marauder is skippered by Theodophilus Fortitude Fry, the former Joe Grub of a family of wreckers, hates women. He was Deakin Lee's first mate on his pirate ship. Jakey Fry is the skipper's much nicer son. Thin Crowe is Fry's other seaman, another nasty and stupid man. His twin, Fat Crowe, is just like him.

Una Brakket is an agent of some sort. Not the good sort, though.

The Port Coven is…
…a group of nasty Darke witches that includes Pamela the Witch Mother, Linda is Pamela's protégé, Dorinda, Veronica, and Daphne. Their cats are bloodsuckers.

Star Island
CattRokk Lighthouse has been…
…manned by Guardians of the Light, a.k.a., the Watchers or Keepers, which, um, somehow bred with cats at some point. The lighthouse is one of four Living Lights lit by an ancient Sphere of Light set to indicate the range of the Syren's Call. Miarr Catt is the last Watcher. His cousin, Mirano, the last of his family, has disappeared. The unlovely Fat Crowe is his co-Watcher.

Syrah Syara is an Apprentice who never returned from a Queste. Julius Pike had been her ExtraOrdinary Wizard. She becomes Syren when she must return to the Peepe, the Dwelling Place of this possessive spirit on Star Island.

The Trading Post is…
…a town for Traders. Harbor Twelve is one of the wealthier ones. Harbor One is one of the poorer. The Pigeon Post Office is quite efficient. Mr. Higgs, the bosun on a ship some 500 years ago, has (had?) a net loft in the Trading Post. The House of Foryx is the Place Where All Times Do Meet in Trading Post territory, the truth of which was revealed in Queste .

An ExtraOrdinary Wizard is the head wizard. There are two types of SafeCharm: regular and alive. The Task involves the Port Coven and the need to be the GrimFeeder. The Grim is a gruesome Darke creature with tentacles who lives in the drains. A ghoul's fool is also known as a phantom's bantam, a specter protector, but the real name is a Spirit's Bondsman, someone who has sold his soul to a ghost. A Possession Wraith is like a ghost but does not keep its shape when it moves.

In today's Port, the Harbor Master is constantly quarreling with the encroaching Honest Joe, a chandler. The Twenty-One Gang is a group of mostly ex-Army boys. A FlashBoard is a magykal skateboard.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a gorgeous tea-stained blue teal background with lots of gilt for the debossed series name, the title, the author's name, and most of the icons including the squiggles and the pitchforks. The metallic corner "reinforcements" are copper aged with verdigris. The object is what saves the day, a gold carved flask with a spiral metal handle and a stopper topped with strange writing sealed with red wax.

The title is but one of the great evils, the Syren, who betrays all.

WOW! Sage takes a giant leap with a whole new batch of characters...including the lazy, yet powerfully humourus Jim Knee...to the dazziling, tear jerking story of Syrah Syara. Angie takes the whole new level of Septimus Heap. QUESTE seemed to drag a bit as it closed, taking me two weeks to finish, and very boring. But SYREN i finished in 5 days. Angie Sage's writing is fast paced, descriptive, crisp, and witty as she adds the heartbreaking scenes with Syrah Syara and the SYREN, to the humourous moments with Aunt Zelda, the cute Barney Pot...and even some new vibes off of Marcia Overstrand, who i find an elegant, confident, stunning description in every book.

All together, the fifth installment of The Septimus Heap Series is great and has topped the best Heap book of all...great Angie, can't wait!

In the fifth book of the series, Septimus, Jenna, Beetle and the rest of the gang are a little older, a bit wiser, and just as adventurous...new Characters are met such as Miarr and Jim Knee, old characters "fill out" a bit more, like the horrible Tersius Fume and the sad Merrin. Stanley is still around, and Simon finally becomes a heap again. It was very enjoyable. Even though Spit Fyre's recovery was not mentioned in the end credits, I look forward to the next installment to see his further anventures with Sep.

All in all, this was a very intense next installment in the series. The plot was super exciting and there was even a bit of character development. We have a few happy endings and a few uncertain ones. Would I read more by this author? I definitely want to at least finish the series. Would I recommend this to others? Yes.

See the full review on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment: http://www.awesomebookassessment.com/2015/02/syren-by-angie-sage.html

This is such a great book! It's about the adventure that ensues after Septimus, Jenna, Nicko, Snorri, and Beetle get out of the House of Foryx. Of course, they're not out of the clear yet. They never are, are they? Aunt Zelda "Sees" that there is some trouble in store for Septimus, though she can't see exactly what. Apparently "Sight" is never wrong, and it goes on from there. All the little side stories tie in together very well, though somehow all the main characters always seem to find their way back to each other in the most improbable circumstances. I love how the Septimus Heap series integrates stories of family, friends, wizardry, science, royalty, sea-faring, military, witches, ghosts, genies, etc.! Sounds like it would be a horrible hodge-podge, but it's FABULOUS...for the information of anyone who is still deciding whether they should read it or not. There's a lot of action going on! Definitely not just for kids! My only problem with it is that it had to end. I hope there's much more to come, but I hate having to wait for it!

In the fifth book of the series, Septimus, Jenna, Beetle and the rest of the gang are a little older, a bit wiser, and just as adventurous...new Characters are met such as Miarr and Jim Knee, old characters "fill out" a bit more, like the horrible Tersius Fume and the sad Merrin. Stanley is still around, and Simon finally becomes a heap again. It was very enjoyable. Even though Spit Fyre's recovery was not mentioned in the end credits, I look forward to the next installment to see his further anventures with Sep.

All in all, this was a very intense next installment in the series. The plot was super exciting and there was even a bit of character development. We have a few happy endings and a few uncertain ones. Would I read more by this author? I definitely want to at least finish the series. Would I recommend this to others? Yes.

See the full review on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment: http://www.awesomebookassessment.com/2015/02/syren-by-angie-sage.html

This is such a great book! It's about the adventure that ensues after Septimus, Jenna, Nicko, Snorri, and Beetle get out of the House of Foryx. Of course, they're not out of the clear yet. They never are, are they? Aunt Zelda "Sees" that there is some trouble in store for Septimus, though she can't see exactly what. Apparently "Sight" is never wrong, and it goes on from there. All the little side stories tie in together very well, though somehow all the main characters always seem to find their way back to each other in the most improbable circumstances. I love how the Septimus Heap series integrates stories of family, friends, wizardry, science, royalty, sea-faring, military, witches, ghosts, genies, etc.! Sounds like it would be a horrible hodge-podge, but it's FABULOUS...for the information of anyone who is still deciding whether they should read it or not. There's a lot of action going on! Definitely not just for kids! My only problem with it is that it had to end. I hope there's much more to come, but I hate having to wait for it!

In the fifth installment of the enthralling Septimus Heap series, we find several groups of our beloved characters heading off on various adventures. Jenna, Nicko, Snorri, Ullr and Beetle are in the harbors known as the Trading Post, where Jenna encounters her father, Milo Banda, who persuades them to spend the night on his ship. Milo promises his somewhat wary daughter "something special." But what is our hero up to? you may wonder. Well, Septimus Heap has gotten an amazing and sudden promotion, which (on the order of a teen finally getting his driver's license) enables him to head off on an adventure on his own. His escapade begins as he plans a simple flight on board his dragon, Spit Fyre, in order to retrieve his friends from the Trading Post.

Around this time, Aunt Zelda sends Wolf Boy from the Marram Marshes. She is giving him a challenging test as a first step in his becoming the first male Intended Keeper. Aunt Zelda herself has an extremely serious quest in her near future, and as soon as Wolf Boy leaves, she retrieves a SafeCharm, which appears to be a tiny, pear-shaped gold bottle. She has been troubled by the sight of Septimus on Spit Fyre in dire trouble, and must deliver the SafeCharm to him in order to keep him out of harm's way. But Aunt Zelda has been eating a few too many cabbage sandwiches lately, and she finds that her portliness slows her expedition down quite a bit. By the time she arrives at the palace gardens, Septimus is astride Spit Fyre, preparing to take off. Frantically, Aunt Zelda sends a young boy to deliver the SafeCharm...but Septimus doesn't understand that the trinket is from Aunt Zelda and refuses it.

Due to this unfortunate mix-up, the SafeCharm falls into the hand of a scoundrel who stole the little gold vial believing it to be fine and valuable perfume. When he takes the top off to sniff it, imagine his surprise when what goes up his nose is not a fragrance but an all-powerful jinnee! And the jinnee isn't exactly thrilled to find himself up someone's nose, to say the least. When the clueless fellow answers the jinnee's "What do you will?" by telling him to go away, "Jim Knee" is off on his own adventure.

Meanwhile, Wolf Boy is intent on his completing the task that Aunt Zelda sent him on test, a test that author Angie Sage describes in hilarious detail. Wolf Boy approaches the House of the Port Witch Coven as he begins his knee-knocking mission. While there, he meets the young witch Dorinda who adjusts the pink towel wrapped around her hair and says, "You're kidding me, aren't you?" when Wolf Boy tells her what he plans to do. Under Sage's talented pen, Wolf Boy's entire mission is side-splitting (think: a witch named Linda who reads detective novels, a monster who likes things very quiet, and vampire kittens!).

As poor Aunt Zelda envisioned, Septimus does eventually find himself in great trouble. He is marooned on an island with Jenna and Beetle as well as the deathly ill Spit Fyre. Nearby, nefarious happenings at a peculiar cat-shaped lighthouse threaten not only the unusual lighthouse keeper, but also two of Septimus's friends. However, Septimus's troubles are only beginning as he meets an unusual girl, Syrah Syara, who is under an enchantment...a dangerous Magykal charm that puts Septimus, as well as the castle, in terrible jeopardy.

As we've come to expect from this series, SYREN offers gripping adventure, whimsical characters, a mesmerizing plot, derring-do heroics, and tons of delightful humor.

I love Angie Sage's style of writing in her Septimus Heap series, and because of this I could hardly wait to get my hands on this book after I finished the fourth book. It was exactly what I expected - adventurous and humorous. The plot starts when Septimus, Jenna, and Beetle get stranded on an island after Spit Fyre is struck by lightning. "Syren" is an exciting fifth in this series. I found myself stuck to the pages, and it was like I was standing where the characters were, watching their actions right in front of my eyes. I can't wait for the sixth book in the Septimus Heap series!

I am a old fan of Septimus Heap and have read all the books! (I also known all of them!) They are thrilling and are my second to most favorite book sires.

2.Magic:An awesome and classic book

5.Flyte: good, but...

1.Physic: Possibly the best one yet

4.Quest:Really good but second too last on my list of favorite Septimus books. And left too many problem unsolved.

3.Syren:Made problems and didn't solve many (or any) from Quest. But kept me at the edge of my seat. Generally wonderful book but it feels like it is starting too loss some of the magic of "Magic" (the book)

Well bravo Angie Sage for another breathtaking success but don't let all the magic escape

There were a couple of slight problems ith this book. I am a huge fan of the septimus heap series and in my opion they keep getting worse. I mean in this book i was slighty bored freading it. Though i still loved it i just don.t know if i really liked it. Don.t get me wrong i rated this five stars but i had some questions to the plot and the plot was too big even for a 600 page book..sometimes i got kinda bored too mostly because they was no mystery i think this book should have been longer so all my questions could be answered. Or have a smaller plot..... Otherall i loved it but it was not as good as the other books.... septimus heaps are mt favorite series along with harry potter and the clique series... make the next one betta angie please!

I think the character development in this one was perfect, and do not understand the comment another reader made that it was not. I felt we learned more about these "tweens" as they are approaching adulthood, and I felt it was realistic development, too. The story line is, as always with Ms. Sage, engaging, and new characters come on the scene smoothly. The new characters themselves are interesting, and I find myself looking forward to Book Six--the wait! the wait!!!! It is so hard to wait!!! --with great anticipation, to see how they progress.

I have read this book and the entire series about Septimus Heap. Even joined a book site sponsored by Angie Sage. As an educator, I want to know what my students are reading. They often saw me carrying and reading the book and we had topics to discuss outside of class work. A great feeling being able to communicate with them.

This book is a fitting sequel to the previous Septimus Heap adventures. This action packed book follows the events of Septimus Heap and his friends after they crash-land Septimus' badly injured Dragon, Spit Fyre on a mysterious island inhabited by an elusive girl and a malicious spirit. This book deserves a five star rating for its wonderful action packed story line that keeps th reader on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. I would recommend this book to readers of the previous Septimus Heap adventures and to lovers of fantasy and adventure. Although this book is wonderful, it is a bit of an easy read and only takes one or two days to complete.

The story continues after spending waayyy too much time with Merrin Meredith, the Wannabe - I wannabe a star, I wannabe famous, I wannabe Septimus. The creaky wheels eventually grease, and the story gets somewhat back on track, and great disaster is averted. Onto Darke

Why all the negatve reviews? Personally, I didn't see anything wrong with it. But then, I am only 13 and don't really care about all the character development. For me, this is a series I can read when I'm looking for something that's not going to make me either horribly depressed or wanting more action. In another review,someone complained about how no one ever dies, but if I were Angie Sage, I would be far to attached to all the characters to give even one up. I also loved the change in setting. Jim Knee. One word: hilarious! Congratulations, Wolf Boy, on the new job. Syrah, please get well soon. And Beetle, you will always be my favorite character.

I've read all the books thus far and this by far was my favorite. The story is brimming with adventure and action, but Sage does not drift away from the humor that keeps her book unique and exciting. The descriptions provide the reader with thorogh descriptions and the story gives an intimate look into what it's like to be a preteen. As a teenager in her later years of high school, this book was not too far off what I felt only a couple of years before. The book shows teenage angst, but doesn't lather it on like some books often do. I definately recommend this book and can't wait for Sage to release another!

Angies books just keep getting better and better! I loved the 4th book and just could not wait for this one. This book is a 1000 times better than previous ones. The plot is stunning and the descriptions are beautiful. Simply put, this book will complete your colection!

I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THIS BUT THIS INSTALLMENT OF SEPTIMUS HEAP BK 5 ISN'T AS GOOD AS ITS PREDECESSORS. IT'S CERTAINLY THE MOST BORING. I THINK THAT THE FIRST BOOK IS STILL THE BEST.Syren (Septimus Heap, Book 5)

angie sage's books usually leave me feeling emotionless, and this last one follows suit. her plain, brittle style of writing is exhausting to struggle through. i advise you to check it out from a library if you are interested in reading this. her chracters are not well developed, but the have a basic foundation layer. and as for the plot... well, what is even the point of these books? the first book was legitimate, but its eems that as the series continues, she claws for ideas to keep the story going. i advise you to not waste your money.

im a huge fan of this series but this book i just did not like. i didnt like how Angie Sage made it take place just days after Septimus returned from his Queste. the whole of everything that happened on that island i did not like at all.

the huge fight scene on the boat was the biggest disapointment of all. it was so gory that it didnt seem like the series. ive read books with gorier scenes but this didnt fit the series it reminded me more of the Warrior series bt Erin Hunter which, by the way, id recommend to anyone who loves animals.

i used to be soooo obsessed with this series to a point where anyone would say i was crazy if they knew. after reading Syren, i gave up on the obsession. i just siply couldnt do it anymore. that says something. i cant give up on obsessions that easily.

to conclude, this book was a dissapointment to me.

The strongest thing about this series has been the characters, and most of them are either missing or have cameo appearances in this book. A few new characters are introduced, and one has changed age... Lucy Gringe, who I thought was 20 in the first book, is now a teenager.

I don't want to be too specific and play spoiler on people who haven't read it yet. But some major plot questions that were left hanging (I assume purposely) in earlier books are still hanging. New ones are introduced, but they just don't seem to hang together. There are a lot of disparate elements in this story that just don't seem to have a reason for being there. This may partly be because of the series' lack of an overarching plot or goal. Introducing modern-day technology as something ancient is a bit annoying... if this is a far-future story, you'd think we'd have heard about it before!

The world still feels very real, although the placement of world-specific games, candy, and snacks feels much less real than it does in Harry Potter. In fact, this, along with putting the names of spells in a separate font, seems like a bid to be Harry Potter, complete with fansite encyclopediae and spin-off products.

Bottom line: I missed the characters. They were the series' strongest point.

Junk. Pure junk. Kids these days need to be reading the classics like Moby Dick and Mark Twain and others. No wonder kids these days have problems, they are reading junk material like this. If you want a smart, well rounded child stay away from these books.