Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

In their fifth adventure, Septimus and Jenna eventually wind up stranded on an island. There, they investigate mysterious (and magical) goings-on. Though the story tends to meander and the plot is more forced than others in the series, entertaining dragon-poop and cabbage-sandwich jokes abound.

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

New stripes on the sleeves of Septimus HeapÆs wizard robe denote that Extraordinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand has made him Senior Apprentice in honor of surviving the Queste in this seventh series book. But another challenge waits. When he and Spit Fyre return to the Trading Post to take Jenna, Beetle, Nikko, and company back to the Castle, Jenna has run into her father, Milo with mysterious cargo aboard his ship. Meanwhile Wolf Boy, on a mission for Aunt Zelda, runs into Lucy Gringe, who has run afoul of witches. When Septimus tries to fly himself, Jenna, and Beetle home, Spit Fyre is struck by lightning near a cat-shaped lighthouse, and the four find themselves on an island where a mysterious voice lures Septimus into peril. A jinnee with attitude and a penchant for yellow helps ensure that Septimus and friends are able to save Syrah, an apprentice on the island, and to avert a deadly plot hatched by Tertius Fume. As always, there are multiple threads throughout the story, but all intertwine to create an appealing, enjoyable plot. Septimus continues to mature both in his powers and as a person, while assembled cast members also become more fleshed out, from the impetuous but strong Lucy Gringe, to the quiet Wolf Boy, and the clever Beetle, who is smitten with Jenna. Whether he is flying on a dragon, zipping through Ice Tunnels, Seen or Un-Seen, Septimus is a thoroughly engaging young hero-in-training whose accompanying friends and enemies are downright fun. Young teens are already lined up and waiting for the continuation of this delightful series.ùMary Ann Darby.

School Library Journal (Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 4-9 Septimus Heap returns triumphantly to the Castle and Wizard Tower, the only Apprentice ever to return alive from a Queste , let alone to complete one. Marcia Overstrand, ExtraOrdinary Wizard, then makes him a very young Senior Apprentice. With his new freedoms, Septimus sets out on his dragon, Spit Fire, to retrieve his brother Nicko and friends Snorri, Princess Jenna, and Beetle, whom he promised to return safely to the Castle. When leaving on this rescue mission, though, Septimus does not receive a Live SafeCharm from his Aunt Zelda, and a chain reaction of unfortunate events besiege him and his companions. Many small plotlines are introduced, but they converge clearly in Septimus's challenge on the Islands of Syren. Unlike the two previous books, which could be a little confusing, Syren is Sage at her best: it's full of fun, adventure, humor, irony, friendship, loyalty, and nonstop action. In spite of its length, fans of the series will tear through this book and come out eagerly anticipating the next installment. Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

ALA Booklist (Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

The fifth installment in the best-selling Septimus Heap series begins a few days after the events of Queste (2008). Septimus is preparing to recover his friends, including Princess Jenna, from the lowly Harbor environs. Meanwhile, Wolf Boy has a mission to complete to become the next Keeper. Each thread of this tale includes a multitude of twists, turns, witches, a jinnee (and an army of warrior jinns), storms at sea, and pirates and ultimately converges on a mysterious island inhabited by a possessed girl. Once again, Sage's tale combines humor, adventure, and inventive storytelling and is sure to please her many fans.