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Available
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Publication
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (2009), Hardcover
Description
Wolf Boy is sent on a Task by Aunt Zelda, while Septimus and the dragon, Spit Fyre, fly off to bring their friends home, but they all wind up on an island whose secrets are as dangerous as its inhabitants.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sirfurboy
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member Wosret
This book got off to a bit of a slow start, but I soon found myself turning pages feverishly, anxious and eager to see what would happen next. I'd forgotten a lot of details from the previous books, so it took me a bit to get back up to speed. I would have liked to have seen less of the build up
I'm not sure about the hints about the ancient past and whether or not I like them. I think this world did just fine without that history being thrown in. I don't feel that it adds anything to the story and I think it's a little over done.
Nice set up for the next book in the series. I'm quite looking forward to seeing how this series will end, as it seems to get better with each subsequent book.
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(the parts that dragged at the beginning) and more about the island (its history and what happened on it during the course of this book).I'm not sure about the hints about the ancient past and whether or not I like them. I think this world did just fine without that history being thrown in. I don't feel that it adds anything to the story and I think it's a little over done.
Nice set up for the next book in the series. I'm quite looking forward to seeing how this series will end, as it seems to get better with each subsequent book.
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LibraryThing member cmbohn
Themes: magic, family, good versus evil, redemption
Setting: the Trading Post, the Wizard Tower, and the islands
This is book 5 in the Septimus Heap series. I don't know why this is not more popular - it is very engaging and suspenseful. I love Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, and Nikko. They are very strong
Spoilers for previous books!
This one keeps us out of the Castle and the Wizarding Tower for most of the story. Jenna, Nikko, Beetle, Snorri, and Ullr are all on their way back to town when they decide to take a little detour and visit the sea. While they are there, they meet up with Jenna's father and decide to travel home with him. Meanwhile, Septimus and Spit Fyre are flying to meet them. Once they are reunited, they discover that all kinds of things have been falling apart. Simon and Lucy are separated. Wolf Boy sets off on a quest of his own. And someone has set a dangerous plan into motion that will bring a dangerous army right to the very doors of the Castle itself.
One of the many things I enjoy about this series is the look of the books themselves. I love the titles and the old-fashioned spelling in here. Every book has a map of some kind, and I love looking at the map and trying to guess what's going to happen. Toward the end of this one I was thinking, "this must be a cliffhanger - there's no way she can wrap all this up by the end of the book." But I was wrong. Maybe it was a little rushed, but it was intense and it was fun. Only 2 more left in the series! 4 stars
Setting: the Trading Post, the Wizard Tower, and the islands
This is book 5 in the Septimus Heap series. I don't know why this is not more popular - it is very engaging and suspenseful. I love Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, and Nikko. They are very strong
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characters, but even minor characters like Stanley the Message Rat are well defined. They are big books, but they read fast. Maybe they are suffering from being compared to Harry Potter, but just because something is a fantasy book and it involves a child as a main character, it's going to be compared to HP. This series is quite complex, but unlike HP it doesn't get substantially darker as the series progresses. The writing is totally different. They will appeal to different audiences, but the Septimus Heap books are well done and very entertaining.Spoilers for previous books!
This one keeps us out of the Castle and the Wizarding Tower for most of the story. Jenna, Nikko, Beetle, Snorri, and Ullr are all on their way back to town when they decide to take a little detour and visit the sea. While they are there, they meet up with Jenna's father and decide to travel home with him. Meanwhile, Septimus and Spit Fyre are flying to meet them. Once they are reunited, they discover that all kinds of things have been falling apart. Simon and Lucy are separated. Wolf Boy sets off on a quest of his own. And someone has set a dangerous plan into motion that will bring a dangerous army right to the very doors of the Castle itself.
One of the many things I enjoy about this series is the look of the books themselves. I love the titles and the old-fashioned spelling in here. Every book has a map of some kind, and I love looking at the map and trying to guess what's going to happen. Toward the end of this one I was thinking, "this must be a cliffhanger - there's no way she can wrap all this up by the end of the book." But I was wrong. Maybe it was a little rushed, but it was intense and it was fun. Only 2 more left in the series! 4 stars
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LibraryThing member kw50197
This book is the most exciting read so far in the Septimus Heap series. Plenty happens along the way to the myriad characters and Septimus gains new allies and Magykal items in the form of Syrah and the jinnee.
Best of all, we see Simon Heap truly take steps to redeem himself when he warns Marcia
On the other hand, with such a powerful creature as the jinnee on Septimus's side one wonders if anything could ever pose difficulty for Septimus again. It would be interesting to see what happens in the next book.
Best of all, we see Simon Heap truly take steps to redeem himself when he warns Marcia
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early on of suspicious doings by Tertius Fume. At the end of the story, Marcia is shown to have forgiven Simon of his past wrongdoings and it is to be hoped that a full reconciliation among the Heap siblings is soon possible. In the past, although Simon has often said he wished Septimus had died as a baby, Lucy does not believe this is truly Simon's wish and in this story continually helps either Simon's little brothers. Perhaps we will see Simon himself doing the same in the future as he has proven to be rather knowledgeable on many things as Marcia learned.On the other hand, with such a powerful creature as the jinnee on Septimus's side one wonders if anything could ever pose difficulty for Septimus again. It would be interesting to see what happens in the next book.
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LibraryThing member gsmattingly
I finally finished Syren yesterday. It was too long and I forgot that I had not read the preceding book in the series, Queste. Even considering that the first 1/2 to 2/3 (if not more) of the book dragged. Way too much development as far as I was concerned. I liked the earlier books. Maybe the
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problem was just not reading Queste. It got better when I started skimming it. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
The adventures of Septimus Heap and his circle of interesting friends and enemies continues to be fun and entertaining in this fifth volume of the series. After rescuing Nicko and Snorri from the House of Foryx, Septimus and his friends now find themselves embarking on new journeys and landing on
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mysterious islands where they encounter a possessed girl, a lighthouse keeper, and an army of jinn. Always amusing and filled with adventure, Syren makes for an engaging read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
**spoiler warning** for earlier books in the Septimus Heap series.
Just a few days after returning from the House of Foryx, Septimus is determined to return to the port with Spit Fyre to bring Jenna and Beetle home. Meanwhile, Aunt Zelda sends Wolf Boy on an important errand that will put him on the
I continued to reread this series through sheer will power because this book has been on my TBR list ever since it came out in 2009. I really enjoyed the series when I first listened to and read this, but have been decidedly disappointed in the reread. I was hoping that it was partly from remembering them with such high expectations, and that I would enjoy Syren more. Unfortunately, the same things that irked me in rereading the first four books return. The reason I've been listening to them is that certain words - in this one, Sphere of Light, Magyk, and Darke to name a few, are called out in the text by capitalization and a bold font. I find this somewhat aggravating in the text, especially when a paragraph is so chock full of them that all my eyes want to do is look at the bold text. Unfortunately, since I can read much faster than Gerard Doyle narrates, this means that instead I am bogged down by the much-longer-than-necessary descriptions of events that, if I were reading, I would skim over and not be as bothered by. A no-win situation, and that's purely with format.
Lest you think I really hated the book, I should backtrack and say what I enjoyed. Gerard Doyle is a good narrator, with individual voices for the characters and a good delivery for the humorous parts of the story. Sage shows a good deal of imagination in the world she creates, even as it is expanded beyond the Castle and environs. I enjoy the characters of Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, Marcia and Zelda especially. Milo annoyed me, but I think he was meant to. The plots are interesting, and if the books were a bit more streamlined (this book was a doozy at 600+ pages, 12 CDs), I would enjoy them more. As it is, the books are not without flaws, and I am rather gratefully setting this one down to move on to other reads.
Just a few days after returning from the House of Foryx, Septimus is determined to return to the port with Spit Fyre to bring Jenna and Beetle home. Meanwhile, Aunt Zelda sends Wolf Boy on an important errand that will put him on the
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path to become her apprentice.I continued to reread this series through sheer will power because this book has been on my TBR list ever since it came out in 2009. I really enjoyed the series when I first listened to and read this, but have been decidedly disappointed in the reread. I was hoping that it was partly from remembering them with such high expectations, and that I would enjoy Syren more. Unfortunately, the same things that irked me in rereading the first four books return. The reason I've been listening to them is that certain words - in this one, Sphere of Light, Magyk, and Darke to name a few, are called out in the text by capitalization and a bold font. I find this somewhat aggravating in the text, especially when a paragraph is so chock full of them that all my eyes want to do is look at the bold text. Unfortunately, since I can read much faster than Gerard Doyle narrates, this means that instead I am bogged down by the much-longer-than-necessary descriptions of events that, if I were reading, I would skim over and not be as bothered by. A no-win situation, and that's purely with format.
Lest you think I really hated the book, I should backtrack and say what I enjoyed. Gerard Doyle is a good narrator, with individual voices for the characters and a good delivery for the humorous parts of the story. Sage shows a good deal of imagination in the world she creates, even as it is expanded beyond the Castle and environs. I enjoy the characters of Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, Marcia and Zelda especially. Milo annoyed me, but I think he was meant to. The plots are interesting, and if the books were a bit more streamlined (this book was a doozy at 600+ pages, 12 CDs), I would enjoy them more. As it is, the books are not without flaws, and I am rather gratefully setting this one down to move on to other reads.
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LibraryThing member Lucybird
There is something about the Septimus Heap series in that it takes a while to really get going, you get hints that it will get exciting but it’s only towards the end that it actually becomes exciting with a gradual build. his was still true of Syren, although I do think it got going a little
Really my main problem with this series is that it isn’t much of a series in the way the books link together. In some ways this one was linked to the other books, and I can definitely see how it may link to the next book, but it also seems in some ways unneccessary to the series as a whole, and as if Sage was just trying to stretch out the books.
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quicker than the previous books. I think I am enjoying the stories more as we go through the series as well, and whereas before I read the other books without and real anticipation I am actually really looking forward to Darke, I just wish it was out already!Really my main problem with this series is that it isn’t much of a series in the way the books link together. In some ways this one was linked to the other books, and I can definitely see how it may link to the next book, but it also seems in some ways unneccessary to the series as a whole, and as if Sage was just trying to stretch out the books.
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LibraryThing member devilish2
I found the first few chapters slow. But then it got going. The same engaging characters, humour and multiple plot lines. And a few new characters thrown in for good measure. All good fun.
LibraryThing member midkid88
Again, an excellent book that continues the story of Septimus, Jenna, Marcia, and all the rest. This story shows how Septimus is always in the right place at the right time, even if he had to make a couple of mistakes to get there. I can't wait to read the next one to know what will happen to these
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extraordinary characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member jenspirko
This was my favorite of the Septimus Heap series -- until I read Darke! Syrah Syara is an engaging addition to the character list, and the expansion of the story's horizons -- literally -- is exciting and suspenseful. It is nice to see Septimus growing up and becoming ever more confident and
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powerful, yet still feel scared and shy sometimes. Show Less
LibraryThing member br14aldi
Going through this book, I was encountered with beautiful detail. The plot was incredibly great. A tropical island was home to a mysterious girl named Syrah. She was alone on the island and possessed by a Syren. A mythacal being who controlled her every move and destroyed her psyche. Meanwhile, a
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dastardly plot was being formed by a Theodosius Frocious Fry who was planning to attack the castle with an unknown army. NO septimus and his friends must take the challenge and save Syrah, the castle, and quite possibly, the whole world. Show Less
LibraryThing member NinaCaramelita
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
Can’t wait to read Darke! And hopefully find out what became of Syrah! ^_^
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
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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! ^_^
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LibraryThing member razzzat
Very nice book...Quite riveting story.....I love the Wolf boy and Lucy in book 5.
The plot was good....some more stuff on the tunnels is revealed. I got a feeling that the ice tunnels will be having something with the main plot.
On the other hand Jenna is turning into a bitch. Quite irritating. I
Highly Recommended Series.
The plot was good....some more stuff on the tunnels is revealed. I got a feeling that the ice tunnels will be having something with the main plot.
On the other hand Jenna is turning into a bitch. Quite irritating. I
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liked her character in the previous books but this time it was pure awful. Even Beetle irritated a bit. Zelda and Marcia are fun as ever.Highly Recommended Series.
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LibraryThing member shaunesay
It's been long enough since I listened to the last one that I'm completely confused by the beginning of this one! Hope it clears up soon or I may have to go back!
Update: It cleared up for me, another fun adventure!
Update: It cleared up for me, another fun adventure!
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
Really a 2
I was was so looking forward to reading this last book in the Septimus Heap series, but at the end I was disappointed...
Septimus, Spit Fyre, Jenna (Queenling), Beetle, Lucy Gringe, & Niko sail out on Milo's (Jenna's father's ship).....They are waylaid by pirates, the lighthouse light gets
I'm sure there was more to the book....but of all the five this one was the weakest. I saw the Queenling as being actively ignorant and amazing immature compared to her being in the previous four books....
I don't know, it just didn't work for me.
I was was so looking forward to reading this last book in the Septimus Heap series, but at the end I was disappointed...
Septimus, Spit Fyre, Jenna (Queenling), Beetle, Lucy Gringe, & Niko sail out on Milo's (Jenna's father's ship).....They are waylaid by pirates, the lighthouse light gets
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moved to the Syren's Island...Syrah Syrah, an apprentice who never returned from her Queste has been possessed by the Syren (for 500 years), helps Septimus.....Tertius Fume has the djinn under his power in order to take over the castle. Septimus also has a Jinnee under his command...I'm sure there was more to the book....but of all the five this one was the weakest. I saw the Queenling as being actively ignorant and amazing immature compared to her being in the previous four books....
I don't know, it just didn't work for me.
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LibraryThing member DJLunchlady91404
Angie Sage has done it again. Quite often when I read books that are in a long series I become very bored. Angie Sage has managed to not only keep my interest through all the books but has actually made me want to read them for the storyline and not for the satisfaction of completing the series.
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With each book the story get better. I was very worried when I started Syren but once I started it I had problems putting it down. I look forward to reading the last 2 books now because somehow Sage manages to come up with new interesting storylines each and every book. I have recommended this book to many people and will continue to do so. I can't get enough of Septimus Heap. Show Less
LibraryThing member nittnut
Twists and turns galore. A fun read.
LibraryThing member livingtech
I think this might have been the best Septimus Heap book so far. Mostly I’m still reading these because I’m reading them aloud to Colleen (my 7-year old daughter), but I did genuinely get “into” this one, and there were several nights where we did nothing but read this book together for an
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hour (or two) before bedtime. Show Less
LibraryThing member melrailey
Syren by Angie Sage is the fifth book in the Septimus Heap series. I love all these books. I think Angie Sage does a wonderful job of both telling a story and using words. Although the books may seem at first glance that they're going to be Harry Potter rip offs, they aren't. Yes, both series
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involved orphaned boys who find out they're wizards but the stories are completely different. Sage's books are more lighthearted despite the evil wizards and ghosts that try to kill Septimus or take control of the castle. I highly recommend these books. And, if you get a chance, I recommend listening to them on audiobook. They are narrated by Gerard Doyle and he does a fantastic job. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
He’s not a major character in this book, but I love the way Simon is slowly making his way back from the evil he has done and embraced. It’s a good message that we can make poor choices and do bad things and still turn things around. Septimus and gang get into trouble in a storm... they are
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separated but undaunted. They meet up with a siren who warns them of danger heading to the palace and their quick wit helps them save the day. Show Less
Awards
Colorado Blue Spruce Award (Nominee — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
2009-09-29
Physical description
640 p.; 7.24 inches
ISBN
0747594155 / 9780747594154
Local notes
Septimus and his friends find themselves on an island whose secrets are as dark and dangerous as its inhabitants.
UK First Edition / First Printing. Signed by the author.
UK First Edition / First Printing. Signed by the author.