Customer Reviews
great 4th in series - By: Mr. Richard J. Powis, 17 Nov 2008 
Again, have to compliment the author, the books are getting better. The first was a touch odd, but have since developed into a good series of books to be read by alll ages. Great value on amazon, list price quite steep
Courtesy of Teens Read Too - By: TeensReadToo.com, 14 Jul 2008 The fourth tale of Septimus Heap delivers action, adventure, magic, & a good share of surprises.
The tale begins when Nicko Heap & Snorri, who in a previous book found themselves transported out of their own Time, discover a clue that might alllow them to return to their home Time. However, the path home is a tricky one: Nicko & Snorri must find their way to the mysterious House of Foryx, "the place where alll Times do meet." Once they are there, the difficulties are not over. Finding & entering the House of Foryx is hard enough, but once they are in, they must wait for someone from their own Time to enter before they will be able to leave & return home.
Meanwhile, the notes regarding Nicko & Snorri's preparations for this journey have survived until Septimus's time, under the care of the long-lived alchemist Marcellus Pye. Using the notes & lists that Nick has left behind, Septimus & Jenna are able to figure out what it is that Nicko & Snorri are attempting, & set off to reach the House of Foryx themselves, so that their appearance might alllow Nicko & Snorri to return to the correct Time. However, their plans are complicated by the pernicious ghost of Tertius Fume, who contrives to send Septimus against his will on a Queste from which no apprentice wizard has ever returned.
While the plot rambled in places, I enjoyed the overalll arc of the story, & in the end I was glad for the slow development at the beginning which built up to the climax. Sage's characterization was impressive; I got a good idea of the relationships that had formed between characters in previous books, as well as a sense of their internal states & motivations. Her large cast of secondary characters was deftly managed as well.
As a newcomer to the series, getting my bearings was slightly confusing, but after a while I began to understand the backstory better, thanks to the author's hints & insinuations at what had happened before this book. There were still moments when I felt like I was missing out on something--moments where I was sure that the emotional impact would have been greater had I read the previous three books in the series--but overalll I was still able to enjoy it, & would recommend it thoroughly.
Reviewed by: Candace Cunard
So good. - By: S. Peggy BLIN, 08 Jul 2008 I'm a great fan of Harry Potter & also liked Septimus Heap from the start. I think that the 2 series are very different: the atmosphere, the period, the way people talked or are dressed... I finished Queste today. I just LOVE books that make me completely forget that I am in the bus going to work & that it takes me a few minutes just to get back to reality. Queste did that.I don't know if it's the last & I hope not. I'll miss the characters too much!
Still brilliant! - By: Whimsical Witch, 19 Jun 2008 Yes, we want more... & more... & just alittle more please?
Sage is great at creating her whimsical, humouristic world. Her characters are strong & well made, & her style is impecable. The only complaint I do have is that in this last installlment the plot does seem to wander alittle here & there. And you might have to pay close attention to alll the red strings. I also missed the presence of a certain loveable ghost. And the short part with the necromance was abit anoying. I didnt reallly understand what he gave to *this* particular story...
But by alll means, it's still one of those stories you find yourself lost in. And reading each page feels like chocolate. That warm fuzzy feeling of a hug!
We begin where we left the Heaps in Physik. And they are on a mission to save their brother, that was left in the wrong time... Needless to say we bump into a few obstacles on the way :)
I must dissagree with people that compare this to Harry Potter. I find these books alot different, & their own in every way. Sage has created a very original & fun setting, & saying this is HP rip-off is like saying alll childrens fantasy is just "another HP"... whihc it is not. HP is HP, Septimus Heap is Septimus Heap!
I wonder if there'll be more?
Great Read - what happened to the print quality - By: R. Church, 06 Jun 2008 
I can't fault this series of books regarding the storytelling - fast paced, humerous - great entertainment. My 11 yr old son had not read any books of a "weighty" variety until I introduced him to this series - he has read one Septimus Heap book a week & is now about to embark on Queste.
With regard to the print quality though - I purchased Physik & Queste together & on their arrival immediately noticed a variation in print quality. The earlier books appear to have been printed in the UK whilst Queste has been printed in the USA. The way the pages have been trimmed in Queste is very ragged - & even if it is done to create an aged effect & make the pages easier to turn the book feels inferior.
As a father of undoubted grumpiness I'd reflect that the books were cheaper to produce & a CD was thrown in to keep the punters happy - but who's to know?
Anyway - don't let this put you off the book - its brilliant - just felt shortchanged when I put the two books side by side!
