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Queste (Septimus Heap)

Author: Angie Sage
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Category: Book

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Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

4 reviews
Sales Rank: 997

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 608
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 5.9 x 2.1

ISBN: 0747589038
EAN: 9780747589037
ASIN: 0747589038

Publication Date: May 5, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: IN STOCK - BRAND NEW - SENT FIRST CLASS - IMMEDIATE DISPATCH

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

Courtesy of Teens Read Too July 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The fourth tale of Septimus Heap delivers action, adventure, magic, and a good share of surprises.

The tale begins when Nicko Heap and Snorri, who in a previous book found themselves transported out of their own Time, discover a clue that might allow them to return to their home Time. However, the path home is a tricky one: Nicko and Snorri must find their way to the mysterious House of Foryx, "the place where all Times do meet." Once they are there, the difficulties are not over. Finding and 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 and return home.

Meanwhile, the notes regarding Nicko and 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 and lists that Nick has left behind, Septimus and Jenna are able to figure out what it is that Nicko and Snorri are attempting, and set off to reach the House of Foryx themselves, so that their appearance might allow Nicko and 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 overall arc of the story, and 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 and 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 and 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 overall I was still able to enjoy it, and would recommend it thoroughly.

Reviewed by: Candace Cunard

5 out of 5 stars

So good. July 8, 2008
I'm a great fan of Harry Potter and 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 and 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 and I hope not. I'll miss the characters too much!

5 out of 5 stars

Still brilliant! June 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Yes, we want more... and more... and just alittle more please?

Sage is great at creating her whimsical, humouristic world. Her characters are strong and well made, and her style is impecable. The only complaint I do have is that in this last installment the plot does seem to wander alittle here and there. And you might have to pay close attention to all 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 really understand what he gave to *this* particular story...

But by all 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, and their own in every way. Sage has created a very original and fun setting, and saying this is HP rip-off is like saying all 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?

4 out of 5 stars

More of the same from Septimus May 20, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

If you've read any of the previous titles in Sage's series you'll know that this is a poor man's Harry Potter. The setting is all rather familiar with it's castle, its dragon and it's princess. Yet far from being a weakness, Sage uses these archetypes to craft a warm and fuzzy world that both children and adults can enjoy - and much in the same way as Rowling.

I enjoyed Queste as much as I enjoyed the other books. However one complaint I do have is that the plot wanders all over the place - as it does in the previous books. Unlike Potter which is tightly knitted the reader is forced to trek all over the place wondering why this bit is relavent, what's going on here and who is this person again? Perhpas one of the main reason's for this is the huge cast that Sage has employed. Like all series' that have been around for a while this is inevitable. But perhaps Sage might consider bumping a few off for the next one...

All in all, well worth a read if you take it for what it is. Warm, familiar fun that allows you to forget the real word for a weekend or two.