The Bibliophile's Bookshelf

Title: Septimus Heap: Syren

Series: Septimus Heap #5

Author: Angie Sage

Genre: Middle Reader, Action, Fantasy, Magic

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review:

Jenna and Septimus have saved Nicko from the House of Foryx. On the way home, they meet up with Milo Banda and Nicko decides he wants to sail home on Milo’s boat, while the others want to go home on Spit Fyre. When flying back, an accident happens stranding Jenna, Septimus, and Beetle on an island. This island isn’t what it seems, and something isn’t right. Wolf Boy and Lucy are also in trouble, when they escape trouble in the Port by getting on an even more troublesome boat. Then they too are stranded on the mysterious island.

Something that I noticed in this book was that Septimus didn’t forget his time in the Young Army. Throughout books 2 through 4 you get some small parts where he uses his training, but in this book, you really get to see how much his training has affected him.

In my previous reviews I have said that Angie Sage makes characters you can sympathize with. While I’m not disputing that, and I did sympathize with Nicko this book, I think I was told he was struggling rather than being shown. I still enjoyed Nicko’s story, though.

Simon is also getting his life back in order. It’s nice to see him be a good guy and him and Lucy together. Lucy seemed like an annoying character when first introduced, but I have really come to enjoy her. She has a strong, unique personality.

The island, Syren Island, is a new setting and it was nice to explore this world and its lore some more. I will say for the entire book being called Syren; I don’t feel like the Syren was actually a really big part of this book.

I want more Syrah Syara! She was such an interesting character, and I think there could be such a good friendship between her and Septimus. It would also be interesting to read about her outside of the Island.

I don’t know how I feel about the djinn. Jim Knee was a djinn, and while I enjoyed him, he wasn’t my favorite. I don’t think I liked the warrior djinn. I’m not exactly sure what about them I didn’t like about them.

I loved Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, and Wolf Boy. They’re growing up and this series tells a lovely coming-of-age story. Septimus and Wolf Boy are especially coming into their own, as Keeper Apprentice and ExtraOrdinary Wizard Apprentice. I really loved seeing Wolf Boy and Septimus’ bond and shared history coming through.

A lovely book, with wonderful characters, new and old, along with a further exploration of this world and lore. There were some parts that didn’t make a lot of sense, but it was still an invigorating read.

Goodreads Page for: Syren by Angie Sage