This book, 4th in the series,is as interesting and captivating as the first 3 books. I enjoyed reading all Septimus' adventures, and this book actually meets my expectation. I'll say, I recommend to get the series...

the edition we got in our country is totaly diffrent than the one on the internet we dont have any kind of offers such CDs cards and other..
that is not fair..
however i have no comment about this nice cool book ^^

I've read all the Septimus books and I hope that there will be more and more!

Queste is the fourth in a series that combines drama, horror, adventure, hilarity and above all magic. This book continues with Setptimus and Jenna looking for their brother Nicko who was trapped in a different time when they were battling the evil queen Eltheldreda. Overall this book was quite good, it still contains all the things you've come to know and love about the Septimus Heap series. Also, quite a few charecters are added such as Ephaniah Grebe the half-man half-rat. I personally liked the devious Merrin Meredith who returned to try to Darken Septimus's future. Although there were some drawbacks.

A few complaints I have about the book is that it is very confusing, because if you haven't read the first few books you are completely lost which would make it quite difficult for people who just want a quick easy read. Also, the new character Tetrius Fume is quite a mystery. He has no motivation to do what he does, I can't tell you what because it would be a huge spoiler, but it's just wrong in so many ways. Finally, there is the problem of having so many things going on at once. It's hard to follow, but it keeps you engaged in the book.

Of course there are many great things to say of the book such as it's originality and charecter develoment (other that Tetrius Fume) is fantastic. You can really relate to all the chatercters and events. Not only can it provide you with connections but it can bring into a new world which can take you away.

Overall the book deserves an eight out of ten. In order to fully appreciated this book however you must, I can't stress this enough, read the first three books which are:

1. Maygk
2. Flyte
3. Physik

I started reading this series after Harry Potter came to an end. I'm still trying to find something to take his place, and I have really been enjoying this series despite the fact that it is for young adults. All four books have been good enough to read in just a few sittings, and I have no complaints!

I'm a big fan of the Septimus Heap books, and loved the 3 previous titles (and gave them all 5 stars). With Queste, the 4th in the series, Angie Sage has served up a continuation of the narrative, and takes Septimus, Jenna, and Beetle to some fabulous new places, but she deviates markedly from the pacing and drive of the previous titles. The first three books set up the central conflict immediately and then rush headlong into action. They burn brightly and then finish up with plenty of pages to go to allow a leisurely denouement. This one plods along without any passion or fire for more than 300 pages before the action gets going. We visit all the major characters and are treated to lots of Septimus world color, but the central crisis is centuries in the past and there is no life-or-death urgency at all until the drama of the "Gathering" kicks the plot into high gear - well after the middle of the book. Then the plot moves at headlong fashion until the very end of the book where it ends surprisingly abruptly - the crisis ends on literally the last page. There's a tiny bit of wrap up in the form of the usual character vignettes - but we are deprived of any narrative about our characters recover from their ordeal. We don't even get to know how they get home. I imagine Ms. Sage is saving that little complication for the start of book 5 - but I miss the healing run out at the end which I enjoyed with the previous 3 titles.

Look - if you've read the first 3 and love the Septimus series you are going to read this - if for no other reason than you'll need it before reading the 5th book when it comes out. However, I imagine a lot of kids will bail out before things get cooking after page 300. I wish Ms. Sage had kept with the previous pattern of action up front. I'll update this when my 2nd grader reads it. It will be interesting to get his perspective on this issue.

I have more issues with Queste than just the pacing. Tertius Fume is a colorful character - and a cool new addition to the roster of Septimus world folk. As a villain and prime plot mover, however, he is problematic. His motivation is a mystery - and is never revealed in this book. His mode of agency is bit questionable as well. I don't want to have spoilers in this review, but the titular plot element here requires a degree of magical authority on Fume's part that is not established in the narrative anywhere. I'll grant that the previous villains were fairly undeveloped characters too - but at least their motives and goals were clear (DomDaniel wanted the Castle and the Tower; Simon wanted to be Extraordinary Wizard; Queen Etheldredda wanted immortality and eternal rule). What does Fume want? Where is the evil plan?

I also have to complain about a couple of thug-like bouncers who show up at the climactic scenes and have a keystone-cop-like aspect. I feel they are out of place and detract from what should be a magical mysterious scenario.

I know I've said some harsh things - but I'll be the first to admit that I raced through this and couldn't put it down for the last 100 pages. I love the Septimus Heap series and I enjoyed the languorous first half - even while missing the action - just to be in it. The last half was (mostly) Sage in fine form. I'm looking forward to book 5.

This is the fourth book in the Septimus Heap series, and also the biggest at 596 pages. The first three books, in order are:

Magyk
Flyte
Physik

In order to fully appreciate book four, I would recommend reading the three preceding books first, to make sure that you don't miss a thing.

The main character is Septimus Heap, the seventh son of a seventh son, apprenticed to the Extra-Ordinary Wizard, and always finding himself in the middle of perilous adventures. Septimus and his friends are usually found battling against DARKE magyk, and this book is no exception.

One of his enemies has returned, bringing the nasty old remains of the evil DomDaniel, and with it the DARKE magyk plus all the creepy things that come with the package.

But that's not all.

This fast-paced book also has Septimus, his adopted sister Princess Jenna and his friend Beetle trying to save his brother Nicko and his friend Snorri, who are trapped five hundred years in the past. While all this is going on, Septimus is tricked into embarking on a QUESTE, from which no apprentice has ever returned. With the help of the alchemist Marcellus Pye and restoration expert Ephaniah Grebe, the QUESTE leads them to the House of Foryx where all time meets.

Angie Sage has created a wonderful fantasy series for readers from around ten years old, and I'm looking forward to 2010, when the movie based on Magyk is due to be released.

Note: This book also includes one of those cute little CD-ROMs, and when you play it through your computer, you get a choice of eight "questing stones" leading to information and activities, as follows:


1. About Queste
2. About the Author
3. Ice Tunnel Sledding (a game)
4. Trading Cards for supporting characters Lucy Gringe, Ullr, Ephaniah Grebe, Tertius Fume and Boris Catchpole, with a link to the interactive website where you can find all the characters.
5. Spells for "Pure water" and "Darkening"
6. Tips for traveling to the House of Foryx
7. Top selling sweets at Ma Custard's All-Day-All-Night Sweet Shop
8. QUESTE screensaver for PC and MAC

Worth the money and then some



Amanda Richards, May 19, 2008

Amazing sequel to a great series. Needs to be made into the next hit movie series.

Angie Sages doesn't skip a beat in the saga of young Septimus and his side kicks in crime. Queste leaves off where Physik left us and it is just as much of a thrilling read. Septimus, Beetle, and Jenna embark on a journey to find Nikko and Snori who are both lost in time. With the help of some odd companions, and a few twists and turns Septimus, Beetle, and Jenna find them self on a journey that they could have never imagined.

What I like best about the Septimus Heap series, is that the story is wonderfully original and masterfully told in a way that immerses you in the written environment. You almost feel as a silent member of the cast as you watch things unfold before your eyes. This series isn't exclusive to the younger audience, it is entertaining for all ages.

Great read.

I got this for my third-grade fantasy loving son, who loved the first two and wished the third one had more action but read it through anyway. He started Queste about two weeks ago and decided not to finish. He kept waiting for it to get better but at half way throught the book, when the new Percy Jackson, Battle of the Labrinth came out he switched. He read that in one day! Too bad that Sage could not keep this sequel fresh for her fans. I am on Amazon right now looking for some other books he may like and wanted to share this nine year old boy's opinion.
Books he loved: All the The Last Apprentice books, Ranger's Apprentice, Garth Nix's, Seven Towers and Keys to the Kingdom. Of course Harry Potter and The Hobbit some of Lord of the Rings (he did skip parts). In first and second grade he loved Secrets of Droon and Avatar: The Earth Chronicles books. I hope this helps some of you with fantasy-loving hard-to-please boys.

I really enjoyed the imaginative world and playful character development Ange Sage paints in Quest. I can't wait for book 5.

This series is just fantastic. It is wonderful to see the characters evolving through this series. There is so much going on in the book but it never seems cluttered or overwhelming. The visit back to the forest was great. It's always nice to find out what all the other Heap boys are up to. Ms. Sage does a wonderful job of revealing the pieces to the puzzle. The Queste process in and of itself was interesting but when you find out the why of the Queste it's just wonderful. I like that everything isn't a BIG REVEAL and that profound meaning in something can be so simple. This series appeals to both boys and girls (I work in an upper elementary library and see these books going out frequently). Can't wait for the next one!! I was excited to see the fourth book as much as our students (in fact, I ordered my own copy so I wouldn't have to wait!!)

These books are so good. Once you start reading them they are really hard to put down!! They are just SO GOOD!

This is another great installment in the Septimus series. I couldn't put it down until I had read it all. It is exciting and filled with adventure from beginning to end! This is a book for all ages.

This is another great adventure for Septimus Heap written by Angie Sage. Septimus is in his third year of being an apprentice to the Extra Ordinary Wizard. Darke figures from his past plot to send him on a Queste that no one has every returned from. With the help of his friends and family you will have to see if he comes back. While this is going on, Septimus, Princess Jena, and Bettle are trying to rescue his brother Nicko and a friend from a place lost in time. Are they lost forever or can Septimus save them and himself? Enjoy the fourth book in this great series.

This series is getting better and better with every book. All 4 so far available on Kindle.

This time Septimus doesn't go looking for trouble, it comes looking for him in the form of Merrin Meredith, one time apprentice under the evil DomDaniel and Tertius Fume, the first and worst Chief Hermetic Scribe. Poor Sept finds himself on a quest he doesn't want brought about by enemies he doesn't know he has. Great story. Can't wait for the next installment in the adventures of Septimus Heap.

I started reading this series just after Magyk came out in paperback. As an adult reader of fantasy novels, I started broaden my horizons with well-written young adult fantasy. Magyk fell squarely in that category.

Angie Sage is a talented, and apparently very hard-working, author. This series has well written characters that she is interested in building on as she builds the series. Characters that were introduced in the first and second books keep coming back - the way you would expect to run across people more frequently in a relative small environment.

I have enjoyed this whole series. I have really appreciated that fact that some of the questions she left us with and the ends of the books - questions that truly reflect on the character of her characters are addressed in the subsequent novels. The 'kids' are growing and this growth is in their decisions and actions in the novels - as well as in the wonderful chapter illustrations (and collector's cards) by illustrator Mark Zug.

This is an exciting addition to the series. There is quite a bit of action in this novel - almost enough to warrant a second read to make sure you didn't miss any of the subtleties. Well worth picking up.

By the way, the hardback version of this book includes a mini CD with games, printable collector's cards and a link to the fun (and safe) Septimus Heap website.

This book is yet another wonder of Angie Sage's. It focused mostly on Septimus although it did let us get to know Sarah Heap and Beetle a bit more. This was perhaps her most serious book yet. Many very real dangers plagued Septimus, Jenna, and Beetle. They had to face things they had never faced before and there was a surprise unexpected character introduced at the end. And one particular character realised how much they were in the wrong. This book had the end of some foes, but the beginning of new and more dangerous ones. I highly recommend this book to all and I know I can't wait for the next one!

Books looks great, haven't finished reading it yet. I just wanted to post a note in case anyone else is getting frustrated trying to play the "Magykal CD" included with the book. It's not a music CD; it's a CD-ROM. Took my kids and me a while to figure out. I wish the publisher had said that on the disk or on the sticker on the front page.

Queste is a great book.... a wonderful book that follows Physik (Book 3) I am just so excited that I am waiting to get my copy of the book.... I surely recommend this title and the others in the series for everyone who likes fantasy.....

I strongly reccomend this book for all fantasy lovers. Another wonderful masterpiece by Angie Sage.