“Septimus Heap, ExtraOrdinary Apprentice, was woken up by his House Mouse leaving a note on his pillow.”

From Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap: Syren.

After completing his queste and rescuing Nicko and Snorri, young wizard Septimus Heap is promoted by Marcia Overstrand, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard to Senior Apprentice and sent off on another adventure. Septimus decides that his first trip will be to pick up Nicko, Snorri, adopted sister Jenna, and best friend Beetle from the Trading Post port where they’re recuperating from the queste. Sensing danger, Septimus’ Aunt Zelda sets off to deliver a SafeCharm to Septimus before he leaves. Unfortunately, the Septimus has already departed by the time Zelda arrives and through a series of events, the SafeCharm falls into the hands of Merrin, Septimus’ self-proclaimed enemy. Merrin soon discovers that the SafeCharm held a jinnie, which serves the formerly-evil Apprentice until Marcia and Zelda search for it. While trying to pass his test to be a Keeper like Zelda, Wolf Boy searches for the Port Witch Coven, where he finds more danger than he anticipated. Returning home on his dragon with Jenna and Beetle, Septimus is horrified when a storm gets them stranded on an island where Syrah, a girl from Septimus’ past announces that she is trapped by the evil ghost Syren. Septimus begins searching for a way to free Syrah, but his efforts are hindered by the wicked ghost Tertius Fume’s work back home at the Wizard Tower and Septimus’ only hope lies with Zelda’s SafeCharm jinnie reaching him in time.

The fifth book in the magical fantasy adventure that is the Septimus Heap series is full of wild characters and unexpected happenings. Sage easily creates a story that will compel magic-loving young readers to dive deeper into the story. When coupled with the book’s illustrations, the story of Syren will keep readers captivated until the very end.