Physik (Septimus Heap Book Three) by Angie Sage © 2006 Katherine Tegen
Books (Sci-Fi Book Club edition) ISBN 0-06-057737-7 544
pages Hardcover $17.99 (U.S.)
The adventures of Septimus Heap continue. He has survived ten years as
Young Army Boy 412; a year and a half as Apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary
Wizard (Marcia Overstrand); being despised and attached by his older
brother
(Simon); having a foster sister who is a Princess; and acquiring a dragon.
What awaits him in this volume?
How about a bit of time travel? A rather large bit of time travel,
actually. Septimus finds himself the victim of a thoroughly unpleasant
Queen (five centuries of death might make even the most even-tempered
individual a bit testy, and Etheldredda was not THAT even-tempered in
life).
This book is a bit lighter in tone than the preceding one. There is more,
if not frivolity, happiness. There are still dark undercurrents, but they
are not as dominant in this book. There are even instances which are
positively humorous. For those readers familiar with the MYTH series by
Robert Aspirin there are similarities to Skeeve and Gleep.
Is this the end of the series? I doubt it. First of all, there are
several
unanswered questions; too many character conflicts unresolved; and
Septimus
ended this story by announcing he was going fi****ng. We have to find what
he catches, although the astute reader will have a good indication
regarding
the answer to that question.
I have really enjoyed this series so far. It appeals to both the younger
reader (say from mid-teen on) and the adult reader. There are no great
magical truths here. It is simply good, enjoyable escapism.
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