I couldn't help but rate this book a 5 star. Wow it was so much better than it's predecessors. I am really enjoying this cast of characters. In this installment we meet some new characters and also revisit with all the old favorites as well. This series really does get better as it goes, and this is by far my favorite of the 5 I have read thus far. And now I am looking forward to reading Darke!In this installment Septimus is home fresh 2 days from his 'quest' and he goes on the journey of a lifetime to bring home Nicko, Snorri, Jenna, and Beetle. And wow what an adventure it all turned out to be. Lots of action, adventure and of course unforgettable magic. A lot happens and comes into play in this installment making the read quite exciting for me. I truly loved how the Author brings all the characters together working as a team. Some of which may be quite surprising to those who are familiar with the story and the characters.I have noticed Jenna making some big changes throughout the series and I am finding her to be a bit more snobbish in a way. So her character rubbed me the wrong way a few times. I also found myself really enjoying Lucy Gringe, which I would never have believed that! She is fast becoming a very important character in the series and a favorite for me. Septimus will always be a favorite character for me simply because he is Septimus and his character is growing by leaps and bounds. I also really loved Wolf boy quite a lot as well in this book. We get to see a bit more of him and he is fitting right in with the rest of them.I think the Author uses great imagery in her books and it seems to get better and better as the series goes on. I can imagine myself in all the places that this crew goes and I love that. It is definitely a rollercoaster ride for sure. All readers should keep in mind though that this is middle grade reading. So don't go into it thinking otherwise. I do however recommend this to anyone who likes a little magic in their lives! I loved this. I read it in two bursts, reading the first 300 or so pages before leaving the story to read a novella for a different series, before coming back and finishing it off. This has to be my favourite sequel so far (Magyk is still my favourite over all). It involved so much of Lucy Gringe and Wolf Boy who are two of my favourites in this world. And Snorri and Nicko were fun too. I love how cringe worthy Milo Banda is, and for once I cheered when Jenna slipped into her "Princess" mode when she told him off. I very much enjoyed Septimus and Spit Fyre, and meeting Syrah. Simon's little appearances were awesome too. And Jim Knee! I love him too.Plot wise, I'd say the second half was by far the most exciting, but I enjoyed the opening too. My favourite element of this novel though, was that the plot pushed Septimus into remembering his time as a member of the Young Army. The survival tactics, the way he covered their footprints, all the rhymes. And when he and Wolf Boy worked together, utilizing both of their Young Army skills... It was so exciting to read, and I now love their characters even more than before, which I hadn't thought possible as they are my absolute favourites.I'm very excited to see where Darke will take the story, as not much time has really passed since Physik ended. Perhaps there'll be a significant time skip, or maybe it'll be more immediate. I don't know, but I'll be finding out soon!
What do You think about Saari (2010)?
Not the best of her books, or maybe I didn't read it in good conditions.
—Yawtta
