Editorial Review
When Silas Heap unSeals a forgotten room in the Palace, he releases the ghost of a Queen who lived five hundred years earlier. Queen Etheldredda is as awful in death as she was in life, and she's still up to no good. Her diabolical plan to give herself everlasting life requires Jenna's compliance, Septimus's disappearance, and the talents of her son, Marcellus Pye, a famous Alchemist and Physician. And if Queen Etheldredda's plot involves Jenna and Septimus, then it will surely involve Nicko, Alther Mella, Marcia Overstrand, Beetle, Stanley, Sarah, Silas, Spit Fyre, Aunt Zelda, and all of the other wacky, wonderful characters that made magyk and flyte so memorable.
With heart-stopping action and a dash of humor, Angie Sage continues the fantastical journey of Septimus Heap.
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Customer Reviews
Courtesy of Teens Read Too 
2008-02-29
I have to state that it's taken me a very long time to write my review of PHYSIK, mostly because it took me such a very long time to finish the book. Although I absolutely loved MAGYK, and was nearly as impressed with FLYTE, it was much harder for me to get into the story of PHYSIK. I wasn't immediately struck by the newly introduced characters, and even some of my old favorites were, at first, acting quite different than they had originally. That being said, though, I'm glad I finally finished this third installment in the Septimus Heap saga, and can recommend it to others without feeling guilty.
The story opens with Silas Heap, father of the Heap clan, unknowingly unleashing the ghost of Queen Etheldredda, a Castle Queen who ruled long ago. Along with her spirit is also released that of her pet Aie-Aie, a rat-dog-snake hybrid that is hideous to look upon. Although Silas and his companion, Gringe, aren't first aware of what has happened, they'll soon learn that the room they unlocked would have been better left alone.
Nearly at the same time, Snorri Snorrelssen, a young North Trader, arrives at Sally Mullen's Tea and Ale House -- and can immediately sense that she's not welcome there, even if she can't understand the language that's being spoken. After weeks at sea, however, Snorri is not about to turn her back on her mission, that of following in the footsteps of her father.
Back at the Palace, Septimus Heap is putting off his studies with ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, instead indulging in his new obsession of learning all there is to know about Alchemy. He wishes to learn under the famous Alchemyst Marcellus Pye, who just so happens to be the son of the dreaded Queen Etheldredda.
All of the usual characters are back in this installment: Jenna, Nicko, Aunt Zelda, Spit Fyre, and Alther Mella, along with new ones like the above-mentioned Snorri and Marcellus Pye. Some of them act as they've always acted; some of them act in surprising ways. All of it leads up to a showdown of wits and talents and, of course, the next book in the series.
As I said, I'm glad I finally finished reading PHYSIK, as I definitely plan to read QUESTE, the fourth book. Although some readers may have trouble in the beginning, as I did, once you get into the story of Septimus and family, you'll be quite enthralled until the very end.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
great 
2008-02-08
while definetely no harry potter i enjoyed this series very much. i am looking forward to the next installment. i am enjoying reading some adolescent books, have a neice and nephew to recommend them to and will soon become a grandmother and look forward to reading books like this to her.
Promising, but disappointing 
2008-02-01
This series showed so much promise, especially Magyk: action, adventure, thoughful characters, amusing creatures... But the plot lines are never tied up--even with a cop out ending list at the end of what happens to the characters, there are so many loose ends it made me throw the book at the wall. Waste of time. Jenna never talks to her mother's ghost, Jenna's brother & Snorri are left in another time dimension. There were hints of romance there, but author never follows it up. Does Septimus ever gain position? Do he & Jenna hook up? Who knows--I'd like to strangle this author & the publisher who let her get away with this.
Excellent, but a Few Tips... 2008-01-08
Book 3 in the Septimus Heap series was a welcome surprise. I bought this book just for the heck of it - I had found the first two books slightly too boring for my taste. Physik however, exceeds expectations. Mrs. Sage's characters are fleshing out wonderfully and have become fun to read about. I had found Jenna Heap annoying in the first book, but here she was enjoyable and more real than ever. The plot of this was gripping and I was hooked from page one - I had trouble putting the book down!
However. As a fan of Septimus Heap himself, I found this book slightly disappointing. Perhaps the series should be re-named Jenna and Septimus Heap? In my humble opinion, it seemed that Jenna got most of the attention in this book and I honestly felt that I was reading a series where she is main character numero uno. It made me a little pouty because I love Septimus and I really wanted to see a whole lot more of him - considering how little we saw him in book 1.I had hoped that now, well past the series introduction stage, we would learn a lot more about Septimus and his role in the series as a whole would begin to become clear. It didn't, not really.
Another bothersome little thing was that, in my opinion, there was only an extremely short climax to the story, if it was a climax at all - and so when the book finished it left me feeling cut-off, as if some of the pages were missing.
On a whole, Angie Sage has done a good job.
PHYSIK - the Septimus saga continues 2007-12-19
This book continues the saga of Septimus Heap and was a good read. Angie (the author) has a great imagination, and brings her characters to life in a way that is believable. These books are lighter than the Harry Potter series - probably for a younger audience, but I like them (and I'm 50).
Queen Etheldredda was my favorite character. 2008-07-02
Septimus Heap, book 3.
Septimus is kidnapped by 500 year old physician Marcellus Pye and taken back in time. Marcellus needs Septimus (the seventh son of a seventh son) to help him turn his potion of everlasting life into a potion for everlasting youth.
Princess Jenna, joined by Nicko and Snorri, searches for Septimus. They are determined to bring Septimus back to his own time. Meanwhile, Queen Etheldredda, the ghost of Marcellus's mother, is released from an enchanted portrait by Silas Heap. She is determined to kill Jenna as she killed her daughters. She plans to rule the castle forever.
Through the looking glass; Physik takes Septimus beyond... 2008-05-25
Angie Sage keeps the Septimus Heap series going strong with Physik - the third book after Magyk and Flyte. In Physik we have a complex web of plot elements (no spoilers in this review) that take the narrative deep into the history and architecture of the castle and deeper into a an increasingly sophisticated magical realm. There's more about the forms and uses of magyk in this title, and less focus on the weird creatures of this place. Nothing is lost. The central trope is magnetically compelling and there is action and danger and new fabulous characters. The Septimus Heap world keeps getting deeper and weirder with each new title in the series - yet the stories remain page turning romps that don't give kids nightmares. Sage treads the line between thrilling action and stuff that's too scary for kids with brilliant sensitivity. As an adult I don't get the feeling she's condescending - yet I have no qualms giving this to my second grader. He devours these Septimus books with gusto and is well ahead of me in the series.
If you read Magyk and Flyte you'll definitely be reading this on your way to Queste - so it's not vital that I tell you that Physik rocks. It's probably the best title in the series so far.
AWESOME! 2008-05-18
Although I didn't like Septimus being away from Marcia, Mr. Pyke did teach him alot while Septimus was the apprentice! Great read!
Physik 2008-03-16
This book is the reason I can't wait for Queste-the fourth book in the series.
Just Okay 2008-03-13
I definately did not enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed the first one, after I quickly finished the second book in the series, I began to read Physik and I was very, very disappointed. The characters were not interesting in the least and the plot was a bit muddled. It wasn't until I got to the end when I got really interested. The ending is amazing and exciting but everything else is just okay. But if you enjoy fantasy then this is perfect for you, like I said, the other books are very good.
