"The book is remarkable, often because the world building is sublime. A remarkable story that will land hard with the right kind of audience. I have never seen the like. Pulse pounding action from the first page. It's not for everyone. It was never meant to be. But it is good and strong and fun and desperately exciting. You have been warned.

" (Five stars) -- Betsy Bird, librarian "Maximillian Fly is the middle-grade mash-up you didn't know you needed! Metamorphosis combines with Lemony-Snicket-esque prose to perfectly tell the strange and fascinating tale of Maximillian. Wacky, fun, and so satisfying, Maximillian Fly will steal your heart!" -- Laura Graveline, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX "An exciting tale full of double blinds, double crosses and unexpected family connections. Thanks to Ms. Sage's skill at parceling out information while ratcheting up suspense, neither [Maximillian] nor we grasp the full contours of the shocking truths and biosphere-shaking consequences until well into this satisfying tale." -- Wall Street Journal "Shaken readers . will appreciate the author's dexterity, as well as the way she uses mistaken, misunderstood, or misconstrued incidents as an ongoing motif. Watching Maximillian escape the influence of his demonic mother to rediscover loving connections with a long sundered [family] circle give the tale a sweet aftertaste." -- Booklist (starred review) Praise for the Septimus Heap series: "Youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling" -- Booklist "A deliciously spellbinding series opener.

" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Readers will be indubitably hooked--worrying, laughing, and gasping over the nonstop adventures of this engaging troupe." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review) "Sage at her best; it's full of fun, adventure, humor, irony, friendship, loyalty, and nonstop action." -- School Library Journal.