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The Impossible Quest #5
Battle of the Heroes
Do not lose faith. Remember the words of the story, remember the words of the spell...
Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor and Tom have defeated the black witch Githa and found the last crucial piece of the prophecy — the sea serpent’s scale.
Back now at Wolfhaven, they search desperately through the castle crypts for the sleeping heroes, who they hope will save them all ... before the dark moon rises and they lose everything.
Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor and Tom have defeated the black witch Githa and found the last crucial piece of the prophecy — the sea serpent’s scale.
Back now at Wolfhaven, they search desperately through the castle crypts for the sleeping heroes, who they hope will save them all ... before the dark moon rises and they lose everything.
188 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
14 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Kate Forsyth
86 books2,581 followersKate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 25, 2016
Do you remember that feeling you had as a child reading Narnia? That exultant feeling of being in a word far divorced from reality where good overcomes evil and the good guys have a beautiful and trusting harmony with each other. I had that feeling with this book. Even though each of the children turns out to have some kind, mentor adults who would step in to rescue them (in some ways a cop-out by Forsyth), for one reason after another the children do not get to take a step back and let the adults handle it.
This book is pure action: fantastic swords and sorcery style action with cooperative rhythms between the four and their allies (such as Jack who I would have like to have seen even more of). I could pick the lack of realism to bits but I think that would be missing the point of what was a fast-paced and positively cast end to the impossible quest.
Much as I like brevity however I still wonder if the whole quest would have been better as one book. But it was worth a read in either case!
This book is pure action: fantastic swords and sorcery style action with cooperative rhythms between the four and their allies (such as Jack who I would have like to have seen even more of). I could pick the lack of realism to bits but I think that would be missing the point of what was a fast-paced and positively cast end to the impossible quest.
Much as I like brevity however I still wonder if the whole quest would have been better as one book. But it was worth a read in either case!
February 5, 2017
The concluding book of the series. Of the 5 books, this was the least well written. It felt rushed and trite. Overall I enjoyed the series and liked the characters.
May 1, 2021
Overall, this entire series was kind of a slump, between a horrible choice of words, a fourth book that feels like an actual decent story written by a ghost writer, and an overall easy to follow plot with riddles that are extremely easy to solve and “mythical creatures,” aka literally the most basic “magic beasts,” you could think of: a unicorn, griffin, dragon, and sea serpent. An extremely unoriginal story with a super anticlimactic ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
Not a bad ending. The only reason it took me so long to read it is because I only read it on breaks at work.
There was definitely a lot of action in this volume and it felt far more fast paced than the other ones. I don't know if I would call it rushed or not.
There was definitely a lot of action in this volume and it felt far more fast paced than the other ones. I don't know if I would call it rushed or not.
May 26, 2020
My nine year old son and I just finished reading this series together. We really enjoyed the last book. We were left wanting to read more about the main characters Tom, Elanor, Sebastian and Quinn. We want to know where they are now and what their lives look like after this impossible quest.
March 21, 2025
Although fraught with difficulty, it was a great conclusion. I liked seeing all the kids walk into the future with hope and knowing a little more about themselves--namely that they have the power to do the impossible.
July 6, 2016
I enjoyed the last installment to this series. I liked how the foursome worked with their fellow beasts for one last battle. I liked how the characters got over their insecurities and focused on their strengths to get them through hard times. However, I was disappointed how rushed the ending seemed. Maybe author Kate Forsyth wants us to draw our own conclusions or maybe she intends on an additional series. In any event, I enjoyed the series overall and it makes for a fun adventure read, especially for middle schoolers looking for a good read!
July 11, 2017
I absolutely devoured this series and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In fact, I bought it for my son and he was not interested. I started to read it in the hopes of getting him excited about it (which worked) but I was surprised at how much I thoroughly enjoyed the series. I SO wish this series was written more for young adults with more details and with a more thorough storyline. I was a little let down by the final battle. It seemed like it was over so quick and it felt so anti-climactic. I was disappointed! I also feel like I was left hanging. I want to know what happens next in the story…
There is so much more of this story left.
There is so much more of this story left.
November 1, 2023
This is more a review for the whole series than this specific book.
My 8 year old read all 5 books in 4 days. It took me considerably longer because I am tired and kept falling asleep.
This is an excellent intro to fantasy. I love me a bit more world building, personally, but for a children’s series this is a solid pick.
My 8 year old read all 5 books in 4 days. It took me considerably longer because I am tired and kept falling asleep.
This is an excellent intro to fantasy. I love me a bit more world building, personally, but for a children’s series this is a solid pick.
January 4, 2019
I liked this YA series much more than I even expected. It had remnants of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones all rolled into one. Recommended for anyone enjoying light fantasy and seeing the good guys win.
March 17, 2016
Review to follow for all 5 books
February 22, 2019
This is a great ending to a really fantastic series. It ties up all of the lose ends and follows the same level of cuteness that I’ve loved throughout the rest of the storyline. Yet, where most of the finales I’ve read have involved a lot of exposition to tie up all of the lose ends, this ending doesn’t. The vast majority of this story is taken up by the battle.
Battles are hectic, chaotic beasts. Forsyth is able to describe this perfectly by continuously jumping between her four leads. You never get a full sense of what is happening to them and follow an incredibly jumpy timeline. Which of course adds to the stress and wonder at what’s happening and makes it far more difficult to put down the book. Every time I think that I’m getting a handle on what is happening to one character, it jumps to another.
The four heroes that have been the goal throughout the entire story are finally revived, but they’re barely viewed throughout. Which works well. Although the adults are supposed to be the “heroes” it is the four children that the story revolves around that are truly important. And the parts that they accomplish throughout the final fight which really help to win the day.
I love this final book, and I loved this whole series. It is just so easy, cute and fun. And a great reminder that different types of people are able to save the day, no matter what form they take, and how old they are.
Battles are hectic, chaotic beasts. Forsyth is able to describe this perfectly by continuously jumping between her four leads. You never get a full sense of what is happening to them and follow an incredibly jumpy timeline. Which of course adds to the stress and wonder at what’s happening and makes it far more difficult to put down the book. Every time I think that I’m getting a handle on what is happening to one character, it jumps to another.
The four heroes that have been the goal throughout the entire story are finally revived, but they’re barely viewed throughout. Which works well. Although the adults are supposed to be the “heroes” it is the four children that the story revolves around that are truly important. And the parts that they accomplish throughout the final fight which really help to win the day.
I love this final book, and I loved this whole series. It is just so easy, cute and fun. And a great reminder that different types of people are able to save the day, no matter what form they take, and how old they are.
January 5, 2022
All the requirements are met. Now Quinn, Tom, Sebastian and Elanor, along with the various magical beasts they adopted along the way, are headed back to Wolfhaven Castle to wake the sleeping warriors and save their world from becoming a haven of dark magic.
I absolutely couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. With dark witches, bog-men, soldier's and Lord Mortlock at every turn, the four adventurers seem to have no chance of winning the battle, let alone finding four sleeping heroes for ages past. Each of the four faces a nightmare reckoning, dark magic used to bring up their fears and doubts. But, by joining together and working as one, the four youths of Wolfhaven Castle manage to not only conquer their doubts and fears but find a commitment to doing what is right, whatever the cost.
The Battle of the Heroes is a fantastic story and a fitting conclusion to The Impossible Quest. If you have a middle-grade reader, I can't recommend it highly enough. Hey, I'm 48 (so just out of the actual demographic by a smidge), and I loved it. While it's a middle-grade series, this is for anyone who loves a good old fashioned action/adventure. What are you waiting for? Buy it now.
I absolutely couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. With dark witches, bog-men, soldier's and Lord Mortlock at every turn, the four adventurers seem to have no chance of winning the battle, let alone finding four sleeping heroes for ages past. Each of the four faces a nightmare reckoning, dark magic used to bring up their fears and doubts. But, by joining together and working as one, the four youths of Wolfhaven Castle manage to not only conquer their doubts and fears but find a commitment to doing what is right, whatever the cost.
The Battle of the Heroes is a fantastic story and a fitting conclusion to The Impossible Quest. If you have a middle-grade reader, I can't recommend it highly enough. Hey, I'm 48 (so just out of the actual demographic by a smidge), and I loved it. While it's a middle-grade series, this is for anyone who loves a good old fashioned action/adventure. What are you waiting for? Buy it now.
March 30, 2021
Honestly, I was a little disappointed my this ending!! It all came in such a rush and it was also just a little...I’m not sure...pointed? For how long the battle was lasting I kept expecting Sebastian’s father and Tom’s father to join in to fight the million bog men. What even was the point of the sleeping heroes? They seemed like a stalling tactic. I would’ve rather the 4 discovered they were the “sleeping” heroes when they awoke from their dreams all along. I did like that they each really had to face their individual greatest fears and beat them, but the very end felt a little far fetched. Suddenly Sylvan is the actual hero? And they wondered what the flute’s purpose was, hadn’t it already showed it’s purpose in finding the wolves and taming the Griffin? I find Tom’s sudden dream to be a minstrel/musician rather random. I did enjoy Sebastian’s reunion with his father, though, and that all the beasts were important for the battle itself. Overall not bad, just not as satisfactory of an ending as I’d wanted after the last few solid books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
Tom plays the Oak flute to keep Rex, the Griffin calm. Will this skill help complete their quest?
Sebastian keeps his baby dragon safe, but he has to hide it when they return, to the castle.
Quinn uses her newfound witch magic to save the Sea Serpent, she calls Sabre, and then asks it to take them back to Wolfhaven.
Elanor rides the beautiful Unicorn but must leave it on the beach before they leave to find the four Knights to save the castle.
Will they rescue Elanor's father Lord Wolfgang and the other townsfolk in the dungeons?
Fifteen pages from the end of this book, our four heroes were being held at knifepoint, their blood being spilt. The fighting has been fierce, the four Knights retreat at dusk. The ending looks bleak.
The Oak King reminds them of the story that led them into this battle. They use what they have gathered to save the day.
I loved this series. It's a wonderful tale of magical creatures helping our young heroes save the day. Fairy folk join the celebration. My heart filled with joy as the friends received their rewards.
Sebastian keeps his baby dragon safe, but he has to hide it when they return, to the castle.
Quinn uses her newfound witch magic to save the Sea Serpent, she calls Sabre, and then asks it to take them back to Wolfhaven.
Elanor rides the beautiful Unicorn but must leave it on the beach before they leave to find the four Knights to save the castle.
Will they rescue Elanor's father Lord Wolfgang and the other townsfolk in the dungeons?
Fifteen pages from the end of this book, our four heroes were being held at knifepoint, their blood being spilt. The fighting has been fierce, the four Knights retreat at dusk. The ending looks bleak.
The Oak King reminds them of the story that led them into this battle. They use what they have gathered to save the day.
I loved this series. It's a wonderful tale of magical creatures helping our young heroes save the day. Fairy folk join the celebration. My heart filled with joy as the friends received their rewards.
January 9, 2023
A nice way to end the series. I think I may have read this a little too fast so I'm hazy on the details, but I enjoyed this last instalment. I found it quite funny how my enjoyment of this series matched up with the Trials of Apollo in the sense that the first two books were kind of meh, the bk 3 was amazing, bk 4 felt like a set up but wasn't as low as bks 1 and 2, and then bk 5 was pretty solid but not quite as good as bk 3.
I thought this was going to go Maggie Stiefvater on me and the heroes were "the heroes were you all along!" but it was cool that there actually were sleeping heroes who came to help. I liked the whole time pressure element of the heroes only able to help until sunset, I found that gave a sense of urgency, and when the heroes had to go but the battle wasn't over yet, it was left to the kids and the castle prisoners to defeat the villains. I also liked how the heroes all matched up with the kids, and how each of the items the kids had collected from their animals was integral to the hero's weapon (the unicorn lance was great).
I think overall, Elanor was my favourite character. I think she went through the most change and growth. I think it'd also be really fun to have a follow up book set five or more years later to see how they're all going and what they're up to (and if they did band together to help Quinn take the throne). I'm glad I can finally say I've finished this series.
I thought this was going to go Maggie Stiefvater on me and the heroes were "the heroes were you all along!" but it was cool that there actually were sleeping heroes who came to help. I liked the whole time pressure element of the heroes only able to help until sunset, I found that gave a sense of urgency, and when the heroes had to go but the battle wasn't over yet, it was left to the kids and the castle prisoners to defeat the villains. I also liked how the heroes all matched up with the kids, and how each of the items the kids had collected from their animals was integral to the hero's weapon (the unicorn lance was great).
I think overall, Elanor was my favourite character. I think she went through the most change and growth. I think it'd also be really fun to have a follow up book set five or more years later to see how they're all going and what they're up to (and if they did band together to help Quinn take the throne). I'm glad I can finally say I've finished this series.
August 16, 2020
Battle of The Heroes: Lower middle-grade. Fantasy. Action. Battles. Adventure. Multiple-perspectives. Quests. Friendships. Animal companions. Unicorn. Griffin. Dragon. Sea-Serpent. Wolves. Witches. Magic. Heroes. Good vs Evil.
This was a very good final for the whole series. My only complaint is that it ends as quickly as the others, and at the end It was weird to read in any case.
Overall though, I loved how every character came into there own and showed courage and perseverance. I loved the battles and chase scenes, and I loved how Forsyth wrote in a very engaging suspenseful way. Well-done.
How much I liked it: 5 stars.
Ideas: 5 stars
Character depth: 5 stars
Execution: 4.9
This was a very good final for the whole series. My only complaint is that it ends as quickly as the others, and at the end It was weird to read in any case.
Overall though, I loved how every character came into there own and showed courage and perseverance. I loved the battles and chase scenes, and I loved how Forsyth wrote in a very engaging suspenseful way. Well-done.
How much I liked it: 5 stars.
Ideas: 5 stars
Character depth: 5 stars
Execution: 4.9
August 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this series! It’s like a Lord of the Rings or other epic novel series, but scaled down for children. Probably preteen to teen. This could be filled in with more details and become a great adult novel as well!
This is great for the “everyday people can do great things” ideal. As well as “no one is perfect”, “we all have fears and make mistakes”., etc… These books encourage deeper thinking, courage, choosing right, breaking molds, breaking expectations, believing in something greater than yourself, and more!
The vocabulary is on the historical side at times, so this is also a great way to expand your knowledge of cultural habits back in the days of castles.
This is great for the “everyday people can do great things” ideal. As well as “no one is perfect”, “we all have fears and make mistakes”., etc… These books encourage deeper thinking, courage, choosing right, breaking molds, breaking expectations, believing in something greater than yourself, and more!
The vocabulary is on the historical side at times, so this is also a great way to expand your knowledge of cultural habits back in the days of castles.
March 12, 2018
Exciting ending to this well-done series for young readers. Almost non-stop action, but character development is seamlessly blended in. The ending seemed a little rushed, and left a few more loose ends than I was expecting (which left me wondering whether the author is planning another sequel). Without giving spoilers, a major plot point is resolved in a way that is predictable yet surprising...and for me, not entirely satisfying. Still, I liked it a great deal, overall (and so did my son, who recommended it to me).
September 4, 2018
Read to the kids. This was the fifth and last book in the series. It was pretty good, until the end. It felt like it was battle, battle, battle, then quick resolution that didn’t really explain what happened. It was so quick, my son said “ it feels like a book someone tried to finish writing at midnight.” By which I think he meant the conclusion wasn’t clear?? Maybe we need to reread the last two chapters. It was still good, overall I would recommend the series to kids who like adventure and fantasy books. Plus, the deep friendship and respect the 4 main characters developed was nice.
March 9, 2018
Final book in the series sees it all come together, in a somewhat satisfying way. Early in the book it mentions that it is three weeks since the story began.
Three weeks is quite a short time to build five bools around, they were not long books, but really, it could have been one or two longer books, with less padding.
Anyway an engaging series with all the fantasy elements you would expect and the ending as well.
I wonder if she will ever revisit the characters?
Three weeks is quite a short time to build five bools around, they were not long books, but really, it could have been one or two longer books, with less padding.
Anyway an engaging series with all the fantasy elements you would expect and the ending as well.
I wonder if she will ever revisit the characters?
June 9, 2018
The final book of The Impossible Quest series was a bit more rushed and left enough out of the ending that it eludes to another series following this one. Not sure if there is though, so for me I wasn't quite satisfied with this final book. This is a good series for tweens or more mature children who enjoy fantasy books.
November 2, 2018
This is my favorite of the entire series!!!! This is highest rating I have given on this series. (The others were 4 stars.) This is where everything comes together in the series. But...................... The author makes all the books great. My favorite part is where The four end it all!!!! That is the best part of every book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2019
The fact that there is so much missing from the series and ending I would like Kate to write another book about what happened afterwards like does Tom get knighted who does Sebastian likes will Quinn claim what’s hers what will happen to the creatures but a good end to the series sort of
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2019
Ugg.... while the battle was greatly done, I just can not figure out why, in today's climate of kids taunting kids, why the author had to reinforce this behavior. Really....the book WOULD have been better if she left off the name calling. It only degraded the book.
December 14, 2020
This has been a fantastic series! Truly enjoyed reading it aloud with my older kids (13 & 11)... It's a bit like Tolkien's work (although not quite to the same level of genius, so only 4 stars from me).
May 1, 2021
This series started out strong for me but went down hill with each new book. The writing style did not feel cohesive from one book to the next and almost every major plot points was utterly predictable.
May 5, 2018
This book made the rest of them worth it. I can respect this author just for getting her book published.
February 7, 2020
Nice Y.A. series full of adventure.
You have what you need within you as an acorn carries, a forest in it's heart.
You have what you need within you as an acorn carries, a forest in it's heart.
August 11, 2020
Such an awesome ending to a great series! This last installment was thrilling from page 1! I couldn’t get through it fast enough. Highly recommend this series!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews