The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
Fantasy
Written by Michael Scott
Reviewed by Moriah
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A great explosion shook the small book store, the putrid odor of rotten eggs filling the air with choking potency, as it mingled with the crisp aroma of mint. Sophie watched in horror from the coffee shop across the street, one thought flashing across her mind, “My brother is in there.” Her twin, Josh, witnessed the ciaos unfold around him, while two battling magicians threw orbs of… of what? Energy? That is what it appeared to be… All of a sudden, Josh realized, with great confusion, what they were fighting for; all this destruction was occurring over a plain, ordinary book. Little did he know, that book, protected by Nicholas Flamel for centuries, contained all the dark, magical secrets ever known. “He holds the secret that can end the world” and it is all inscribed in that very book. In the hands of one man, Dr. John Dee, it could unleash creatures the twins wouldn’t dare to dream of. Josh’s mind told him that that was impossible, but he could not deny what was ensuing all about him. Over the next few days, Josh’s and Sophie’s distinction of real life and fantasy would disintegrate.
The plot thickens as Nicholas Flamel reveals to Josh and Sophie that he believes they are involved in a deadly prophecy. If he is correct, the twins would have more power than they could fathom at their disposal; how they use it is for them to decide.
A day which started off just as any other summer day in San Francisco, suddenly became a day Josh and Sophie could never forget. Going back to life as it once was, was no longer an option. Instead, this new world they would soon come to know – and all the creatures it contained – would envelope their lives forever.
Along their adventure, the twins must learn who to trust and the importance of working together. At times, their closeness doesn’t seem quite believable, but it does not take away from the action-packed thrill ride that will leave you longing for the rest of the series. Using excellent characterization, Michael Scott has a unique writing style that pulls you in from the moment you begin, right until the fast-paced novel comes to its suspenseful end. But, if you want a quick read, this might not be your book of choice, because reading the other books in the series is necessary to solve the puzzle that you are left with at the end of The Alchemist.
