|
|
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott
Delacorte Press, June, 2007
Hardcover, 400 pages
Ages: Young Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
|
Amazon.co.uk
Sophie and Josh Newman are fraternal twins who are enjoying
their summer jobs in San Francisco: Sophie works at a coffee
shop across the street from the independent bookstore where Josh
works. When golems attack the bookstore and steal Flamel's most
prized possession, it becomes clear
very quickly that Nick and Perry Fleming are more than a nice
couple that own the bookstore. In fact, they are the immortal
Nicholas and Perry Flamel. Nicholas is the famous
14th century alchemist who has discovered a potion that makes
him immortal. He is the keeper of the Codex, the ancient magical
text that Flamel's enemy John Dee, has now stolen. Sophie and Josh
are powerful magicians, but their powers haven't been awakened.
Now Dee is on their trail as well, so the twins flee San Francisco
with Nick and Perry. They head north of San Francisco to
visit the goddess Hekate who awakens
Sophie's powers, but Dee and his demons attack before Josh can
have his powers awakened. On the run, the twins meet a
dazzling array of creatures and demigods from Celtic and Egyptian
mythology (the crow goddess Morrigan and the cat goddess Bastet are
particularly terrifying). A lightning fast pace, realistic teen dialogue and a
cornucopia of magical mysteries make this an excellent first entry in what
is sure to be a popular series.
| |
|
