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1 BeavertonChildren's- Science Fiction and Fantasy


The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Cover

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Powells.com Staff Pick

Michael Scott's The Alchemyst series hit us like a ton of gold bricks! Mr. Scott has already published several books of folktales, and this little venture into the life and time of Nicholas Flamel is full of great gods and myths. If you haven't had a run-in with Bastet while you're on the run with a sacred priceless object lately, you haven't really lived. Just try it. It begins, "I am legend. Death has no claim over me...."
Recommended by Mary Z., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects — the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

Review:

"Twin 15-year-old siblings Sophie and Josh Newman take summer jobs in San Francisco across the street from one another: she at a coffee shop, he at a bookstore owned by Nick and Perry Fleming. In the vey first chapter, armed goons garbed in black with 'dead-looking skin and... marble eyes' (actually Golems) storm the bookshop, take Perry hostage and swipe a rare Book (but not before Josh snatches its two most important pages). The stolen volume is the Codex, an ancient text of magical wisdom. Nick Fleming is really Nicholas Flamel, the 14th-century alchemist who could turn base metal into gold, and make a potion that ensures immortality. Sophie and Josh learn that they are mentioned in the Codex's prophecies: 'The two that are one will come either to save or to destroy the world.' Mayhem ensues, as Irish author Scott draws on a wide knowledge of world mythology to stage a battle between the Dark Elders and their hired gun — Dr. John Dee — against the forces of good, led by Flamel and the twins (Sophie's powers are 'awakened' by the goddess Hekate, who'd been living in an elaborate treehouse north of San Francisco). Not only do they need the Codex back to stop Dee and company, but the immortality potion must be brewed afresh every month. Time is running out, literally, for the Flamels. Proceeding at a breakneck pace, and populated by the likes of werewolves and vampires, the novel ends on a precipice, presumably to be picked up in volume two. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"While there is plenty here to send readers rushing to their encyclopedias of mythology and alchemy, those who read the book at face value will simply be caught up in the enthralling story. A fabulous read." School Library Journal

Review:

"[E]xplores the issues of good and evil, which can be deceiving to the eye, as well as trust and loyalty." KLIATT

Review:

The writing and story line have a flamboyant style that will put readers on the edge of their seats as they rush to the final page, pausing along the way to savor the author's vivid descriptions of worlds and events. Readers will actively root for the good guys in this exhilarating fantasy — if they can figure out who they are." Booklist

Synopsis:

According to legend, Nicholas Flamel discovered the secret of eternal life from the powerful book of Abraham the Mage--a book he has protected since his death in 1418. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. When the book is stolen, Sophie and Josh Newman find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

About the Author

An authority on mythology and folklore, Michael Scott is one of Ireland's most successful authors. Writing in genres of fantasy, science-fiction, horror, and folklore, he was hailed by the Irish Times as "The King of Fantasy in These Isles." He lives and writes in Dublin, Ireland.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 7 comments:
deanwinchester20, April 15, 2008 (view all comments by deanwinchester20)
This is one of the books that people need to read, it 's amazing. The beginning of the book goes straight to the point and the action. This also talks about a real person named Nicholas Flamel that lived in Paris In the 1800's If you like Harry Potter then you will really love this book.
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bibliophile3574159, December 19, 2007 (view all comments by bibliophile3574159)
I love this book I read a lot of fantasy and would put this up there with harry potter. If you like this book too might want to check out the ranger's apprentice series and the percy jackson and the olympians series.
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samsonanddelila, November 9, 2007 (view all comments by samsonanddelila)
I absolutely loved this book! I'm not usually a big fan of fantasy, but this was a captivating read. The tie to the real world was refreshing, as well.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780385733571
Author:
Scott, Michael
Publisher:
Random House
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Brothers and sisters
Subject:
Magic
Edition Description:
Hardcover
Series:
Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
May 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
375
Dimensions:
8.48x6.60x1.26 in. 1.17 lbs.
Age Level:
12-17