The Alchemyst The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Review

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott
Delacorte Press, June, 2007
Hardcover, 400 pages
Ages: Young Adult

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.

Ordering information: Amazon.com