The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Book One) by Michael Scott

Genre: Ya Fantasy, Adventure
Copyright: 2008
Pages: 400
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0385736002
ISBN-13: 978-0385736008
Buy at: Book Depository | Amazon
Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: Okay, I have to admit something: I was under the (sadly) mistaken impression that Nicolas Flamel was from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, and that Michael Scott had borrowed her characters for his book. Okay! The secret's out already! Sue me for my ignorance!


Now that my theatrics are over, let's continue.

Once I got over my misplaced indignance, I thought the Alchemyst was charming and absorbing. One of its strengths and weaknesses is that the author integrates mystical and historical figures into the story. While this was like a superbly interesting history lesson, I thought it was a bit over the top sometimes.

Too much of a good thing just isn't a good thing.

The idea that help seemed to come very conveniently at the end of the chapters got a bit overused after a while, but it's not much to put me off. Actually, nothing put me off for long, that's how much I enjoyed reading it. The Alchemyst is a real page turner. I loved reading about Josh and Sophie, and the travel to get their powers awakened. My favourite character by far is Scatty, the vampire/maiden warrior. She is the root of all martial art and dang it, isn't that just so cool?!

It's obvious that Michael Scott has done his research pretty thoroughly. I applaud him for that. All his hard work has paid off tremendously, and I find myself Googling the characters to find out more about them.

One thing which has me wondering: Everyone's aura has a scent to them when they do magic. The bad guys have unpleasant smelling auras and the good people (ie. Nicolas Flamel and co.) have nice smelling auras whose scent only soured slightly once they were tired. So does that mean that you can immediately tell who the bad and good guys are? It justs seems so.. simple. If so, in my eyes, this is the one thing that's stopping the books from being a classic.

It's been a long time since I've read something that has captured me. In fact, I think this is going to replace The Mortal Instruments as my favourite series of 2009. Oh yeah! Which brings me to one more thing: Where's the romantic tension, the love interests for the twins?

Oh well. All I know is that this is going to stay on my bookshelf for a long time. Re-reading it will be a pleasure. Check the series out for yourself! :D

Note: This is being made into a movie? Check it out here and here.