The alchemyst : the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel

From Publishers Weekly 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. (May) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From School Library Journal Starred Review. Grade 6-9–Scott uses a gigantic canvas for this riveting fantasy. The well-worn theme of saving the world from the forces of evil gets a fresh look here as he incorporates ancient myth and legend and sets it firmly, pitch-perfect, in present-day California. At the emotional center of the tale are contemporary 15-year-old twins, Josh and Sophie, who, it turns out, are potentially powerful magicians. They are spoken of in a prophecy appearing in the ancient Book of Abraham the Mage, all but two pages of which have been stolen by evil John Dee, alchemist and magician. The pursuit of the twins and Flamel by Dee and his allies to get the missing pages constitutes the book's central plot. Amid all this exhilarating action, Scott keeps his sights on the small details of character and dialogue and provides evocative descriptions of people, mythical beings, and places. He uses as his starting point the figures of the historical alchemist Nicholas Flamel and his wife, who have found the secret of immortality, along with mythical beings, including the terrifying Scottish crow-goddess, the Morrigan; the three-faced Greek Hekate; the powerful Egyptian cat-goddess, Bastet; and Scathach, a legendary Irish woman warrior and vegetarian vampire. 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.–_Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City_ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

from The Hardcover Edition.

publishers Weekly

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. (may)

copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Nicholas Flamel appeared in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter—but did you know he really lived? And his secrets aren't safe! Discover the truth in book one of the New York Times bestselling series the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. The truth: Nicholas Flamel's tomb is empty. The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. Nicholas Flamel is the greatest Alchemyst to ever live. The records show that he died in 1418, but what if he's actually been making the elixir of life for centuries? The secrets to eternal life are hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed, and in the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. There is one hope. If the prophecy is true, Sophie and Josh Newman have the power to save everyone. Now they just have to learn to use it. “The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel has everything you loved about Harry Potter, including magic, mystery, and a constant battle of good versus evil.”—Bustle Read the whole series!The AlchemystThe MagicianThe SorceressThe NecromancerThe Warlock The Enchantress While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life. While working at mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh are caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists Nicholas Flamel and John Dee. At issue is possession of an ancient book of secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life