Series: Book 2 in the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series
Rating: ****
Tags: Fiction, General, Travel, Supernatural, Siblings, Brothers and Sisters, Alchemists, Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, People & Places, Action & Adventure, Family, Twins, Europe, Young Adult Fiction, France, Paris (France), History, Lang:en
Summary
Grade 6–9—Flamel and company return in this
fast-paced follow-up to
The Alchemyst (Delacorte, 2007). The immortal human
Nicholas Flamel; Scathach, the veggie vampire warrior; and
the mortal twins of legend, Josh and Sophie, are still on the
run from the malicious Dr. John Dee. Flamel retains two of
the pages of the legendary Book of Abraham, and Dee will do
anything to get them. After hopping a ley line to Paris, our
heroes barely escape the machinations of Dee's partner in
crime, Niccolò Machiavelli. While finding shelter with
fellow immortals (Joan of Arc turns out to be a particularly
helpful ally), Josh attempts to deal with the fact that his
twin sister is now incredibly powerful. Having had her powers
"awakened," Sophie's new abilities make him surprisingly
jealous—a fact that Dee may find useful. Scott tapers
down the sheer breadth of gods, goddesses, legends, and myths
already introduced in his first novel, which is a bit of a
relief. Even though the plot moves forward at breakneck
speed, the author is careful not to lose sight of his
characters' struggles or inner demons. Fans of the previous
novel will certainly find much to love, root for, and fear in
this successful second installment.—_Elizabeth Bird,
New York Public Library_
The Alchemyst (2007), the first book in The Secrets
of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, introduced a
wide-ranging group of historical figures who have achieved
immortality and are engaged in a present-day struggle for the
fate of the world. This second entry picks up exactly where
the first left off. Allied with the legendary Nicholas
Flamel on the “good” side are teenage
twins Sophie and Josh, who are supremely gifted but
with powers that are untrained. Countering them is a new
archvillain, Niccolò Machiavelli, who, along with other
figures from history and legend (Joan of Arc, a trio of
Valkyries), swells the already impressive cast.
Plundering every imaginable culture of their heroes and
heroines is a clever feat, sure to draw all manner of
historically and mythologically minded readers. One weakness
starts to show through, however. In a six-book series such as
this, each installment begins to feel like a lengthy,
glorified chapter rather than its own book complete with a
satisfying story arc and resolution. That said, this keeps
the pace as an exciting and impeccably thought-out fantasy,
well suited for those left in the lurch by Harry
Potter’s recent exeunt. Grades 7-10. --Ian ChipmanFrom School Library Journal
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