the alchemyst

the alchemyst
the secrets of the immortal nicholas flamel #1
michael scott
ya/fantasy/historical
ember
published 2008

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.

Michael Scott blends historical truth with superb fantasy in The Alchemyst.  The book starts off quickly, jumping right into the fray.  Sophie and her twin brother Josh seem to just be in the wrong place at the wrong time....Or were they?

I can see why some people felt that the twins were annoying.  I liked Sophie, but Josh was kind of irritating thoughout.  However, I chalked it up to being a 15 year old kid faced with unbelievable circumstances.  I wonder how I would feel or react in his shoes and I doubt it would be much different.

I liked the combination of history and fiction.  It makes things much more fun and makes me want to learn more about the people that Scott writes about.  I found myself taking little breaks here and there so I could look something up!

It's a quick read with very little downtime.  The action is basically non stop!