The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
By Sophie Jacobson, Age 12, Executive Editor of TweenTribune
Sometimes it feels like you have the whole world on your shoulders. But what if you actually did? What if you discovered that the fate of the entire human race rested on you defeating an army of evil, horrible creatures that only exist in your worst nightmares? Dr. John Dee is commanding this army, and they want something you have, something that if they succeed in taking, will end the world as we know it. Author Michael Scott begins this action-packed story with two teens, Josh and Sophie. Only yesterday, they had never heard of a man named Nicholas Flamel, the man who supposedly discovered the secret of eternal life. But now, he is their ally in protecting the book in which the eternal elixir’s recipe is hidden, along with information that, in the possession of Dr. Dee could mean the enslavement of the human race.
Although the all-action chase across the universe may have been exciting for the twins Josh and Sophie, it simply drags on from the reader’s perspective. Exciting events happen one after the other, becoming dull. The plot line lacked suspense and surprise. The characters’ thoughts as the plot unfolds seem unnatural and silly. In the beginning, the twins run off with a man who they do not know at all and they are forced to stay with him, as if kidnapped. Yet they continue to trust him completely. He tells them that the world is going to end unless they do something that puts them at great risk and they will most likely not succeed, and they stay and take their chances? That does not seem like the safest choice. With that said, Scott’s writing was not a complete bore.
Throughout the fantasy adventure, the twins come across terrifying animals and people. Some of the places they are forced to say are not very welcoming either. The descriptions are wonderful, and would be very interesting to readers loving the fantasy genre. But I think author Michael Scott should stick to descriptions.
While on their mission, the dialogue between the twins and Flamel seems odd and forced. Sophie is poorly drawn and one-dimensional as the brave and independent sister, while Josh is even more predictable as the jealous but loving brother. Although over all I found this book disappointing, the next books in the series may surprise and interest readers who enjoyed the first.
- Posted on January 15, 2011
Animals
Art
I loved this book, it held my interest which is something that is harder said than done. I'm one of those that are waiting on the others and looking for the ones i havent read. Its a good series in my opinion.
This book sounds really interesting. We just learned about alchemy not too long ago in science class and it sounded pretty cool then. Of coarse, the believe of everything being made by only four elements is far-fetched, this book series still sounds interesting.
This effects my world because it is a book that can be read to help people in the world become more educated. The purpose was to tell his or her opinion of the book. A surprising fact was that the author didn't like the book. I thought the article was very opinionated and was offensive to the author of the book. I personally enjoyed this book.
I have a friend who read this book and he gave us a big summary about it for book club. I thought it sounded very interesting and good, but when I got to reading it, I found it very slow and kind of boring. I like the idea of the story and everything, I'm just really bad at getting into books.
I read the first couple of pages of this book. I really wanted to read it, but I was too lazy to go to the library and get it.
I have read this book and the magician I'm on the third book. This series is a very good book series for kids in middle or high school.
This book is so interesting. I read the books already. If you guys like these kind of book I totally recommend The Summoning. The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel strike my fancy because I love adventure and fantasy! :D
Nicholas Flammel... isn't he the 600 something year old guy from Harry Potter and the sorcerers stone? I never knew they actually wrote a book about him! It seems like an exciting book to me but I guess Sophie Jacobson doesn't like the story of Sophie and her brother. It seems really awesome and I REALLY want to read it. (Especially because Nicholas is in one of the Harry Potter books!)
See you! -Shivani721 harry potter fan #3
Nicholas Flamel Is in the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone" by J.K. Rowling. He is the friend of Professor Albus Dumbuldore. Flamel is 605 years old. He also created the Sorcerers Stone.
I read this book and all of it's sequels last year and it was great. I hope other people read it because it was very entertaining and I read it on the plane. My favorite part is when Josh sides with Dr. Dee because it makes the series more suspenseful. I hope people read this book.