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The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Myth-based, modernized fantasy is nonstop fun.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Much fantasy violence and deaths, no gore.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Numerous products mentioned as part of normal life: video games, movies, electronics, TV shows, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel was written by Matt Berman

Parents need to know that, despite the almost nonstop action and fantasy violence, there is very little real violence, gore, or anything realistic.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the world-wide mythology behind the story and how allusions to Flamel compare to mentions of him in the Harry Potter books. Kids might also be interested in reading more about the myths the author uses, and the ways in which he has tried to make sense of the legendary past. If the gods of the ancient world lived today, how might they appear to human beings? What would you do if you were immortal? Are the powers Sophie gains worth the pain?
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More on The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

Book Summary

Teen twins Josh and Sophie discover, in a rather explosive way, that the San Francisco bookstore owner Josh works for is really Nicholas Flamel, a nearly 700-year-old alchemist who created the Philosopher's Stone, from which he and his wife Perenelle get the Elixir of Life. Their enemy is Dr. John Dee, who works for the Dark Elders, members of the Elder Race who are the source of most of humanity's ancient myths and legends. The Dark Elders want to reinstate their dominion over the Earth.

Dee kidnaps Perenelle and steals the Codex, an ancient book containing the secrets of magic, and a prophecy involving twins. But Josh accidentally ends up with the final two pages, and now Dee and his masters and minions are out to reclaim the pages, and enlist or kill the twins. As they race across the West Coast, members of the Elder Race begin lining up on both sides.

Is It Any Good?

Harry Potter fans will recognize the name Nicholas Flamel, and may be surprised to learn that J.K. Rowling didn't make him up. Irish author and mythology expert Michael Scott has taken elements from Flamel's legend, woven them together with myths and stories from around the world, and set the whole thing in modern-day California. The result is a slam-bang, fantasy-adventure, with enough action to keep the most rabid genre fans happy, and enough references to ancient stories to keep the mind working as well.

Though the good-vs.-evil and kids-with-secret-powers themes may be well worn by now, nothing about this story -- from its setting and characters to its intricate use of myth to create an alternative history of earth -- is typical. Though an appendix with references for all the characters and places mentioned in the story would have been welcome, this book, the first of a planned series, is plain old-fashioned fun, with an intellectual gloss that will give fans something to look into while waiting for the next in the series.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Delacorte Press, Publication date: 05/22/2007
Number of pages: 384, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 10, Read Alone: 11

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect

    I love this books it shows that even the average teen can get wrapped up in something amazing pretty quickly!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Perfect for any agegroup of 12+!! Best Book In History. It beats Twilight by a longshot!

    I LOVED IT!!!! Read it or you will dissapionted you didn't! Read it NOW!!!!I love how Josh and Sophie connect!I love reading about them together, or thinking about eachother. -The Future Mrs.Josh Newman

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    best book ever

    This book is so awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Get it, read it, love it

    Love it great for lovers of the super natural, Great if you like magic and ledgend

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Good

    I walked away from this book a little disappointed. It wasn't that great even though it wasn't horrible. I'm reading the second book and I'll see how the story countinues.

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