I expected The Alchemyst to be a sort of Harry Potter thing, but I was pleasantly surprised. The author's combination of many mythologies (gods from Greek, Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, etc. mythology) in one big Elder Race was pretty much ingenious. Micheal Scott also has a clear description of magic and how it works. Although the beginning jumped right into the action, I didn't get into it right away. (It's probably just me). For me, it started to get interesting when Scathatch and the Elder Race was introduced. The characters came off a little dry, and I found three of the main characters lack a distinct personality (Nicholas, Sophie, and Josh), but Scatty is pretty developed. Being a big fan of mythology, I found the author's explanation interesting, but I wish it would be explained more in-depth. *SPOILERS* I feel a little cheated that Sophie learned everything she needs to know about the magic of Air in 2 minutes. Overall, the Alchemyst is a good book, but definitely could be much, much better

I LOVED THIS!!!! The Alchemyst is a great lead to the series. This is a great book for boys and girls. It is rare to find a book with such strong female and male characters in this adventurous, mythical, fantasy style. I would say this is a good book for ages 10+

This book is based on true things......Nicholas Flamel was a real person! It was a good read, I'm reading the second book now!!! Very adventurous and creative......

Omigosh, i COULD NOT put this book down. It is an absolute MASTERPEICE.

I really like this book because it is very educational and it mentions all these different myths. It is very descriptive and can teach kids how to write. I love it because you travel all over to fantasy places in this book. Well written.

This book is Great! Plus it's base is ture. This might even be the next Harry Potter!

An excellent adventure with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. It combines facts with myths and legends making you guestion reality itself. with no gore but lots of hi powered battles you will never want too put this book down.

This book is amazing. A teacher of mine told me about the series and I was completely hooked up! Michael Scott has an amazing talent and has pioneered a new branch of writing. The story started with a action. Rather than wait to build it up, he just jump started to the action at once. This book talks about lots of stuff including putting true people into a total fictional story. Harry Potter is the usual branch of magic. Wands and incantations but the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel brings a new branch of magic involving unique colorful scented auric power and elemental magic plus bringing one of the darkest branches of magic, Necromacy. Michael Scott has created a masterpiece that wants me to have the other remaining books to come out so that I can devour them. Filled with action, magic, suspense and a bond beyond measure, this is simply a great book to read.

This book looked both interesting and informative, so I picked it up at my local Barnes and Noble with the intent of having a relaxing few days to chill out and just read before school started. The day I began reading, I noticed Mr. Scott obviously had a problem trying to incorporate humor into an action book, and I found myself struggling to read past page 70, constantly hoping it would get better. The description was redundant, the characters were cold, every action scene was extremely clichéd, and the dialogue was flat and rather forced. Actually, I find it positively insulting to Mrs. Jo Rowling that this book and the following is being equated to the incomparable Harry Potter series. Props only for the original idea. This is an unusually needlessly complicated story line. Quite frankly, I'm surprised and offended The Alchemyst is on a high school reading list. Please save yourself some pain and don't read this headache of a story.