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The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 4
- By Michael Scott
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Popular fantasy series has lots of plots to keep track of.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the books in the epic Nicholas Flamel series, like the Percy Jackson tales, will get kids immersed in and learning about mythology. Like its predecessors, the fourth tale in the series mixes in some historical figures (Joan of Arc, John Dee, Shakespeare, etc.) as immortals. There's some fantasy violence, mostly involving attacks from beasts, both mythological and prehistoric. A major positive theme involves what characters will do to protect and be with the ones they love.
What's the story?
Five or so narrative threads co-exist in THE NECROMANCER, the fourth installment of the Nicholas Flamel series. Twins Sophie and Josh are back in San Francisco with the Flamels, where they encounter Scathach's twin sister, Aoife, who is desperate to find her sibling. The rapidly aging Flamels -- gearing up for a fight with the scary creatures on Alcatraz -- decide to take Josh to Prometheus to learn the Magic of Fire. Meanwhile, Dee is fleeing London after a warrant of sorts is issued for him by his Dark Elder master. He enlists the help of Virginia Dare to reach San Francisco and begin his world-domination plans. Scathach and Joan of Arc are stuck in another time and place (one that's full of hungry prehistoric beasts), while Joan's husband, Saint-Germain, seeks out the Saracen Knight and Shakespeare in hopes of finding a way to reach her. Not to be left out, Machiavelli and Billy the Kid escape Alcatraz and come face to face with a Dark Elder who won't accept any more excuses -- the beasts on Alcatraz need to be set loose on the city, and soon.
Is it any good?
If you can't follow the book summary above, you already know that skipping ahead in this series just isn't an option -- too many characters populate this world, which combines historic figures as immortals, gods of the past as Elders, older beings called Archons, whole shadowrealms parallel to our world, and magic that binds everything together. In fact, it will probably help to re-read the third book to keep up with this one. If readers love the characters, they won't mind the split-screen viewing of all their revelations here. But Josh is tougher to love -- it's not clear why he's so suspicious of Flamel but not nearly wary enough of Dee. Perhaps he'll find a way to redeem himself. ...
Splitting the story also splits the action ... and wrecks some of the momentum. At least all the complex storylines are worth following, and that's what will keep the pages turning. There are the occasional flashbacks to whole other eras, however, that are enough to make an impatient reader exclaim, "let those beasts loose on San Francisco already!" When -- well, if -- that happens, then the series will go beyond "pretty intriguing" right into "riveting" territory.
What families can talk about
- Families can talk about which characters they researched as they read through the series. What did you find out about Virginia Dare? Prometheus?
If a fantasy series was set in your home town, where would the scary creatures live? Where would the heroes live? Where would be a good place to stage a good vs. evil battle? What everyday forces of nature would have a part to play?
Most of the immortals in this story owe an allegiance to an Elder. Why do some regret it, while others don't? Is Virginia Dare, without a real master, as free as she thinks she is? What are the drawbacks of immortality? Would you like to live hundreds or thousands of years?
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AGE
The Perfect Book
The book is the best in the series! It often encourages you to google the gods so you understand the story. If you liked Percy Jackson, 39 clues and the Pendragon series then you just love this book! The reason the title of the book is called The Necromancer is because of a major turning point in the main charters lives. If you dislike the book because of the Title then you are MISSING OUT on one of the BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR.
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AGE
ideal summer reading! great book for tweens, teens and adults!
When my thirteen year old couldn't stop talking about this book, my nine year old read it and was equally enthusiastic. It's hard to find a book which appeals to both boys and girls and Michael Scott's Necromancer certainly did the trick. The exciting book follows twins Sophie and Josh on a twisting tale of adventure and , frankly, I loved it as well...and I'm in my late thirties! This book is great for kids because it features strong heroines and heroes who take their audience on a masterful ride.
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AGE
PERFECT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS AS WELL
My children LOVE this book by Michael Scott. It is HIGHLY educational in the sense that Scott uses real life characters from history (Shakespeare, Billy the Kid) and beautifully integrates them into the compelling story. There is adventure, all of the female characters are empowered and both my son and my daughter devoured all four of the books in the series thus far... a MUST READ
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AGE
A Must Read!!
This book is so good! It's action-packed and right when you think you know what's gonna happen the book proves you wrong!! A Must Read!!
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AGE
Want to get your older child interested!
It's a great way to introduce ancient mythology into modern understanding. Often these characters are really 2-D.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 27, 2011
AGE
Great, simply great
THIS IS AWESOME! The series is great for preteens. Its really
not that bad. Its just that the violence is a little iffy but thats it.
Its a great book and if you have not heard of it read the first book
NOW!
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AGE
Omg this is the best book ever. I can not stop reading it. I read it about 14 times!
'Its the best'!
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Kid, 12 years old
June 28, 2010
AGE
Not as good as the earlier books
I enjoyed this one but not as much as the others. I extremely disliked what happened at the end of the book. I felt that that was a bad ending and made Josh seem like an idiot. I feel that this is good for ages 10 and up as some of the characters are almost killed, one main character is dead. (I think so at least, but other characters have come back from seeming dead.)
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Michael Scott |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | May 31, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 416 |
| Hardcover price: | $18.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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