The Magician is Michael Scott's second book of the series featuring Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. The first of the series, The Alchemyst, introduced us to the Flamels - the folks who found the formula for the Philosopher's Stone the recipe for immortality! They are living in California and meet a pair of twins who seem to be the ones foretold in a prophecy - they would have the power to save the world, or destroy it.
Among the cast of characters are Dr. John Dee, our 'villian' - who really existed in the Elizabethan Era, and Niccolo Machiavelli, Count Saint-Germain, and a bunch of characters from just about every existing mythology out there are all involved in a classic struggle of good vs. evil.
The twins, Josh and Sophie, are at the forefront of this series. The worked in the Flamels' bookstore and when the bad guys came to attack the Flamels and to take an ancient Codex that holds the power of possible world domination, it was Josh who tore out the last 2 pages of the Codex, stopping anyone from completing any bad deeds.
The formula for the elixir of immortality is in that book, and is one that the Flamels desperately need to ensure their lives continue. Without the formula, after that month, they will age a year per day.
Sophie has her powers 'Awakened' - she is initiated to use the latent powers she (and Josh) have - and she starts her training to fulfill her destiny. Josh hadn't had a chance to have his powers 'Awakened' and he kind of is jealous of his twin for having the powers he doesn't, and is torn because he loves her and he resents her at the same time.
This series is a delight to read - for all ages. It has the fun of a Harry Potter book and you read the book as quickly as any HP book. The downside to that is you have to wait for the next in the series!
Filled with magic, characters who really lived, and monsters, mythology and a whole lot of fun, this series is a winner.
Perenelle is held captive on Alcatraz and Nicholas and the twins and Scatty, a vampire warrior, travel to Paris, the Flamels' home to get more training for Sophie, and things proceed for Josh's training - it is a perfect blend of characters and situations.
It's not every day you get a book you literally read in a day - but I did, and had a ball reading it -
You will find the series delightful. I would suggest getting The Alchemyst and catch up on the backstory before reading The Magician. But The Magician does have enough of the backstory to proceed if you start from that book.
This is just a great read and is for all ages.
ellen george
The Magician by Michael Scott, ISBN: 98-0-385-73358-8, Random House Publishers, review by ellen george
