Synopsis: Paris: Dr John Dee has torn the city apart in every attempt to intercept the immortal Nicholas Flamel ans Sophie and Josh Newman. Paris’s streets are in ruins, Notre Dame destroyed, the Comte de Saint-Germain’s home leveled. Dee has the book of Abraham the Mage, but he’s still missing the two pages the Dark Elders need for the Final Summoning. Without them the spell cannot be cast, and Dee is well aware that the Dark Elders will not rest until they are in power and the human race is destroyed–or he is.
London: Nicholas Flamel’s heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was demolished by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of legend, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders.
But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped on Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent–the twin sword of Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.
If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find someone who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic–Water Magic. The problem? The only being who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.
Review: Michael Scott’s knack for bringing readers plenty of action and adventure has not dimmed in the slightest. The third installment of this exciting series is an enjoyable read for those who prefer fast-paced plots. Books such as these will leave an imprint on the reader, making their thirst for more of the series nearly insatiable. For the lovers of mythology and magic, I highly recommend it.
The characters were, once again, solid and fascinating to read about. The continuation of the previously introduced character’s adventures was satisfying, although Michael’ influx of new personae is what I enjoy most about the series. His creativity is undiminished.
Overall, The Sorceress is a great installment to the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It could be recommended to almost anybody who enjoys a deceptively juvenile and in-depth plot. Readers who have been fans of the series since the beginning will love to indulge upon this book and satisfy the always hungry literary monster which resides in us all.
Scott, Michael. (2009). The Sorceress. New York: Random House.
Review: The Inheritance Cycle is a series I am an undoubted fan of. Christopher Paolini’s debut, Eragon, was one of the best fantasies I’ve ever read, and it completely enthralled me. Only the lasting charm of a very good book can lead me to praising it so highly. Eldest was loaned to me by a dear friend, as was Eragon, and I can not effectively express the gratitude I have for him. If you are reading this Eddy, I thank you enormously.
When beginning Eldest, my heart immediately recognized the unique writing style of Christopher Paolini and practically melted. This is an adequate expression of how much I adore this series. Paolini has effectively mastered the molding of an in-depth plot, powerful characters, and inspired writing into a beautiful novel. He is one of the great inkweavers of the modern literary world.
The second installment of the Inheritance Cycle was a beautiful continuation of the series. Paolini worked his magic yet again in providing us readers with another succulent plot and a fresh batch of characters. Readers will traverse a written path, enamored by the extraordinary adventures of Eragon the dragon rider, and his companion Saphira. Eldest is truly an epic read for lovers of the fantasy genre.
Paolini, Christopher. (2005). Eldest. United States: Alfred A. Knopf.
Synopsis: After fleeing Ojai, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris, the City of Lights. Home for Nicholas Flamel. Only this homecoming is anything but sweet. Perenelle is still locked up back in Alcatraz and Paris is teeming with enemies. Niccolo Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, is working for Dee. He’s after them, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenelle. For every day spent without the Book of Abraham the Mage, they age one year-their magic becoming weaker and their bodies more frail. For Flamel, the Prophecy is becoming more and more clear. It’s time for Sophie to learn the second elemental magic: Fire Magic. And there’s only one man who can teach it to her: Flamel’s old student, the Comte de Saint-Germain-alchemist, magician, and rock star. Josh and Sophie Newman are the world’s only hope-if they don’t turn on each other first.
Review: The first installment left me pretty eager for the second. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot and action packed adventures. When I finally got my hands on The Magician, I thought, “how could a book get any more exciting?” The second book of Michael Scott’s fantastic fantasy is just as adrenaline pumping and fast-paced as the first, possibly even more so. It is a great read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys magic, conflict, and unimaginable adventures.
Overall, I could recommend this book to just about anybody. The younger crowd would be greatly appealed to the fast-paced, action-packed plot, while the older readers would be enamored my the many mythological references Scott includes. A very well rounded read in my opinion.
Scott, Michael. (2008). The Magician. New York: Random House.