Michael Scott's world, the world of Immortal Nicholas Flamel, is one of mythology and creatures of nightmare, of magic and mayhem, but a world that is believable and engrossing. The first three books in the series, The Alchemyst, The Magician and The Sorceress, are the perfect launch pad into a vast, fast paced and gripping story...

Official description:

Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on 28 September 1330. Nearly seven hundred years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty and Nicholas Flamel lives. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects – the Book of Abraham the Mage. It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

I have grouped the first three books into one review, because quite frankly there is little to distinguish them from one large book.

The books start at a hectic pace, with the first chapter involving the destruction of a bookshop and the near death of a number of characters. From there the story races, introducing us and our young heroes to a dark and dangerous world of magic, monsters and myths.

A real highlight of the series, for me, is the inclusion of a huge array of monsters, gods and real historic figures from cultures all around the world. Many are famous - werewolves, Mars Ultor, Machiavelli – others are more obscure –  Genii Cuculati, Bastet,Virginia Dare – but all of them are well fleshed out, intriguing, often terrifying and always well researched. It is great to see the amount of effort Scott has put in to learning about his own characters.

The main cast of characters are strong. The twins, our protagonists, are likeable, with less teen agnst than most in this age group. Nicholas & Perrenelle Flamel are brilliant. At first they are nothing more than likeable, honourable, friendly do-gooders, but it doesn't take long for their more sinister sides to come out. The main antagonist in the series is Dr. John Dee, advisor to Elizabeth I, immortal human, Magician, Necromancer and all round evil git. Dee is a little melodramatic and obvious as a villain, but still gives off a chilling air, and seems to offer a legitimate threat to our heroes. Another human antagonist is Machiavelli, who comes in during the second book. I found little difference between him and Dee at first, but as he evolves he becomes a simultaneously more likeable and threatening presence than his English counterpart.

The story is involving, if a little predictable. Malevolent, ancient forces want to take over the world and enslave humanity, only the chosen ones can stop them. It has all been done before, but Michael Scott manages to make it seem fresh, adding some truly unforeseen twists. Easy to read, engaging, with an excellent cast of characters you will want to learn more about, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel books 1-3 are a great read.

Highly Recommended.

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