Book Review: The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel #6) by Michael Scott

The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel #6) by Michael Scott
Release Date: 22nd May 2012

Publisher: Random House 
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 509
Rating: 5.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2013 ODY, 2013 OTS and 2013 BSR

Summary from Goodreads:

"The two that are one must become the one that is all. One to save the world, one to destroy it.

San Francisco:
Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel have one day left to live, and one job left to do. They must defend San Francisco. The monsters gathered on Alcatraz Island have been released and are heading toward the city. If they are not stopped, they will destroy everyone and everything in their path.

But even with the help of two of the greatest warriors from history and myth, will the Sorceress and the legendary Alchemyst be able to defend the city? Or is it the beginning of the end of the human race?

Danu Talis:
Sophie and Josh Newman traveled ten thousand years into the past to Danu Talis when they followed Dr. John Dee and Virginia Dare. And it’s on this legendary island that the battle for the world begins and ends.

Scathach, Prometheus, Palamedes, Shakespeare, Saint-Germain, and Joan of Arc are also on the island. And no one is sure what—or who—the twins will be fighting for.

Today the battle for Danu Talis will be won or lost.

But will the twins of legend stand together?Or will they stand apart—one to save the world and one to destroy it?"

Review:
What a fitting end to this series. It was action packed, it had twists and turns, and everything came to a head. The prophecy was fulfilled, our questions were answered, and everything wrapped up pretty well. When it comes down to it, this was just a solid ending to a series I was well invested in.

When it comes to this novel, what I've said in the reviews for the preceding novels in the series still applies here. The story is action packed, the chapters are short and to the point, and the constant change in POV keeps you interested. Our character's are still the character's that we know and love, but they've grown and matured, and they're finally here, at the end, playing their role in fulfilling the prophecy.

And that ending. It was perfect. And, I totally wasn't expecting it. Yes, I knew that the prophecy would be fulfilled - that we'd have one twin to save the world, one to destroy it. We've known that the entire series. But then, WOAH, DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING. If you've read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about. I think the whole issue with Sophie and Josh's parents distracted me from thinking about that character, and how they'd play them into the story. Kudos to Scott - you played that one well.

When it comes down to it, this is a solid end to a solid series. It had all the elements we loved in the first 5 novels, answered all our questions, and also didn't have a cop-out ending where everything ended hunky-dory for everyone - we had a solid, and unexpected, ending, which I'm still thinking about days after reading it. I know this review may not be the most insightful thing, but if you haven't read the series, read my (short) review for The Alchemyst, and then see if you'd like to give it a go. And if you're midway through the series, and aren't sure about sticking with it, hopefully this review convinced you to keep at it, because I really think this final instalment is worth the read. 


Afterthought: Who exactly was the Enchantress? Each book was title referred too one of the main characters, but I couldn't figure out who the Enchantress was supposed to be. My first thought was Perenelle, but she's the Sorceress. Was it Virgina Dare? Any ideas?

Book Review: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #5) by Michael Scott

The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #5) by Michael Scott 
Release Date: 24th April 2012

Publisher: Random House
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 264
Rating: 4.5/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge

Summary from Amazon:

" In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, the twins of prophesy have been divided, and the end is finally beginning.

With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. The surprise is that she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places. "

Review:
If you follow this blog, you'll know that I'm a pretty big fan of this series. I started this series earlier this year and I just couldn't get enough. And the fifth instalment in this series which appears to be coming to a close doesn't disappoint. The book is just as action packed and drama filled as its predecessors. By five books, you might think that the author might start running out of ideas, out of things to say. But this really isn't the case for these books. The characters continue to learn and grow (even some new characters are introduced), new facts get revealed, along with new mysteries, with all of this surrounded by constant action. 

I liked how Scott set out his chapters in this novel. Each chapter focuses on a group of people, and at any given time, there could be six or seven different groups that a chapter could focus on. For me, I found this was an effective tool to keep me reading - I would reach the end of a chapter, turn the page and find the next chapter is focusing on a different group of people, and I want to know what they're doing, so I just keep reading! It's a good way to help you get quickly through a book that's almost 400 pages long. 

If I had to point out something I didn't like, it would have to involve the Lotan. I don't mean to spoil anything, but the Lotan was built up to be this unstoppable creature, but then, the way that it is stopped is so simple and over so quickly, that I just didn't think it fit well. And this actually annoyed me quite a bit. That aside, The Warlock is a great fifth instalment in this series, and I'll be getting my hands on the sixth book as soon as I can. 

BUT THERE'S MORE! **SPOILERS AHEAD** 

Book Review: The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #4) by Michael Scott

The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #4) by Michael Scott
Release Date: 26th April 2011

Publisher: Random House
Format: eBook
Pages: 416
Rating: 4.5/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge 

Summary from Amazon:

"San Francisco:
After fleeing to Ojai, then Paris, and escaping to London, Josh and Sophie Newman are finally home. And after everything they've seen and learned in the past week, they're both more confused than ever about their future. Neither of them has mastered the magics they'll need to protect themselves from the Dark Elders, they've lost Scatty, and they're still being pursued by Dr. John Dee. Most disturbing of all, however, is that now they must ask themselves, can they trust Nicholas Flamel? Can they trust anyone?
 
Alcatraz:
Dr. Dee underestimated Perenelle Flamel's power. Alcatraz could not hold her, Nereus was no match for her, and she was able to align herself with the most unlikely of allies. But she wasn't the only one being held on the island. Behind the prison's bars and protective sigils were a menagerie of monsters-an army for Dee to use in the final battle. And now Machiavelli has come to Alcatraz to loose those monsters on San Francisco.
Perenelle might be powerful, but each day she weakens, and even with Nicholas back at her side, a battle of this size could be too much for her. Nicholas and Perenelle must fight to protect the city, but the effort will probably kill them both.
 
London:
Having been unable to regain the two final pages of the Codex, Dee has failed his Elder and is now an outlaw-and the new prey of all the creatures formerly sent to hunt down Flamel.

But Dee has a plan. With the Codex and the creatures on Alcatraz, he can control the world. All he needs is the help of the Archons. But for his plan to work, he must raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. For that, he'll have to train a necromancer. And the twins of legend will make the perfect pupils. . . "

Review:
Its been about a week since I finished reading this book, so this review will probably end up being really short, and besides, I'm finding it hard to find new things to say about this series! Each book is pretty similar to its predecessors, with basically the same pros and cons in each book. Just check out my review for The Sorceress here. The one thing I will say is that some good plot points occurred in this book - finally, the difference of opinion between the Sophie and Josh is played up a little more, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy reading about in the coming books. A fitting fourth instalment in the series.

Book Review: The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #3) by Michael Scott

The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #3)by Michael Scott
Release Date: 27th April 2010

Publisher: Baker and Taylor
Format: eBook
Pages: 512
Rating: 4.5/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge 

Summary from Amazon:

"Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed 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 prophecy, 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 in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to 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 an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane. "

Review:
Just like the first two books, The Sorceress by Michael Scott doesn't disappoint. I'm pretty much loving everything about this series at the moment - the characters, the plot, the action, the mystery, everything is just so enthralling that I found it hard to put this book down at times.

What I think this book managed to do well is that it took a step up - there was more confrontational action, the characters were growing, and (finally) the evil guys were getting their just desserts. What Scott has also managed to do well is to ensure that you'll keep reading the series with all the little mysteries (Who is Dee's Dark Elder? What will happen to Scatty and Joan?), and that cliffhanger at the end (which really has me intrigued). My only problem with this book (and the series as a whole) now is that the line of monsters never seems to end. Honestly, how many of them can their be? We've already had more than an entire series would have, and I'm only half way through!
But, overall, I think this is a fitting 3rd novel in The Alchemyst franchise, and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment. 

Book Review: The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2) by Michael Scott

The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2) by Michael Scott

Release Date: 28th April 2009
Publisher: Random House
Format: eBook
Pages: 496
Rating: 5.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge 

Summary from Amazon:

"In the second book in the New York Times bestselling series, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris, the City of Light, home to Nicholas Flamel. Only this homecoming is anything but sweet. Niccolò Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, lives in Paris and is working for Dr. John Dee. He’s in hot pursuit, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenelle. Josh and Sophie Newman are the world’s only hope. . . . If they don’t turn on each other first."

Review:
Just like the first book in the series, Michael Scott has managed to write a very entertaining and enthralling novel. Again, this book threw you directly into the action, taking off from where the first book ended. And, again, the book managed to keep me enthralled for almost 500 pages (and I struggle to read books that are that long). But because of the way the book was written - with non-stop action and short chapters - it doesn't feel like to book is 500 pages long, and you could easily get through it in a matter of days. 

And I'm really enjoying the plot - the action is non-stop, the story is progressing at a good rate, and new and interesting characters are being introduced. And while each book only really covers the events of a day or two, the books doesn't seem drawn out because so much is happening. The other side of it is that people could criticize the book because too much is happening at a time, but I think Scott has done a good job at deciding how much to put in each book - its got just the right amount of plot progression, just the right amount of character development and just the right amount of action.

I'm really enjoying this series at the moment - hopefully the next book will be just as good!

Book Review: The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1) by Michael Scott

The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1) by Michael Scott

Release Date: 24th June 2008
Publisher: Random House
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 400
Rating: 4.5/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS Challenge 

Summary from Amazon:

"He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 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.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. 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. 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."

Review:
I'm going to keep this review short and sweet because I'm currenlty reading the second book in this series, and want to get back to it - because these books are really, really good. From the first few pages, I was drawn in. Unlike some books, this one threw you directly into the action within the first few chapters, and managed to keep up the momentum for the rest of the book. And since the book was so engaging, with action pretty much non-stop, it made it extremely easy to read. 

Whilst the book was really good, I gave it a rating of 4.5 because the writing style, at times, annoyed me. Some facts were repeated excessively - it was as if Scott thought we had short-term memory loss and couldn't remember the important facts so he had to continually remind us. But if you can get past that, the book itself was a really enjoyable read. If you like anything involving magic, action, history and the supernatural, then you will enjoy this.