The Necromancer (Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

**Spoilers ahead** and - this review won't mean much if you haven't read the others to know who the characters are that I am talking about...Surprises galore! This was filled with so many wonderful surprises about places, times and characters. We get so much more information about all the characters and the Elders. The dialogue between the characters was wonderful- as always. The plot was fast paced and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. Mr. Scott tells excellent stories and knows how to weave clues into the smallest things. And there is so much mythology to embrace here - the real historical figures pulled in make this book - and series - a real treat!It wasn't what I expected. Not that I mean that in a bad way. I did expect to see more necromancy - or really at least some - but unless I misunderstood, Josh calling Coatlique wasn't really necromancy. So, not seeing too much necromancy was kind of a shock. I would have liked to see more. I also would have liked to see a little more detail on some of the Elders who have now been identified. In the past, we have been given a little information about the mythology behind the Elders - here it at times felt like mere name dropping.It was a great pace - I couldn't put the book down because it just kept moving us forward. It was great. I hit about chapter 25 (I think) and said "wow" to myself at the end of every chapter after that. I was shocked and amazed (happily, most of the time) at every thing that was happening. I loved the romance behind Germain going after Joan and it seemed a theme (Machiavelli seeming to waiver - and talking about his wife), Perry and Nicholas, Virginia and Dee (in it's own sick and twisted way)...I admit to being more confused then ever with respect to Flamel's intention. Although it was telling towards the end when Dee told Josh that he never lied to him only Flamel lied to Josh - but we know for a fact (as seen right before that) that Dee did lie to Josh. It would have been cool to see the "reveal" of the identity of THE necromancer a little earlier, since I almost felt like the title was a little off since that was so far into the book. And darn it, Aunt Agnes... Is she really important? Or not. That's bugging me (but it's ok - there are more books to come, I know!) It was interesting to see the word "guardian" used to describe her - when I read the sentence where it says "Some guardian she'd turned out to be!" I myself wondered if there is more to the term "guardian" then just the whole in loco parentis thing and so I can't wait for the next 2 books to see what's up with her!Also, the whole time travel thing - making my brain hurt. I don't do well with books that time travel. So I am a little nervous about the next ones. I am scared that I will get lost and not be able to have the finish of the series make sense to me. Darkness, creepiness, romance... You name it - if I am intrigued I will stick it out. Time travel, however, no so much. I am really worried that I will not really understand what I am reading if the time travel stuff gets too much heavier or too much more detailed. I just hope I am panicking about nothing and that it won't be too... Well... To complicated.I mean it literally when I said I squealed with delight at the reveal of Musashi. He really is an awesome historical character to have brought in. I love that I am a little confused as to Quetzalcoatl and his role in things to come. And I loved the chat about his plumage! The discussions about the swords added to the story - and it seems like there is more to come - but I got just enough of a taste of them that I am eager for what ever is next. Aoife as a character - was a great addition. There was enough there to make me really like her (regardless of her neutrality) that when she died (if she is really dead) I was totally bummed. But at the same time, I love it when authors have the guts to kill off an important character. There were enough battle scenes to keep things moving. Prometheus is an awesome addition to the character list too - and Josh's learning of fire is probably now my favorite of the magic learning scenes. I like the addition of the latin/south American mythologies. And the flash backs where we learn so much more about the Witch were great. Now, I just need to figure out where they are all going to lead.The link between Mars and Josh (and the few times that we are told that a person always has some ties to the Elder who awakened him/her was interesting - makes me wonder if without the whole mummy wrapping, what exactly the tie between Sophie and the Witch would be - would it really be any less, since Mars was able to control Josh and he didn't do anything quite as drastic?) has me thinking - and wondering. Since I personally am not attributing the fact that Mars gave Josh the "gift" he gave as being what made Mars able to control Josh - I think they are different. And, I am left, especially after reading the first chapter of the Warlock - wondering what side Mars is really on. The Witch too.I thought it was much more fun and exciting then the previous installments and I loved them.It was AWESOME!!

It came in very good condition and it was a wonderful read.

These are fast-paced can't put it down until your finished kind of books, and this edition to the series is no exception. However, I find myself wanting a lot more from them and the world that Scott is creating.Don't get me wrong, I really do love these books, but I have a lot of general qualms with them. I want more magic, and I want to know how the magic is being created. When we all were transported to Hogwarts, there was an explanation of how the magic worked throughout the world, which had very particular rules about what one can do when and how long it takes to acquire that knowledge.So, ok, I know that Scott is not trying to recreate the Potter world, but it would be nice to know what rules the magic of this world operates from. The best explanation that we get at any point from either of the twins is, "I don't know, somehow you just know how to do it." I think this is a travesty and is missing out on a crucial element of drawing us into the story. How are they developing these abilities? How do they feel as they're creating the magic?Every once in a while we get a peek into the whole thing, but it's not nearly often enough. Even the other immortals have cool spells that I'd like to get a little more depth on. Most of the time, they simply say, a shaman taught me this, or I learned this from Circe. You learned what from Circe? Is it a spell that you cast? How are you creating the magic?Anyway, past all that, it's a fun read and, in my opinion, more engaging than the first two, but not as good as the third. Josh and Sophie have generally become less whiney and are starting to jump into this whole being special and having magical abilities thing. They seem more willing to tackle the adventure set before them. I like the thickening plot between what Dee is doing and how it relates to all the elemental swords. However, I really do get tired of Josh waffling between sides. It adds some layers of conflict to the story, but I think Josh's reasoning is pretty weak and somewhat unbelievable. He should either stand in his convictions one way or the other.-Lindsey Miller, [...]

This a very exciting saga, easy to read, it get you into the world of the twins, Very good story.

I’ve never been a big reader, even when I was in school. But Michael Scoot’s 6 installments of The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel has tossed me into a new fantastic world. A world where words take the shape of vivid images. while tying you down to an unwavering spot. Warning! Once you buy the first installment you will read the remaining 5. I cannot over sell or review this book, my only wonder is why it has not not adapted into a blockbuster movie. All I can say is- thank you Michael Scoot, wherever you are for a magical journey.

This book is amazing. You're probably looking at this after seeing all the 5 star reviews. They are not exaggerating. I am bewildered at how this isn't as popular as Harry Potter. Please read this. You HAVE to.

quality!

I've been following this series by Michael Scott and it's a really good read. The story follows twins Josh and Sophie as they discover that they are "the two that are one" and have magical powers that get stronger as their journey through the world of myths and magic progress. Each book centres around one of the magical people they meet on their journey, those that are there to help them and those who want to kill them or use their powers for darker purposes.