The Alchemyst

This book was actually one of the first books that I purchased with my Kobo and I enjoyed it enough that I continued with the entire series and will read the newest book when it is released.

Sophie and Josh Newman are normal teen-aged twins whose world suddenly turns upside down. It turns out that their bosses are actually immortal, most mythologies are true, Atlantis existed, and they themselves are the key to saving or destroying the world. Packed with action from the first page, The Alchemyst launches a fast-paced, adventure filled series where the fate of the world lies with two seemingly ordinary people. Fantasy fans who love an unrelenting pace in their reads are sure to enjoy these novels!

I will admit that I'm a little late to the game on this series. In fact, I've owned the first four books for a couple of years, but hadn't yet gotten around to reading them. My loss, as it turns out. The Alchemyst is a great fantasy book for younger teens who have enjoyed the Harry Potter books, and also for those teens who get bored of a story when the descriptive sections run too long. There's plenty of intrigue for the readers who want to "figure it out", and tons of action for those looking for a wild ride. Truly the first novel in this series has a little something for everyone!

I picked this book up because I had heard many positive things about it and that it had a lot to do with mythology, history, etc and I love those topics.

So the book is about Josh and Sophie, teenage twins, who get caught up in a war between their employers Nicholas Flamel and his wife Perenelle (hundreds of years old immortals, in posession of an important book the Codex) and John Dee an equally powerful and immortal man working for the darker powers.

What entails is an adventure story, filled with mythological and historical characters from all areas of the world and religion. If you're a history buff this book is for you.

The best thing about the book is that besides the twins, all of the characters (Nicky, Perry, John Dee) were real people that did exist. And the Dark Elders are characters of various myths. The mixing of reality and fantasy helps to make this a great book.

The only thing it ends rather abruptly, which for me is ok because the next two books in the series are already published and another three are on the way in the next few years.

A good book, adults can read it, I feel it's a bit too advanced for younger children but 10 and up would probably get a kick out of it, yet they would most likely have to look up various characters, places, etc.

I was recommended this book by a co-worker, whose tastes in novels run alongside magic, epic journeys in a boys genre of teen and young reader fiction. Which, don't get me wrong, it's awesome, but it's not always the first thing I pick up.

I am however, a huge fan of history and magic! Both of which run amok in this book.

The plot pace is steady, never dull and certain chalk full of tons of histories greatest villains and heroes!

The fate of the world rests on the young shoulders of a pair of fraternal twins, Sophie and Josh, which is something I admire greatly about this book. Why rest the fate of the world on one tormented teenage mind when you can have two! It's always said that two heads are better then one and I can't agree more here.

If you enjoy a great adventure, magic, myth and history, PICK THIS UP!