The Alchemyst

by Michael Scott | 375 pgs, published 2007

I’d heard of this book quite a bit before I finally got in on my Kindle on the drive to a family reunion last summer. I made it about 10 pages in before I decided I hated it, a lot, and didn’t feel like finishing.

Then I decided I might as well try again, since I paid for it.

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel centers around not only Nicholas Flamel but 15-year-old twins Sophie and Josh. The twins live in a seemingly ordinary world until they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – or, if it’s destiny, the right place and time. So they are thrust into a magical world that includes

every

single

myth or legend

in the history of the western world. And a few from the rest of the world as well.

I was not a fan. The plot felt forced, and it obviously wasn’t engrossing. The writing was mediocre. Someone please explain why the author has written 6 of these books and gotten a movie deal? And make sure your explanation includes “most people have terrible taste in books.”

I can’t think of a reason to recommend this, especially when there are so many other great books out there waiting for you to read them.

Buy The Alchemyst on Amazon