The Alchemyst by Michael Scott: A Book Review

Title: The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1)
Author: Michael Scott
Publisher: Ember
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Release Date: June 24th 2008
Purchase: Amazon | BD | B&N

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty.

The legend: 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, and in the wrong hands, it will destroy the world.

Which is exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. 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 really really wanted to love these books. I had bought the First Codex box set years ago with the anticipation of reading them but they got shelved and I never gave them a second glance until recently. 

The writing style of this just wasn't my cup of tea. While I loved the concept of this book, I just couldn't get past the first 3 chapters. If you want to give this a go for yourself, go into this one with an open mind.

Michael Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, an authority on mythology and folklore, and one of Ireland’s most successful authors. A master of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and folklore, Michael has been hailed by the Irish Times as “the King of Fantasy in these isles.” The Alchemyst is the first book in the Nicholas Flamel series. Look for book two, The Magician; book three, The Sorceress; book four, The Necromancer; book five, The Warlock; and book six, The Enchantress, all available from Delacorte Press.

Find Michael: Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter

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[Blog Tour] Rose and the Lost Princess by Holly Webb + #Giveaway @Sourcebooks

Title: Rose and the Lost Princess (Rose #2)
Author: Holly Webb
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Source: Publisher for Review

From Goodreads:

Now an apprentice magician, Rose is asked to help find a very special missing person
Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, she is now an apprentice to the king's chief magician. But when the country's beloved princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumors of dark magic fly through the city, the king asks Rose for help. She must find the missing princess, before all is lost.

Rose and the Lost Princess was as delightful as the the first book, Rose. It had picked up where the first book left off, all without leaving the reader wondering what was, in fact, going on. However, it did seem to drag at the beginning a bit. I was hoping for it to pick up to a faster pace before half way through, but the plot and ending were still quite good. It also left this wide open for the third installment.

Rose and Freddie are left to face yet another evil magician in this second book. One that has the ability to freeze objects and enchant them. And when that leaves Rose to guard the princess, without the knowledge to do so, it brings new meaning to “know your enemy”.

Freddie is slightly more funny and whiny in this book, and Gus is still as forthright as ever. We get to see more of Mr. Fountain in this book and learn that Isabella is starting to grow into her powers, or at least hiding them.

I highly enjoyed this second installment and can't wait to pick up the next one.

 Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Holly Webb is the author of Dog Magic, Cat Magic, and Lost in the Snow. She has always loved animals and owns two very spoiled cats. They haven't said a word to her yet, but she's always listening, just in case! She lives in England.

Find Holly: Website | Goodreads

*Giveaway will run for 2 weeks
* For US/CAN residents only
* Must be 13 years old to enter
* Winner has 48 hrs to respond or new winner will be picked

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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