Customer Reviews

The Alchemist's Apprentice

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I'm a huge Dave Duncan fan, most particularly of his King's Blades series, and the associated books. I also really enjoyed Children of Chaos and am looking forward to Mother of Lies, the conclusion of that saga. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up Alchemist's Apprentice, and initially I was a bit taken aback because generally speaking I really don't enjoy first person narratives (with the exception of crime/mystery).

But I really enjoyed this one. AA isn't a 'typical' fantasy novel. It's grounded strongly in historical fact, and in some ways is more an historical mystery with a touch of the supernatural than what you might consider a 'traditional' fantasy. There's a death that proves to be a murder, and the apprentice of the doctor and expert in the occult , Nostradamus, nephew of the famous Nostradamus, is put on the job of uncovering the murderer ... with the help of a fiend, and some psychic stuff, and a great deal of running around. In Venice. Complete with gondolas, sword-play, courtesans and politics.

The historical detail is perfectly incorporated. The characters are uniformly excellent. It wouldn't be Duncan without some touches of humour, and the humour this time is delightfully dry and sly.

It's definitely a different kind of story from this masterful writer, but I like different. And I'm so encouraged that after many years and many books, Duncan can still come up with something new, entertaining and beautifully executed.

While not the typical fantasy I have come to associate with Duncan, I really enjoyed this book.

Narrated from the point of view of Zeno, a young man of noble heritage who is the apprentice to the forecasting Nostradamus, the story follows his investigation of a murder that may, or may not, have happened the way his master sees it. (How's that for a run-on sentence?)

As usual with Duncan, the characters are real, seeming to be people we could meet ourselves. What little magic their is, while real, is so minor that it is the actions of the players that really drive this "historical fantasy". I admitt, I had the case totally wrong as I read, and the revelation of the killer and the motive were so well done that I didn't care about how wrong I had been.

A good murder mystery with great characters. I as sorry to finish it, and I hope we see some more of the poor Alfeo Zeno and his irrasible Maestro Nostradamus from Duncan.

The Alchemist's Apprentice (2007) is a historical fantasy. Maestro Filippo Nostradamus, nephew of Michel Nostradamus, is an astrologer, clairvoyant and alchemist as well as the best physician in Venice. His apprentice and protector is Alfeo Zeno, a young and impoverished nobleman. The Maestro is a long-standing friend of the Doge and is also his personal physician.

In this novel, a tarot reading suggests unexpected visitors that night, so Alfeo he arms himself just in case. He sends Luigi -- the night watchman -- to guard the back door and takes the watergate for himself. Then Raffaino Sciara appears with four fanti requesting entrance.

Although Alfeo states that the Maestro is not at home, the Circospetto -- chief secretary of the Council of Ten -- demands entrance in the name of the Republic. Alfeo reluctantly lets them inside, but still avers that his master is not home. Sciara offers Alfeo the choice of taking him to the Maestro or being taken into custody.

After spending the rest of the night in a cell, Alfeo is awakened and taken to see the Doge. There he is informed of the death of Bertucci Orseolo and the circumstances leading to the death. He is startled to learn that his master had been present at the affair and had attended the procurator after his collapse.

Alfeo immediately realizes that his master could be charged with causing the death of the procurator. After returning home, he advises his master to flee Venice, but Nostradamus refuses. Instead, the Maestro sends Alfeo on a series of errands, including interviews with the witnesses to Orseolo's collapse.

In this story, Alfeo is attacked by six bravos, but survives due to Bruno's iron skillet and help from the neighbors. He has prophetic dreams about a demon. He avoids a seduction attempt by an English woman. Indeed, he has an exciting time during Carnival.

Alfeo has the help of a few friends during this time. Bruno is a giant of a man who is a deaf-mute. Bruno carries the Maestro on his shoulders whenever his master leaves the Casa. Although very sweet tempered, Bruno can get quite excited whenever someone attacks his friends.

Giorgio is the Maestro's gondolier. He also is the father of many children. The twins Christoforo and Corrado are the eldest still at home and run many errands for the Maestro and Alfeo. They are old enough to start planning a sexual revel.

Violetta is the most expensive courtesan in Venice and she lives right next door to Alfeo. Occasionally she likes to invite him over for a visit. Since she is probably the most intelligent person that he knows (maybe even smarter that the Maestro), Alfeo welcomes the opportunity to talk over his problems with Violetta. She also has great sources of information.

This story is a murder mystery in the style of Nero Wolfe, with the Maestro as the brain and Alfeo as the brawn. Yet this story does not slavishly follow the Rex Stout formula, for Nostradamus does sometimes leave the Casa. Moreover, he doesn't even own the palace, but only has the use of his apartments. And the penultimate denouement takes place at the scene of the crime.

This work is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but the characters are so interesting that one really wants a sequel. Let us hope that the author has more to write in this mileau!

Highly recommended for Duncan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of late Renaissance Venice, murder mysteries, and convoluted plots.

-Arthur W. Jordin

If you read this expecting your typical Fantasy title, you will be a bit disappointed The two demons that only briefly appear are only plot elements and strictly Church issue. This book is much more like The Name of The Rose. a nice detective tale in an historical setting. (Here Venice) It is a good read and I enjoyed it but I think it was only labeled Fantasy to keep it in line with the author's other work.

The other reviewers captured the book well; no point in repeating their observations. However, having just finished the third in the series, I can confidently recommend all three; there need be no hesitation in starting the trilogy. The latter two are just as solidly crafted, with the same Venetian flourishes and furbelows, with no letdown from the first.

The Alchemist's series features alchemist and astrologer Maestro Nostradamus and his nobly born apprentice, Alfeo Zeno, who narrates with panache. Duncan mixes a vision of old Venice and fantasy to create the world portrayed in The Alchemist's Apprentice. In the Alchemist's Apprentice, the first book in the series, Nostradamus foresees the murder of Procurator Bertucci Orseolo, who's poisoned right beneath his nose during a dinner party. When suspicion falls on Nostradamus, Alfeo must solve the mystery. With the help from his adored courtesan, Violetta, Alfeo attempts to prove his master's innocence.

The Alchemist's Apprentice offers more hilarity than chilling crime drama. Dave Duncan is a great writer and truly paints the picture of life in old Venice. I found the book to be entertaining and I look forward to the book in the series. I only wish The Alchemist's Apprentice had more of a thriller twist to keep the reader on their toes.

The Alchemist's Apprentice is a re-imagining Nero Wolfe. It has some minor fantasy elements. It is set in 16th century Venice, where it seems almost impossible to avoid arrest and torture. And of course, eternal damnation is a constant threat. But this is at heart a murder mystery, and magic is of surprisingly little help when it comes to unmasking a killer. The only thing missing is photographic plates of the art the wealthy people of Venice are surrounded by.

Yes he does. Dave Duncan is one author who never fails me. An excellent story with completely believable characters this is a murder mystery set in Italy in the time of Nostrodomus. One of his clients has died and the old master is blamed. Now, it's up to his apprentice to prove who done it.

Duncan keeps the plot moving and keeps you guessing right up to the end with a few neat twists thrown in for good measure.

I picked this book up on a whim, and quickly became immersed in the fantasy, mystery, and intriguing characters. I highly recommend it to any fan of historical adventure or mysteries, and even to fans of low blood level fantasy. Sorry lovers of spilled guts. I particularly enjoyed the details of Venetian every day life and politics,which, along with the great characters, brought real interest to this book.

As a Venician, alternative history novel this is well done, well written and I'm sure, a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I've come to know Duncan through his fantasy series (I loved the Blade series), and was expecting some level of cross over or fantasy, especially after reading the blurb and hearing there was witchcraft and arcane arts at play.

I was disappointed though. The arcane components could be ignored entirely, and the book would flow, the story unfold. They really didn't add the fantasy element I was hoping for.

I suppose this is a common trap when authors step outside their known niche, and some fans are always likely to be left behind - as I read the reviews, I see I'm not the only one.

Again, nothing about this book is badly written (on the contrary), the story is, I'm sure, a fine example of a who-dun-it mystery. I even found myself liking Zeno, in the end (although why pick Nostradamus, then make him so unlikable - I'm not so sure). But for me, it was too dramatic a departure from the genre I enjoy, and had come to love Duncan's work in. I'll not be buying the rest of the trilogy - but will explore his other works some more.