Customer Reviews

The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

**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!!

I've been an avid follower of these books, as they are written with both complex and delightfully entertaining characters, while incorporating facets of historical events and figures. While the characters have always been the huge draw for me concerning these books, The Necromancer takes character development a step further with the evolution of Josh and Sophie, particularly Josh in this installment. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Michael Scott has been building up to the inevitable separation of Josh and Sophie in the previous books, foreshadowing the plot point with Josh's jealousy- and guilt-driven asides towards his sister. While we've known that Sophie has oftentimes regretted her Awakening, Josh has craved ultimate power and autonomy over his own destiny, and he has been cajoled by John Dee into believing that joining his side is the answer to all of his ailments. Scott begins to draw serious parallels between Dee and Josh, and although Josh hasn't quite decided whose side he is on definitively, it becomes glaringly obvious towards the end of The Necromancer that he's beginning to associate Sophie with the Flamels, his enemies at this point (or so he thinks). What's so interesting about this book (and the series in general) is that you're constantly guessing and questioning the motives of all characters, right down to William Shakespeare and Palamedes. Which side is the right side to be on when the end of the world draws near? Even Machiavelli (one of my favorite characters) begins to wonder whether he' truly has it all figured out, or whether he's just as much of a pawn as the humani he so carelessly discarded over the course of his immortality.

There are also distinct character changes in this book, or rather, revisions of the way some of the characters are perceived by the reader as we are given new insights and additional information through minor characters and through the shift in Josh's perceptions. Perenelle, for example, comes across as extremely frigid and non-maternal, particularly through her underlying intent to save the humani race at any cost. Will she sacrifice Josh and Sophie if it means saving the world? Are the Flamels truly any better than Dee? Are both sides so intrinsically linked in their self-righteousness that they're both completely off base?

Scatty, the Flamels, Dee, and Machiavelli all take (arguably) minor roles in this book, and the slow and inevitable rise of the world's most powerful Elders and Archons are falling into place. In the next book, however, we are promised a culmination of "the champions of the humani," splitting plot points and diverging characters who have spent most of the books together on very different journies. I'm also wondering if Scatty's intriguing sister, Aoife, will be reappearing somewhere down the line.

Overall, an enthralling read, with tons of significant character development for some, and promising plot points to come!

An AMAZING fast paced thrill ride weaving in and out of the real world and a magical world of mythology. The Necromancer, being the 4th book in a 6 book series, really sets the tone for the rest of the story as we find the twins, Josh and Sophie Newman, back in San Francisco. The first chapter started off making me think our heroes would have some time to relax before taking up the fight to the Dark Elders again... I couldn't have been more wrong, as by the end of the chapter danger finds them rather quickly! The ensuing barrage of twists and turns, magic and mayhem, Shadowrealms and swords make for a very entertaining read! It is really hard to find a stopping point to be able to put this book down!

Book four in the series brings twins Josh and Sophie Newman back to San Francisco for a very brief reunion with their Aunt. But they barely have time to call their parents and let them know they're OK before their adventure continues. Nicholas and Pernelle have also returned to San Francisco, and along with a few new players they band together in an effort to stop Machiavelli from releasing the creatures trapped in Alcatraz. Meanwhile, the rest of our heroes (Scatty, Joan, Shakespeare, Palmedes and Saint-Germain) are reunited in an alternate location with a great battle of their own to stop. How will either team succeed with their forces split?

I'm sad to report that I was disappointed in The Necromancer. I've really loved each of the first 3 books in this series, but found this one to be uneventful filler. The last 30 pages contained all the necessary portions of the story, and rather than bore us with 200 pages of filler, this could have (and should have) been the opening chapters to book #5. And then after wading through hundreds of pages of build-up, we're left with a rather abrupt cliffhanger. I was honestly shocked when I turned the page to find out that the book had ended after only a few chapters of action.

While I wasn't impressed with The Necromancer, I will most definitely continue with this series. I very much want to know what happens in the end. Hopefully this one was a mis-step and the next book will actually have something in it.

I eagerly awaited this book's release having read and thoroughly enjoyed it's three predecessors: The Alchemyst, The Magician and The Sorceress.
Nicholas and Perenelle grow weaker by the hour, Dr Dee becomes more desperate to get the missing Codex pages before his Dark Elder can punish him for his previous failures, Machiavelli and Billy the Kid have yet to find a way off Alcatraz Island, Josh and Sophie don't know who they can trust, Scatchach and Joan of Arc are missing somewhere in the dinosaur era and a stranger that looks like Scathach enters Josh and Sophie's life.... That's pretty much where the action left off at the end of The Sorceress, The Necromancer picks it up and races on ahead at a furious pace. You can almost hear the clock ticking as all the central characters are running out of time. The established characters return and you're introduced to new ones, and nobody's motives seem clear. There's some unexpected comedic exchanges that made me laugh, and a very colourful new Dark Elder is introduced who is sure to become a favourite of many.
With nods to eras from Pleistocene to Elizabethan to the American Wild West, and mythologies from Mayan to Celtic to Roman there really is a little of something for everyone in this series, with it's complicated plot twists, dubious motives, magics a plenty and action packed adventure plot it's sure to engage even a reluctant reader. I recommend it to all ages from 10 to 100.

I've really enjoyed this series, and was excited to get the Necromancer. I enjoyed reading it, but when I got to the end, I was left with a disappointed feeling that nothing had really happened in the entire book.

Such an engaging read!! Just as Sophie and Josh finally get back to San Francisco and you think things are going to calm down for them, Michael Scott goes into high gear and introduces amazing characters like Aoife who is just as much fun as her twin sister. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - for people of all ages! I couldn't put it down.

I began to read the Necromancer this morning and was unable to put it down until I finished it. I just love this series, and with this one on the shelves I am anxious to welcome number five to my library.

It is so obvious that Michael Scott researches so well the places in which this book takes place that I felt as though I were really there.

I also just loved the surprises which take place in this book which I was unable to figure out at the beginning of my journey.

It was a totally rewarding read and I can't praise the author's talents enough.

Run out and buy this book for your teen age child or for yourself.

The novelty of this series wore off very quickly. I praised the first book for it's originality, enjoyed the second book, and struggled through the third book. I barely made it through The Necromancer. The pace isn't quite as break neck as the previous novels, but there is still plenty of chase scenes. I really think the alternate points of view do not help this series. I really don't want to read about the bad guys having mundane conversations and plotting things. Nothing of import is really happening with the secondary characters and I found myself skipping around hoping there would be a point. Unfortunately, there is no point. Nothing is resolved, nothing is progressed. If there weren't multiple points of view then this book would have been about 100 pages. If all of the unimportant details were taken out it would have been even shorter. The main plot is very slim and is padded with different characters. I used to respect the bad guys, now they just seem like cardboard cutouts that say "MUAHAHA" when you push a button. None of the characters have really progressed, and I won't be continuing this series. Each book is the same: run from something, bad guy conversation, go get new powers, side character interlude, run from something, the end. Action is not enough to make an interesting novel.

After reading the previous book, I was so enthralled that I absolutely couldn't wait the few weeks it might take to track down a copy through interlibrary loan. So I rashly purchased the book electronically and spent the evening reading it. I won't spoil anything for those of you who haven't read it yet, I'll just say that while it was an okay book, it certainly was not worth spending money on. The plot basically does not progress in any significant manner, it is just a filler book to extend the life of the series. I'm very disappointed and was a bit angry that I was impatient enough to buy it. So, I therefore recommend that you still read the book, just acquire it by other free means, like the library. In the time it takes, you aren't missing anything.