Fifteen-year-old Rachel Stone and her family move into historic Seasonstown House. Then the terror begins - fires, intruders who leave no footprints, the frenzied destruction of the library. Who, or what, wants the Stones out . The police suspect terrorists, but is it something far more sinister? When Rachel tries to discover the truth she gets caught up in a wild and dangerous plot. At Hallowe'en, nightmare becomes reality, when the unimaginable horror of an ancient curse comes to claim the family of Seasonstown House - and all that stands in its way is Rachel and a green-eyed wolf.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-When 15-year-old Rachel Stone's wealthy parents purchase a stable in Ireland, complete with a 400-year-old house, the family goes there to look over the property. Immediately, mysterious events begin to occur. Occasional glimpses of shadowy creatures let readers know that something horrible and dangerous is lurking in the wings. As the plot unfolds, Rachel learns that a clan of ancient werewolves seeks to pass their curse on to her family on Halloween. Cliff-hanging chapter endings contribute to the suspense. The horror is intensified because the true nature of the attackers remains somewhat vague through much of the story. Characters are not particularly well developed. Rachel is brave and plucky in a manner reminiscent of Nancy Drew. The police are conveniently skeptical, and everything is a bit melodramatic. However, the action moves along at such a brisk clip that none of this really matters. A clever, ironic ending saves the story from being too pat. A sure bet for readers who like their adventures scary and on the gruesome side.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Scott's grasp of the macabre and his confident moving between reality and fantasy provide a suitably scary fiction for dark evenings.' -- Robert Dunbar, The Irish Times 'A really good tale of terror ... Just don't read it too late at night.' -- The Sunday Tribune 'A compelling story of dread, Scott is a master of the naturally unfolding mystery, and the tension never lets up.' -- Orson Scott Card
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More About the Author
"Some stories wait their turn to be told, others just tap you on the shoulder and insist you tell them."
By one of those wonderful coincidences with which life is filled, I find that the first time the word alchemyst--with a Y--appears in my notes is in May 1997. Ten years later, almost to the day, The Alchemyst, the first book in the Nicholas Flamel series, will be published in May.
Every writer I know keeps a notebook full of those ideas, which might, one day, turn into a story. Most writers know they will probably never write the vast majority of those ideas. Most stories wait their turn to be told, but there are a few which tap you on the shoulder and insist on being told. These are the stories which simply will not go away until you get them down on paper, where you find yourself coming across precisely the research you need, or discovering the perfect character or, in my case, actually stumbling across Nicholas Flamel's house in Paris.
Discovering Flamel's house was the final piece I needed to put the book together. It also gave me the character of Nicholas Flamel because, up to that point, the book was without a hero.
And Nicholas Flamel brought so much to the story.
Nicholas Flamel was one of the most famous alchemists of his day. He was born in 1330 and earned his living as a bookseller, which, by another of those wonderful coincidences, was the same job I had for many years.
One day he bought a book, the same book mentioned in The Alchemyst: the Book of Abraham. It, too, really existed and Nicholas Flamel left us with a very detailed description of the copper-bound book. Although the book itself is lost, the illustrations from the text still exist.
Accompanied by his wife Perenelle, Nicholas spent more than 20 years trying to translate book. He must have succeeded. He became extraordinarily wealthy and used some of his great wealth to found hospitals, churches, and orphanages. Perhaps he had discovered the secret of the Philosopher's Stone: how to turn base metal into gold.
Of course the greatest mystery linked to Nicholas Flamel is the story of what happened after he died. When his tomb was opened by thieves looking for some of his great wealth, it was found to be empty. Had Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel been buried in secret graves, or had they never died in the first place? In the months and years to follow, sightings of the Flamels were reported all over Europe. Had Nicholas also discovered that other great mystery of alchemy: the secret of immortality?
What writer couldn't resist a story that combined magical books, an immortal magician and grave robbing and, even more excitingly, that had a basis in fact? It begged the questions: if he was still alive today, where would he be and what would he be doing? Obvious really--he would be running a bookshop in San Francisco.
The Alchemyst was a tough book to write, probably the toughest of all the books I've done so far. It is the first in a series, and because the story told across all six books is so tightly integrated, keeping track of the characters and events means that I have to keep extensive and detailed notes. A minor change in book one could impact dramatically book three. There are tiny clues seeded into the first book that pay off in later books. The time frame for the entire series is very tight--The Alchemyst, for example, takes place over two days--so I too need to keep an hour-by-hour breakdown of events.
For people who like to know the practicalities, I write every day and sometimes all day and often long into the night. Nights really are the best time for writing. It's that time the conscious side of the brain is starting to shut down and the unconscious takes over. The following day I'll read what I've written the previous day, then edit and rewrite. I work on two computer screens; the story on one screen, notes and research on the second screen.
And now let me answer the question you are about to ask me because, sooner or later, everyone asks, "What is the secret of writing?"
A comfortable chair. A really comfortable chair--because if you're a writer, you're going to spend a lot of time sitting in it.
By one of those wonderful coincidences with which life is filled, I find that the first time the word alchemyst--with a Y--appears in my notes is in May 1997. Ten years later, almost to the day, The Alchemyst, the first book in the Nicholas Flamel series, will be published in May.
Every writer I know keeps a notebook full of those ideas, which might, one day, turn into a story. Most writers know they will probably never write the vast majority of those ideas. Most stories wait their turn to be told, but there are a few which tap you on the shoulder and insist on being told. These are the stories which simply will not go away until you get them down on paper, where you find yourself coming across precisely the research you need, or discovering the perfect character or, in my case, actually stumbling across Nicholas Flamel's house in Paris.
Discovering Flamel's house was the final piece I needed to put the book together. It also gave me the character of Nicholas Flamel because, up to that point, the book was without a hero.
And Nicholas Flamel brought so much to the story.
Nicholas Flamel was one of the most famous alchemists of his day. He was born in 1330 and earned his living as a bookseller, which, by another of those wonderful coincidences, was the same job I had for many years.
One day he bought a book, the same book mentioned in The Alchemyst: the Book of Abraham. It, too, really existed and Nicholas Flamel left us with a very detailed description of the copper-bound book. Although the book itself is lost, the illustrations from the text still exist.
Accompanied by his wife Perenelle, Nicholas spent more than 20 years trying to translate book. He must have succeeded. He became extraordinarily wealthy and used some of his great wealth to found hospitals, churches, and orphanages. Perhaps he had discovered the secret of the Philosopher's Stone: how to turn base metal into gold.
Of course the greatest mystery linked to Nicholas Flamel is the story of what happened after he died. When his tomb was opened by thieves looking for some of his great wealth, it was found to be empty. Had Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel been buried in secret graves, or had they never died in the first place? In the months and years to follow, sightings of the Flamels were reported all over Europe. Had Nicholas also discovered that other great mystery of alchemy: the secret of immortality?
What writer couldn't resist a story that combined magical books, an immortal magician and grave robbing and, even more excitingly, that had a basis in fact? It begged the questions: if he was still alive today, where would he be and what would he be doing? Obvious really--he would be running a bookshop in San Francisco.
The Alchemyst was a tough book to write, probably the toughest of all the books I've done so far. It is the first in a series, and because the story told across all six books is so tightly integrated, keeping track of the characters and events means that I have to keep extensive and detailed notes. A minor change in book one could impact dramatically book three. There are tiny clues seeded into the first book that pay off in later books. The time frame for the entire series is very tight--The Alchemyst, for example, takes place over two days--so I too need to keep an hour-by-hour breakdown of events.
For people who like to know the practicalities, I write every day and sometimes all day and often long into the night. Nights really are the best time for writing. It's that time the conscious side of the brain is starting to shut down and the unconscious takes over. The following day I'll read what I've written the previous day, then edit and rewrite. I work on two computer screens; the story on one screen, notes and research on the second screen.
And now let me answer the question you are about to ask me because, sooner or later, everyone asks, "What is the secret of writing?"
A comfortable chair. A really comfortable chair--because if you're a writer, you're going to spend a lot of time sitting in it.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Howl To The October Moon!,
By Natalie (Where you least expect me) - See all my reviews
This review is from: October Moon (Library Binding)
When Rachel Stone and her rich family buy a 400-year-old house and horse-breeding farm in the Ireland countryside, her father is overjoyed. He's always wanted a farm in Ireland. The joy quickly turns to fear as mysterious things begin to happen. First Rachel's waterbed is ripped to shreds. Then the house library is torn apart just minutes after she had been there. During the past few months, the barn was set on fire. Why were these "accidents" always directed at Rachel? I liked this book because it had great descriptions of what the characters were feeling. Although this book was a bit confusing when it talked about the legendary clan and their curse, I would still give this book four out of five stars.
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