The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Michael Scott (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 24, 2011 | Age Range: 12 and up | Series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Book 5) | Lexile Measure: 800L (What's this?)

In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, the twins of prophesy have been divided, and the end is finally beginning.

With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. The surprise is that she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Michael Scott is] the King of fantasy" Irish Times "The things that make these books thrilling are constant - Michael Scott's intricate grasp of mythology and history, the action-packed plotlines, and his larger-than-life characters. There's enough fantasy, myth, wizardry and adventure to engage young and adult readers alike" -- Teresa Difalco parents-choice.org --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

An authority on mythology and folklore, MICHAEL SCOTT is one of Ireland's most successful authors. A master of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and folklore, he has been hailed by the Irish Times as "the King of Fantasy in these isles." Visit him at DillonScott.com.

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385735332
• ISBN-13: 978-0385735339
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#43 in Books > Teens

#43 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!! May 24, 2011

By Kris

Format:Hardcover

New characters, old characters, lots of action, time traveling, learning more magic, and lots of surprises.

We learn so many new and wonderful things about characters we have met before. We learn things about characters that were merely mentioned in passing.

While I was worried about the time traveling aspect, the two timelines throughout the book were very easy to follow and distinguish from one another. The action for the group sent to the far distant past (and seemingly far away world of Danu Talis) was non-stop.

The current timeline, like in the previous installments, jumps from scene to scene based on certain groupings of characters. This too is action packed and full of surprises. Again we get lots of information about characters new and old.

It can feel, from time to time, like you need two charts to help keep track of everything: (1) a family tree to see who is related to each other and how; and (2) a chart to see who is on which side, moment to moment. There are folks flipping sides all over the place. Folks siding with the dark elders revolt and folks on the side of the Flamels revolt as well. It will be interesting to see where everyone ends up in the last book. One twist to confuse it all is revealed on the last page. In my head, I said "what the....? And then I can't believe I was right because I predicted it1" (So you know it's a good one!)

We get an excellent explanation of magic from the Earth Magic teacher. And we get two very different "teachings". Both are interesting, but nothing like what we've seen before. We learn more about how one's aura is involved and that both twins are more capable then realized when it comes to the magic that we know.

We learn lots of things about the characters and relationships. Some, we were hoping for, some we speculated on, and some questions are still hanging out there unanswered (of course, otherwise, what use would the last book be?).

There were funny moments, although they were less often then in previous books. It seems this is likely due to that fact that we are getting seriously close to the end of the story and the stakes have risen. The time the Flamels have left is even less and the world still needs to be saved.

The dialogue and the interaction between the characters is still wonderful. The author continues to amaze me with his ability to paint the picture of the scene in my mind. The addition of details such as the color of character's eyes, the clothes they are wearing, and the scents of their auras give enough details to be so very vivid in my mind, yet the details don't overpower the story line, nor do they add unnecessary length to the book. It is the perfect balance, again, so that I can get that image and still be moving right along with the action.

I think given the events the title "The Warlock" is a little misleading, since **spoiler alert** there are a number of them in this book. But it was wonderful to see who aligned themselves on the side of the humani and who didn't once most of the dust settled.

We are introduced to new monsters, new Elders, new magic, flying saucers (yep!!!) and lots of history on many of the characters. Abraham, Agnes, Hel, Odin, Prometheus, Mars, Scatty, are all seen here; that sneaky author with some of these connections! Numerous times while reading I had to stop and digest what I just read (in a good way). I was pleasantly surprised that I had guessed a few things (including the "big reveal" at the end - I honestly saw that coming! Yippeeeee for me! Although, I chalk it up to dumb luck since I guessed so many things wrong too!) and totally not surprised by how utterly wrong I was abut others.

I still have so many questions... but it is a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Addition to the Warlock Series June 27, 2011

By Teen Reads

Format:Hardcover

Josh and Sophie Newman still can't believe all the magic, monsters and legendary people they've seen since Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel swept them away into the reality of Ancients, Dark Elders and Immortals. Their normal teenage jobs at the bookstore and café have been replaced with training sessions in elemental magic and terrifying chases through the Shadowrealms. They can't remember the last time they saw their family. They are the Twins of Legend now, and their old lives no longer exist.

Death is coming for Nicholas Flamel. After helping Sophie fight off the Archon bent on wreaking havoc on Earth, Nicholas's body is failing, his strength leaking from him. Unless a miracle happens, this will be his last day. And even if they somehow retrieve the Codex and mix a new batch of immortality elixir, he'll never get back the youth and vigor he once had. And poor Perenelle. She married Nicholas over 600 years ago. He is her life. And he will be gone.

Their nemesis, Dr. John Dee, might be outcast and hunted, but he's relentlessly pursuing his goal. He believes overthrowing the Elders will restore the world to its glory. Only this time, he will be in command. He's already stolen the Codex of Abraham of the Mage. Not only that, but he has Josh under his control. On his team. What he doesn't know is that Josh has the last two pages of the Codex hidden in his pockets. These pages would give Dee unparalleled power and allow him to carry out his latest version of revenge against the Elders.

Josh is seriously confused. Just a few days ago, he and his twin were inseparable, trusting each other for every decision. Now he's doubting everything he ever put confidence in. Are the Flamels a bunch of phonies? Did his sister Sophie really try to kill him? How could she betray him like that? And should he give the Codex pages to Dee? Now that he is following Dee and has abandoned all his former friends, he has no one left to help him make the toughest decision of his life.

Sophie was just trying to save the world. She had no idea Josh would take it this way. But he did. He's offended. And she's lost him to Dee and Virginia Dare and whoever else Dee has deceived onto his team of rebels. She doesn't trust the Flamels either, but if she doesn't stick with them, she won't have anybody. And with so many forces warring for control of her and her brother, being alone is the worst possible option.

But none of the powerful groups have a clue how Dee's evil plans have changed. Instead of summoning uncontrollable creatures to destroy the world, Dee has figured a way to go back in time to the era of Danu Talis. The Lost City of Atlantis. The last time all the Elders and powers gathered in the same place. If he can destroy them all there, then taking over in the aftermath will be easy. But Flamel is dying and the Twins are divided. Is there no one to stop the infamous Dr. John Dee? Time is quickly running out.

--- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hail to the 5th May 24, 2011

By L. Lueders

Format:Hardcover

It's been hard to wait for the 5th installment, and I devoured it too quickly! If you love this series as much as I do, you'll be more than satisfied.