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Thursday, May 7, 2009

The Alchemist

The Alchemist (Kindle Edition)


"The Alchemist" is another of Kindle's Bestsellers in the current moment, and no wonder;
Just read the reviews
From Booklist
When 15-year-old twins Josh and Sophie inadvertently become involved in a plot to steal the Codex from their friend Nick Fleming (aka Nicholas Flamel), they are propelled into a fantasy world of golems, wereboars, and many other creatures that inhabit the netherworld between good and evil. Also known as the Book of Abraham the Mage, the Codex contains the secret formula for eternal youth, but that's just one of the book's wild powers that fuel the twins' adventures.




Scott offers a classic fantasy, with mythological references and inferences that are well integrated and do not slow down the exciting action. The writing and story line have a flamboyant style that will put readers on the edge of their seats as they rush to the final page, pausing along the way to savor the author's vivid descriptions of worlds and events. Readers will actively root for the good guys in this exhilarating fantasy--if they can figure out who they are. Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

“The juxtaposition of our reality with magic and myth is riveting.”
—Kirkus Reviews (Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved).




The Alchemyst



CHAPTER ONE

“OK—answer me this: why would anyone want to wear an overcoat in San Francisco in the middle of summer?” Sophie Newman pressed her fingers against the Bluetooth earpiece as she spoke.

On the other side of the continent, her fashion-conscious friend Elle inquired matter-of-factly, “What sort of coat?”

Wiping her hands on the cloth tucked into her apron strings, Sophie moved out from behind the counter of the empty coffee shop and stepped up to the window, watching men emerge from the car across the street. “Heavy black wool overcoats. They’re even wearing black gloves and hats. And sunglasses.” She pressed her face against the glass. “Even for this city, that’s just a little too weird.”

“Maybe they’re undertakers?” Elle suggested, her voice popping and clicking on the cell phone. Sophie could hear something loud and dismal playing in the background— Lacrimosa maybe, or Amorphis. Elle had never quite got over her Goth phase.

“Maybe,” Sophie answered, sounding unconvinced. She’d been chatting on the phone with her friend when, a few moments earlier, she’d spotted the unusual-looking car. It was long and sleek and looked as if it belonged in an old black-and-white movie. As it drove past the window, sunlight reflected off the blacked-out windows, briefly illuminating the interior of the coffee shop in warm yellow-gold light, blinding Sophie. Blinking away the black spots dancing before her eyes, she watched as the car turned at the bottom of the hill and slowly returned. Without signaling, it pulled over directly in front of The Small Book Shop, right across the street.



“Maybe they’re Mafia,” Elle suggested dramatically. “My dad knows someone in the Mafia. But he drives a Prius,” she added.

“This is most definitely not a Prius,” Sophie said, looking again at the car and the two large men standing on the street bundled up in their heavy overcoats, gloves and hats, their eyes hidden behind overlarge sunglasses.

“Maybe they’re just cold,” Elle suggested. “Doesn’t it get cool in San Francisco?”



Sophie Newman glanced at the clock and thermometer on the wall over the counter behind her. “It’s two-fifteen here . . . and eighty-one degrees,” she said. “Trust me, they’re not cold. They must be dying. Wait,” she said, interrupting herself, “something’s happening.”

The rear door opened and another man, even larger than the first two, climbed stiffly out of the car. As he closed the door, sunlight briefly touched his face and Sophie caught a glimpse of pale, unhealthy-looking gray-white skin. She adjusted the volume on the earpiece. “OK. You should see what just climbed out of the car. A huge guy with gray skin. Gray. That might explain it; maybe they have some type of skin condition.”



“I saw a National Geographic documentary about people who can’t go out in the sun . . . ,” Elle began, but Sophie was no longer listening to her.

A fourth figure stepped out of the car.

He was a small, rather dapper-looking man, dressed in a neat charcoal-gray three-piece suit that looked vaguely old-fashioned but that she could tell had been tailor-made for him. His iron gray hair was pulled back from an angular face into a tight ponytail, while a neat triangular beard, mostly black but flecked with gray, concealed his mouth and chin. He moved away from the car and stepped under the striped awning that covered the trays of books outside the shop. When he picked up a brightly colored paperback and turned it over in his hands, Sophie noticed that he was wearing gray gloves. A pearl button at the wrist winked in the light.

“They’re going into the bookshop,” she said into her earpiece.



“Is Josh still working there?” Elle immediately asked.

Sophie ignored the sudden interest in her friend’s voice. The fact that her best friend liked her twin brother was just a little too weird. “Yeah. I’m going to call him to see what’s up. I’ll call you right back.” She hung up, pulled out the earpiece and absently rubbed her hot ear as she stared, fascinated, at the small man. There was something about him . . . something odd. Maybe he was a fashion designer, she thought, or a movie producer, or maybe he was an author—she’d noticed that some authors liked to dress up in peculiar outfits. She’d give him a few minutes to get into the shop, then she’d call her twin for a report.

Sophie was about to turn away when the gray man suddenly spun around and seemed to stare directly at her. As he stood under the awning, his face was in shadow, and yet for just the briefest instant, his eyes looked as if they were glowing.

Sophie knew—just knew—that there was no possible way for the small gray man to see her: she was standing on the opposite side of the street behind a pane of glass that was bright with reflected early-afternoon sunlight. She would be invisible in the gloom behind the glass.

And yet . . .

About the Author and his Books:
Michael Scott's new book, The Sorceress, the third book in the series will be released on the 28th of May 2009.

The cover of The Sorceress.

The Alchemyst is now available in Spanish, Catalan, German, Dutch, Japanese, Finnish, Vietnamese, Estonian, Romanian, Czech, Slovakian and 22 more languages to come; covers will be posted when we have them

Product Information
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 339 KB
  • Print Length: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 22, 2007)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B000SCHBGQ

Links;
Micheal Scott website (Dillon Scott) - The Alchemyst

Amazon.com Reader Reviews

Book 2 Can't Come Soon Enough, May 28, 2007

By K. Babbes ( USA)

My 16 year old daughter Grace burst into my den when she finished the Alchemyst and insisted that I read the book, "...immediately, mom. You won't be able to put it down." Grace doesn't read books - she devours them. She has often said that every book has boring passages. But the Alchemyst, she soon showed me - has none. We anticipate the release of book two even more than the next Harry Potter.

Fantastic!, May 28, 2007

By A. Goyan ( Burbank, CA United States)

What a great read--I couldn't put it down. As soon as I'd finished my step-son began. Mr. Scott's imagination is boundless. I am grateful that through a fantastic page turner my step-children can be introduced to a wide range of historical and mythological characters. Leaves you on the edge of your seat. When will a sequel be available?

soooooo excellent, May 27, 2007

By Zan ( New Hampshire)

My 13 year old son and I were both hooked by the bottom of page one. And since then, we have been racing through the book-- devouring chapters. With fascinating characters and a truly compelling story, it has been a wonderful world to enter. Michael Scott is clearly a brilliant and thoughtful writer. My son and I both agree-- there better be some sequels in the pipeline!

What an imagination!, May 27, 2007

By A. Safier "Loving Livres" ( Los Angeles)

I have only read two books in an entire sitting in my life. Make that three. "The Alchemyst" is absolutely enchanting. This is a book for adults as well as kids. Michael Scott must have the greatest imagination of any living author. You are really going to love this one!

When's the next one coming out?, May 22, 2007

By A. Bryant ( Brooklyn, NY)

I devoured this book in a day! Extremely well written, and an excellent story. I can't wait for the next one.

Fun, Fun, Fun., May 22, 2007

By lgcbuilder (MIdwest USA)

This book is the most fun read I've had in a long time. It's geared for the young adult, but no matter, it's even fun for old adults. The plot and the characters will grab you by the neck and not let go until the end, which leaves you gasping for more. I read it in one sitting, just because I couldn't stop. Mr Scott's interweaving of multiple mythologies is amazing. I've been reading fantasy/SF for over 30yrs, and still had to look up a couple of characters. The use of actual historical characters is brilliant, and opens up a huge context for the future.

Darker, stronger, perfect for the graduate of the Potter books. Takes it to the next level in fantasy. Highly recommended for everyone.



I want the sequel now. I wanted the sequel right after I finished.

User audio book review on Amazon.com, click here to see the page

SUCH A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!, May 28, 2007

I love reading a good book and that is what "The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" is!!!!

I couldn't put the darn thing down and I'm now officially the biggest Michael Scott fan. I just loved, loved, loved this fantastic book!!!

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