If you’re a fan of Percy Jackson, hero of Rick Riordan’s popular demi-god adventure series, I’ve got a Rick Riordan read-alike series for you: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott, beginning with The Alchemyst. Here’s the summary:
“While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.”
Like Riordan, Michal Scott draws on mythology, real historical characters, and real places as he weaves his epic adventure plot. My hat is off to both these writers in terms of their ability to bring mythology (admit it, it can seem dry when studying it), to very juicy, memorable, and interesting, life.
J.K. Rowling created a fascination for Latin among kids (it’s the language of spells at Hogwarts). Rick Riordan has created a whole generation of kids who are intimately familiar with Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and most currently, Norse mythology. Michael Scott is doing the same with his own mixed pantheon flavor.
Riordan’s action scenes are so over the top they almost become humorous—a great tact for keeping the stories from being too scary for kids. Michael Scott stops short of this over-the-top style, and I like that. I also like having twins as protagonists: one boy, one girl—a very even match. Since I’m a big fan of girl heroes, this makes me happy. Rick Riordan also writes multiple heroes, both genders, in his series, but in my opinion, Percy Jackson remains dominant. But both authors have huge fan bases, drawing both boys and girls.
I liked The Alchemyst so much I dove into the sequel: The Magician.
This series is very fast-paced, great suspense, engaging characters—terrific fun. There are six books, so even if you are a voracious reader like I am, it’ll keep you entertained for a while!
Happy Reading!
Judy Lawson wins Book 2
P.S. I got to hand deliver book two to the winner of the Christmas Eve drawing: here we are at out local library (great place to get a good book!)
Cold weather season makes for great reading times after homework and housework!!! Great suggestion for a kid read and I bet some adults will enjoy it as well!! Good review Lindy!!
Hope you’re getting to log some reading hours… You deserve it!