Well, then, the next question is ... Who is Nicholas Flamel? And what series can I read that will tell me all about him?
Answer: the series starring NF by Michael Scott starting with The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
The reference to HP ends at the title in terms of the books.
I just finished the sixth and last book in this YA series, The Enchantress. It took me a while to read through the series because I had to keep waiting for the next book to come out! The series began in 2007. You, dear reader, will have the advantage of reading all six books in a row. And really, it is a pleasure to be able to read a series straight through. I think that's why my daughter keeps rereading Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. (Not to mention the incredible writing!)
Speaking of writing, Michael Scott does a masterful job of weaving multiple story lines across thousands of years and tons of characters. (I can't even imagine what his storyboard looked like or spreadsheet or notebook or whatever method he used to keep track of them. It was challenging at times to keep up with it as a reader.) You know that extensive background in mythology and folklore was essential to his writing these books. I learned loads about 'historical' names from reading his books. This is a lot more comprehensive than just, 'oh that's the Greek name for that Roman god' type of thing. But he does it in such a way that you won't get lost! Amazing!
Just keep up with Sophie & Josh, Nicholas & Perenelle, and Dee & Rachel and you should be pretty good.
There is all kinds of stuff packed into these action paced novels: Shadowrealms, Earth Lords, Archons, Elders, Next Generation (nothing to do with Star Trek) and Atlantis (fondly referred to as Danu Talis in the books). You have alchemy, necromancy, sorcery, flying ships (like saucers), leygates, creatures/monsters I can't even begin to describe, mermaids, etc. I think you get the idea here.
These books are clean in terms of language and romance. There is violence and death. Keep in mind the world, all its races both past and present, etc are hanging in the balance, so you know, people are going to die. I would say these are on the older side of YA not the younger. Perhaps its not so far from HP after all.
So, there you go. Happy Valentines Day. I didn't review a romance (that was last week and judging by the lack of response, no one wanted to hear anymore about romance this month). I think this series would be awesome on film. But then I think that about most everything I read. Below is the blurb for the first book.
Do you have a good YA series with magic that you recommend?
He holds the secret that can end the world.
The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.
The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.
The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.
Sometimes legends are true.
And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.
The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.
The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.
The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.
Sometimes legends are true.
And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.
We read the first one when it came out but then it was such a long wait between books that my daughter moved on to other things and never went back to finish. Maybe I'll remind her of the series and wee if she wants to go back to the library. thanks!
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