The Alchemyst

Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on 28 September 1330. Nearly seven hundred 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 and Nicholas Flamel lives. 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. And 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.

-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402605-the-alchemyst?from_search=true

This book really tested my patience. I hated this book. Well, actually I just strongly disliked the writing.

Lets talk about the good things first because there aren’t that many. I believed that the idea of this book was actually pretty interesting. The author used real people and put them in a fictional world. I might have actually enjoyed reading this book if it wasn’t written so horribly.

Also, I liked the character Dee. He seemed to be the only guy that was interesting and despite being a villain, HE WAS ACTUALLY NERVOUS SOMETIMES. You get some insight on his frustration and it reminded me that not all antagonists are confident about their mind controlling powers.

That’s it. That’s all the good.

Like I was saying, it was written horribly. I could tell Michael Scott was trying to keep it action-y from the beginning. One of the protagonists were getting attacked by chapter two after all. But guess what? I couldn’t care less about what happened to that kid. Wanna know why? Oh maybe because I’m only on chapter two and barely know him?

The author went right ahead with “action” and that doesn’t even matter if you just met someone. This could have been a lot better if there was some character development first. Who cares if they’re getting chased by evil birds and rats?

It was until chapter 23 that I didn’t feel too bored. EVEN THEN, I was forcing myself to read at least up to chapter this or that.

Even the characters themselves are…not well written.

Josh and Sophie? I don’t even know where to start. They are the most BLANDEST, UNREALISTIC characters I have ever read about. What kind of siblings don’t fight or tease or…anything? I only know one friend who’s sibling isn’t mean and frankly, it’s probably because one of them is practically in their early adulthood. (Like 20 or something)

Nicholas Flamel was the thing that pissed me off the most. He’s like…not real. He’s not a real protagonist. When Josh says that he doesn’t trust him I wanted to scream, “YES YOU MORON. HE’S FREAKING USING YOU”. I am CONVINCED that this guy is a villain in his own way.

AND WHEN THE TREE HOUSE THING FREAKING BURNED DOWN THEY JUST LEAVE THAT HEKATE OR WHATEVER HER NAME IS???!? WHAT. THE. ACTUAL.

Oh she helps the characters with that stupid little awakening thing and then they just leave WHILE HER HOUSE BURNS DOWN AND SHE DIES? WOW THAT’S REALLY KIND OF YOU THANKS.

It’s as if even the protagonists themselves are antagonists in a way.

Did not really enjoy this book. It was sluggish, and I forced myself to read it.

1.5/5