Scan barcode
manoukreviews's review against another edition
3.0
I would give it a 3.5. I liked the refernces to the mythes and legend of the past and I am curious for the other books. Of the twins I like Sophie the best, somehow Josh annoys me.
smusie's review against another edition
2.0
This book is not by Paulo Coehlo!
My eight-year-old saw this book in the bookstore, and desperately wanted to read it. Since it was marked “Teens” I told him I wasn’t sure it would be appropriate for him. Then he wheedled, begged and pleaded until I said I would read it first to find out if it would be OK for him to read. What a sucker I am, I mean, what a good mother!
So I read it. It’s really not bad, but not the kind of book I would normally bother to read, at any age. For my kid, it might be too hard, but there’s nothing really inappropriate in there. It seemed very cinema-ready—the visual descriptions were vivid and intricately consistent. The story is also intricately planned out, but I was never drawn into the characters. But eight-year-old boys don’t really care that much about characters, do they?
It’s your basic good vs. evil story, with lots of magic, immortal good guys and bad guys, your race of Elders—pre-human beings with great powers, innocent teenage twins who have no idea they will soon hold the fate of the known world in their hands, that kind of thing. It’s also based on some real-life characters, namely John Dee, and Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel; the author has clearly done a lot of research to get the historical details right. None of that makes it a book I would ever read of my own accord—but I’m a grown-up. If my kid wants to read it (and can follow the narrative jumps), it’s fine with me.
My eight-year-old saw this book in the bookstore, and desperately wanted to read it. Since it was marked “Teens” I told him I wasn’t sure it would be appropriate for him. Then he wheedled, begged and pleaded until I said I would read it first to find out if it would be OK for him to read. What a sucker I am, I mean, what a good mother!
So I read it. It’s really not bad, but not the kind of book I would normally bother to read, at any age. For my kid, it might be too hard, but there’s nothing really inappropriate in there. It seemed very cinema-ready—the visual descriptions were vivid and intricately consistent. The story is also intricately planned out, but I was never drawn into the characters. But eight-year-old boys don’t really care that much about characters, do they?
It’s your basic good vs. evil story, with lots of magic, immortal good guys and bad guys, your race of Elders—pre-human beings with great powers, innocent teenage twins who have no idea they will soon hold the fate of the known world in their hands, that kind of thing. It’s also based on some real-life characters, namely John Dee, and Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel; the author has clearly done a lot of research to get the historical details right. None of that makes it a book I would ever read of my own accord—but I’m a grown-up. If my kid wants to read it (and can follow the narrative jumps), it’s fine with me.
adroth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hollsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
ames1703's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gabriellepaulin212's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kdailey86's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable book. I felt it was a little slow in the beginning, but definitely a good story.
adelle_bookworm's review
5.0
Kámošky mi řekly: "V Alchymistovi není romantika, to tě bavit nebude." Ale hodně se spletly. Alchymista byl okouzlující a nenašla jsem ani žádné nudné pasáže. Prostě super.
indigoblue777's review
4.0
I listened to the free audiobook on YouTube over the course of about 6 months.
This book was ok. I was originally going to give it 3 stars, but the ending somewhat redeemed the story. If I had read it when I was twelve I might have enjoyed it more. I like the world-building, especially Hekate's shadow realm, and the Torc Allta.
My biggest problem with this book is Josh.
He annoys me to no end, is always causing problems, and has all the makings of becoming Edmund from the Chronicles of Narnia, if you know what I mean.
Things that were hinted at for future books:
- The witch is going to die because she said she'll never see Scatty again
- Either Sophie or Josh is going to go evil. The witch hinted that it might be Sophie, but it's looking more like Josh at the moment. We didn't get a lot of character development for Sophie because she was passed out for a good portion of the book, so she might be able to go evil. But at the moment Josh seems more likely. Fortunately, he was significantly redeemed at the end of the book.
This book was ok. I was originally going to give it 3 stars, but the ending somewhat redeemed the story. If I had read it when I was twelve I might have enjoyed it more. I like the world-building, especially Hekate's shadow realm, and the Torc Allta.
Spoiler
I'm surprised that Hekate was killed off so early in the series, especially when they hyped her up as being such a powerful Elder.My biggest problem with this book is Josh.
He annoys me to no end, is always causing problems, and has all the makings of becoming Edmund from the Chronicles of Narnia, if you know what I mean.
Spoiler
I mean, he was the most afraid of being Awakened, but then as soon as Sophie gets all of her powers, he becomes jealous. He even gets jealous of how her aura smells like vanilla and his smells like oranges. Hello? Would he rather have rotten egg smell like D??? Not looking good.Things that were hinted at for future books:
Spoiler
- Hekate needs to be avenged- The witch is going to die because she said she'll never see Scatty again
- Either Sophie or Josh is going to go evil. The witch hinted that it might be Sophie, but it's looking more like Josh at the moment. We didn't get a lot of character development for Sophie because she was passed out for a good portion of the book, so she might be able to go evil. But at the moment Josh seems more likely. Fortunately, he was significantly redeemed at the end of the book.
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I liked The Alchemyst by Michael Scott. I thought it was a fun, light read, and a good adventure. I thought the magic was interesting, but for being titled The Alchemyst, I feel like the actual Alchemy was missing. It is a kid's book, so I guess that may have been too complicated to put in. It just felt a little glossed over. There were a lot of parts of the story where I wanted more background information, but it seemed like it just got set aside for later, and by the time it came up again, the details felt unimportant. It was an enjoyable story, but it felt more tell than show.
For my full review, check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2021/12/book-review-alchemyst-by-michael-scott.html
For my full review, check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2021/12/book-review-alchemyst-by-michael-scott.html