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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I found this book to be rather enjoyable but nothing too amazing. It reminded me a lot of the Percy Jackson series (probably the middle grade/fantastical aspect more than anything else) which was cool because it's been a long time since I've read those books. I'm excited to read the next book and see how the plot gets more intense (hopefully).
I think I'm a little too old for this series... appropriate for middle schoolers.
I really enjoyed this novel. The use of mythology and people of history combined with some fictional characters and how they are woven into this story is delightful. The characters are flawed and yet you're still cheering for them anyway. If you like Young Adult and somewhat contemporary fantasy, this book is for you.
I did not enjoy this book. To be fair, I was rereading it to know if I should get rid of the series, because I had probably outgrown it, and I was rught, I have outgrown it. I hated how bland and (sorry) stupid the two main characters were, how typical protagonist they were, and how they didn't add anything to the story. What irked ne even more were the immortals who were hundereds or thousands years old, and behaved like f*cking teenagers.
So, yeah, it's a no for me.
So, yeah, it's a no for me.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Teenaged twins Sophie and Josh are going about their ordinary lives when a necromancer named Dr. John Dee and several golems arrive at the bookstore where Josh works.
Dee steals the Book of Abraham the Mage, an invaluable book that holds the secrets of endless riches and eternal life, along with knowledge that can be used to destroy the world. Luckily, Josh accidentally tears out two pages; unluckily, he and his sister have little choice but to stick with the bookstore owner, Nicholas Flamel, as he sets out to save the world, reclaim the book, and rescue his wife from Dee's clutches, not necessarily in that order.
I liked the way the author wove in historical people and events and mythology with the contemporary setting.
I didn't especially love any of the characters, specifically Sophie and Josh. Their dialogue and motivations didn't ring true to me, so I had trouble getting into the story. I listened to the audiobook and ended up restarting it three or four times because I kept either falling asleep or zoning out. I liked it well enough to keep listening to the series.
Dee steals the Book of Abraham the Mage, an invaluable book that holds the secrets of endless riches and eternal life, along with knowledge that can be used to destroy the world. Luckily, Josh accidentally tears out two pages; unluckily, he and his sister have little choice but to stick with the bookstore owner, Nicholas Flamel, as he sets out to save the world, reclaim the book, and rescue his wife from Dee's clutches, not necessarily in that order.
I liked the way the author wove in historical people and events and mythology with the contemporary setting.
I didn't especially love any of the characters, specifically Sophie and Josh. Their dialogue and motivations didn't ring true to me, so I had trouble getting into the story. I listened to the audiobook and ended up restarting it three or four times because I kept either falling asleep or zoning out. I liked it well enough to keep listening to the series.
There's something I'm not clear on; what did the twins' parents do for a living?
After reading the first book, I can't wait to keep going! I liked the story, I am invested in the characters, and there is enough action for me to keep going with it.
I didn't know anything about this book before I started reading. It was just a random pick from the library to listen to at work. I maybe should have looked into it more before hand, but even then I may not have realized it wasn't for me. It's not a terrible book but it isn't very good either. It was possibly too juvenile for me, I find that the case the older I get. One thing that definitely annoyed me was the tiny scientific facts that the author got wrong, especially when talking about prehistoric creatures and time periods. Also the twins were annoying and predictable and flat.
The way the characters talked and some of their actions made little sense and seemed liked like they just did and said some things to add unneeded drama to a scene. The twins also contradicted themselves constantly, seeming well educated in some scenes while utterly dense in the next. I mean they act like a GPS is some sort of strange alien technology; and know the names of all the craters in the moon but don't know the different types of clouds.
I would have stopped this book never to return, by half-way through. Fortunately for the book (not me), I was listening to it as an audio and it wasn't much work to just keep listening. That being said it was very dull throughout. The author created an interesting world but that's really the only good I can say about it. It was predictable and the story was a warn out one. I actually said "thank god!" out loud when the book finally finished.
It's sad this idea has potential, but the story and quite honestly the writing made it so hard to get through.
The way the characters talked and some of their actions made little sense and seemed liked like they just did and said some things to add unneeded drama to a scene. The twins also contradicted themselves constantly, seeming well educated in some scenes while utterly dense in the next. I mean they act like a GPS is some sort of strange alien technology; and know the names of all the craters in the moon but don't know the different types of clouds.
I would have stopped this book never to return, by half-way through. Fortunately for the book (not me), I was listening to it as an audio and it wasn't much work to just keep listening. That being said it was very dull throughout. The author created an interesting world but that's really the only good I can say about it. It was predictable and the story was a warn out one. I actually said "thank god!" out loud when the book finally finished.
It's sad this idea has potential, but the story and quite honestly the writing made it so hard to get through.
Originally read in the later half of 2008, reread May 31 - June 11, 2013
I bought this book back in 2008 to read between college courses when I didn't have homework; but for some reason, I ended putting it aside and forgot about it. When I picked it up some months later, it just took my breath away!! I didn't know how I could own such a wonderful book and not read it. After I read this book, I gobbled up the second, The Magician, and pre-ordered every book afterward. This is one of my favorite books and series in the world, a book I'll keep forever.
I bought this book back in 2008 to read between college courses when I didn't have homework; but for some reason, I ended putting it aside and forgot about it. When I picked it up some months later, it just took my breath away!! I didn't know how I could own such a wonderful book and not read it. After I read this book, I gobbled up the second, The Magician, and pre-ordered every book afterward. This is one of my favorite books and series in the world, a book I'll keep forever.