I love these books!

I finished The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel, and jumped right into the 2nd book in the series, The Magician.  I got so consumed in reading that I haven't posted any updates!  Well The Alchemyst was a fantastic novel that really created vivid images and scenes in my mind as I read.  The book that the antagonist Dee stole from Nicholas Flamel is known as The Lost Book of Abraham the Mage or the Codex.  In the novel, people throughout history have been searching for the books to unlock the secrets it holds.  The book creates a world that is full of everything that we thought was legend and impossible, and makes them all real.  Flamel takes the twins to meet an ancient warrior named Scathach.  This red haired young looking girl is thousands of years old and the founder of modern day martial arts.  Scathach helps the twins (Josh and Sophie) and Flamel escape Dee and find a shadowrealm created by an Elder, Hekate. Hekate is not human but one of the first races to live on Earth.  She and other Elders are very powerful and were also though of as gods.    The twins learn that in the Codex there is a prophecy that mentions twins of silver and gold saving the world from the dark elders.  We learn that each person has an aura of different colors around them.  The purer your color, the more magical power you possess.  It turns out a that Sophie is pure silver and Josh is pure gold.  Flamel is certain that these are the twins that will help save the world.  Hakate helps awaken Sophie's magical powers but before she has a chance to awaken Josh's, they are attacked by Dee and his army.  This was my favorite part of the book because of all the detail used to describe the battle.  Hekate is killed by Dee, but Flamel and the others escape.  

The  book continues to jump from different points of views as you read on.  Perry is still trapped by Dee but she is able to use her powers to help.  She tells Flamel to take the twins south to the witch in Oaji.  When I read this I was very curious about where exactly Oaji was in the USA.  I had never head of this town so I took my iPad out and searched for it on a map.  It is in southern California!  I love having the power of the internet so easily available when I am reading.  Searching for places or people really helps me understand novels better.  This book is filled with references to common known legends and tales, and being able to read them online helps you as the reader connect with the characters.  Many characters in the book, including Flamel and Dee were actual people, so if you read this book be sure to do some research.

The witch in Oaji, is a master of air and gives Sophie all the knowledge and memories she has ever had to help Sophie learn how to use her powers a bit more.  Now that Sophie's powers have been awakened, Josh feels distant and a bit envious.  Sophie has always been his best friend but now he doesn't know how to feel.  Dee tries to convince Josh that Flamel is not a trustworthy person and now Josh seems lost on what to believe.  Dee tries to battle Flamel and the gang in Oaji, but fails as the witch helps them escape thru a leygate to Paris, France. Leygates are points around the world where more than one power line intersects.  I really hope you read this book! My summary is not worthy of it's greatness ;)  I am almost finished with The Magician and will update you on the adventures in Paris.

Here's a picture taken after I searched for Oaji, California.  Always go deeper than the text and research on your own.  NEVER rely on one source for your knowledge ;)