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The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1-3
The First Codex
The First Codex contains the first three books in Michael Scott’s New York Times bestselling series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Alchemyst, The Magician, and The Sorceress.
1044 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2010
204 people are currently reading
1923 people want to read
About the author
Michael Scott
161 books6,809 followersIrish-born Michael Scott began writing over thirty years ago, and is one of Ireland's most successful and prolific authors, with over one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 14, 2018
Scott has absolutely no sense of pacing. There are no ups and downs, no lulls, no breathers. Its pedal floored all the way for three straight books with each chapter introducing yet more escalated bad guys, escalated danger, and escalated collateral damage...all of which takes place in just a few days time. Pacing wise the book is pretty juvenille...its reminds me of the over excited announcer of Monster Truck Rally commercials SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY...ALL ACTION...ALL THE TIME!!!!
So why 4 stars? Based on the quality of the narrative 3 would be more appropriate, maybe even 2. But the redeeming feature is the world is pretty interesting. Sure, it would appear to be a standard supernatural in the modern world urban fantasy trope...that's been done 100 times and usually poorly. But in this case, the supernatural elements are not just pasted on Vampires! or poorly modeled "tourist" quality Greek Myth. The supernatural denizens are actually drawn from global myths and represent a cross section that cuts far deeper than most. Many of the myths that were drawn from I had to look up...and was surprised to learn that they are, in fact, real characters and their qualities in the book are reasonable reflections of their mythological character.
So there's some pretty decent scholarship underlying the story. Additionally the plot is actually pretty interesting. Sure it relies heavily on the over done "prophesized teenagers save the world" trope, but the villains are far more interesting (and the villains' bosses far more intimidating and mysterious) than say...Voldemort.
So high marks for the scholarship, moderately high marks for the plot...but man...Scott really needs to learn that after a climax comes denouement...not another climax (or 3).
So why 4 stars? Based on the quality of the narrative 3 would be more appropriate, maybe even 2. But the redeeming feature is the world is pretty interesting. Sure, it would appear to be a standard supernatural in the modern world urban fantasy trope...that's been done 100 times and usually poorly. But in this case, the supernatural elements are not just pasted on Vampires! or poorly modeled "tourist" quality Greek Myth. The supernatural denizens are actually drawn from global myths and represent a cross section that cuts far deeper than most. Many of the myths that were drawn from I had to look up...and was surprised to learn that they are, in fact, real characters and their qualities in the book are reasonable reflections of their mythological character.
So there's some pretty decent scholarship underlying the story. Additionally the plot is actually pretty interesting. Sure it relies heavily on the over done "prophesized teenagers save the world" trope, but the villains are far more interesting (and the villains' bosses far more intimidating and mysterious) than say...Voldemort.
So high marks for the scholarship, moderately high marks for the plot...but man...Scott really needs to learn that after a climax comes denouement...not another climax (or 3).
April 29, 2019
I haven't finished the series yet, but these books have many twists and turns--so far! Flemel's love for his wife is terrifically turned-out and makes me feel for them. So many wonderful fantastical elements that just continue to spell me. Alchemy has so many rich depths and historical realness; it's nice to see Scott use this in a creative fictional way. It's a fun read!
February 7, 2020
Happy with the new author..
Cant wait to read the next books in this series! It has a few dull moments but by pushing through you come to the action that keeps you turning pages.. a very good read.
Cant wait to read the next books in this series! It has a few dull moments but by pushing through you come to the action that keeps you turning pages.. a very good read.
August 10, 2016
Heel meeslepend verhaal. Jammer dat de volgende bundel pas in maart 2017 verschijnt. Nog even geduld dus.
February 20, 2020
Heel tof! Lange tijd ff weggelegd omdat het af en toe wat simpel was maar blij dat ik het toch weer heb opgepakt! Ondanks de eenvoudigheid komt er in het verhaal wel steeds een nieuwe laag of diepte tevoorschijn met nieuwe elementen of achterliggende verhaallijnen. Wat het tof maakt is dat er zoveel “bekende” personages in voorkomen die je kent uit legenden.
August 13, 2025
ik heb een afschuwelijke hekel gekregen aan vijftienjarige tweelingen, hoe kan je zo ongelooflijk oliedom en stierlijk vervelend zijn. flamel is me trouwens ook een persoon begon hem ook steeds minder te mogen.
July 17, 2017
Most fun I had with a series in a long time. Worth the buy!
August 8, 2017
top notch. favorite.
December 6, 2018
Wat genoot ik van dit bizar dikke boek. De hele opbouw, de personages, wat is dit heerlijk!
Want to read
October 21, 2021SOMEONE BUY ME THIS, I'LL MARRY YOU
December 4, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up!
July 31, 2023
Het is een interessant verhaal, maar ik vind het veel te langdradig, alleen maar vluchten en vechten en heel veel verder komen ze niet...
August 19, 2023
Love this series
March 11, 2024
A great seires! I highly encourage reading the rest of the seires. It was really well done with the timeline of things, and how it all flowed as one. Really great book.
April 19, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed these books. I couldn't wait for the next book & practically read every day, all day when I could!
June 26, 2024
Rushed ending it felt underwhelming for the world built around it
November 1, 2024
Soooooo disappointing and forced narrative after forced narrative. I will try another book by this author as this was probably just not the best entry point to his stories... I hope
December 15, 2024
Loved each of these books, they are hard to put down
August 17, 2025
leuke setting, interessant om te zien dat iemands magie kenmerken achterlaat
March 21, 2017
I did not like the last book... I'm mean like really? Time travel? Ahhh and also why did Michael Scott not make some of the character a bit less snowflaky I hated that the Twins where super overpowered and there was also no romance. And why where there not more cool spells. And why could Jody not learn Necromancy :(
December 17, 2019
Great Fantasy Fun
I really enjoyed the books. I had read they continued the wizarding world of Harry Potter. This is not entirely true. Although they both have a Nicholas Flamel, these books have slightly different rules to magic. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I really enjoyed the books. I had read they continued the wizarding world of Harry Potter. This is not entirely true. Although they both have a Nicholas Flamel, these books have slightly different rules to magic. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
March 8, 2021
The book had some pretty interesting historical characters and was a great idea, but wasn't executed well. It had slow plots, not very good at world building, shallow characters. Michael Scott used simple language and repeated many words, including overusing the word "and" Tremendously. Over all the book would be good for children ten years old or younger, I am twelve years old and was bored with it so I do not think this is a good teen/adult book.
February 20, 2017
This is a fantastic book! I read the entire series and could not put any of the books down. Each book had a great, fast-paced plot that keeps the reader involved and guessing constantly.
September 7, 2012
That Sophie and Josh, with auras of pure silver and pure gold, are the twins of prophecy isn't really disputed any more. But will they both choose to fight for the good side? For that matter, which side is really the good side? Can anyone really be trusted? Various immortals battle it out in cities spanning the U.S. and Europe, not to mention Shadow Realms within those places. Sophie and Josh have had some of their powers awakened, but not without a price. And the Flamels continue to do whatever it takes to stop the Elders from returning.
I liked these just fine.They did keep my interest, particularly seeing which characters from history joined the cast of characters and which side they were on.
In a way, though, reading these reminded me of reading "Animorphs" or similar series as a kid. While each book is packed full of things happening: explosions, various characters getting trapped or switching sides, dangerous creatures from other realms being loosed, etc.; the overall plot grinds on very slowly. If you think anything is going to be resolved soon, don't hold your breath. I've read Book 4 and we're just a few ticks past where we were at the end of 3.
I liked these just fine.They did keep my interest, particularly seeing which characters from history joined the cast of characters and which side they were on.
In a way, though, reading these reminded me of reading "Animorphs" or similar series as a kid. While each book is packed full of things happening: explosions, various characters getting trapped or switching sides, dangerous creatures from other realms being loosed, etc.; the overall plot grinds on very slowly. If you think anything is going to be resolved soon, don't hold your breath. I've read Book 4 and we're just a few ticks past where we were at the end of 3.
November 26, 2014
This is what seemed to be an awesome trilogy. I got through book one and could not bring myself to read more. The concepts in this book are very interesting but the writer follows a formula and at the end of book one I already knew it and was bored. The formula is as follows...
1- Introduce character
2- This characters tells main group of characters to go somewhere in order to introduce a new fantasy theme/ scene/ character etc.
3- There is a battle.
4- They find out that the introduced fantasy theme/ scene or character can not actually do what they needed them to do
5- Repeat
Things I liked :::
- I liked the alternative theory aspect to this book. It was interesting to see how different mythical creatures could come together to form an alternate history time line
- And that was about it.
What I didn't like :::
- The plot was incredibly predictable.
- Characters were forgettable
- Story lacked originality
This book could have been something great but it fell well below its potential.
1- Introduce character
2- This characters tells main group of characters to go somewhere in order to introduce a new fantasy theme/ scene/ character etc.
3- There is a battle.
4- They find out that the introduced fantasy theme/ scene or character can not actually do what they needed them to do
5- Repeat
Things I liked :::
- I liked the alternative theory aspect to this book. It was interesting to see how different mythical creatures could come together to form an alternate history time line
- And that was about it.
What I didn't like :::
- The plot was incredibly predictable.
- Characters were forgettable
- Story lacked originality
This book could have been something great but it fell well below its potential.
September 27, 2012
Mythology in the modern world= FANTASTIC! I had never read Scott's work before I picked up the Alchemyst, and it did not disappoint! Engaging characters, some modern, some historical, and some mythological, and a world I would love to inhabit. I really enjoyed the references to the lores of different cultures; it made the book almost universal, and the mythological characters introduced stuck to their personalities as portrayed by their cultures. And the interaction between different characters from mythology- wow, Scott is a genius for creating such a complex plot with so many twists and turns. Every character contributes something- from Gilgamesh to William Shakespeare to Nicholas Flamel to Hekate (the Greek goddess) to John and Sophie, the human twins from San Fransisco. A must read for fantasy and adventure lovers. And of course, for mythology geeks like me!
December 1, 2010
Josh and Sophie Newman are twins with great magical ability. In a world where magical people intertwine themselves with nonmagical people, Josh and Sophie are up for the taking by both the forces of good and evil. They could be the twins of legend. When they both go to get jobs, they are taken by a mysterious couple, Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. When they are busy at work, great magician John Dee comes to the Nicholas' bookstore looking for the Codex. Nick and Perry fight them off, but realize they have been discovered. Convinced that the couple is fighting for the "good guys," the twins and the couple join forces. The twins of legend have gold and silver auroras, and must be trained in the art of magic in order for them to defeat the forces of evil.
May 12, 2013
This book contained the first 3 books in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas series.
In the first book Josh & Sofie (twins) meet the Flamels in San Francisco. They are being chased by Dr. John Dee and his Golems. Sophie's powers are Awakened.
In the 2nd book they left San Fran. (end of 1st book) and find them selves (transported through a leygate) in Paris. Here, they are helped by an immortal, Count - now a rock star who's married to Joan of Arc no less. After fighting the gargoyles that slythered off of Notre Dame, they leave by EuroStar for London.
The 3rd book starts in the St. Pancras train station where 3 more ghouls. The problem is if they try to defend themselves by using their auras, it's like a beacon for others to come and get em.
In the first book Josh & Sofie (twins) meet the Flamels in San Francisco. They are being chased by Dr. John Dee and his Golems. Sophie's powers are Awakened.
In the 2nd book they left San Fran. (end of 1st book) and find them selves (transported through a leygate) in Paris. Here, they are helped by an immortal, Count - now a rock star who's married to Joan of Arc no less. After fighting the gargoyles that slythered off of Notre Dame, they leave by EuroStar for London.
The 3rd book starts in the St. Pancras train station where 3 more ghouls. The problem is if they try to defend themselves by using their auras, it's like a beacon for others to come and get em.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews