The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
Encyclopedia
The Magician is the second installment in the six-book series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, and is the sequel to The Alchemyst
. It was released on 5 June 2008 in the United Kingdom, and on the 24 June 2008 in the United States. It was nominated for an Irish Book of the Year Award, The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Snr Category.
and Scathach
, and now face Niccolò Machiavelli
, and his colleague and rival Dr. John Dee. The twins seek out a friend and student to Nicholas Flamel named the Comte de Saint-Germain, who teaches Sophie to use The elemental magic of Fire. The Comte de Saint-Germain's wife, Joan of Arc helps teach Sophie how to control her aura, and help her sort the Witch of Endor's memories along with her own. Josh is given the legendary stone sword, Clarent, twin blade of Excalibur. Josh, Joan and Scatty encounter three Disir
, more commonly referred to as Valkyrie
. The Disir are ancient enemies of Scathach and bring along the soul-devouring Nidhogg, a ferocious monster once trapped in the roots of the Yggdrasil
. The monster attacks Scathach
but fails to slay her. Instead, it captures Scathach in its claws, but flees with Scathach when the ancient sword Clarent
, wielded by Josh, wounds it.
While Josh is fighting Nidhogg, Joan of Arc and Sophie are busy fighting two of the Disir. After a lengthy battle, Sophie manages to freeze the two in an iceberg. They then chase after Nidhogg. As Nidhogg flees, Dee, Machiavelli, and Dagon, who are watching, express remorse at the Disir's failure. Machiavelli then allows Dagon to chase Nidhogg and kill Scatty, if the beast fails to do so. The monster escapes through the streets of Paris
and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. One of the trio of Disir, as well as Josh (who is trying to save Scathach) are following. They arrive on the banks of the Seine and, with the help of Dee, Josh manages to stall the Disir and escape. He then leaves with Dee and Machiavelli. Sophie, Joan, and Nicholas arrive, and defeat the Disir and Nidhogg and save Scatty.
They talk to Scatty and are just getting ready to leave when Dagon, Machiavelli's manservant erupts out of the river and drags Scatty back in with him. They miss Scatty, but, using Sophie's aura, track Dee and his comrades to the catacombs of Paris. There, Josh is awakened by Mars Ultor, more commonly known as the Greek god Ares, and given a special "gift" similar to what Sophie received from the Witch of Endor. When Sophie, Josh, and the rest escape from the catacombs, Dee and Machiavelli have set a trap for them, making the gargoyles and statues of Paris come to life and attack them. Josh and Sophie, and Saint-Germain and Joan of Arc, combine powers to destroy the statues. Flamel & the twins escape via a train and head for London.
The Magician will be released as part of a special edition boxed 3 book set called The First Codex in the USA on September 28, 2010.
was released on May 26, 2009 in the U.S.A and in June 2009 in the UK.
had bought the film rights to the series. Michael Scott
and Barry Krost will be the executive producers. The script writer has yet to be announced.
Imdb now lists The Alchemyst film as "in production"
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel is the first novel in the six book series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. It is written by Irish author Michael Scott and was published in May 2007...
. It was released on 5 June 2008 in the United Kingdom, and on the 24 June 2008 in the United States. It was nominated for an Irish Book of the Year Award, The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Snr Category.
Plot summary
Sophie and Josh Newman are in Paris with Nicholas FlamelNicholas Flamel
Nicolas Flamel was a successful French scrivener and manuscript-seller who developed a posthumous reputation as an alchemist due to his reputed work on the philosopher's stone....
and Scathach
Scáthach
Scáthach is a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher who trains the legendary Ulster hero Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat...
, and now face Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic...
, and his colleague and rival Dr. John Dee. The twins seek out a friend and student to Nicholas Flamel named the Comte de Saint-Germain, who teaches Sophie to use The elemental magic of Fire. The Comte de Saint-Germain's wife, Joan of Arc helps teach Sophie how to control her aura, and help her sort the Witch of Endor's memories along with her own. Josh is given the legendary stone sword, Clarent, twin blade of Excalibur. Josh, Joan and Scatty encounter three Disir
Dísir
In Norse mythology, a dís is a ghost, spirit or deity associated with fate who can be both benevolent and antagonistic towards mortal people. Dísir may act as protective spirits of Norse clans...
, more commonly referred to as Valkyrie
Valkyrie
In Norse mythology, a valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who decides who dies in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle , the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin...
. The Disir are ancient enemies of Scathach and bring along the soul-devouring Nidhogg, a ferocious monster once trapped in the roots of the Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is an immense tree that is central in Norse cosmology. It was said to be the world tree around which the nine worlds existed...
. The monster attacks Scathach
Scáthach
Scáthach is a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher who trains the legendary Ulster hero Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat...
but fails to slay her. Instead, it captures Scathach in its claws, but flees with Scathach when the ancient sword Clarent
Clarent
King Arthur's sword of peace, used mainly in knighting or coronation ceremonies rather than battles. It appears in the Alliterative Morte Arthure, where it is stolen by Mordred and used to deliver a fatal blow to Arthur. It was the sword pulled from the stone, whereas Excalibur was granted to...
, wielded by Josh, wounds it.
While Josh is fighting Nidhogg, Joan of Arc and Sophie are busy fighting two of the Disir. After a lengthy battle, Sophie manages to freeze the two in an iceberg. They then chase after Nidhogg. As Nidhogg flees, Dee, Machiavelli, and Dagon, who are watching, express remorse at the Disir's failure. Machiavelli then allows Dagon to chase Nidhogg and kill Scatty, if the beast fails to do so. The monster escapes through the streets of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. One of the trio of Disir, as well as Josh (who is trying to save Scathach) are following. They arrive on the banks of the Seine and, with the help of Dee, Josh manages to stall the Disir and escape. He then leaves with Dee and Machiavelli. Sophie, Joan, and Nicholas arrive, and defeat the Disir and Nidhogg and save Scatty.
They talk to Scatty and are just getting ready to leave when Dagon, Machiavelli's manservant erupts out of the river and drags Scatty back in with him. They miss Scatty, but, using Sophie's aura, track Dee and his comrades to the catacombs of Paris. There, Josh is awakened by Mars Ultor, more commonly known as the Greek god Ares, and given a special "gift" similar to what Sophie received from the Witch of Endor. When Sophie, Josh, and the rest escape from the catacombs, Dee and Machiavelli have set a trap for them, making the gargoyles and statues of Paris come to life and attack them. Josh and Sophie, and Saint-Germain and Joan of Arc, combine powers to destroy the statues. Flamel & the twins escape via a train and head for London.
Characters new to the series
- Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò MachiavelliNiccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic...
- Italian immortal who tries to retrieve the Codex alongside Dee. Is the head of the French secret service. Described as infinitely more cunning and dangerous than Dee. His aura is grayish-white and smells like snakes.
- Comte de Saint-Germain. Francis de Saint-Germain was an apprentice to Nicholas Flamel. He is immortal. Francis is a master of the Magic of Fire and taught Sophie how to use that magic. He is also a well known Rock Star. His aura is red and smells of burnt leaves. He is married to the immortal Joan of ArcJoan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
in this series.
- Joan of ArcJoan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
The Maid Of Orléans aka Jeanne d'Arc. Very good friends with Scathach after she saved Joan from near-death at her "execution". Joan became immortal after receiving a blood transfusion from the vampire Scathach. Joan was tutored in fighting by Scathach also. Joan taught Sophie how to sort through and organize the Witch of Endor's foreign memories, as well as how to shape her aura. Joan's aura is pure silver like Sophie's and smells like lavender.
- Areop-EnapAreop-EnapIn the indigenous creation myths of the people of Nauru, Areop-Enap played a major part in the creation of the world.-Creation myth:...
- A Spider-like Elder. Was imprisoned deep in Alcatraz by Dee, before being set free by Perenelle.
- Juan Manuel de Ayala - A Spanish ghost who discovered and named Alcatraz Island. He is now its guardian. Helps Perenelle escape by slamming doors and cell doors, distracting the Sphinx, allowing Perenelle to escape.
- DagonDagonDagon was originally an Assyro-Babylonian fertility god who evolved into a major northwest Semitic god, reportedly of grain and fish and/or fishing...
- A fish-like creature from before the Elders. The rest of his race were destroyed by Scathach. He is the last known survivor of his race. He is Machiavelli's manservant and friend and was last seen dragging an unconscious Scathach into the Seine, set on revenge.
- Mars Ultor - The Avenger. Lives in the catacombs of Paris. Awakened Josh. His aura, which is red-violet, was solidified by the Witch of Endor and is now like a stone coating.
- Nidhogg - AKA The devourer of corpses. A giant monster with a ravenous hunger for flesh. It was released from its prison in the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, when Dee killed both Hekate & the tree. It then leaves a swathe of damage through Paris as it runs amok, until it plunges into the Seine whist trying to escape attacks from Josh.
- DisirDísirIn Norse mythology, a dís is a ghost, spirit or deity associated with fate who can be both benevolent and antagonistic towards mortal people. Dísir may act as protective spirits of Norse clans...
Also known as the ValkyrieValkyrieIn Norse mythology, a valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who decides who dies in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle , the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin...
, The Shieldmaidens, the Choosers of the Dead. The Disir are a trio of immortal warrior women sent to hunt after Flamel and his group. They make a deal with Machiavelli that they may claim and kill ScathachScáthachScáthach is a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher who trains the legendary Ulster hero Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat...
(who is their mortal enemy) if they can catch her while Machiavelli and Dr. Dee continue their hunt for Nicholas Flamel, the last pages of the Codex and the twins.
Titular character
The book's title, The Magician, refers to the villain, Dr. John DeeSpecial editions and cover variations
On August 5, 2010 in the UK The Magician will be re-released featuring this style cover.The Magician will be released as part of a special edition boxed 3 book set called The First Codex in the USA on September 28, 2010.
Audio book
The Magician is also available as an unabridged audiobook. It was released by the Listening Library on June 24, 2008 and narrated by Erik Singer. The ISBN numbers for the audiobook are: ISBN 073936491X (U.K), ISBN-13: 978-0739364918(U.S.A).Award nomination
- 2009 Irish Book of the Year Award - The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Snr Category.
Sequel
The sequel to this book, The SorceressThe Sorceress: The Secrets Of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel
The Sorceress is the third installment in the six-book series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel written by Michael Scott and is the sequel to The Magician. It was released on 26 May 2009 in the U.S.A, 1 June 2009 in Australia and on 25 June 2009 in the UK.-Plot Summary:Flamel and...
was released on May 26, 2009 in the U.S.A and in June 2009 in the UK.
Series chronology
In order of publishing:- The AlchemystThe Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelThe Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel is the first novel in the six book series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. It is written by Irish author Michael Scott and was published in May 2007...
- The Magician
- The SorceressThe Sorceress: The Secrets Of The Immortal Nicholas FlamelThe Sorceress is the third installment in the six-book series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel written by Michael Scott and is the sequel to The Magician. It was released on 26 May 2009 in the U.S.A, 1 June 2009 in Australia and on 25 June 2009 in the UK.-Plot Summary:Flamel and...
- The NecromancerThe Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelThe Necromancer is the fourth book of the series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel written by Irish author Michael Scott. The novel was released in the USA on May 25, 2010, published by Delacorte Press, which is an imprint of Random House...
- the WarlockThe Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelThe Warlock is the fifth book of the series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel written by Irish author Michael Scott. The novel was released in the USA on May 24, 2011, published by Delacorte Press, which is an imprint of Random House...
- The EnchantressThe Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelThe Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel is the final novel in the six book series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel...
Will be released on 22 May 2012.
Film adaptation
On November 19, 2009 it was announced in Variety Magazine that Lorenzo di BonaventuraLorenzo di Bonaventura
-Life and career:He spent the 1990s as an executive at Warner Bros. Pictures, eventually rising to President of Worldwide Production. His production company di Bonaventura Pictures is based at Paramount Pictures. His tenure at Warner Bros. included discovering and shepherding The Matrix into...
had bought the film rights to the series. Michael Scott
Michael Scott (Irish author)
Michael Scott is an Irish author.Michael Scott is a seasoned and prolific writer of over 100 books during his 25 plus years of writing thus far...
and Barry Krost will be the executive producers. The script writer has yet to be announced.
Imdb now lists The Alchemyst film as "in production"
External links
- Authors site Author's website
- Publishers Website Publisher's website
- Approved Flamel Forum Author endorsed fan forum visited daily by the author.
- Approved fan site Author endorsed fan site featuring monthly podcasts.