The Magician - Michael Scott + GIVEAWAY | Michael Scott Week

Tuesday 31/08 : The Alchemyst

Wednesday 01/09 : The Magician

Friday 03/09 : The Sorceress

Sunday 05/09 : The Necromancer

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Title: The Magician

(Book 2 of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

Author: Michael Scott 

Publisher: Corgi Books (Random House Children's Books)

Category: YA

Release Date: 2008

Source: Sent by Random House for review

Paperback : 461 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

After fleeing Ojai, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris, the City of Lights. Home for Nicholas Flamel. Only this homecoming is anything but sweet. Perenell is still locked up back in Alcatraz and Paris is teeming with enemies. Niccolo Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, is working for Dee. He’s after them, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenell. For every day spent without the Book of Abraham the Mage, they age one year—their magic becoming weaker and their bodies more frail. For Flamel, the Prophesy is becoming more and more clear. 

It’s time for Sophie to learn the second elemental magic: Fire Magic. And there’s only one man who can teach it to her: Flamel’s old student, the Comte de Saint-Germain—alchemist, magician, and rock star. Josh and Sophie Newman are the world’s only hope—if they don’t turn on each other first.

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Since this is a series, I cannot review The Magician without giving spoilers to The Alchemyst, so head over the review of the first book (here) :)

I am absolutely amazed, I really don't know why I haven't read Michael Scott before! I have read all the books back-to-back and one after the other!

There is definitely more action in this book, the twins Josh and Sophie, Nicholas Flamel and Scathach have fled to Paris. Perenelle stays prisoner of the evil John Dee on Alcatraz. In Paris, they meet two incredible French characters and John Dee allies himself with none other than Niccolo Machiavelli, the mastermind behind all modern theories of power and politics. I love how Michael Scott uses history to build his story through centuries. It is such an interesting way to revisit some key persons and theories!

The cool thing is that you go further into the characters and begin to have a better grasp of their personalities. The change in Josh, throughout the book, is the most relevant. Again, I love Sophie and Josh's relationship, I think that it is really well portrayed (*cough* though I have no idea how twins really interact with each other!) and that it is one of the most fascinating points of the story. You also start to learn that Nicholas might not be entirely innocent or truthful, and you find yourself in the twins' shoes wondering who to trust. 

In this book, you are going to meet new characters (Immortals as well as Elders and Next Generations) and they are all amazing. On a more precise note, you will meet the Comte de Saint-Germain who is an important figure in the French culture since his existence, like the one of the Flamels, has been transformed in legends and stories and he was believed to be Immortal. In this book, Michael Scott creates a character who, in present time, is a very well known musician doing electronic music. In real life today, there is a musician whose pseudonym is St Germain and who does.... electronic music. I don't know how Michael Scott does it, but he is simply extraordinary! (though I have no idea if this was made on purpose or not, it is brilliant!)

Each books takes place in a different city, I have visited San Francisco (Book 1), I'm French and I've been to Paris (Book 2) and I live in London (Book 3) so I can really say that the books encapsulates what it feels like to be in those cities. I find it amazing to restitute the sense of history and culture which is present in the book about Paris. It is impressive! So if you want to learn more about Paris and especially what lies under its streets, you need to read this book!

This series is a fascinating adventure which will amaze you from the first book. You will go through history with a new eye and read about historical events with a fantastic spin. Perfect for all ages and tastes!

The giveaway is on the review of The Alchemyst here.

Thank you to Corinne and Random House for the amazing books!