murphyandhislaw

reading list

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (1): The Alchemist

Michael Scott

published: 2007, read: 7/15/14
375 pages, genre: Fantasy
rating: 6.75/10, normalized: 6.389/10
-0.458σ worse than average
-0.498σ or -0.521/10 worse than average in Fantasy genre
-1.508σ or -0.417/10 worse than average by Michael Scott

(Retconning these ratings in over a decade later, so my memory is accordingly hazy)

Two twins get mixed up with the titular Nicholas Flamel who is an immortal magician in possession of an important Codex written by Abraham the mage. Early on, the book gets stolen by the villain John Dee who also kidnaps Flamel's wife – without the book they will die within a month. They flee John Dee's pursuit and encounter a bunch of mythological characters. Sophie's magic is awakened, but Josh's is not since they besieged by Dee (who sends a bunch of plague rats and birds). Dee attempts to sway Josh to his side via demonstration necromancy – Josh refuses bc he loves his sister too much. The gang TPs to Paris where Dee continues to pursue them

related

ReadAuthorTitlePagesPublishedGenreRatingRating'TagsRecommended by
7/15/14Michael ScottThe Alchemist
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (1)
3752007Fantasy6.7506.389
3/4/16Michael ScottThe Enchantress
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (6)
4162012Fantasy7.2506.944
mythology
2/2/16Michael ScottThe Warlock
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (5)
4002011Fantasy7.5007.222
mythology
11/10/15Michael ScottThe Necromancer
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (4)
4162010Fantasy7.5007.222
mythology
4/20/15Michael ScottThe Sorceress
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (3)
4832009Fantasy7.0006.667
mythology
3/13/15Michael ScottThe Magician
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2)
4612008Fantasy7.0006.667
mythology
7/14/16Henry NeffThe Second Siege
Tapestry (2)
5122008Fantasy7.5007.222
mythology
Charlie J.
11/10/25David MarksonWittgenstein's Mistress2481988Fiction8.2508.056
mythology
Dasha
8/16/24David MazzucchelliAsterios Polyp3462009Graphic Novel9.2509.167
mythology
5/17/24Neil GaimanAmerican Gods5182001Fiction5.1254.583
mythology
Nick W.
5/1/23Ada PalmerPerhaps the Stars
Terra Ignota (4)
8542021Sci-Fantasy9.5009.444
mythology
roon
12/18/25Adrian TchaikovskyHouse of Open Wounds
The Tyrant Philosophers (2)
6062023Fantasy7.6257.361
Alex W.
12/7/25Adrian TchaikovskyCity of Last Chances
The Tyrant Philosophers (1)
5002022Fantasy7.6257.361
Alex W.
7/30/25Ken LiuSpeaking Bones
Dandelion Dynasty (4)
10472022Fantasy8.0007.778
7/6/25Ken LiuThe Veiled Throne
Dandelion Dynasty (3)
10082021Fantasy6.9006.556
6/16/25Ken LiuThe Wall of Storms
Dandelion Dynasty (2)
8802016Fantasy7.5007.222
5/31/25Ken LiuGrace of Kings
Dandelion Dynasty (1)
6562015Fantasy6.2505.833
12/19/24J.R.R. TolkienThe Return of the King
Lord of the Rings (3)
4321955Fantasy8.0007.778
Ginny
12/17/24J.R.R. TolkienThe Two Towers
Lord of the Rings (2)
3521954Fantasy7.7507.500
Ginny
12/14/24J.R.R. TolkienThe Fellowship Of The Ring
Lord of the Rings (1)
4321954Fantasy7.0006.667
Ginny
11/11/24Patrick RothfussThe Wise Man's Fear
The Kingkiller Chronicle (2)
9942011Fantasy6.7506.389
Jeff W.
10/31/24Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind
The Kingkiller Chronicle (1)
6622007Fantasy7.6257.361
Jeff W.
8/25/24George R.R. MartinA Dance with Dragons
A Song of Ice and Fire (5)
10562011Fantasy7.5007.222
3/19/24George R.R. MartinA Feast for Crows
A Song of Ice and Fire (4)
7532005Fantasy8.1257.917
2/8/24Rebecca YarrosEmpyrean
The Fourth Wing (1)
5122023Fantasy3.8333.148
12/1/23George R.R. MartinA Storm of Swords
A Song of Ice and Fire (3)
9732000Fantasy9.3009.222
10/3/23George R.R. MartinA Clash of Kings
A Song of Ice and Fire (2)
7681999Fantasy6.0835.648
9/6/23George R.R. MartinA Game of Thrones
A Song of Ice and Fire (1)
6941996Fantasy9.2509.167
8/11/23Joe AbercrombieLast Argument of Kings
First Law (3)
6742008Fantasy9.1259.028
Jack H.
8/2/23Joe AbercrombieBefore They Are Hanged
First Law (2)
5772007Fantasy8.1677.963
Jack H.
7/27/23Joe AbercrombieThe Blade Itself
First Law (1)
4362006Fantasy8.0007.778
Jack H.
7/19/23Gene WolfeThe Shadow of the Torturer
The Book of the New Sun (1)
3031980Fantasy6.1255.694
6/13/23Brandon SandersonWarbreaker6692006Fantasy5.5005.000
Charlie J.
3/26/23Brandon SandersonWords of Radiance
Stormlight Archives (2)
10802014Fantasy6.5006.111
Charlie J.
2/20/23Brandon SandersonThe Way of Kings
Stormlight Archives (1)
10082010Fantasy7.8507.611
Charlie J.
2/4/23V.E. SchwabbA Darker Shade of Magic
Shades of Magic (1)
4012015Fantasy5.0004.444
11/5/16Brandon SandersonThe Final Empire
Mistborn (1)
5412006Fantasy7.7507.500
Charlie J.
9/30/16Henry NeffThe Red Winter
Tapestry (5)
6532014Fantasy8.0007.778
Charlie J.
9/21/16Henry NeffThe Maelstrom
Tapestry (4)
4802012Fantasy8.5008.333
Charlie J.
9/14/16Henry NeffThe Fiend and the Forge
Tapestry (3)
5622010Fantasy8.5008.333
Charlie J.
6/5/16Henry NeffThe Hound of Rowan
Tapestry (1)
4392007Fantasy6.5006.111
Charlie J.
1/20/15Brandon MullKeys to the Demon Prison
Fablehaven (5)
5932010Fantasy6.5006.111
12/2/14Brandon MullSecrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Fablehaven (4)
5352009Fantasy7.2506.944
10/30/14Brandon MullGrip of the Shadow Plague
Fablehaven (3)
4772008Fantasy6.7506.389
10/14/14Brandon MullRise of the Evening Star
Fablehaven (2)
4562007Fantasy7.0006.667
8/1/14Brandon MullFablehaven
Fablehaven (1)
3512006Fantasy6.5006.111
7/25/13Eoin ColferAirman4122007Fantasy7.5007.222