The Sorceress

Nicholas Flamel’s heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders. 

But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent-the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.

If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic-Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.

Anyone among you a fan of Shakespeare? Get ready for some entertaining reading as Scott raise the stakes with each installment. I have to say, he is the master of his genre and continues the thrilling journey through history’s myths and legends.

The Sorceress is an adventure in its own and it is definitely worth following. Michael Scott has created a perfect epic fantasy world filled with legendary characters.

In order to to properly understand the plot, I would certainly reccomend you read the series in sequence starting with The Alchemyst, As you read through the series, I advise you to google the characters.

Seriously, Who wouldn’t love a novel with a little bit of history?

Here is one of many of my favorite lines in the novel.

“I spend all my time trying to keep thoughts away and ignore them….But here you are, trying to remember your own life, writing your thoughts down so that you don’t forget. I suddenly realized what it would be like not to know, not to remember.” 

— Michael Scott (The Sorceress)

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The Magician

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. Perenelle 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 Perenelle. 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 Prophecy 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.

This is the second book in the Nicholas Flamel series. The Magician turned out to be an immense page turning adventure, faster and more engaging than the first book. Scott has hooked me with his clever conspiracies, magic, battles, friendship, and betrayal. Of course, what is a great fantasy novel without it’s characters and the battle between good and evil? Sadly there has been a few negative comments about this book but remember at the heart of every myth and legend lies a grain of truth.

Glad to say I will be following Scott’s mythological thrill ride and I can’t wait, so pick up this amazing series and I promise, you won’t be sorry.

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The Alchemyst

He holds the secret that can end the world. 

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. 

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty. 

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. 

Sometimes legends are true. 

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

Another great ya novel added to my list.  The Alchemyst is full of excitement, adventure, fantasy and magical settings. I truly enjoyed this book and Scott delivered quite a remarkable story, taking characters from some of the oldest myths and legends. However, a couple of sections required a little more thought as the history was being explained.

Scott’s lively imagination is a fast-paced adventure from start to finish and kept me interested throughout the book. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans and people who are intrigued by ancient legends.

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass

To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters — never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. 

As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City — whatever the cost?

After finishing City of Glass, I was heartbroken knowing I have to wait until April 2011 to get my hands on City of Fallen Angels.  I just cannot get enough of Clare’s wonderful Shadowhunter world.  Not only did Clare created the most unforgettable characters, the emotions that was poured within this book were very real that most people could relate to.  I honestly cannot think of a way to describe how remarkable this book really is.  Clare has not only showed me how much I truly love all the characters, but how much I am devoted to them

I am beyond thrilled for my forthcoming journey with City of Fallen Angels.  Definitely ready for that next great adventure with my favorite Shadowhunters. COG was absolutely satisfying way to end the series  and blissful that The Mortal Instruments will go beyond a trilogy.  TMI is one of the amazing series I have ever read and would unquestionably read them all over again.

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes

With her mother in a coma and her father hell-bent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged deeper into New York’s terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters. 

Discovering the truth about her past was only the beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary’s shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers? 

This book continues almost immediately after City of Bones, The conflict and tension between Clary and Jace is at a new high. The triangle of Clary, Jace and Simon has new and interesting twists. Alex is accepting his sexuality and though many react negatively to his being homosexual, Clare does a good job of handing the subject matter. The battle between Valentine and the Clave takes a dark and deadly twist. Down Worlder children are being murdered and their blood drained. The Inquisitor has been sent to investigate Jace and his father Valentine. Valentine’s quest for the Mortal instruments is intensifying. But questions about who is more unstable arise - The Inquisitor of Valentine?

I have to say, Cassandra Clare has done it again. City of Ashes is the anticipated sequel to City of Bones and takes the original to a whole new level. As expected, Clare’s writing has only improved since COB.

At this point, I am emotionally invested in this book and the characters are truly memorable. Clare’s imagination is just fantastic. it is amazing how the character interact and the plot actually thickened as the pages turned.

This is one you don’t want to miss.

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know….

City of Bones is the first book to Cassandra Clare’s amazing TMI series.I have to say “WOW”. I am speechless. This book was truly, by far one of the best. I was captivated from the first page and had many sleepless nights.Definitely had me turning the pages quickly and anxiously.

Cassandra Clare really has created a world beyond my wildest dreams. Recommended to anyone and everyone! 

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Currently Reading: Crescendo

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The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. 

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. 

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa’s power for his own. 

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length … everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world… . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

After reading Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments , I was more than desperate to read The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel.

From the moment I turned the page to chapter one, I was hooked back into the shadowhunter world.

Cassandra Clare’s description of Victorian England are so vivid that I could imagine myself walking through the very same streets with Will and Jem.
Clare is a mastermind on how she used a fantastic mix of characters and how each personality came to their own.

I am firmly one sided when there is a love triangle in a book. I was extremely torn between Will & Jem and will not be choosing a side at the moment. As far as I know, both Will and Jem genuinely adores Tessa.

Furthermore, I was overjoyed to see Magnus Bane making a couple of appearances. After the cliffhanger Clare left us with, he is definitely going to play bigger parts in the books to follow.

Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors and glad to say, she did not disappoint me in any way. Her style of storytelling is one that sucks you into her world of imagination.

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