The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel #2: The Magician by Michael Scott

This book is the sequel to The Alchemyst, which I enjoyed very much. Twins, Josh and Sophie, are transported from San Francisco to Paris with Nicholas Flamel and a warrior called Scathach. Sophie's magical powers have been Awakened, and Flamel believes the twins are the keys to saving the world. However, evil immortals want the kids captured, and they want Flamel and Scathach dead. They surround the Alchemyst and the kids in a Paris house and call in formidable assassins. The Disir, three Valkyrie sisters, are determined to kill Scathach and avenge the deaths of their ancestors, and they unleash a powerful beast on the home. A prophecy says the twins will save, or destroy, the world, so they must be saved at all costs. Sophie is still learning about her powers, and Josh's powers have not yet been Awakened. All of their powers will be needed to defeat the ruthless forces converging on them.

You should read the first book before reading this one. The plot is a wonderful blend of fantasy and adventure with plenty of chases and fighting to please action-lovers. This book focuses more on Josh's character than in the previous book. He feels like an outsider, he's the only character without any special abilities, and he's a little jealous of his twin sister. He questions Flamel's motives and allows Dee, an evil immortal, to influence his thinking. Josh is willing to do anything to have his powers Awakened. Sophie has gained the memories of an ancient witch, so her thoughts add a lot of background information to the plot. A subplot involves Flamel's wife; she's being held prisoner on the island of Alcatraz but discovers Dee has been collecting dangerous monsters in the old prison. The author adds another layer of conflict by giving the immortals, Flamel and his wife, a few weeks to retrieve The Codex, a magical book, or they will die. Joan of Arc is a welcome addition to the characters and provides another warrior for the good team!