In this third novel in The Secrets of the Immortal Nichalas Flamel series (following The Alchemyst and The Magician), twins Josh and Sophie are still on the run as the forces of evil are hunting them down. Sophie's recently awakened aura and training with fire and stone along with Josh's new knowledge of warfare from Mars, they were barely able to escape the clutches of the magical immortal John Dee and his allies in the center of Paris at the end of the previous novel. Their ally Scatty has disappeared into the river Seine, and Nicholas' wife Pernelle has been captured and being held by a Sphinx on Alcatraz.

Now Nicholas, Joan of Arc, and St. Germaine are doing what they can to help the twins leave France so they can have time to train. The problem is they find their only alternative to be London, a city that is probably where John Dee, who was the court magician for Queen Elizabeth I, has the most strength.

Fortunately, the good king Gilgamesh is there. He will likely be able to teach both twins the power of water. Along with William Shakespeare and an ancient Turkish knight, the twins will face everything that John Dee and the Horned God can throw at them.

Pernelle continues to find a way of Alcatraz even as the dark forces send Billy the Kid, Nicolo Machiavelli, and Nereus of Greek Myth to help the Sphinx in bringing her under control. Fortunately, she is not called the Sorceress for nothing. She calls upon the ghosts of the island, the spider god Aerop-Enap, and the Crow Goddess to hold her own.

Scott has done a wonderful job of creating an exciting action series that exposes young and old readers alike to historical figures from history and lore. While The Magician was not quite up to the interest level of The Alchemyst, though it was still good, this third installment brings the quality of the story to the next level. To make it even more exciting, this volume ends with a huge WOW! moment that leaves the reader pining for the next novel, which is going to be called The Necromancers. The whole course of the series is likely to shift.

Scott also includes a great Author's Note that highlights some important historical realities that pop up in the book including Stonehenge.

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