The Warlock [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

New characters, old characters, lots of action, time traveling, learning more magic, and lots of surprises.

We learn so many new and wonderful things about characters we have met before. We learn things about characters that were merely mentioned in passing.

While I was worried about the time traveling aspect, the two timelines throughout the book were very easy to follow and distinguish from one another. The action for the group sent to the far distant past (and seemingly far away world of Danu Talis) was non-stop.

The current timeline, like in the previous installments, jumps from scene to scene based on certain groupings of characters. This too is action packed and full of surprises. Again we get lots of information about characters new and old.

It can feel, from time to time, like you need two charts to help keep track of everything: (1) a family tree to see who is related to each other and how; and (2) a chart to see who is on which side, moment to moment. There are folks flipping sides all over the place. Folks siding with the dark elders revolt and folks on the side of the Flamels revolt as well. It will be interesting to see where everyone ends up in the last book. One twist to confuse it all is revealed on the last page. In my head, I said "what the....? And then I can't believe I was right because I predicted it1" (So you know it's a good one!)

We get an excellent explanation of magic from the Earth Magic teacher. And we get two very different "teachings". Both are interesting, but nothing like what we've seen before. We learn more about how one's aura is involved and that both twins are more capable then realized when it comes to the magic that we know.

We learn lots of things about the characters and relationships. Some, we were hoping for, some we speculated on, and some questions are still hanging out there unanswered (of course, otherwise, what use would the last book be?).

There were funny moments, although they were less often then in previous books. It seems this is likely due to that fact that we are getting seriously close to the end of the story and the stakes have risen. The time the Flamels have left is even less and the world still needs to be saved.

The dialogue and the interaction between the characters is still wonderful. The author continues to amaze me with his ability to paint the picture of the scene in my mind. The addition of details such as the color of character's eyes, the clothes they are wearing, and the scents of their auras give enough details to be so very vivid in my mind, yet the details don't overpower the story line, nor do they add unnecessary length to the book. It is the perfect balance, again, so that I can get that image and still be moving right along with the action.

I think given the events the title "The Warlock" is a little misleading, since **spoiler alert** there are a number of them in this book. But it was wonderful to see who aligned themselves on the side of the humani and who didn't once most of the dust settled.

We are introduced to new monsters, new Elders, new magic, flying saucers (yep!!!) and lots of history on many of the characters. Abraham, Agnes, Hel, Odin, Prometheus, Mars, Scatty, are all seen here; that sneaky author with some of these connections! Numerous times while reading I had to stop and digest what I just read (in a good way). I was pleasantly surprised that I had guessed a few things (including the "big reveal" at the end - I honestly saw that coming! Yippeeeee for me! Although, I chalk it up to dumb luck since I guessed so many things wrong too!) and totally not surprised by how utterly wrong I was abut others.

I still have so many questions... but it is a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next.

Josh and Sophie Newman still can't believe all the magic, monsters and legendary people they've seen since Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel swept them away into the reality of Ancients, Dark Elders and Immortals. Their normal teenage jobs at the bookstore and café have been replaced with training sessions in elemental magic and terrifying chases through the Shadowrealms. They can't remember the last time they saw their family. They are the Twins of Legend now, and their old lives no longer exist.

Death is coming for Nicholas Flamel. After helping Sophie fight off the Archon bent on wreaking havoc on Earth, Nicholas's body is failing, his strength leaking from him. Unless a miracle happens, this will be his last day. And even if they somehow retrieve the Codex and mix a new batch of immortality elixir, he'll never get back the youth and vigor he once had. And poor Perenelle. She married Nicholas over 600 years ago. He is her life. And he will be gone.

Their nemesis, Dr. John Dee, might be outcast and hunted, but he's relentlessly pursuing his goal. He believes overthrowing the Elders will restore the world to its glory. Only this time, he will be in command. He's already stolen the Codex of Abraham of the Mage. Not only that, but he has Josh under his control. On his team. What he doesn't know is that Josh has the last two pages of the Codex hidden in his pockets. These pages would give Dee unparalleled power and allow him to carry out his latest version of revenge against the Elders.

Josh is seriously confused. Just a few days ago, he and his twin were inseparable, trusting each other for every decision. Now he's doubting everything he ever put confidence in. Are the Flamels a bunch of phonies? Did his sister Sophie really try to kill him? How could she betray him like that? And should he give the Codex pages to Dee? Now that he is following Dee and has abandoned all his former friends, he has no one left to help him make the toughest decision of his life.

Sophie was just trying to save the world. She had no idea Josh would take it this way. But he did. He's offended. And she's lost him to Dee and Virginia Dare and whoever else Dee has deceived onto his team of rebels. She doesn't trust the Flamels either, but if she doesn't stick with them, she won't have anybody. And with so many forces warring for control of her and her brother, being alone is the worst possible option.

But none of the powerful groups have a clue how Dee's evil plans have changed. Instead of summoning uncontrollable creatures to destroy the world, Dee has figured a way to go back in time to the era of Danu Talis. The Lost City of Atlantis. The last time all the Elders and powers gathered in the same place. If he can destroy them all there, then taking over in the aftermath will be easy. But Flamel is dying and the Twins are divided. Is there no one to stop the infamous Dr. John Dee? Time is quickly running out.

--- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

I absolutely loved the first three books of this series. In fact, I loved them so much that after having read "The Alchemyst", I bought every one of the books in this series the day it came out. Unfortunately, this book was pretty tiresome - the storyline is becoming really choppy, the thrills are becoming predictable, the characters are multiplying at too fast a rate to keep track - all in all disappointing considering how the series started. I will still read this through to the end but I am not as excited as I used to be for the next book to come out.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 82 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars