I was very impatiently awaiting getting my hands on this after reading the previous book in the series, The Alchemyst, for the Rhode Island Teen Book Award Committee last year. It is a high-action series that centers around Josh and Sophi Newman, a pair of twins that have been taken under the wing of the immortal alchemist Nicholas Flamel and his wife. They are being hunted down by Dr. John Dee, another immortal who hopes to use their unique powers, which were foretold, to return the world to the Elders, a group of ancient figures who took on the roles of gods in times past.

Sophie was fortunate enough to have her elemental powers awakened in the previous volume, but her brother Josh finds himself filled with a weird combination of concern and jealousy at what her powers have given her. Dee is able to use this in making Josh reconsider his view of Flamel and what the alchemist is hoping to do.

Dee is joined by Machiaveli, a sometimes ally with a great deal of talent of his own. The two of them hope to awaken Josh's talents and use them for their own ends. In the process, our cast of characters race from California to Paris as they fight battles against all sorts of monsterous creatures. Our heroes find support with historical figures like Joan of Arc.

This book really lives up to everything I had hoped it would be. I can't wait until the third book, THe Sorceress comes out!