What do The Sorceress (3rd in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series) by Michael Scott and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling have in common, besides the obvious fact that I read both of them this summer? Actually, quite a lot!
Both books feature the legendary Nicholas Flamel, a real man who lived during the Middle Ages. As an alchemist, he tried to create a substance that would turn lead into gold and, as featured in the books, attempted to create an elixir that would render he and his wife immortal. According to legend, he was successful and “sightings” of Flamel occurred throughout the centuries. Flamel plays a minor role in Harry Potter but finds new status as a major character in Scott’s books.
Unlikely teenage wizards feature in both books. Neither Harry nor the twins of The Sorceress expected that they possessed powerful magical skills that they seem to be able to instinctively summon to get themselves out of dangerous situations. However, their “schooling” to learn to control those skills is very different.
Finally, both stories revolve around the theme of good vs. evil. Harry Potter’s nemesis is Voldemort while the twins must battle Dr. John Dee. As in most fantasy stories, if evil prevails, mankind is doomed to a terrible fate.
I’m certain that most of you have read at least part of the Harry Potter series (or seen the movies). If you haven’t, this series is definitely worth a read. The simpler early books are a necessary prequel to the more complex and darker books toward the end of the series.
If you liked Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson series, you might want to try the Nicholas Flamel books, many references to both wizardry and Greek mythology! I actually enjoyed the Nicholas Flamel books more thanHarry Potter. As the book’s dust jacket tells us, the author is an authority on mythology and folklore, two of my favorite reading topics.
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