The Alchemyst

In this second part, Scott continues to weave in real-life landmarks and historical references as the twins’ understanding of the magical world expands. When they flee the city to reach Hekate’s Shadowrealm, for instance, Flamel, Scathach, Josh, and Sophie are attacked by the Morrigan’s birds on the Golden Gate Bridge. To further this connection, Nick calls on a cell phone to request magical intervention. The contrast between the highly recognizable location and the magical disruption helps develop the wonder and intrigue set up in the first part of the book. New mythological references are introduced, including Hekate (an ancient Greek Goddess), Yggdrasill or the World Tree (from Norse mythology), Bastet (an ancient Egyptian Goddess), and the Morrigan (from Celtic folklore).

In terms of character development, each of the protagonists’ strengths and weaknesses become more evident as they start working as a group. Sophie and Josh are perplexed by their new reality, but they respond to it with their characteristic Critical Thinking. When Dee’s creatures attack the dojo, for instance, the twins want to help Flamel and Scathach but realize that they cannot fight. Instead, Sophie throws a microwave at a Golem to distract him while Scathach disarms it. Josh also does some research on his laptop to verify Flamel’s claims. Finally, they make sure to leave notes to their parents and their aunt Agnes to explain their sudden disappearance.

Not only does Sophie and Josh’s logical mindset enable them to face those unexpected obstacles, but it also contrasts with Flamel’s more impulsive actions. However, his seemingly carefree demeanor is belied by his hidden agenda. Indeed, Flamel’s suspicion about the twins’ prophesied role in the upcoming conflict is made clear when he meets with Hekate. His extensive knowledge and experience become more evident, but he also has limitations. Neither Flamel nor Scathach know how to drive, for example, leaving Josh to drive the group to Hekate’s Shadowrealm. This provides comic relief as the two immortals defensively explain that they “never had the time” (77) to learn but can still “handle a war chariot while firing a bow or launching spears” (78). Josh’s confidence grows slowly as he maneuvers the car over the Golden Gate Bridge, suggesting that both he and his sister are forced to mature quickly.

Moreover, the use of a prophecy as a driving narrative force is a typical device in fantasy. This hints at Sophie and Josh’s character development as they become the heroes they are fated to be. However, enough doubt is introduced about the meaning of Abraham’s prophecy to allow for multiple interpretations and plot twists. Additionally, Josh and Sophie’s inexperience with the magical world enables the reader to identify with them and learn as they do. The narrative provides background information about the magical realm, thus contributing to world-building, through Sophie and Josh asking questions, receiving advice, or hearing about historical events from the other characters.

The symbolism of Auras is introduced through the revelation of the twins’ silver and gold auras, thus confirming the role of Abraham’s prophecy in the narrative. Thanks to the background information provided by Hekate, the significance of the twins’ auras is made clear. They are characterized as rare and powerful, chosen by fate to either save or destroy the world. Just like Flamel and Scathach’s innocuous appearance concealed their true nature, Sophie and Josh’s appearance as regular teenagers is also challenged. This contributes to the theme of Truth Versus Fiction, this time foreshadowing the protagonists’ destiny.

Finally, narrative tension builds as Dee starts recruiting more powerful allies to face Flamel. On the other side of the conflict, Hekate’s power is emphasized to amplify suspense and anticipation about the upcoming fight. Scathach’s warning to the twins to trust no one “except each other” (134) intensifies the sense of danger created by the imminent confrontation. In Chapter 16, Perenelle’s intervention adds to the anticipation, and simultaneously characterizes her as cunning and powerful enough to foil Dee’s plans.