Free copy of The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (til May 8)

[birdbrainbb]

Random House is offering a free copy of Michael Scott's The Alchemyst until May 8th! It's the first book of the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Here's a summary:

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects--the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

Link: http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/alchemyst/free/

It seems to be mostly in PDF, though I think you can get Kindle format, too?

(I've already read the book and thought it was kinda meh, but it wasn't absolutely and completely horrible. It's nice they're giving it away free, though!)

[JRM34857]

It is available free at the Sony store too......

[sirbruce]

Kindle link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemyst-...dp/B000SCHBGQ/

[lilac_jive]

This kind of sounds like a DaVinci Code knock off, but hey, for free I'll check it out!

[tech_au]

Thanks for that. I won't be reading it for a few months but I think I am physically unable to resist a publisher freebie

[4youreyes]

Originally Posted by sirbruce

Kindle link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemyst-...dp/B000SCHBGQ/

for the kindle link

[Sweetpea]

It sounds like a book I might like...

Downloaded it, not sure when I'll be able to read it though...

[sirbruce]

I had heard of this series before as something that tried to capitalize on the Harry Potter craze, so it was on my radar screen, but very far down my list. So I'm happy to have a free copy to try it out.

[lilac_jive]

Oh and I should remember the date it expires, as that is my birthday

[ohbalto]

Every time I come across this book, I can't help but laugh. As someone noted above, the Harry Potter cash-in is strong here. An alchemist named Nicholas Flammel? Honestly, I can't imagine how you get away with something like that without being sued.

*Of Course* I downloaded it (remember: it tastes better because it's free)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ohbalto

Every time I come across this book, I can't help but laugh. As someone noted above, the Harry Potter cash-in is strong here. An alchemist named Nicholas Flammel? Honestly, I can't imagine how you get away with something like that without being sued.

*Of Course* I downloaded it (remember: it tastes better because it's free)

So what does the name Nicholas Flammel have to do with the name Harry Potter?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So what does the name Nicholas Flammel have to do with the name Harry Potter?

He was the clue to the mystery in the first book and the creator of the Philosopher's Stone. A lot of folks don't realize he was a real person and not someone Rowling made up...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Flamel

[sirbruce]

Nicholas Flammel was a off-screen character who owned the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone, which is what the first Harry Potter book was about.

However, having said that, let me point out that he was a real historical figure and JKR didn't invent his connection to the stone. So anyone who wanted to write a book about said stone would naturally use his as a characer. But I don't doubt that the series is an attempt to capitalize on the success of Harry Potter, espescially now that the HP series is over. If I were smart I'd write my own YA magician story to try to secure the lucrative film rights, but agents saw so much of it they're wary of it now. (Hopefully they'll get tired of vampire/werewolf/zombie romances soon, too...)

[pdurrant]

Mine too!

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Oh and I should remember the date it expires, as that is my birthday

[Gaurnim]

Originally Posted by ohbalto

Every time I come across this book, I can't help but laugh. As someone noted above, the Harry Potter cash-in is strong here. An alchemist named Nicholas Flammel?

When you look carefully at the HP books, you will see a lot of references to real people, legends and fictional characters.
She hasn't invented that much, even if she did create an interesting universe with all that.