The Alchemist and the Angel - Softcover

Owen, Joanne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1444000314 ISBN 13: 9781444000313

Publisher: Orion Children's Books, 2010

Synopsis

Everything changes for orphaned Jan when his beloved uncle, Gustav - anatomist, natural scientist and aspiring alchemist - enlists his help in a quest to create a life-generating serum. To test the serum, they must follow a set of ancient instructions and play a dangerous game of bringing the inanimate to life... When Gustav dies suddenly, it's up to Jan to continue his work - little does he know that his beautiful, calculating aunt dreams of using the serum for her own purposes - eternal life.

Under the façade of her grief, she convinces Jan they must move from Vienna to Prague, and when she mysteriously disappears, Jan searches for her. In the plague-ridden ghettos and the court of the mad Emperor Rudolf, he must pit his wits against an extraordinary cast of characters and events. His only ally is Zuzana, a girl with secrets of her own.

Set against the vivid backdrop of 16th century Prague and the equally breathtaking Vienna, a magical, historical adventure from a talented author.

About this title

Review:

A rather unique historical fantasy, well-researched and bursting with fascinating detail. It won't appeal to everyone, but those with a taste for colourful and slightly gothic folklore will love it... The whole thing has a very different feel to it than just about any piece of kid-lit I've read lately. It has a bit of science, a bit of fantasy, a bit of history, even a bit of steampunk. (THEBOOKBAG)

the plot fits together like a jigsaw straight from the factory, and the quality is excellent, fun and epic. (Child review (age 10) MY CHILD)

Interwoven with the plot are fairy tales and legends that add colour and contrast to the story and the chapter titles and wonderful names in Prague help evoke the medieval city... A fast-paced, clearly told story with plenty of alchemy to keep KS3 readers involved. (THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN)

Illustrated with the darkly gothic drawings by Jeremy Holmes, and occasionally interrupting the main narrative to include fairy tales of equal gloom, this atmospheric novel is a genuine feat of the imagination. (INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

The Alchemist and the Angel is an enchanting book. Winding mysteries and a plot spiralling ever more intriguingly make for a mix that the author shapes with careful hands towards the climax. Much like the city of Prague where a lot of it is set, all the characters have dark, terrible secrets and when the final big revelation comes it is well worth the wait. Five stars. (TEEN TITLES)

Book Description:

From the author of PUPPET MASTER, an enthralling tale of mystery, magic and alchemy set in 16th-century Prague and Vienna.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Children's Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1444000314
• ISBN 13: 9781444000313
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224