Fifteen-year-old twins Josh and Sophie Newman think they have it made. While their archaeologist parents are working at a site in Utah, the two manage to find summer jobs in San Francisco – Sophie at a coffee shop, and Josh at a book shop right across the street from his sister. The book shop is owned by Nick and Perry Fleming, two fascinating, but otherwise normal people, or so the twins believe. When the book shop is attacked by several golems led by Dr. John Dee, Josh and Sophie learn that the Flemings are anything but normal.

It turns out that Nick and Perry Fleming are actually Nicholas and Pernelle Flamel, famous alchemists who have been immortal since the 14th Century. The secret to their longevity is contained in the Codex, a magical book that lists, among other things, the potion recipe that causes immortality. Dr. Dee, wanting the Codex, manages to snatch it away. However, thanks to Josh, he leaves the scene without the last two pages, pages that are crucial to bringing the dark forces into full control of the planet.

The adventure continues for the twins when Flamel informs them that they are part of an ancient prophecy that will tip the balance between good and evil.

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, is the exciting first book in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series.