A quick read. Keeps you with the story. Very interesting use of history, science, and magic. Alchemy is always interesting. A little bit of good versus evil, and the balance of things. The main characters, twins, Pip and Tim are different enough that you see the story from 2 different angles through them. ( )

Great cover and an interesting title, but an okay read. Really had hoped for more, even taken into consideration that the audience would primarily be young readers. ( )

This fantasy book has everything for early YA to YA readers: adventure, mystery, and danger. Twin brother and sister team, Tim and Pip, move to a new house and meet the ancient resident, Sebastian, an alchemist's son. While learning about alchemy and magic, the twins follow Sebastian on his quest to dispel evil from the area. Along with their magical adventures, Tim and Pip are also very relatable kids from the 21st century.With gruesome scenes of gore and danger, this book is good for thrill-seeking readers. Readers will beware of reading this book before bedtime; the spellbinding adventure will have you up all night. ( )

Originally from my review site: http://www.books4hearts.blogspot.com

I picked this book up, curiously. It was on my bookshelf, and I think I bought it a long time ago, but I must've misplaced it and never had the chance to read it. I read it, starting yesterday, and being a fastreader/bookworm, I finished this morning. It's really great. I've never really heard much about it, and I guess there is a sequel, which I must find because I really liked this one. I give it 4 stars! It has action and fantasy and lots of different elements.

Summary:

Tim&Pip move to a really old house with their parents. It's big, and the property is amazing. They find it adventurous, and the real adventures that would come with the house, they never could have expected. They hear knocking in the walls and suddenly, a boy, come out of the wall. Mystery about how it happened it explained and all and with the boy they embark on a journey with Alchemy to defeat the evil. It sounds lame with that description, sorry, but it's really REALLY good. So go and read it. Like, now. :)

A really great fantasy thats not quite urban fantasy and not quite old fashioned. It's fantasy with no corniness or repetitivness. I absolutly loved it and find it incredibly impressive for a first time author.

Things I Loved

1. Non-Traditional Magic. It has rules and it isn't a bunch of wand waving.

2. Fun characters Tom and Pip have a really well balenced relationship. They are individuals and don't blur together yet they get along fairly well. I just loved the character Sebastion. ( )