Percy Jackson Read Alike

The empty shelf is evidence: Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" books have been experiencing a renewal in popularity lately. This is thanks in part to the "Sea of Monsters" movie and the recent release of "The House of Hades," the newest addition to the "Heroes of Olympus" series. As librarians, we love when books are so heavily circulated (means we're doing something right) except for one thing: Sometimes, there aren't enough of a certain book to satisfy demand. Of course we can always place a hold on our copy the coveted book or procure a copy from another library... But what if the patron wants something "now"?

Bummer, right?

Not really. Fortunately, there's a pretty good solution to this dilemma: The Read-Alike. 

In this case, I'd like to recommend Michael Scott's "Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel" series (Yes, this is the same Nicolas Flamel mentioned in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone). Beginning with "The Alchemyst," this exciting six-book series boasts just as much magic, mythology, and excitement as Percy Jackson. The series follow the adventures of mortal twins Sophie and Josh Newman as they travel through time and space, assisting Nicolas Flamel in trying to retrieve a magical book stolen by the diabolical Dr. John Dee. If they don't retrieve it in time, the world (and everything and everyone in it) will be destroyed. Once you start this series, you won't be able to put it down! --AJB

The Alchemyst

Action, adventure, excitement, suspense, fantasy, history... Michael Scott's The Alchemyst, the first volume in the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel series, has it all and more.

Firstly, forget the decrepit old man Flamel you briefly met at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The Flamel featured in this series borders on being a butt-kicking action hero. And he's determined not to let his secret formula for immortality fall into the wrong hands. Namely, his nemesis, the equally butt-kicking, and very evil, Dr. John Dee. Aiding Flamel in his perilous quest are a ninja-like vampire and ordinary mortal twins Josh and Sophie Newman, who, as it turns out, may not be so ordinary after all. In fact, they play an essential role in whether the world as we know it is saved or destroyed. There's even a prophecy about them. Sprinkled throughout the series are references to famous characters  and places from both history and mythology (I'm sure you'll recognize some). Not to mention some seriously surprising plot twists and turns. And The Alchemyst only scratches the surface of the adventure in store for anyone willing to tackle this totally awesome series.

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel is probably one of my favorite fantasy/adventure series we own. I love reading books where mythology is featured in the plot, but crave something more in depth than Percy Jackson (which is not to say I didn't enjoy Percy Jackson, 'cause I did). This series was exactly what I was looking for. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too! --AJB