The Alchemist's Apprentice

De: Dave Duncan

Narrado por: Victor Bevine

For the legendary Nostradamus, the future is a mystical vortex forever in motion. But for his young apprentice and protector, Alfeo Zeno, the present is spent poring over astrology charts, making calculations, learning arcane magic, and transcribing Nostradamus's nebulous prophecies.

Then the Council of 10 arrives to take the seer into custody. A friend of the prince has died after Nostradamus cast him an ominous horoscope. Some say the mystic poisoned the victim to enhance his own reputation.

Now Alfeo must clear his master's name. From the heights of power, passion, and deceit to the very darkest realms of the netherworld, Alfeo must unravel a web of magic and murder if he is to have any future of his own.

Listen to the second book, The Alchemist's Code.©2007 Dave Duncan (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The occult is a grace note in this cynical whodunit, juicy with period detail." (Entertainment Weekly)

Roger Zelazny meets Rex Stout

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Nero Wolfe mysteries as told by Archie Goodwin as well as everything written by Mr Zelazny. This book follows the pattern of the Wolfe mysteries with the added fun of some magic.

The book seemed to start out slowly, but in retrospect I now see how it cleverly immersed me into the story and had me fully hooked before I felt the hook in my mouth. I also enjoyed Victor’s well paced narrative performance.

One negative for me is the that, because I don’t speak Italian nor Latin, those parts of the book were lost on me. I do hope the text at least has footnotes to translate those phrases, sentences, and words.

Pleasantly suprised

I've found this entire series very enjoyable. The narrator does an excellent job and really makes the series come to life.

Nero Wolfe in a previous life

Clever, fun little tale, with parallels to Nero Wolfe (Rex Stout) throughout. If you like Archie and Nero, you'll also very much enjoy this clever mystery in a historical setting. I'm looking forward to the next one, now that I'm more at home in ancient Venice.

great fun

highly recommended if you like adventure and excitement. You get an authentic feel for Venice at the time, and if there ever were a Nostradamus then probably he was a lot like this Nostradamus.

Ingibjörg

Vince with a Dash of Magic

I keep finding myself going back to these books when I what cheer story. They are well written with good and likable characters. There is an air of the romance that the 19th century placed on the medieval age. A smoothing of the horrors of the time into dashing and exciting. There is really very little magic - more the style of a murder mystery. If your too broke to visit Italy close your eyes and enjoy Venice without the smell or damp.