Review: The Necromancer – The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 4

Introduction

The Necromancer, the fourth installment in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott, continues the thrilling saga of magic, mythology, and destiny. As the story progresses, the stakes grow higher, and the twin protagonists, Sophie and Josh Newman, face greater challenges than ever before. Unlike the previous books, which focused heavily on action and world-building, The Necromancer places a stronger emphasis on character development, internal conflict, and moral dilemmas.

In this installment, the twins find themselves increasingly divided, struggling with their loyalties and the burden of their newfound powers. Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel’s struggle to stay ahead of their enemies intensifies, while the dark forces led by Dr. John Dee and his allies continue to gain momentum. With growing tensions and shocking betrayals, The Necromancer serves as a crucial turning point in the series, setting the stage for an epic finale.

書評：《死靈法師》——《不朽的尼可拉斯‧弗拉梅爾的祕密》第四冊

導言

《死靈法師》（The Necromancer）是麥可·史考特（Michael Scott）所著的*《不朽的尼可拉斯‧弗拉梅爾的祕密》*系列的第四部作品，延續了這場充滿魔法、神話與命運的驚險旅程。隨著故事的發展，局勢愈發緊張，主角雙胞胎蘇菲（Sophie）與喬許·紐曼（Josh Newman）面臨比以往更嚴峻的挑戰。不同於前三部作品側重於動作與世界觀的拓展，《死靈法師》更加強調角色發展、內心衝突與道德抉擇。

在本書中，雙胞胎之間的矛盾愈發加劇，他們在忠誠與力量的重擔之間掙扎。尼可拉斯（Nicholas）與佩雷內爾·弗拉梅爾（Perenelle Flamel）竭盡全力與敵人周旋，而以約翰·迪伊博士（Dr. John Dee）為首的黑暗勢力則步步進逼。隨著陰謀與背叛的展開，《死靈法師》成為了整個系列中的關鍵轉折點，為即將到來的終章奠定了基礎。

Plot Summary

Following the intense events of The Sorceress, Sophie and Josh return to San Francisco, but their journey is far from over. The once ordinary siblings are now deeply entangled in the hidden world of alchemy and ancient magic. However, as they grow in power, so does the rift between them. While Sophie remains under the guidance of the Flamels, Josh begins to question their mentor’s motives and seeks answers elsewhere.

Dr. John Dee, now disgraced and hunted by his former allies, is desperate to regain favor with the Dark Elders. In his quest for redemption, he allies himself with the dangerous necromancer, Virginia Dare, whose true intentions remain uncertain. Meanwhile, Perenelle Flamel faces her own battles, as she struggles to keep their enemies at bay while Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day.

As betrayals unfold and new alliances are forged, the twins must confront the terrifying possibility that their greatest enemy might not be an ancient sorcerer—but each other.

劇情概要

在《女巫》（The Sorceress）激烈的事件過後，蘇菲（Sophie）和喬許（Josh）返回舊金山，但他們的旅程遠未結束。這對曾經平凡的兄妹，如今已深陷於煉金術與古老魔法的隱秘世界。然而，隨著他們的力量增長，彼此之間的裂痕也越來越大。蘇菲依然選擇相信弗拉梅爾夫婦（Nicholas & Perenelle Flamel），但喬許開始懷疑這對導師的動機，並試圖從其他地方尋找答案。

另一方面，約翰·迪伊博士（Dr. John Dee）在失去黑暗長者（Dark Elders）的信任後，成為了被追捕的逃亡者。為了贏回恩主的青睞，他選擇與危險的死靈法師——維吉尼亞·戴爾（Virginia Dare）結盟。然而，她的真正目的仍然是一個謎。同時，佩雷內爾·弗拉梅爾則在與敵人的鬥爭中奮力求生，而尼可拉斯的身體狀況也在逐日惡化。

隨著背叛的揭露與新聯盟的建立，雙胞胎不得不面對一個令人恐懼的現實：他們最大的敵人，或許並不是某位古老的術士，而是彼此。

World-Building and Themes

Michael Scott continues to expand his richly detailed world, blending historical figures, legendary beings, and magical lore into a seamless narrative. The Necromancer shifts its focus back to San Francisco, grounding the story in a more familiar setting while still maintaining the series’ signature blend of mythology and history.

Key Themes Explored in This Book:

• The Corrupting Influence of Power – Josh’s growing doubts about Flamel and his attraction to the power offered by other mentors highlight the age-old struggle between light and darkness. The novel questions whether power itself is inherently evil or if it depends on how it is wielded.

• Loyalty and Betrayal – The book explores shifting allegiances as characters make choices that alter the course of the series. Sophie and Josh’s growing divide serves as the emotional core of the story, showcasing the difficulty of trust in a world full of deception.

• Mortality and Sacrifice – Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel’s declining health serves as a stark reminder of the cost of immortality. Their desperate attempts to protect the twins at any cost lead to moral dilemmas that force both the characters and readers to question what sacrifices are justified.

世界觀與主題

麥可·史考特在本書中繼續拓展其豐富且錯綜複雜的世界觀，將歷史人物、傳說生物與魔法傳說巧妙融合。與前三部作品不同，《死靈法師》將故事的重心轉回舊金山，使故事更具現實感，同時依然保留了該系列獨特的神話與歷史元素。

本書探討的核心主題：

• 權力的腐蝕性 —— 喬許對弗拉梅爾的懷疑，以及對其他導師的吸引力，體現了光明與黑暗之間的掙扎。本書探討了權力是否本質上就是邪惡，還是它的使用方式才決定其影響。

• 忠誠與背叛 —— 隨著劇情推進，角色之間的關係不斷變化，信任變得脆弱而珍貴。蘇菲與喬許之間日益加劇的分歧，使得故事更具張力。

• 死亡與犧牲 —— 尼可拉斯與佩雷內爾日益衰弱的身體成為了永生代價的寫照。他們為了保護雙胞胎而不惜一切代價，這也引發了道德上的兩難抉擇：犧牲是否是正義的必要條件？

世界觀與主題

麥可·史考特（Michael Scott）繼續拓展其細緻入微的世界觀，將歷史人物、傳說生物與魔法傳說無縫融合，構築出引人入勝的敘事。《死靈法師》（The Necromancer）的故事重心回到舊金山，讓劇情回歸至較為熟悉的現實背景，同時依然保持該系列一貫的神話與歷史交織特色。

本書探討的核心主題：

權力的腐化影響 —— 喬許對弗拉梅爾的懷疑日益加深，而來自其他導師的誘惑讓他開始動搖，體現了光明與黑暗間的永恆抗衡。本書探討了權力本質的道德問題——權力本身是否邪惡，還是它的影響取決於持有者的選擇？

忠誠與背叛 —— 本書深入描繪角色之間動盪不安的關係，許多角色的選擇徹底改變了故事的發展軌跡。蘇菲與喬許之間日益擴大的裂痕，成為全書的情感核心，突顯了在充滿欺騙的世界中維繫信任的艱難。

死亡與犧牲 —— 尼可拉斯與佩雷內爾·弗拉梅爾日益衰弱的身體狀況，成為不死代價的殘酷象徵。為了保護雙胞胎，他們願意不惜一切代價，這使得角色們不得不面對道德上的掙扎，並讓讀者思考——究竟哪些犧牲才是值得的？

Pacing and Narrative Structure

Unlike the relentless action of The Magician and The Sorceress, The Necromancer takes a more introspective approach. The novel slows down in certain sections to focus on character development, particularly the emotional and psychological struggles of Josh and Sophie. While some readers may find this change of pace refreshing, others might feel that the momentum of the series is slightly diminished.

The alternating perspectives continue to add depth to the story, allowing readers to see events unfold from different angles. The tension between Sophie and Josh is handled well, creating a strong emotional core that keeps the narrative engaging. However, some subplots—such as Dee’s struggles and the introduction of Virginia Dare—feel somewhat underdeveloped compared to the intense focus on the twins.

節奏與敘事結構

與《魔法師》（The Magician）和《女巫》（The Sorceress）的激烈動作場面不同，《死靈法師》（The Necromancer）採取了更內省的敘事方式。本書在部分章節放慢節奏，更加專注於角色發展，尤其是喬許與蘇菲的情感與心理掙扎。這種轉變對某些讀者而言或許是一種新鮮的體驗，但對於期待延續前作緊湊劇情的人來說，可能會覺得整體動力稍有減弱。

交錯的敘事視角依舊為故事增添深度，使讀者能夠從不同的角度見證劇情發展。蘇菲與喬許之間日益加劇的緊張關係處理得極具層次，成為貫穿全書的情感核心，使故事依然引人入勝。然而，相較於對雙胞胎的深入描寫，某些支線劇情——如約翰·迪伊的困境，以及維吉尼亞·戴爾（Virginia Dare）的登場——顯得發展不足，未能達到與主線相同的敘事張力。

Strengths and Weaknesses

✅ Pros:
✔ Deeper Character Development – The novel delves into the psychological struggles of the twins, making their journey more compelling.
✔ Moral Complexity – The shifting allegiances and blurred lines between good and evil add depth to the story.
✔ Intriguing New Characters – Virginia Dare’s introduction adds another layer of mystery and unpredictability.
✔ Emotional Weight – The Flamels’ deteriorating condition adds a sense of urgency and stakes to the narrative.

❌ Cons:
✖ Slower Pacing – The book spends more time on introspection and character dilemmas, which may not appeal to readers expecting nonstop action.
✖ Underdeveloped Subplots – Some storylines feel rushed or lacking in resolution compared to previous books.
✖ Josh’s Repetitive Internal Conflict – While his doubts and struggles are crucial to the story, his constant questioning of trust and loyalty can feel repetitive at times.

優缺點分析

✅ 優點：
✔ 更深入的角色發展 —— 本書細緻描寫了雙胞胎的心理掙扎，使他們的旅程更加引人入勝。
✔ 道德的複雜性 —— 劇情中的忠誠變化與善惡界線的模糊增添了故事的深度。
✔ 引人入勝的新角色 —— 維吉尼亞·戴爾（Virginia Dare）的登場為故事增添了神秘感與不可預測性。
✔ 情感張力 —— 佛拉梅爾夫婦（Nicholas & Perenelle Flamel）日漸惡化的狀況，使整體故事更具緊迫感與危機感。

❌ 缺點：
✖ 節奏較慢 —— 本書花費更多篇幅在角色內心掙扎與道德困境上，對於期待持續動作場面的讀者來說，可能會覺得節奏較拖沓。
✖ 未充分發展的支線劇情 —— 部分故事線發展較為倉促，相較於前幾部作品缺乏完整的鋪陳與收尾。
✖ 喬許反覆的內心掙扎 —— 雖然他的疑慮與掙扎對故事至關重要，但他不斷質疑信任與忠誠的情節可能會讓部分讀者感到重複且略顯冗長。

Final Verdict

The Necromancer is a pivotal entry in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, shifting from pure action to a more character-driven narrative. While it may not be as fast-paced as its predecessors, its focus on moral dilemmas, growing tensions, and emotional weight make it a compelling read. Michael Scott continues to weave a masterful tale that blends mythology, history, and fantasy, setting the stage for the final stretch of the series.

Rating: 4/5

For fans who have followed Sophie and Josh’s journey from the beginning, The Necromancer is a must-read. While it may not offer as many explosive battles as previous books, its deep character development and thought-provoking themes make it an essential bridge to the upcoming climactic battles. With the stage set for The Warlock, the stakes have never been higher, and the twins’ destinies have never been more uncertain.

最終評價

《死靈法師》（The Necromancer）是《不朽的尼可拉斯·佛拉梅爾的祕密》系列中的關鍵轉折點，故事重心從單純的動作場面轉向更加注重角色發展的敘事方式。雖然本書的節奏不像前幾部作品那樣緊湊，但它對道德困境、角色間日益升高的緊張關係，以及情感重量的描寫，使其成為一部引人入勝的續作。麥可·史考特（Michael Scott）繼續巧妙地將神話、歷史與奇幻元素交織在一起，為系列的最終高潮奠定了基礎。

評分：4/5

對於從第一本書開始便跟隨索菲（Sophie）與喬許（Josh）旅程的粉絲來說，《死靈法師》是不可錯過的一部作品。雖然它的動作場面不如前幾本書來得激烈，但其深入的角色發展與發人深省的主題，使其成為通往終局的重要橋樑。隨著《術士》（The Warlock）的劇情即將展開，戰局比以往更加險峻，而雙胞胎的命運也變得前所未有的撲朔迷離。