Review: The Sorceress – The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 3

Introduction

The Sorceress, the third installment in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott, continues the thrilling saga of Sophie and Josh Newman as they navigate a world filled with ancient magic, historical figures, and legendary creatures. Released in 2009, this novel raises the stakes even higher as the twins and their allies face greater dangers, complex moral dilemmas, and shocking revelations.

Set primarily in London, The Sorceress expands the series' world-building by introducing new locations, powerful enemies, and unexpected allies. With its breakneck pacing, intricate mythology, and ever-evolving characters, this book further cements the series as a standout in urban fantasy.

評論：《女巫》——《不死煉金術師的秘密》系列第三部

引言

《女巫》（The Sorceress）是麥可・史考特（Michael Scott）所著的*《不死煉金術師的秘密》*（The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel）系列第三部，延續蘇菲（Sophie）與喬許・紐曼（Josh Newman）的驚險旅程。小說於 2009 年出版，進一步擴展了這個充滿古老魔法、歷史人物與傳說生物的世界，同時帶來更高的危機、更複雜的道德抉擇，並揭露令人震驚的真相。

本書的主要場景轉移至倫敦，帶來全新的地點、更強大的敵人，以及意想不到的盟友。憑藉緊湊的節奏、細緻的神話構建與角色成長，《女巫》讓這個系列在奇幻小說中更具代表性。

Plot Overview

Following the events of The Magician, Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel, along with the twins, continue their desperate struggle against the Dark Elders and their formidable servants. While Nicholas, Sophie, and Josh arrive in London seeking help from Gilgamesh the King, the oldest immortal human, Perenelle remains trapped on Alcatraz, using her wits and magic to outmaneuver deadly enemies.

As the Flamels’ lifeforce continues to wane, their enemies grow stronger. Dr. John Dee and his new ally, Machiavelli, escalate their pursuit, determined to capture the twins and seize the Codex. Meanwhile, Sophie and Josh must come to terms with their growing powers and the uncertainty of who to trust.

With time running out and the battle between good and evil intensifying, The Sorceress delivers high-stakes action, deeper character conflicts, and shocking twists that push the series toward an explosive climax.

劇情概述

延續《魔法師》（The Magician）的劇情，尼可拉斯・弗拉梅爾（Nicholas Flamel）與他的妻子佩雷內爾（Perenelle Flamel），以及蘇菲和喬許，繼續與黑暗長者及其強大手下展開激烈對抗。在本書中，尼可拉斯帶著雙胞胎來到倫敦，尋找最古老的不朽者——吉爾伽美什王（Gilgamesh the King），希望他能夠幫助他們掌握新的魔法能力。而此時，佩雷內爾仍然被困在惡魔盤踞的惡魔島（Alcatraz），必須依靠智慧與魔法來應對危機四伏的處境。

隨著弗拉梅爾夫婦的壽命日漸流逝，他們的敵人卻變得越來越強大。約翰・迪伊博士（Dr. John Dee）與新盟友馬基維利（Niccolò Machiavelli）聯手，誓言要奪取雙胞胎與《秘典》（Codex）。與此同時，蘇菲與喬許必須直面自己的成長與選擇，學習如何掌控力量，並找出真正值得信任的人。

在時間不斷流逝的壓力下，正邪兩方的戰爭進一步升級，《女巫》為讀者帶來更高的危險、更深層的角色衝突，以及意想不到的轉折，推動整個系列朝向更激烈的高潮。

Character Development

One of the strongest aspects of The Sorceress is its character development. Each protagonist undergoes significant growth, particularly the twins, as they wrestle with the burden of their newfound abilities.

• Sophie and Josh Newman – Sophie has now awakened two magical abilities, and her understanding of the supernatural world continues to grow. Meanwhile, Josh’s doubts and frustration deepen, making him more susceptible to manipulation. His struggle with trust—especially regarding Nicholas Flamel—adds an intriguing layer to his arc.
• Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel – The legendary alchemists show both their wisdom and vulnerability. Perenelle, in particular, proves her strength and resourcefulness, transforming her imprisonment on Alcatraz into an opportunity to fight back against her enemies.
• Dr. John Dee and Niccolò Machiavelli – The villains in The Sorceress continue to be compelling. Dee’s descent into desperation makes him increasingly dangerous, while Machiavelli’s calculated demeanor provides a fascinating contrast. The novel also introduces new enemies that further enrich the conflict.
• Gilgamesh the King – One of the most fascinating new characters, Gilgamesh adds an element of unpredictability. As the oldest immortal human, his wisdom is undeniable, but his eccentricity and memory lapses make him an enigmatic figure.

角色發展

《女巫》在角色塑造方面表現出色，每位主角的成長都極具說服力，特別是蘇菲與喬許，他們必須承擔日益沉重的責任與挑戰。

• 蘇菲與喬許・紐曼 —— 蘇菲已經喚醒了兩種魔法能力，對神秘世界的理解也更加深入。而喬許則仍然充滿懷疑，對自己的定位感到迷惘。他對尼可拉斯・弗拉梅爾的不信任逐漸加深，使他的角色變得更有張力，也讓他更容易受到操控。
• 尼可拉斯與佩雷內爾・弗拉梅爾 —— 這對傳奇煉金術師展現了他們的智慧與脆弱，尤其是佩雷內爾，她憑藉聰明才智與魔法，在孤立無援的惡魔島上對抗敵人，成為本書最精彩的角色之一。
• 約翰・迪伊與馬基維利 —— 這兩位反派角色繼續發展出更有層次的性格。迪伊博士因屢次失敗而變得更加瘋狂與危險，而馬基維利則以冷靜、理智的方式行事，與迪伊形成鮮明對比，使故事更加精彩。
• 吉爾伽美什王 —— 作為全書最神秘的新角色之一，吉爾伽美什既睿智又怪異。他的記憶偶爾混亂，使他顯得捉摸不定，但作為地球上最古老的不朽者，他的智慧無法忽視。

World-Building and Themes

Scott’s world-building remains one of the series’ greatest strengths. The Sorceress expands the scope of the narrative by transporting readers to new locations, particularly London, which is infused with historical and mythological elements.

Key themes explored in this book include:

• The Nature of Power – As Sophie and Josh grow stronger, they begin to question what it means to wield power responsibly. The contrast between them and figures like Dee highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition.
• Trust and Deception – With so many powerful figures vying for control, the twins must navigate a world where alliances are uncertain, and betrayal is always a possibility.
• Survival and Strategy – Perenelle’s storyline exemplifies the importance of intelligence, adaptability, and patience in overcoming adversity.

世界觀與主題

史考特的世界觀建構依然是本系列最強大的亮點之一。《女巫》透過帶領讀者前往全新場景，特別是充滿歷史與神話色彩的倫敦，使故事的格局進一步擴展，為整體敘事增添了更深層次的背景與氛圍。

本書探討的核心主題包括：

• 權力的本質 —— 隨著蘇菲與喬許的力量日益增強，他們開始思考如何正確地運用這份力量，以及擁有力量究竟意味著什麼。他們與約翰・迪伊等角色之間的對比，突顯了無限制野心所帶來的危險。
• 信任與欺騙 —— 在這個強者爭奪控制權的世界裡，雙胞胎必須學會如何在錯綜複雜的勢力中生存。他們面對的每個盟友與敵人都可能有著隱藏的動機，使得背叛與陰謀隨時可能發生。
• 生存與策略 —— 佩雷內爾的故事線強調了智慧、適應力與耐心在逆境中的重要性。她在惡魔島上的求生歷程，不僅展現了她的機智，也反映出純粹的力量並非戰勝困難的唯一方法。

Pacing and Narrative Structure

Like its predecessors, The Sorceress is fast-paced, with short, action-packed chapters that propel the story forward. However, the dual narratives—one following Nicholas, Sophie, and Josh in London and the other focusing on Perenelle’s survival on Alcatraz—add a compelling dynamic that keeps the tension high.

Some readers may find the sheer number of subplots slightly overwhelming, but Scott does an admirable job of weaving them together. The constant shifts between locations and perspectives create a cinematic reading experience, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

節奏與敘事結構

與前作相似，《女巫》的節奏依然緊湊，透過短小且充滿動作場面的章節推動故事發展。然而，本書採用了雙線敘事的方式——一條主線跟隨尼可拉斯、蘇菲和喬許在倫敦的冒險，另一條則專注於佩雷內爾在惡魔島的生存之戰。這種敘事結構為故事增添了張力與變化，使情節更加扣人心弦。

儘管某些讀者可能會覺得過多的支線劇情稍顯複雜，但史考特巧妙地將各條故事線交織在一起，使整體敘事流暢且富有層次。頻繁的場景與視角切換營造出一種近乎電影般的閱讀體驗，確保故事始終充滿緊張感與動感，讓讀者難以放下書本。

Strengths and Weaknesses

✅ Pros:
✔ Expands the world-building – The introduction of London and new legendary figures adds depth to the story.
✔ High-stakes action – Intense battles, magical confrontations, and clever escapes keep the tension alive.
✔ Strong character development – The protagonists, particularly Josh, continue to evolve in complex ways.
✔ Engaging villains – Dee and Machiavelli remain fascinating, with their evolving goals and strategies.
✔ Perenelle’s storyline – Her solo arc on Alcatraz is one of the most gripping parts of the novel.

❌ Cons:
✖ Overlapping subplots – The multiple narratives, while engaging, may feel chaotic to some readers.
✖ Pacing inconsistencies – Some sections are packed with action, while others slow down for exposition.
✖ Josh’s frustration can be repetitive – While his struggles are understandable, his constant doubts about Flamel might feel excessive to some readers.

優勢與缺點

✅ 優勢：
✔ 世界觀進一步拓展 —— 倫敦的引入以及更多傳奇人物的登場，為故事增添了更豐富的背景與深度。
✔ 高風險的動作場面 —— 激烈的戰鬥、魔法對決與驚險脫逃讓緊張感始終在線，提升故事的刺激度。
✔ 角色發展出色 —— 主要角色，特別是喬許，在本書中展現了更複雜的成長與掙扎，使人物塑造更加立體。
✔ 反派極具吸引力 —— 約翰・迪伊與馬基維利的目標與策略不斷變化，使他們的角色充滿層次與魅力。
✔ 佩雷內爾的故事線 —— 她在惡魔島的獨立求生歷程是本書最引人入勝的部分之一，充分展現了她的智慧與能力。

❌ 缺點：
✖ 過多的支線劇情 —— 雖然多條敘事線增強了故事的廣度，但對某些讀者而言，可能會感到繁瑣甚至難以跟上。
✖ 節奏不均 —— 某些段落充滿動作與緊張感，而其他部分則因大量資訊與背景鋪陳而節奏減緩，影響整體流暢度。
✖ 喬許的內心掙扎過於重複 —— 雖然他的疑慮與成長是合理的，但他對尼可拉斯・弗拉梅爾的持續懷疑可能讓部分讀者感到略顯冗長。

Final Verdict

The Sorceress is a thrilling and ambitious continuation of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Michael Scott masterfully blends history, mythology, and action, creating a fast-paced adventure that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. While the novel’s multiple subplots can be overwhelming, its strong character development, intricate world-building, and gripping action sequences make it a worthy successor to The Alchemyst and The Magician.

Rating: 4/5

For fans of the series, The Sorceress is a must-read, offering deeper insights into its characters and expanding the mythology in exciting ways. With its intense conflicts and shocking twists, it sets the stage for an even more epic continuation in the next book, The Necromancer.

最終評價

《魔法師》是《不朽的尼可拉斯·弗拉梅爾的祕密》系列中緊張刺激且富有野心的一部續作。麥可・史考特（Michael Scott）巧妙地融合了歷史、神話與動作元素，創造出一場扣人心弦的冒險，讓讀者始終處於緊張與興奮之中。雖然小說的多條支線劇情可能令人感到目不暇接，但其出色的角色發展、精妙的世界觀構建，以及引人入勝的動作場面，使其成為《煉金術士》（The Alchemyst）與《魔法師》（The Magician）之後當之無愧的精彩續作。

評分：4/5

對於系列粉絲而言，《魔法師》是必讀之作，它不僅深入探索角色的內心世界，還以令人興奮的方式擴展了故事的神話背景。小說中激烈的衝突與出人意料的轉折，為下一部作品《死靈術士》（The Necromancer）鋪設了更加壯闊的舞台，讓人迫不及待地想繼續這場冒險。