While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists Nicholas Flamel and John Dee over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.

While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.

Fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh Newman continue their magical training in Paris with Nicholas Flamel, Scatty, and the Comte de Sant Germaine, pursued by Doctor Dee and the immortal Niccolo Machiavelli.

Back in London, fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh Newman must determine whom they can and cannot trust as they search for both Scatty and an immortal who can teach Josh the magic of fire, while Doctor Dee and Machiavelli continue to seek power.

Nicholas Flamel and teenaged twins Josh and Sophie Newman return to San Francisco where a weakened Flamel reunites with his wife, Perenelle, hoping to use his remaining power to prevent the monsters on Alcatraz Island from escaping. Meanwhile, Dr. John Dee and Machiavelli continue to seek power and the twins desperately try to determine who they can trust as they search for Scatty and an immortal who can teach Josh the magic of fire.

Fifteen-year-old Josh has chosen to side neither with his twin sister Sophie nor with the Alchemyst, Nicholas Flamel, but rather to fight alongside Dr. John Dee and the mysterious Virginia Dare, while the immortal Machiavelli and Billy the Kid follow the Elders' plans to set loose the monsters of Alcatraz on San Francisco and trigger the end of the humani race.

With only a day left to live and one job left to finish, Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel must defend San Francisco from monsters on Alcatraz Island; meanwhile, Sophie and Josh Newman travel into the past after Dr. John Dee and Virginia Dare.

Nicholas Flamel is the greatest Alchemyst to ever live. The records show that he died in 1418, but what if he's actually been making the elixir of life for centuries? The secrets to eternal life are hidden within the book he protects--the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed, and in the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. There is one hope....