The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott

So, after finishing The Necromancer on July 2, I picked up The Warlock, by Michael Scott.  This is the fifth book in this series.  I think I started this on or around July 2 and finished on or around July 11.

The Warlock picks up immediately where The Necromancer leaves off.  If the shit was hitting the fan in The Necromancer, it really hits the fan in The Warlock.  I found myself repeatedly saying "Wait, what?" and, "Holy Crap!" to myself when reading this book because I couldn't believe what was happening.  There are so many angles and story arcs in this (and most of Scott's books).  And, it is so suspenseful waiting for everything to get sorted out.  Characters don't seem to be who they are.  People have motives and counter-motives and allegiances and counter-allegiances, and you never really know how things will shake out until they shake out, and then re-shake out.

Sophie and Josh are separated, and it really appears as though Josh is going to pick the "wrong" side.  But the "right" and "wrong" sides seem to blur frequently.  Each believes and questions whether they are on the "right" side.  Goes back to the motives and allegiances and how those seem to be playing out at that moment.  Josh and Sophie both have moments where they question what they are doing, who they are working with, and who they believe.

Here's a conversation between Billy the Kid and Josh:

     "Never thought I'd get to meet a legend," Josh said.  He suddenly found himself grinning like a fool, and he made a desperate attempt to keep calm.  He'd only vaguely known about Dare and Machiavelli before he met them, and had never heard of Dee, but Billy the Kid was different.  This was a genuine American legend.  Someone he'd grown up hearing stories about.
     The Kid looked almost embarrassed.  "I'm not that much of a legend, really.  Now, Wild Bill, Jesse James, Geronimo or Cochise, on the other hand - they were legends."
     "Well, I think you're a legend," Josh insisted.
     Billy Grinned.  "Well, you're a bit of a legend yourself, aren't you.  One of the legendary twins - one to save the world, one to destroy it," he drawled.  "Which one are you?"
     "I have no idea," Josh said seriously.  Although he'd never really stopped to consider the words.  One to save the world, one to destroy it.  He hoped he was the one to save it...but that would mean that his sister destroyed the world.  The thought left him stunned.

And, a conversation between Sophie and Tsagaglalal:

     ..."Magic is nothing more than imagination.  Look down," she [Tsagaglalal] commanded.
     Sophie looked at the ground between her outstretched legs.
     "Visualize the earth covered in blue flowers..."
     Sophie started to shake her head, but Tsagaglalal squeezed her fingers painfully.  "Do it."
     The girl struggled to create the image of the blue flowers in her head.
     Two tiny bluebells appeared.
     "Excellent," Tsagaglalal said.  "Now do it again.  See them clearly.  Visualize them.  Imagine them into existence."
     Sophie focused.  She knew what bluebells looked like.  She could see them clearly in her mind's eye.
     "Now imagine the grass turning to bluebells.  Change it in your head...force it to change...believe it will change.  You have to believe, Sophie Newman.  You will need to believe, to survive."
     Sophie nodded.  She firmly believed the grass was now covered with bluebells.
     And when she opened her eyes, it was.
     Tsagaglalal clapped her hands in delight.  "See.  All you had to do was have faith."
     "But is it earth magic?" Sophie asked.
     "That is the secret of all magic.  If you can imagine it, if you can see it clearly, and if your aura, your qi, is strong enough, then you will achieve it."
     Tsagaglalal attempted to stand.  Sophie got easily to her feet and helped the old woman up.  "Now why don't you run on up to the house and get changed.  Put on heavy janes and hiking boots and wear something warm."
     "Where am I going?"
     "To see your brother," Tsagaglalal said.
     Nothing sounded better to Sophie at that moment.  She kissed Tsagaglalal on the cheek before darting off through the garden.
     "And I don't think it is going to be a happy reunion," Tsagaglalal murmured.

The ending of this book - WOW - that was another "What the hell?" moment for me.  When I finished the last page, closed the book, and said again, out loud ,"What the hell?" the husband kept asking me what happened.  He asked me several questions, none of which I answered.  I told him, just as I'm writing here, no spoiler alert, you'll just have to read it.

Right after finishing this one, I started Grey by E L James.