Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0316012858, Paperback)

DESCRIPTION: Dr. Illuminatus is a fast-paced story of alchemy and adventure, and sorcery and suspense,in which past and present comfortably coexist. When Tim and Pip+s family moves to an old English country estate, they accidentally awaken an alchemist+s son, Sebastian, from a centuries-old slumber. But Sebastian+s father+s enemy, Pierre de Loud+ac, has also awakened--and is relentlessly pursuing the dream of alchemists to create an homunculus, an artificial human made from dead material. Aided by Sebastian+s wise guidance and insight into six hundred years+ history, the two spirited siblings bravely take action to stop the man+s ominous quest. But even as they daringly defeat de Loud+ac in this battle, Evil lives on. . . .+All the magic in Dr. Illuminatus is real,+ the author has noted, +the chants, the herbs, the potions, and the equipment.+ The irresistible combination of history, humor, and horror will keep young readers on the edge of their seats--and anxious for the next installment.