The Alchemist's Code

The Alchemist's Code gives us the continued adventures of Alfeo Zeno, Flippo Nostradamus' dashing and brilliant apprentice. Cranky and infirm, clairvoyant Nostradamus (not to be confused with his more famous Great Uncle, Michel Nostradamus) dispatches Alfeo to be his eyes and ears -- and as often as not, his sword arm -- in the field, while Nostradamus himself remains safely in the elegant suite of rooms loaned him by a rich patron. Together they make a formidable team, cutting through the political machinations and magical intrigues of 15th century Venice to solve murders, unmask spies, and rescue missing maidens.

I'm often suspicious of sequels, but if anything, I enjoyed Code even more than the The Alchemist's Apprentice. The new show more mystery is as compelling as the original, and the reader's comfortable familiarity with the cast of rouges and courtesans allows Duncan the opportunity to considerably deepen his character development. Zeno particularly demonstrates considerable growth, as he increasingly becomes a more independent and mature operative. Nevertheless, The Apprentice's Code works equally well as a standalone novel, because Duncan masterfully avoids any potentially tedious references to what has gone before. The only reason someone would need to know about The Alchemist's Apprentice when buying The Alchemist's Code is to check for the "buy both and save" button on Amazon, since they are both 'must have' reads.

The only thing I didn't care for about The Alchemist's Code was the title, and it's probably safe to assume that it was imposed by someone in marketing intent on cashing in on the Da Vinci Code. (Could have been worse: I'm guessing The Hairy Alchemist's Potter was their second choice.) And I'm good with the cover art, even though it is clearly designed to pull in readers from the historical romance genre to supplement Duncan's usual fantasy following. But SF readers are used to having to ignore market-driven packaging, and that one very minor annoyance aside, this second entry in the Alchemist's Apprentice series is Duncan at his finest. show less

Not quite as good as the first one. Partially because I was reaching capacity for twisty politics (and the politics get even worse in this one), partly because the 'mystery' is less of a mystery this time and more of a way to show off the magic. Demons and such. There is one event which is, indisputably, magic (which is darn near fatal to one of the protagonists! No, I don't mean he's the victim of the magic). There's also another one which is very clearly and convincingly depicted as high magic - which turns out to be a total fake (by one of the protagonists on an enemy and incidentally on the other protagonist!). Motives, reasons, choices of action - all change seemingly wildly throughout the story - each new situation is quite show more plausible, but so was the last one now revealed as nonsense and fakery. Too twisty for me. I'm glad I read it, I won't re-read it and I probably won't look for the sequel. show less

This is the second tale in the saga of Sier Alfeo Zeno, the apprentice to Nostradamus. And a worthy telling it is.

Duncan provides a lead in where the answers are buried to the riddle that we are soon presented with. And then he weaves in the historical background of the complex government of the Venice.

It is fascinating stuff and dealt with masterly, though into this fantasy and the paranormal come into play in such a way that we wonder is it necessary at all, or is the sleuthing enough to stand on its own feet. As with the first this is a great tale and when it is complete, worth a reread as everything is so richly described and well handled that one feels as if they are apart of Renaissance Venice as well.

(Amy) I promise I'll try to avoid making this a habit, but as with my last post, my review of the previous installment pretty much goes for this one, too. It's a mystery, it's a light fantasy, it's a Renaissance romp. Something for very nearly everyone. Go, ye, and read it. And read everything else Dave Duncan has ever written, too.
( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/zenos-library/2009/06/the_alchemists_code_dav... )

Great read!

Venice #2