In this 2nd installment in the series, author Michael Scott spends less time explaining the magical world, and diving right in where book 1 left off. Without spoiling the plot, twins Sophie and Josh must find out what it means to have magical powers awakened and what it means to come across the Elders from ancient times and other realms and the best ways to handle the encounters. However, when the twins begin to doubt Nicholas Flamel's good intentions, will the duo find themselves in the cluthes of Dr. John Dee and Niccholo Machevelli?