From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–This suspenseful novel is sure to please fans of J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series (Scholastic) who are looking for an engaging story utilizing a more sophisticated writing style. Incorporating alchemical history, Booth introduces Pip and Tim, twins who move into an old English country estate cloaked in mystery. They meet a pale boy, Sebastian, who emerges from the walls and claims to be the son of a medieval alchemist. He leads the siblings on a journey filled with history and horror, complemented by severed limbs, strange animals, and shape-shifting. This compelling tale is replete with gruesome details of bloodshed and violence, making the story appropriate for mature children who are intrigued by horror. Religious references are relevant to the story of good versus evil, and technologically adept children will appreciate Pip and Tim's allusions to computer software and games. Readers will surely anticipate the adventures of Sebastian, Pip, and Tim in the upcoming sequel, Soul Stealer (Little, Brown, 2005).–Jessi Platt, Auburn Public Library, AL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. When a pale boy named Sebastian steps from a passageway of the old Rawne estate and asks its current residents, Tim and Pip, for a glass of water, it's "good-bye MTV and the Cartoon Channel," hello "real-life version of Tomb Raider." Sebastian claims that his 12-year-old body conceals a nearly 600-year-old soul. Tim and Pip's fifteenth-century house was originally owned by Sebastian's father, a doctor illuminatus, or alchemist, who was accused of witchcraft by a rival and burned at the stake. After^B Sebastian's father dies, the rival downs a potion to induce suspended animation. Sebastian drinks the magic brew, too, determined to follow his father's archenemy through the centuries. Now Sebastian is finally able to pit his own magic against the villain's more pernicious alchemical powers, with Tim and Pip as enthusiastic (if a bit passive) companions. Though Booth hasn't forged gold from the sturdy, reliable raw materials found in this first entry in the Alchemist's Son series, the wild magic, the clearly drawn battle lines, and the pair of unflappable contemporary siblings will beckon many readers back for more. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
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 Pipís family moves to an old English country estate, they accidentally awaken an alchemistís son, Sebastian, from a centuries-old slumber. But Sebastianís fatherís enemy, Pierre de LoudÈac, has also awakened--and is relentlessly pursuing the dream of alchemists to create an homunculus, an artificial human made from dead material. Aided by Sebastianís wise guidance and insight into six hundred yearsí history, the two spirited siblings bravely take action to stop the manís ominous quest. But even as they daringly defeat de LoudÈac in this battle, Evil lives on. . . .ìAll the magic in Dr. Illuminatus is real,î the author has noted, ìthe chants, the herbs, the potions, and the equipment.î The irresistible combination of history, humor, and horror will keep young readers on the edge of their seats--and anxious for the next installment.


About the Author
AUTHORBIO: Martin Booth, a well-known fiction and nonfiction writer in England, wrote for readers of all ages. His adult novel The Industry of Souls was short-listed for the Booker Prize.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The convoluted and unfocused first book in Booth's (War Dog) new series begins with a promising hook, but then mostly just meanders through its countryside setting. Twins Pip and Tim and their parents have just moved into an enormous 15th-century house called Rawne Barton, which has been uninhabited for roughly a decade. The sister and brother find that the walls between their bedrooms are unusually thick and, from a secret panel behind Pip's bed, out pops Sebastian Rawne, a boy who claims to be 12-and to have been born in 1430. The boy says he has been living in this universe but also a parallel universe ever since, working against the efforts of the mad alchemist Pierre de LoudEac, who wants to create a homunculus, "an artificial creature... a living human, yet one that has no soul," for evil purposes. The story arc involving Sebastian and de LoudEac unfolds at a snail's pace, interrupted by lengthy stretches of historical background and explorations of the concepts of alchemy. Although the premise of finding a visitor from the past within the walls of a centuries-old manor is intriguing, this story line gets buried by the other aspects of the tale, and the book loses steam quickly. Ages 8-12. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Laura Ruttig

A rich and fascinating science-fantasy, this novel is the first in a series that will appeal to fantasy-lovers from all reading levels. Booth uses a vivid blend of history and science to tell the story of Sebastian, a young boy from the Middle Ages who has slept the centuries away. When Pip (a.k.a. Philippa) and Tim move into their new home, Pip hears strange knocking noises behind her new bedroom wall. These noises lead to the children's discovery of the mysterious Sebastian hidden behind the wall of their parents' new country estate. At first the children are skeptical of Sebastian's tale, but Sebastian, the son of a powerful alchemist, has abilities that cannot be easily explained by modern science. Slowly they are drawn into Sebastian's plan to foil his family's arch-enemy, the evil de Loudeac. Magic and science intertwine in this mesmerizing novel as the author deftly compares modern science with the goals of alchemy, using examples as diverse as the Human Genome Project and the lab-creation of diamonds. 2004, Little Brown and Company, Ages 8 to 12.

KLIATT - Claire Rosser

A family moves into an old house on a British estate. At night, Pip hears strange knocking noises in her bedroom wall. She and her brother soon meet Sebastian, the alchemist's son, who first lived in the house in the early 15th century. Through the centuries, Sebastian has occasionally come out of hibernation to fight the evil, smelly de Loudeac—this time he enlists the help of Pip and her twin brother Tim to stop de Loudeac from creating a homunculus. The reader learns a bit about alchemy and the persecution of witches. (Sebastian's father, a Christian alchemist, was burned at the stake as a witch in 1440.) Sebastian is a great character, more interesting than the twins really, as he continues to speak in an old-fashioned manner yet is interested in learning about Tim's computer games and drinking a Pepsi in modern times. There is plenty of action, and also some scary gore that will appeal to middle school readers. The vocabulary is challenging, as are the references to the Middle Ages and to alchemy, but there are plenty of readers who will enjoy this exotic adventure. Should appeal to Potter fans and to those who read Eoin Colfer's books. Booth is a popular and praised writer in Britain, and the second book in the series, Soul Stealer, is already published in England and promised here in the States. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2003, Little Brown, , Ages 12 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-This suspenseful novel is sure to please fans of J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series (Scholastic) who are looking for an engaging story utilizing a more sophisticated writing style. Incorporating alchemical history, Booth introduces Pip and Tim, twins who move into an old English country estate cloaked in mystery. They meet a pale boy, Sebastian, who emerges from the walls and claims to be the son of a medieval alchemist. He leads the siblings on a journey filled with history and horror, complemented by severed limbs, strange animals, and shape-shifting. This compelling tale is replete with gruesome details of bloodshed and violence, making the story appropriate for mature children who are intrigued by horror. Religious references are relevant to the story of good versus evil, and technologically adept children will appreciate Pip and Tim's allusions to computer software and games. Readers will surely anticipate the adventures of Sebastian, Pip, and Tim in the upcoming sequel, Soul Stealer (Little, Brown, 2005).-Jessi Platt, Auburn Public Library, AL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews