Family Quotes in The Alchemyst

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Sophie walked to the window, stood behind her brother and put her arm on his shoulder. She was older than he was by twenty-eight seconds—less than half a minute, Josh always reminded her—but with their mother and father away so much, she had assumed the role of a much older sister. Although he was already a good two inches taller than she was, he would always be her baby brother. (19.11)

This passage reminds us that what might seem like an insignificant detail—the fact that Sophie is just half a minute older—makes all the difference in terms of the twins' fates. Sophie gets Awakened first because she's older, and that changes her relationship with her twin forever.

Quote #5

Sophie took her brother's hand in hers. "From the moment we were born, we've done everything together," she said, her voice low and serious. "And with Mom and Dad away so much, it's really always been just you and me. You always looked after me, I've always looked out for you. I'm not going to allow you to go through this […] process by yourself. We'll do this—just like we've done everything else—together." (24.15)

Where are the parents in this novel? Sophie and Josh keep on repeating that they have to rely on themselves because their parents are away so much of the time. Do you get the sense that their parents are careless? They seem more like the kids than their own children do.

Quote #6

"When did you decide to kill your sisters?" He [Dee] asked casually... Bastet glared at her niece.

"Is it true? Are Macha and the Badb dead?"

"Yes." The Morrigan glared at Dee. "But I did not kill them. They died willingly, and live inside me still." (32.19-28)

Yikes. The Morrigan sure is a piece of work. We're not quite sure what happened to her sisters, but we know that relationship couldn't have been strong or smooth sailing. Just compare it to the strong, unshakeable bond between Sophie and Josh.