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opalmars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
š©ø PLOT:
This book grabbed my attention right on the 1st page! The prologue of āThe Scarlet Alchemistā was very interesting (something that is not common, in my opinion š«¢) and I was immediately intrigued. Then chapter 1 begins with our MC, Zilan, being VERY casual about having a dead body in her shop and I was like š§š¤š. Tell me MORE!!!
The whole book was very fast paced. And the author managed to include a lot of things in a fairly short amount of pages, and I mean that is a good way; the plot never felt rushed, it was simply fast and exciting! I also never felt the urge to skim scenes or skip āto the fun partā because the whole story was genuinely fun, and no scene felt like unnecessary āfluffā. I think this story is just really engaging and well-paced!
I also really enjoyed the magic system. Using different stones as a way to practice alchemy, and the fact that you need to keep everything balanced ā which means that for every āgoodā action, thereās a ābadā reaction ā was genuinely super interesting! And I liked that this magic system made the fight scenes feel unique, since people werenāt fighting with weapons or magical beams of power.
Now for some spoilers:
ā¤ I really liked seeing Zilan overcome the odds in the alchemy tryouts. Everyone being against her and not even letting things be fair was SOOOOOOOO INFURIATING! But it gave Zilan an opportunity to show her badassery, which I appreciate.
ā¤ I thought that prisoner with the hazel eyes was for sure gonna be her father (it seemed pretty obvious by the way he was introduced), but then he never came up againā¦ š Maybe itāll be revealed in book 2 that he actually was. Although her dad would probably be dead, since Zilan would be draining his life lol.
ā¤ When Zilan pulled back her cousinsā shirt to reveal their names tattooed on their backsā¦. Meaning they had been REVIVED???? Oh bitch that gagged me a little. šØ And then learning from the Moon Alchemist that bringing people back from the dead means those revived people basically start draining their loved onesā life?! And then Zilan realizing that the reason her uncle and aunt were sick was because her cousins were draining them?! And then realizing that SHE hadnāt been feeling sick, which probably meant her cousins didnāt even love her?! OOF!!! BUT THEN!!!! Zilan found out that SHE had been revived too (and thatās why her cousins werenāt draining her life ā because she didnāt have any of her own, and sheād actually been draining her aunt and uncle too)ā¦..!!!!!!!!!!! BIIIITCHHHHH. š±
ā¤ Zilanās plan to kill the Empress seemed really good! But that hag is SMART! My heart dropped when Zilanās idea to poison her failed, and turned out the Empress had kidnapped Yufei and Wenshu. š„
ā¤ I REALLY liked learning that the alchemists had actually been conspiring against the Empress! I honestly wouldāve liked to know more about their plans.
ā¤ Zilan and the alchemistsā plan to kill the Empress at the end by taking her blood and feeding it to her monsters so theyād kill her was SO SMART! But, once again, she outsmarted them and fed the alchemistsā blood to the monsters, getting them all killed, except for Zilan š° (shoutout to the Moon Alchemist for not wanting to be revived because she believed resurrections were wrong and didnāt want to see her loved ones dying because of her).
ā¤ BUT THEN my girl Zilan gagged the Empress by eating pearls, becoming a freaky ass monster herself, and then killing that bitch šŖš». When one of the guards ripped Zilanās soul tag I though that she was gone for sure, but the author brought back the whole idea of Zilan being a Fan, not a Su, meaning her soul tag wouldnāt even be fully connected to her soul, so Zilan carved the name she was actually linked to (Fan Zilan) in her skin and managed to stay alive. I thought that was a really clever twist!
ā¤ Zilan bringing back her cousin/sister into the Empressās body was really cool. And when she brought back her cousin/brother in Li Hongās body... gagged me, ngl. š«¢ (though I wonderā¦ arenāt her aunt and uncle going to keep being drained by the 3 of them? š¤).
ā¤ Anyways. That brings me to the 1 thing I didnāt love about this book, and that is the setup to book 2. I donāt think I love itā¦ā¦ Apparently, all thatās gonna happen is that Zilan is going to that mythical island and sheāll bring some people back to life. First of all, Zilanās plan brings up ethical problems: who can you bring back to life? Surely not EVERYONE whoās ever died, right? And who decides who should be revivded? Because Zilan apparently already decided sheāll bring back Li Hong, his family, all of the alchemistsā¦ Thereās definitely a moral dilemma there, though the author can for sure make Zilan have some kind of corruption arc, where she doesnāt take into consideration anything other than her selfish desires. š¤ But, anywaysā¦ I kind of feel like Zilan traveling to an island and bringing some people back will not really beā¦. *enough* for an entire book. Even if the author included a bunch of obstacles and shenanigans in that journey, I think that a book about traveling to an island and bringing some people back is a downgrade, compared to book 1. I sure hope she can manage to pull it off. š¤š»š¤š»š¤š»
š©ø CHARACTERS:
Zilan is a GREAT main character! First of all, she takes no shit, which I absolutely LOVE! Somebody tries to scam her? Sheāll just charge them more, or leave them begging. Sheās not given all the necessary materials at the royal alchemist tryouts? Sheāll stab the man who kept taunting her and use the metal in his blood to pass the test. They try to lie, once again, to stop her from becoming a royal alchemist? Sheāll literally break her tooth to prove sheās right. The rich men are begging for their lives? She keeps walking, not even looking back, bc #EatTheRich. The prince only cares about himself? Sheāll literally call him out for being selfish, as she should! šš»šš»šš» Zilan is also very ambitious (and a bit aggressive) which is great for a MC, because it means the plot is constantly moving forward, since Zilan never backs down!
Something I REALLY appreciated was the fact that Zilan wasnāt a great fighter. She constantly gets her ass beat, which makes sense since she never fought before. Iām glad she isnāt just ~magically~ a great fighter lol. That is not to say she isnāt badass, though! Because she for sure is! Itās just that, to win fights, Zilan had to use her wits, and find ways to use her alchemical powers to get out of sticky situations and overpower her stronger opponents.
I also really liked seeing her struggle with her identity. I thought it was really well integrated into the story. Also, #tall girl rights!! šŖš»
The LI, Li Hong, was really sweet! He was naĆÆve and kind, and a little bit silly, but in an endearing way. He was a bit selfish at times, but, as I mentioned, Zilan called him out on his shitty attitudes and he corrected himself. I always appreciate LIs who arenāt just *broody rude tall mean very tall moody* men. Iāve always liked kind LIs more, so I really enjoyed Li Hong. I just wouldāve liked to see more of his internal struggle, though that wouldāve only really been possible with dual POVs.
With that said, I have to admit that I didnāt really care about the romance. I didnāt dislike it at all! And I liked that Li Hong fell first and harder (which should always be the case with str8 couples!!!!!) and I thought their scenes were very sweet! For some reason, though, I just didnāt feel much, you know? I wish thereād been a little more development, or perhaps some more scenes between them, because I honestly just donāt feel very strongly about them, and I couldnāt really understand their *deep* connection at the end of the book. š Also, I have to ask: wasnāt there a bit too much PDA for ancient China? Thatās a genuine question. š ALSO! This book did that thing that I HATE and that happens a lot in fantasy books, which is: the characters have their 1st kiss and IMMEDIATELY jump to ~undressing~ā¦ā¦ sure, in this case it advanced the plot, BUT STILL!!!! I HATE THAT SHIT. šš¤š»
As for the SC::::: Zilanās cousins/siblings, Yufei and Wenshu, were really cool! I think they were great supporting characters for Zilan, and they actually had personality, and werenāt just bland and forgettable. And I really liked that they were *actually* integrated into the story, instead of only showing up when the MC needed them!
On the other hand, we have the alchemists, which were unfortunately pretty underdeveloped. š The Moon Alchemist was the only one we actually saw on page (and, although I though she was cool, I never cared too much about her as a person). The other alchemists, though, were barely in the story. Thereās like 2 scenes with the Paper and River Alchemists in the whole book. The Comet Alchemist is mentioned 3 timesand they die the 3rd time we ever hear about themā¦ lol. I honestly just didnāt feel ANYTHING about any of these deaths, because I didnāt know these characters AT ALL . I think Zilanās friendship with the other alchemists was definitely lacking.
In general, I think some of the emotional beats werenāt the best, since I didnāt care about the romance or the friendships with the alchemists. I still really liked Zilanās relationship with her cousins/siblings, though!
-------
Overall, I just found this book really gripping and enthralling. And Iām at a point in my life where I get bored very easily, so the fact that this *fantasy* book (not my preferred genre, nowadays) managed to keep my attention from the first page to the very last is definitely saying something! Despite my criticisms, I think this is a very strong book, and Iād definitely recommend it. Excited for book 2
This book grabbed my attention right on the 1st page! The prologue of āThe Scarlet Alchemistā was very interesting (something that is not common, in my opinion š«¢) and I was immediately intrigued. Then chapter 1 begins with our MC, Zilan, being VERY casual about having a dead body in her shop and I was like š§š¤š. Tell me MORE!!!
The whole book was very fast paced. And the author managed to include a lot of things in a fairly short amount of pages, and I mean that is a good way; the plot never felt rushed, it was simply fast and exciting! I also never felt the urge to skim scenes or skip āto the fun partā because the whole story was genuinely fun, and no scene felt like unnecessary āfluffā. I think this story is just really engaging and well-paced!
I also really enjoyed the magic system. Using different stones as a way to practice alchemy, and the fact that you need to keep everything balanced ā which means that for every āgoodā action, thereās a ābadā reaction ā was genuinely super interesting! And I liked that this magic system made the fight scenes feel unique, since people werenāt fighting with weapons or magical beams of power.
Now for some spoilers:
ā¤ I thought that prisoner with the hazel eyes was for sure gonna be her father (it seemed pretty obvious by the way he was introduced), but then he never came up againā¦ š Maybe itāll be revealed in book 2 that he actually was. Although her dad would probably be dead, since Zilan would be draining his life lol.
ā¤ When Zilan pulled back her cousinsā shirt to reveal their names tattooed on their backsā¦. Meaning they had been REVIVED???? Oh bitch that gagged me a little. šØ And then learning from the Moon Alchemist that bringing people back from the dead means those revived people basically start draining their loved onesā life?! And then Zilan realizing that the reason her uncle and aunt were sick was because her cousins were draining them?! And then realizing that SHE hadnāt been feeling sick, which probably meant her cousins didnāt even love her?! OOF!!! BUT THEN!!!! Zilan found out that SHE had been revived too (and thatās why her cousins werenāt draining her life ā because she didnāt have any of her own, and sheād actually been draining her aunt and uncle too)ā¦..!!!!!!!!!!! BIIIITCHHHHH. š±
ā¤ Zilanās plan to kill the Empress seemed really good! But that hag is SMART! My heart dropped when Zilanās idea to poison her failed, and turned out the Empress had kidnapped Yufei and Wenshu. š„
ā¤ I REALLY liked learning that the alchemists had actually been conspiring against the Empress! I honestly wouldāve liked to know more about their plans.
ā¤ Zilan and the alchemistsā plan to kill the Empress at the end by taking her blood and feeding it to her monsters so theyād kill her was SO SMART! But, once again, she outsmarted them and fed the alchemistsā blood to the monsters, getting them all killed, except for Zilan š° (shoutout to the Moon Alchemist for not wanting to be revived because she believed resurrections were wrong and didnāt want to see her loved ones dying because of her).
ā¤ BUT THEN my girl Zilan gagged the Empress by eating pearls, becoming a freaky ass monster herself, and then killing that bitch šŖš». When one of the guards ripped Zilanās soul tag I though that she was gone for sure, but the author brought back the whole idea of Zilan being a Fan, not a Su, meaning her soul tag wouldnāt even be fully connected to her soul, so Zilan carved the name she was actually linked to (Fan Zilan) in her skin and managed to stay alive. I thought that was a really clever twist!
ā¤ Zilan bringing back her cousin/sister into the Empressās body was really cool. And when she brought back her cousin/brother in Li Hongās body... gagged me, ngl. š«¢ (though I wonderā¦ arenāt her aunt and uncle going to keep being drained by the 3 of them? š¤).
ā¤ Anyways. That brings me to the 1 thing I didnāt love about this book, and that is the setup to book 2. I donāt think I love itā¦ā¦ Apparently, all thatās gonna happen is that Zilan is going to that mythical island and sheāll bring some people back to life. First of all, Zilanās plan brings up ethical problems: who can you bring back to life? Surely not EVERYONE whoās ever died, right? And who decides who should be revivded? Because Zilan apparently already decided sheāll bring back Li Hong, his family, all of the alchemistsā¦ Thereās definitely a moral dilemma there, though the author can for sure make Zilan have some kind of corruption arc, where she doesnāt take into consideration anything other than her selfish desires. š¤ But, anywaysā¦ I kind of feel like Zilan traveling to an island and bringing some people back will not really beā¦. *enough* for an entire book. Even if the author included a bunch of obstacles and shenanigans in that journey, I think that a book about traveling to an island and bringing some people back is a downgrade, compared to book 1. I sure hope she can manage to pull it off. š¤š»š¤š»š¤š»
š©ø CHARACTERS:
Zilan is a GREAT main character! First of all, she takes no shit, which I absolutely LOVE! Somebody tries to scam her? Sheāll just charge them more, or leave them begging. Sheās not given all the necessary materials at the royal alchemist tryouts? Sheāll stab the man who kept taunting her and use the metal in his blood to pass the test. They try to lie, once again, to stop her from becoming a royal alchemist? Sheāll literally break her tooth to prove sheās right. The rich men are begging for their lives? She keeps walking, not even looking back, bc #EatTheRich. The prince only cares about himself? Sheāll literally call him out for being selfish, as she should! šš»šš»šš» Zilan is also very ambitious (and a bit aggressive) which is great for a MC, because it means the plot is constantly moving forward, since Zilan never backs down!
Something I REALLY appreciated was the fact that Zilan wasnāt a great fighter. She constantly gets her ass beat, which makes sense since she never fought before. Iām glad she isnāt just ~magically~ a great fighter lol. That is not to say she isnāt badass, though! Because she for sure is! Itās just that, to win fights, Zilan had to use her wits, and find ways to use her alchemical powers to get out of sticky situations and overpower her stronger opponents.
I also really liked seeing her struggle with her identity. I thought it was really well integrated into the story. Also, #tall girl rights!! šŖš»
The LI, Li Hong, was really sweet! He was naĆÆve and kind, and a little bit silly, but in an endearing way. He was a bit selfish at times, but, as I mentioned, Zilan called him out on his shitty attitudes and he corrected himself. I always appreciate LIs who arenāt just *broody rude tall mean very tall moody* men. Iāve always liked kind LIs more, so I really enjoyed Li Hong. I just wouldāve liked to see more of his internal struggle, though that wouldāve only really been possible with dual POVs.
With that said, I have to admit that I didnāt really care about the romance. I didnāt dislike it at all! And I liked that Li Hong fell first and harder (which should always be the case with str8 couples!!!!!) and I thought their scenes were very sweet! For some reason, though, I just didnāt feel much, you know? I wish thereād been a little more development, or perhaps some more scenes between them, because I honestly just donāt feel very strongly about them, and I couldnāt really understand their *deep* connection at the end of the book. š Also, I have to ask: wasnāt there a bit too much PDA for ancient China? Thatās a genuine question. š ALSO! This book did that thing that I HATE and that happens a lot in fantasy books, which is: the characters have their 1st kiss and IMMEDIATELY jump to ~undressing~ā¦ā¦ sure, in this case it advanced the plot, BUT STILL!!!! I HATE THAT SHIT. šš¤š»
As for the SC::::: Zilanās cousins/siblings, Yufei and Wenshu, were really cool! I think they were great supporting characters for Zilan, and they actually had personality, and werenāt just bland and forgettable. And I really liked that they were *actually* integrated into the story, instead of only showing up when the MC needed them!
On the other hand, we have the alchemists, which were unfortunately pretty underdeveloped. š The Moon Alchemist was the only one we actually saw on page (and, although I though she was cool, I never cared too much about her as a person). The other alchemists, though, were barely in the story. Thereās like 2 scenes with the Paper and River Alchemists in the whole book. The Comet Alchemist is mentioned 3 times
In general, I think some of the emotional beats werenāt the best, since I didnāt care about the romance or the friendships with the alchemists. I still really liked Zilanās relationship with her cousins/siblings, though!
-------
Overall, I just found this book really gripping and enthralling. And Iām at a point in my life where I get bored very easily, so the fact that this *fantasy* book (not my preferred genre, nowadays) managed to keep my attention from the first page to the very last is definitely saying something! Despite my criticisms, I think this is a very strong book, and Iād definitely recommend it. Excited for book 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Minor: Abandonment
ddnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I love it. It offered a perfect combination of action and pace. It didn't let you sleep.
The characters are well written. They have significant trait that's make it bearable throughout the story. A pinch of jokes and sassines here and there. OH THE EMPRESS. I love it when woman right, but I like it even more when woman wrong. Clever, sadistic, and ten steps ahead. AND THE PRINCE HIMBO!!!! š£š£š£
Go pick up this book if you like an alternate universe of Tang dynasty, dead bodies come to life, PLOT TWIST, gripping story telling, kingdom political intrigue, with thick lines of sibling love and romance. Historical trivias here and there. Highly recommended!!!
The characters are well written. They have significant trait that's make it bearable throughout the story. A pinch of jokes and sassines here and there. OH THE EMPRESS. I love it when woman right, but I like it even more when woman wrong. Clever, sadistic, and ten steps ahead. AND THE PRINCE HIMBO!!!! š£š£š£
Go pick up this book if you like an alternate universe of Tang dynasty, dead bodies come to life, PLOT TWIST, gripping story telling, kingdom political intrigue, with thick lines of sibling love and romance. Historical trivias here and there. Highly recommended!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Torture
luckylulureads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Vomit, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Racial slurs and Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent and Cannibalism
soryualan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a fun book to read!! It's very dark at times, but it also has very heart warming moments. I'm
Not sure how I feel about the ending, not the decisions the lead character makes, but the way in which everything gets resolved, but it's ok and it sets us up perfectly fine for a sequel.
Not sure how I feel about the ending, not the decisions the lead character makes, but the way in which everything gets resolved, but it's ok and it sets us up perfectly fine for a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Body horror, and Racism
Minor: Body shaming
carola84's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Murder, Animal cruelty, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Bullying, and Child abuse
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
thank you to @netgalley for the advance digital copy of this book!
I already knew Kylie Lee Baker would have me in my mixed race feels after loving The Keeper of the Night, but I wasnāt expecting the absolute rollercoaster that was The Scarlet Alchemist. Not only are there painful moments of not fitting in and feeling like those you love the most still donāt understand you, there was also frank commentary on poverty being a deliberate choice by the ruling class, complicated first love, and tons of political intrigue.
I think what I love about Bakerās writing is that it is distinctly YA, with young protagonists grappling with what it means to be a person in the world, feeling insecure, making stupid choices, and saying things they donāt mean, but she also doesnāt shy away from deep world-building, complicated moral dilemmas, and some truly disturbing body horror and violence.
I had so much fun reading this book: I gasped, I shouted, I grimaced, I gagged, and I teared up. If you love being dragged through the expanse of human emotions, morally gray mixed-race women, fake dating [concubinage], alternate Chinese historical periods, and amazing / complicated sibling dynamics, then boy. Have I got a recommendation for you.
I already knew Kylie Lee Baker would have me in my mixed race feels after loving The Keeper of the Night, but I wasnāt expecting the absolute rollercoaster that was The Scarlet Alchemist. Not only are there painful moments of not fitting in and feeling like those you love the most still donāt understand you, there was also frank commentary on poverty being a deliberate choice by the ruling class, complicated first love, and tons of political intrigue.
I think what I love about Bakerās writing is that it is distinctly YA, with young protagonists grappling with what it means to be a person in the world, feeling insecure, making stupid choices, and saying things they donāt mean, but she also doesnāt shy away from deep world-building, complicated moral dilemmas, and some truly disturbing body horror and violence.
I had so much fun reading this book: I gasped, I shouted, I grimaced, I gagged, and I teared up. If you love being dragged through the expanse of human emotions, morally gray mixed-race women, fake dating [concubinage], alternate Chinese historical periods, and amazing / complicated sibling dynamics, then boy. Have I got a recommendation for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, Murder, Sexism, Blood, Animal death, Violence, Child death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Gore
Minor: Abandonment
katiemack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This distinguishes itself remarkably from other YA historical fantasy books. I loved the alternative history nested within the Tang dynasty (coupled with the fact that Zilan is loosely based on a Chinese cultural figure); it gives some context for Kylie Lee Baker's worldbuilding. Zilan is oddly relatable, and I admired her stubbornness and courage in the face of bloody violence and death. (I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is much more visceral and gory than I was expecting.) The alchemical system, though not unfamiliar, is also fascinating and fleshed out well. The romance, on the other hand, is not--it was tough for me to see the trajectory of Zilan's feelings for the prince--but that's understandable given the ending.
While I think this could have ended as a standalone, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
This distinguishes itself remarkably from other YA historical fantasy books. I loved the alternative history nested within the Tang dynasty (coupled with the fact that Zilan is loosely based on a Chinese cultural figure); it gives some context for Kylie Lee Baker's worldbuilding. Zilan is oddly relatable, and I admired her stubbornness and courage in the face of bloody violence and death. (I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is much more visceral and gory than I was expecting.) The alchemical system, though not unfamiliar, is also fascinating and fleshed out well. The romance, on the other hand, is not--it was tough for me to see the trajectory of Zilan's feelings for the prince--but that's understandable given the ending.
While I think this could have ended as a standalone, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Death
allapaz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I would like a personal apology from Kylie Lee Baker for writing a book that sucked me in so deeply that I didn't go to sleep until 2am last night. Seriously, I'm almost 30. I can't bounce back from that like I used to.
The Scarlet Alchemist is INTENSE. Stakes have never been higher, and the magic never more deadly. Our main character Zilan has her heard set on becoming a royal alchemist so she can earn enough money to support her family back home. Her and her cousins, Yufei and Wenshu, endure rigorous testing to prove themselves worthy of the kingdom's employment. This book is sprawling, exploring class and race issues in a fictionalized Tang dynasty and a delicious magic system that pulls people into and out of power as viciously as it pulls them in and out of life.
This book went hard. My only notes here were a struggle on whether YA could really be this dark, and I almost wonder if this would be more suited for a 'New Adult' classification. I will say the violence didn't feel gratuitous, but dang there were some parts in here with blood and monsters that just crawled right under my skin and will not leave.
I struggle to say anything else about the plot here, as I think this story is best enjoyed with the twists and surprises being an absolute blindside. This is one of the rare books that I fully cared about every single supporting character, and Kylie Lee Baker knows this and chewed up my heart anyway. Everyone is so well-developed and interesting and as a result, Zilan feels more relatable as a main character because she doesn't stand out as the only one who's interesting or has talents or quirks or flaws. Just incredible character work here, and that always gets me hooked.
All in all, this is a fave for sure. If it weren't marketed as YA I think I'd be at the full 5, but part of me really does struggle with the level of gore, but I'll trust the publishers on that one. I also just have personal beef with a series-starter that doesn't feel like it needs a sequel....but I'll reserve my thoughts on that until we are blessed with that sequel (which is an insta-buy for me, let's be real).
Thank you to Bookishfirst/the publishers for an ARC of this one! All opinions are my own.
The Scarlet Alchemist is INTENSE. Stakes have never been higher, and the magic never more deadly. Our main character Zilan has her heard set on becoming a royal alchemist so she can earn enough money to support her family back home. Her and her cousins, Yufei and Wenshu, endure rigorous testing to prove themselves worthy of the kingdom's employment. This book is sprawling, exploring class and race issues in a fictionalized Tang dynasty and a delicious magic system that pulls people into and out of power as viciously as it pulls them in and out of life.
This book went hard. My only notes here were a struggle on whether YA could really be this dark, and I almost wonder if this would be more suited for a 'New Adult' classification. I will say the violence didn't feel gratuitous, but dang there were some parts in here with blood and monsters that just crawled right under my skin and will not leave.
I struggle to say anything else about the plot here, as I think this story is best enjoyed with the twists and surprises being an absolute blindside. This is one of the rare books that I fully cared about every single supporting character, and Kylie Lee Baker knows this and chewed up my heart anyway. Everyone is so well-developed and interesting and as a result, Zilan feels more relatable as a main character because she doesn't stand out as the only one who's interesting or has talents or quirks or flaws. Just incredible character work here, and that always gets me hooked.
All in all, this is a fave for sure. If it weren't marketed as YA I think I'd be at the full 5, but part of me really does struggle with the level of gore, but I'll trust the publishers on that one. I also just have personal beef with a series-starter that doesn't feel like it needs a sequel....but I'll reserve my thoughts on that until we are blessed with that sequel (which is an insta-buy for me, let's be real).
Thank you to Bookishfirst/the publishers for an ARC of this one! All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Animal death, Violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Racism, Child death, and Gore
Moderate: Sexism, War, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Classism
maiareadss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First, Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review!
This beautiful masterpiece destroyed me. That stayed up of night to finish it kind of destroyed. The good kind of destroyed that makes you dream about it for a week after. The Scarlet Alchemist excels across the board. It has phenomenal worldbuilding, an intense writing style, complex characters, and a plot that leaves you glued to the pages.
The Scarlet Alchemist is a high fantasy deeply rooted in Chinese history with a backdrop of romance. Our main character, Fan Zilan, is a dirt-poor half-Chinese, half-White merchant set on her path to becoming a royal alchemist. However, consequences have a habit of always catching up to you, especially when you dabble in illegal resurrections. Zilan and her two cousins, who are taking the civil service exam, make it to the capital city, Chang'an, in hopes of a better life. Life as a royal alchemist is not as rewarding as it would seem. As a reader, you will be kept on your toes by the fast-moving plot and unveiled secrets. This book also has a fair amount of terror, suspense, gore, and body horror. Overall, an astonishing 5-star read!
P.S. I have become a champion for Kylie Lee Baker. I will follow her in whatever direction she may go, and I would kill to see this on the big screen.
This beautiful masterpiece destroyed me. That stayed up of night to finish it kind of destroyed. The good kind of destroyed that makes you dream about it for a week after. The Scarlet Alchemist excels across the board. It has phenomenal worldbuilding, an intense writing style, complex characters, and a plot that leaves you glued to the pages.
The Scarlet Alchemist is a high fantasy deeply rooted in Chinese history with a backdrop of romance. Our main character, Fan Zilan, is a dirt-poor half-Chinese, half-White merchant set on her path to becoming a royal alchemist. However, consequences have a habit of always catching up to you, especially when you dabble in illegal resurrections. Zilan and her two cousins, who are taking the civil service exam, make it to the capital city, Chang'an, in hopes of a better life. Life as a royal alchemist is not as rewarding as it would seem. As a reader, you will be kept on your toes by the fast-moving plot and unveiled secrets. This book also has a fair amount of terror, suspense, gore, and body horror. Overall, an astonishing 5-star read!
P.S. I have become a champion for Kylie Lee Baker. I will follow her in whatever direction she may go, and I would kill to see this on the big screen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Sexism, Death, Abandonment, Torture, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Classism, and Gore
sol_journal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
*Thank you Netgalley, Inkyard Press, and Harlequin for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 28 March 2023
4.6 (rounded up to 5) out of 5 stars.
This has been my first read from Kylie Lee Baker and the way I absolutely devoured this book is insane. Were it not for my personal schedule, this couldāve easily been a book that I read in one sitting- I didnāt want to put it down!
What I loved most right off the bat is the world-building and the magic system. The alchemy used in this book was interesting- albeit my first read featuring magic like it, but it had me enraptured nonetheless.
The characters were also so lovable. Iām always down for a badass sibling trio, especially when the sisters are fueled by anger and their hatred for the rich, and the brother is the occasional voice of reason who will not hesitate to dirty his hands if his sisters need help.
Quick on her feet like Honey Lemon but with all the fire and means to get what she wants like Princess Azula, Fan Zilan takes the stage as an alchemist from southern China who helps her family get by, by using a form a illegal alchemy- resurrection. By far, she is one of my favorite leads who will bloody her hands for what she thinks is just. She is not without her flaws, and has some amazing scenes of displaying her potential when pushed into a corner.
I also absolutely love seeing different (for lack of a better word) depictions of Empress Wu Zetian and Kylie Lee Bakerās was so intriguing! As her character was introduced more and more, I knew I had to finish the book and unravel the story or else Iād be left on the edge of my seat until I could pick it up again!
All in all, The Scarlet Alchemist is a MUST for those who like the darker sides of reimagined historical fantasy. Taking the darkness from Juniper and Thorn and the self-assured yet secretly insecure main leads from These Violent Delights, and mixing them with the vibes of āGilded Lilyā by Cults and āShow You A Bodyā by Haley Heynderickx (to name a few), you get the binge-able story that is āThe Scarlet Alchemistā. I cannot wait to catch up with the rest of Kylie Lee Bakerās books while awaiting the second installment to this series!
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 28 March 2023
4.6 (rounded up to 5) out of 5 stars.
This has been my first read from Kylie Lee Baker and the way I absolutely devoured this book is insane. Were it not for my personal schedule, this couldāve easily been a book that I read in one sitting- I didnāt want to put it down!
What I loved most right off the bat is the world-building and the magic system. The alchemy used in this book was interesting- albeit my first read featuring magic like it, but it had me enraptured nonetheless.
The characters were also so lovable. Iām always down for a badass sibling trio, especially when the sisters are fueled by anger and their hatred for the rich, and the brother is the occasional voice of reason who will not hesitate to dirty his hands if his sisters need help.
Quick on her feet like Honey Lemon but with all the fire and means to get what she wants like Princess Azula, Fan Zilan takes the stage as an alchemist from southern China who helps her family get by, by using a form a illegal alchemy- resurrection. By far, she is one of my favorite leads who will bloody her hands for what she thinks is just. She is not without her flaws, and has some amazing scenes of displaying her potential when pushed into a corner.
I also absolutely love seeing different (for lack of a better word) depictions of Empress Wu Zetian and Kylie Lee Bakerās was so intriguing! As her character was introduced more and more, I knew I had to finish the book and unravel the story or else Iād be left on the edge of my seat until I could pick it up again!
All in all, The Scarlet Alchemist is a MUST for those who like the darker sides of reimagined historical fantasy. Taking the darkness from Juniper and Thorn and the self-assured yet secretly insecure main leads from These Violent Delights, and mixing them with the vibes of āGilded Lilyā by Cults and āShow You A Bodyā by Haley Heynderickx (to name a few), you get the binge-able story that is āThe Scarlet Alchemistā. I cannot wait to catch up with the rest of Kylie Lee Bakerās books while awaiting the second installment to this series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Blood