Reviews

Alchemistin wider Willen by Gigi Pandian

tregina's review against another edition

3.0

I was surprised by how fond I became of all the characters in the book, even the teenagers, but it still sounded better in the description and looked better on the cover than it turned out to be. And I do wish it had been less evangelically vegan, which really felt out of place and took away from the plot of the book. At least in cozy mysteries set in bakeries or restaurants, the extensive descriptions of food and diet have something to do with the story. (I don't like them any more, but at least they fit.)

amydotreads's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

dunder_mifflin's review against another edition

3.0

Three stars just for Dorian tbh, it was an okay book but nothing special. I’d hoped for more from a book about an alchemist, but was disappointed that we didn’t get more alchemy.

klparmley's review against another edition

4.0

This is fun, light and entertaining.

katmp1892's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

melissa_who_reads's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyed it. An alchemist moves to Portland, and discovers while unpacking that a French gargoyle has moved with her - he had packed himself among her belongings and needs her help. Meanwhile, the handyman she had hired to fix her fixer-upper of a house turns up dead on her doorstep - leaving her with a desperate gargoyle and a mystery to figure out. She gets involved with all sorts of people in her neighborhood, breaking her rule about staying under the radar and unnoticed and unattached -

The writing is a bit uneven in places, but the characters are charming and the murder mystery/magic fantasy elements work well together.

booksandcatsgalore's review against another edition

Felt very amateurish. Characters were boring and cliched. 

hectaizani's review against another edition

3.0

Decent book. Very slow moving. As other commenters have said the story was often focused on what type of vegan meal or drink was consumed rather than moving forward with the story.
Probably will not continue with further books in the series even though I really like the concept and am in love with Dorian as a character.

amlibera's review against another edition

4.0

Cozy fantasy mystery with lots of alchemical history and lore and descriptions of vegan food. The actual mystery is kind of beside the point but I love myself some complicated world building and the gargoyle character is a joy.

kusine's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0