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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
The Elusive Elixir by Gigi Pandian is the third book in The Accidental Alchemist Mystery series. Zoe Faust is in Paris hoping to find answers to help her gargoyle friend, Dorian Robert-Houdin. Dorian was changed from a stone gargoyle at Notre Dame Cathedral’s Gallery of Gargoyle’s into a live gargoyle. But over the last few months he has slowly turning back into stone. Dorian will be alive but trapped in his stone exterior. Zoe wants to save him and has come to Paris for answers. Another gargoyle was recently spotted alive in Prague and it was turned over to the Paris University (Zoe has not been able to get access). Before Zoe can get some answers, Blanche Leblanc approaches her. Blanche claims to have known Zoe in 1942. The woman then has her nephew, a police officer, talk with Zoe regarding the fire of Elixir (the herbalist shop Zoe owned in Paris) and the death of Jasper Dubois. Zoe cannot risk her secrets coming to light and flees Paris. Back in Portland, Ivan Danko, Zoe’s neighbor and friend, is busy trying to discover the Elixir of Life (he does not wish to die). Zoe soon realizes that someone has followed Zoe back to Portland. They want Dorian’s book Non Degenera Alchemia, which talks about backward alchemy. Life has taken a very dangerous turn for Zoe. Will she be able to rescue Dorian and keep the book safe?
The Elusive Elixir is well-written, easy to read, and fascinating. There are a lot of details and it can be hard to keep them all straight. I have not read the previous books in this series, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of The Elusive Elixir (the author provides the necessary background information on Zoe and Dorian). I give The Elusive Elixir 4.25 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). I did find some information to be repeated several times (that Max Liu is Zoe’s “sort of” boyfriend, the basics about backward alchemy, and information about Zoe’s past). Zoe Faust is a great main character. She is intelligent, strong, and resourceful. I appreciated Dorian. He is humorous and entertaining (and an excellent chef). I found the mystery fascinating, but I did figure it out (it is wonderfully complex). I am looking forward to reading the other novels in The Accidental Alchemist series.
The Elusive Elixir is well-written, easy to read, and fascinating. There are a lot of details and it can be hard to keep them all straight. I have not read the previous books in this series, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of The Elusive Elixir (the author provides the necessary background information on Zoe and Dorian). I give The Elusive Elixir 4.25 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). I did find some information to be repeated several times (that Max Liu is Zoe’s “sort of” boyfriend, the basics about backward alchemy, and information about Zoe’s past). Zoe Faust is a great main character. She is intelligent, strong, and resourceful. I appreciated Dorian. He is humorous and entertaining (and an excellent chef). I found the mystery fascinating, but I did figure it out (it is wonderfully complex). I am looking forward to reading the other novels in The Accidental Alchemist series.
klparmley's review
1.0
I am so done with this series. I am tired of the lists of ingredients. And this woman should be better at handling people after 300 years.
Also, police don't let you go send them proof that your grandmother is dead from another country, even IF they thought it was appropriate for you to have to vindicate someone they suspect committed a murder 70 years ago.
This was too ridiculous to tolerate.
Also, police don't let you go send them proof that your grandmother is dead from another country, even IF they thought it was appropriate for you to have to vindicate someone they suspect committed a murder 70 years ago.
This was too ridiculous to tolerate.
stacydodds's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the latest installment in the Accidental Alchemist series, which finds Zoe Faust traveling to France in an attempt to find a cure for her friend, the lovable gargoyle Dorian Robert-Houdin who is turning back into stone. While in Europe, Zoe comes across a long-lost gargoyle with possible ties to Dorian, adding an extra level of urgency to her quest. The trip also unearths a connection to a cold case from 1942, forcing Zoe to confront her own past. I enjoyed spending time with the likable recurring characters (although they were a little more in the background in this one since Zoe was solo for a portion of the story) and learning more about Zoe's past in her pursuit of an elixir to save Dorian. This series blends fantasy, history, romance, and mystery with a dash of delectable vegan cuisine (recipes are included in each book) and magic. If you haven't read this unique series yet, I recommend reading the first three before checking out this one. While you'll be able to follow the plot, you'll appreciate the story more having the full backstory.
As a bonus, I was able to use this book for the two reading challenges I'm working on this year. For the 2017 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge, I used it for the "Read a fantasy novel" category. For the 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I used it for the prompt, "A book that's published in 2017."
As a bonus, I was able to use this book for the two reading challenges I'm working on this year. For the 2017 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge, I used it for the "Read a fantasy novel" category. For the 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I used it for the prompt, "A book that's published in 2017."
katreader's review
5.0
THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR by Gigi Pandian
The Third Accidental Alchemist Mystery
Shocking truths from the past are revealed as Zoe travels to France to hunt for a cure for Dorian who continues to turn into stone. As Zoe copes with these revelations upon her return to Portland, even more secrets are revealed and the dangers of not untrue alchemy prove deadly. Will Zoe be able to save Dorian without sacrificing herself, or anyone else? Will Max be able to accept all that Zoe is?
In this third book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery series Zoe is faced with multiple trials. In trying to find the key to save Dorian, while keeping her identity as an alchemist quiet, she is confronted with information that challenges what she believed and believes to be true.
Ultimately, this novel is about sacrifice. What are you willing to do to save someone else, or yourself?
THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR is a tautly written mystery that combines the vagaries of truth with sacrifice. Gigi Pandian has the ability to transport you into her world with visceral details. I believed I was actually climbing the steps of Notre Dame, watching the bees swarm with the scent of honey and cloves in the air, and feeling the desperation of her characters. Yet everything is not all dark and dire, there is humor here as well, especially as we get to know Leopold. This third book in the series held me captivated and left me satisfied with an intriguing whiff of things to come.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Accidental Alchemist Mystery
Shocking truths from the past are revealed as Zoe travels to France to hunt for a cure for Dorian who continues to turn into stone. As Zoe copes with these revelations upon her return to Portland, even more secrets are revealed and the dangers of not untrue alchemy prove deadly. Will Zoe be able to save Dorian without sacrificing herself, or anyone else? Will Max be able to accept all that Zoe is?
In this third book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery series Zoe is faced with multiple trials. In trying to find the key to save Dorian, while keeping her identity as an alchemist quiet, she is confronted with information that challenges what she believed and believes to be true.
Ultimately, this novel is about sacrifice. What are you willing to do to save someone else, or yourself?
THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR is a tautly written mystery that combines the vagaries of truth with sacrifice. Gigi Pandian has the ability to transport you into her world with visceral details. I believed I was actually climbing the steps of Notre Dame, watching the bees swarm with the scent of honey and cloves in the air, and feeling the desperation of her characters. Yet everything is not all dark and dire, there is humor here as well, especially as we get to know Leopold. This third book in the series held me captivated and left me satisfied with an intriguing whiff of things to come.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
andyn5's review
3.0
This review was originally posted on NetGalley.
When I first got this book, I had no idea it was the third volume of a series since it wasn’t mentioned in the title on NetGalley. Even so, I ended up enjoying the adventure of Zoe Faustus.
This third volume of the “Accidental Alchemist” collection tells the story of Zoe Faustus, a young alchemist, her gargoyle friend Dorian and an unexpected, very serious predicament. Gargoyles are magical creatures with the power to turn to stone at will. When Dorian starts turning permanently to stone, Zoe travels to Paris in search of the solution in the form of an ancient alchemist book. When her past catches up to her, Zoe will have her plat full between a race against time and unrevealed secrets that will change her life forever.
It’s a fast, entertaining read that I definitely put under the category of cosy-mysteries. I didn't read the previous volumes, wish I am curious to take a look at now, but Gigi Pandian did a great job explaining and mentioning events from the previous books. I got easily engaged in the story and I didn't feel like I was missing something.
The plot is engaging and it pulled to the story and to its characters. Zoe is a brave, charismatic character, willing to sacrifice anything to save her friend. Her relationship with Dorian is incredible and I absolutely loved their exchanges and their connection. I wasn’t expecting that ending though, at all. But it definitely left me wanting more and see what happens next, which I think, was the point. My favourite character, however, is Dorian. I keep thinking that he’s a mix between the characters of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Ratatouille from Disney and Pixar: A talking gargoyle and an accomplished French cook. It was impossible for to love him and not to feel for his fate.
Humorous, entertaining, adventurous cosy-mystery that I recommend for all the fans of these great genres!
When I first got this book, I had no idea it was the third volume of a series since it wasn’t mentioned in the title on NetGalley. Even so, I ended up enjoying the adventure of Zoe Faustus.
This third volume of the “Accidental Alchemist” collection tells the story of Zoe Faustus, a young alchemist, her gargoyle friend Dorian and an unexpected, very serious predicament. Gargoyles are magical creatures with the power to turn to stone at will. When Dorian starts turning permanently to stone, Zoe travels to Paris in search of the solution in the form of an ancient alchemist book. When her past catches up to her, Zoe will have her plat full between a race against time and unrevealed secrets that will change her life forever.
It’s a fast, entertaining read that I definitely put under the category of cosy-mysteries. I didn't read the previous volumes, wish I am curious to take a look at now, but Gigi Pandian did a great job explaining and mentioning events from the previous books. I got easily engaged in the story and I didn't feel like I was missing something.
The plot is engaging and it pulled to the story and to its characters. Zoe is a brave, charismatic character, willing to sacrifice anything to save her friend. Her relationship with Dorian is incredible and I absolutely loved their exchanges and their connection. I wasn’t expecting that ending though, at all. But it definitely left me wanting more and see what happens next, which I think, was the point. My favourite character, however, is Dorian. I keep thinking that he’s a mix between the characters of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Ratatouille from Disney and Pixar: A talking gargoyle and an accomplished French cook. It was impossible for to love him and not to feel for his fate.
Humorous, entertaining, adventurous cosy-mystery that I recommend for all the fans of these great genres!
roscoehuxley's review against another edition
4.0
Zoe and hang in yet another adventure in alchemy. This time, Zoe goes to Paris -twice! The regular gang is involved, plus some new bad guys. I enjoy this series- the characters are engaging, the play keeps me reading.
kait_lost_in_books's review against another edition
5.0
Dorian, a gargoyle brought to life by backwards alchemy, is slowly turning back to stone. His friend Zoe, the accidental alchemist is working feverishly to try to cure him. Travelling to Paris she hopes to find out more about the backwards alchemists and bring home the solution for Dorian.
I love these books so much. They are silly and wholesome and wonderful.
I love these books so much. They are silly and wholesome and wonderful.