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thecanadianbookworm's review
3.0
It was meh. An ok story, but nothing note worthy or ground breaking.
whitneymouse's review
4.0
**Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the eArc in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my rating**
A Golden Fury follows Theosebeia Hope (Thea for short), an alchemist, as she strives to create the Philosopher's Stone. The stone is the ultimate goal of all alchemists, promising eternal youth, endless riches, and the ability to heal maladies. However, Thea discovers that creating the stone comes with a cost...your sanity. Stuck between the choice of losing her mind or creating the stone to heal those she loves who have attempted it before, Thea goes on a wild journey of self-discovery and magic.
I really liked this. I thought the pacing was just about right. I never got into a part of the book where I felt a lull or like it needed to pick up or slow down. I will say though that if you do not know much about alchemy, it would behoove you to look into it a little bit. For example, early in the book, Thea describes an illustration of a "hermaphrodite" (her wording), which shocked me a bit. While the book is set in 1792 and the term is historically accurate for that time period, I wondered why the author would choose to make the illustration this specific subject since we now use the term "intersex". In doing some research, I found out that this illustration was important to alchemical codes to indicate a fusion of duality or a fusion of opposing qualities after purification. While this isn't require to enjoy the book, it will help the reader to better understand Thea's work process and what some of the references she makes clearer.
Thea as a protagonist was very interesting to read about. She is headstrong and clever but vulnerable in a way that a character with her sheltered upbringing would likely be. I really enjoyed seeing her grow and become more confident of herself and her skill as the book went on. I think she's a character many readers would enjoy.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is simply because it's not a "new favorite" of mine. I would read it again and recommend anyone interested in an alchemy based take on magic systems check it out, but it isn't one of my favorite favorites of all books I read this year. This is partly to do with the romance aspect. I understand why it's there, but I almost wish it hadn't been. I don't know that it was entirely necessary to the plot. I feel there could have been another way to get it's purpose across in the book without introducing Will. He just wasn't my favorite. I adored Dominic, though.
The ending gives a satisfying conclusion for a stand-alone but also leaves the door open for a sequel, I feel. I would very happily read another book about Thea and how her life has changes after the events of this book.
All in all, this was a GREAT debut novel. Cohoe is obviously talented and presented a well-thought out and unique addition to the Fantasy YA genre. I'll be interested to see what she comes up with next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
A Golden Fury follows Theosebeia Hope (Thea for short), an alchemist, as she strives to create the Philosopher's Stone. The stone is the ultimate goal of all alchemists, promising eternal youth, endless riches, and the ability to heal maladies. However, Thea discovers that creating the stone comes with a cost...your sanity. Stuck between the choice of losing her mind or creating the stone to heal those she loves who have attempted it before, Thea goes on a wild journey of self-discovery and magic.
I really liked this. I thought the pacing was just about right. I never got into a part of the book where I felt a lull or like it needed to pick up or slow down. I will say though that if you do not know much about alchemy, it would behoove you to look into it a little bit. For example, early in the book, Thea describes an illustration of a "hermaphrodite" (her wording), which shocked me a bit. While the book is set in 1792 and the term is historically accurate for that time period, I wondered why the author would choose to make the illustration this specific subject since we now use the term "intersex". In doing some research, I found out that this illustration was important to alchemical codes to indicate a fusion of duality or a fusion of opposing qualities after purification. While this isn't require to enjoy the book, it will help the reader to better understand Thea's work process and what some of the references she makes clearer.
Thea as a protagonist was very interesting to read about. She is headstrong and clever but vulnerable in a way that a character with her sheltered upbringing would likely be. I really enjoyed seeing her grow and become more confident of herself and her skill as the book went on. I think she's a character many readers would enjoy.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is simply because it's not a "new favorite" of mine. I would read it again and recommend anyone interested in an alchemy based take on magic systems check it out, but it isn't one of my favorite favorites of all books I read this year. This is partly to do with the romance aspect. I understand why it's there, but I almost wish it hadn't been. I don't know that it was entirely necessary to the plot. I feel there could have been another way to get it's purpose across in the book without introducing Will. He just wasn't my favorite. I adored Dominic, though.
The ending gives a satisfying conclusion for a stand-alone but also leaves the door open for a sequel, I feel. I would very happily read another book about Thea and how her life has changes after the events of this book.
All in all, this was a GREAT debut novel. Cohoe is obviously talented and presented a well-thought out and unique addition to the Fantasy YA genre. I'll be interested to see what she comes up with next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
seemadyal50's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hmbb99's review
4.0
Thea and her mother are alchemists trying to complete the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical stone that supposedly heals people and turns things into gold. Suddenly Thea's mother attacks her and goes crazy. It is then decided that Thea would go to England to meet her father to keep her safe. Thea ends up on the run from the police and in serious threat of danger. Will she create the Stone and save her mother from madness,? Will she go mad herself?
This is an adventure filled story. It has romance and danger. It was very original and entertaining. I didn't want to put this book down. I needed to know if Thea could make the Stone and save her mom. I really liked everything about this book except when Thea whined. She was a strong character but she had quite a bit of moments where she whined like a petulant child. Despite this, I really enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
This is an adventure filled story. It has romance and danger. It was very original and entertaining. I didn't want to put this book down. I needed to know if Thea could make the Stone and save her mom. I really liked everything about this book except when Thea whined. She was a strong character but she had quite a bit of moments where she whined like a petulant child. Despite this, I really enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
darkandsteamylit's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! It was dark, different, and had a strong female MC! This isn’t like anything I’ve read before and I loved Thea’s journey! There wasn’t to much romance which was a nice change from most YA I read, and it was more character focused. Following Thea, the people she encounters along the way, but it focused solely on Thea. Which I really enjoyed.
I also loved the alchemy aspect, that isn’t something I normally read, but I absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend this is you want a break from the same repetitive YA you’ve been reading!
I also loved the alchemy aspect, that isn’t something I normally read, but I absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend this is you want a break from the same repetitive YA you’ve been reading!
linesuponapage's review
5.0
“The Stone Chooses the last alchemist, but woe to whom it does not accept”
The Philosopher’s Stone, that ruby red stone that has been filled with eternal life, power, ability to create gold and making one wealthy. This stone has been covered by numerous authors in numerous veins. This stone is full of mystical lore. Ms. Cohoe’s debut novel takes a deeper angle on the stone and the creation of it and the Curse that is said to be attached to the stone.
A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe is a wildly fast-moving, grippingly entertaining fantasy about the power and desire that the mystical Philosopher’s Stone can create in an Alchemist’s soul.
Theosebeia Hope is a gifted daughter of a gifted, sought after Alchemist mother living in Normandy France in the middle of 1792 during the French Revolution. Alchemy, according to the Oxford Language Dictionary is “the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir.” Thea’s story begins when her mother goes mad trying to make the Philosopher’s Stone. Thea leaves France to search out her never met father who teaches at Oxford. She meets Dominic, her father’s apprentice and the story goes on from there. Thea’s life is starting to blossom with love for her mother’s apprentice Will. Her world blows up when her mother goes mad. It becomes full of hate, struggle, magic, and learning to navigate the world on her own terms all the while trying to right so many wrongs that have happened since her mother’s attempt at making the Philosopher’s Stone. There are many boulders in her way, so she has to decide if certain boulders would be easier to move or to climb over.
A Golden Fury is a dark, Intriguing book that you want to read for the pure thrill and creepiness of it. It is a book that will drag you in, stir the blood in your veins, make you crazy, and then spit you out when you least expect it. It is wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end which feels right for so many odd unexplained reasons in this brilliant debuting novel.
Ms. Cohoe has written a smart, gutsy character in Theosebeia Hope. The supporting characters fit their roles perfectly and even though there are a few people that Thea encounters in her adventure of creating the Philosopher’s Stone that you are driven to hate, you still wish that you could love them.
The emotional backstories are equally as compelling as the main story and I would love to have Ms. Cohoe do a continuing story on Will from the beginning of his life to after he escapes on the ship to Caen and beyond. I am hoping that the way the book ends that there is another story growing in Ms. Cohoe’s soul that feeds off her debut.
Ms. Cohoe is a gifted writer and I look forward to reading any other book that she cares to write and have published.
Thank you Netgalley, Samantha Cohoe and Publisher Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read A Golden Fury in lieu of my honest review.
The Philosopher’s Stone, that ruby red stone that has been filled with eternal life, power, ability to create gold and making one wealthy. This stone has been covered by numerous authors in numerous veins. This stone is full of mystical lore. Ms. Cohoe’s debut novel takes a deeper angle on the stone and the creation of it and the Curse that is said to be attached to the stone.
A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe is a wildly fast-moving, grippingly entertaining fantasy about the power and desire that the mystical Philosopher’s Stone can create in an Alchemist’s soul.
Theosebeia Hope is a gifted daughter of a gifted, sought after Alchemist mother living in Normandy France in the middle of 1792 during the French Revolution. Alchemy, according to the Oxford Language Dictionary is “the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir.” Thea’s story begins when her mother goes mad trying to make the Philosopher’s Stone. Thea leaves France to search out her never met father who teaches at Oxford. She meets Dominic, her father’s apprentice and the story goes on from there. Thea’s life is starting to blossom with love for her mother’s apprentice Will. Her world blows up when her mother goes mad. It becomes full of hate, struggle, magic, and learning to navigate the world on her own terms all the while trying to right so many wrongs that have happened since her mother’s attempt at making the Philosopher’s Stone. There are many boulders in her way, so she has to decide if certain boulders would be easier to move or to climb over.
A Golden Fury is a dark, Intriguing book that you want to read for the pure thrill and creepiness of it. It is a book that will drag you in, stir the blood in your veins, make you crazy, and then spit you out when you least expect it. It is wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end which feels right for so many odd unexplained reasons in this brilliant debuting novel.
Ms. Cohoe has written a smart, gutsy character in Theosebeia Hope. The supporting characters fit their roles perfectly and even though there are a few people that Thea encounters in her adventure of creating the Philosopher’s Stone that you are driven to hate, you still wish that you could love them.
The emotional backstories are equally as compelling as the main story and I would love to have Ms. Cohoe do a continuing story on Will from the beginning of his life to after he escapes on the ship to Caen and beyond. I am hoping that the way the book ends that there is another story growing in Ms. Cohoe’s soul that feeds off her debut.
Ms. Cohoe is a gifted writer and I look forward to reading any other book that she cares to write and have published.
Thank you Netgalley, Samantha Cohoe and Publisher Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read A Golden Fury in lieu of my honest review.
rachelwrites007's review
3.0
*Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one!*
Awesome premise, solid writing, good ideas, 3.5/4 stars for me, but I just didn't love this one as much as I had hoped. I never quite connected to the characters as I wanted to. However, I loved the historical setting and fantasy elements. This would be a solid fit for fans of [b:Enchantée|36613718|Enchantée (Enchantée, #1)|Gita Trelease|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542046529l/36613718._SY75_.jpg|58370622]/[b:Everything That Burns|51184575|Everything That Burns (Enchantée, #2)|Gita Trelease|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572622869l/51184575._SX50_SY75_.jpg|63872751].
Awesome premise, solid writing, good ideas, 3.5/4 stars for me, but I just didn't love this one as much as I had hoped. I never quite connected to the characters as I wanted to. However, I loved the historical setting and fantasy elements. This would be a solid fit for fans of [b:Enchantée|36613718|Enchantée (Enchantée, #1)|Gita Trelease|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542046529l/36613718._SY75_.jpg|58370622]/[b:Everything That Burns|51184575|Everything That Burns (Enchantée, #2)|Gita Trelease|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572622869l/51184575._SX50_SY75_.jpg|63872751].
ltamming's review
4.0
I would have given this ⭐️⭐️⭐️, but any book I read in one day gets a bonus star.
turinthurin's review
2.0
solidly average until the last few chapters where the shallowness of the characters and their interactions and how contrived each plot beat was made my frustration peak into flat out disinterest.