Reviews

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

lo_the_stan's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

barry_reads's review against another edition

challenging mysterious

5.0

anyoneb's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

nanda04's review against another edition

4.0

The girl really dared in the end. Goshhh now I need to wait until October

urbanesunset's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

mleisa's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was a very easy read, and I was happily entertained by the story. 

That being said, I also think that Zilan has been very immature and kind of a jerk to the people around her, which was unpleasant to read about since it never really changed. 

What bothered me most is

the fact that everyone seems to be smarter than Zilan. I understand she is up against adults who have lived for a decade or more but reading about the Empress outsmarting her for the umpteenth time is pretty unsatisfying.

I'm kind of put off by the ending though because what the fuck? Im not sure I can really forgive that.

But generally I found the idea and setting very interesting and cool to read about. I would have loved to see this book not as a YA but as an adult story with a mature protagonist that is better equipped to deal with the horrors thrown at her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore

lucylivesinbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

its_thekla's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

well that was better than i think i expected. it takes a while to get to the point, but once it does it GOES. the characters were very YA but the story is mostly solid. felt like reading "magic steeped in poison" all over again, but longer and less OH SH*T. 

lizardw's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

5.0

larl_girl81's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

3.5