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mcdanky's review
4.0
4.5 stars... Just barely shy of a 2015 favs rating. I actually got this book for free on my iBooks app and thought I would give it a try. The characters were believable and realistic, and the plot was so complex and fun to follow. My only little issue was the world building at the beginning. For some reason, I just could not bring myself to really believe in the world! This is my first non contemporary novel in months so that could be an issue on my part, but overall just a wonderful read.
calenmarwen's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
masquerader888's review
4.0
This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion
I was sucked in to The Final Formula from the very beginning by the immersive world-building and quirky and lovable characters. Ms. Andre builds a believable world balanced between normal humans, Old and New magic as told from one balancing between the magical and mundane: an alchemist who is without magic of her own but can create magical slaves and potions. I loved the fact that while I gained an understanding of the political make-up of this world, politics wasn’t shoved down my throat. Instead this world grew from minute details and character interaction making the places feel real and tangible and the tensions and alliances more easily understood.
The characters in this book were intelligent, charming, frustrating, caring, bull-headed, funny, sweet and sad. In other words they were everything good characters should be. I found them to be both accessible and realistic, containing both strengths and flaws some of which were indistinguishable from the other. The main protagonists had me rooting for them until the very end and even with some twists and turns I cared about their journey.
If I had one criticism of this book it would be the plot itself. There were times when it dipped into trope, and some twists I found trite, while others I plain didn’t like but in the end I still believed. So, despite all the neat ribbon wrap-up that was a tad too quick for my liking (and a bit far-flung and fetched) and the should-have-known-betters I enjoyed the journey The Final Formula took me on and, more, would happily ride again to see what happens next.
As one last note, I have to express my dissatisfaction with the cover of this book. It almost dissuaded me from buying as it has the dark and creepy thing going and I’m not into the blood-spattered walls of creepiedom. If I hadn’t read the sample first (which was likely picked up on a recommendation as I doubt I would have clicked this cover on my own), I definitely would not have picked up this book based solely on this cover. And yes, I know, “don’t judge a book by its cover” but really would that be an adage if it wasn’t applicable? With millions of books to choose from having a quality cover that accurately depicts the story is an important element and one that I feel this publication is weak on.
I was sucked in to The Final Formula from the very beginning by the immersive world-building and quirky and lovable characters. Ms. Andre builds a believable world balanced between normal humans, Old and New magic as told from one balancing between the magical and mundane: an alchemist who is without magic of her own but can create magical slaves and potions. I loved the fact that while I gained an understanding of the political make-up of this world, politics wasn’t shoved down my throat. Instead this world grew from minute details and character interaction making the places feel real and tangible and the tensions and alliances more easily understood.
The characters in this book were intelligent, charming, frustrating, caring, bull-headed, funny, sweet and sad. In other words they were everything good characters should be. I found them to be both accessible and realistic, containing both strengths and flaws some of which were indistinguishable from the other. The main protagonists had me rooting for them until the very end and even with some twists and turns I cared about their journey.
If I had one criticism of this book it would be the plot itself. There were times when it dipped into trope, and some twists I found trite, while others I plain didn’t like but in the end I still believed. So, despite all the neat ribbon wrap-up that was a tad too quick for my liking (and a bit far-flung and fetched) and the should-have-known-betters I enjoyed the journey The Final Formula took me on and, more, would happily ride again to see what happens next.
As one last note, I have to express my dissatisfaction with the cover of this book. It almost dissuaded me from buying as it has the dark and creepy thing going and I’m not into the blood-spattered walls of creepiedom. If I hadn’t read the sample first (which was likely picked up on a recommendation as I doubt I would have clicked this cover on my own), I definitely would not have picked up this book based solely on this cover. And yes, I know, “don’t judge a book by its cover” but really would that be an adage if it wasn’t applicable? With millions of books to choose from having a quality cover that accurately depicts the story is an important element and one that I feel this publication is weak on.
vikingwolf's review
3.0
Addie is a master alchemist who lost her memory during an attack on her alchemy institute. All she knows is that during the explosion, men were trying to abduct her and she has been hiding ever since, trying to get her memory back. The only other witness was a fire elemental called The Flame Lord and Addie schemes to find a way to get his help. She has to team up with him, her best friend James and Rowan's family who are suspicious of alchemists.
This was a frustrating book. There are some great ideas and exciting action sequences, good characters and good writing...all things that make you want to know what was going to happen next. The alchemy story was great, I found the way she mixed her potions interesting and there were a mix of interesting characters that you wanted to find out more about. There were action fights, magical assaults, zombies, vampire alchemists, grims, hellhounds and elementals fighting with air, fire, earth and water which was pretty cool and it was a decent plot with a mixture of urban fantasy, magic and mythology. There is a lot to like about this book and the author is obviously good at telling a story and doing good in depth character development.
Which is why it did not need to go down the typical route of copying all those other books in having the love triangle and the 'I-hate-you-you-smell' childish relationship between the two main characters who you know will end up in bed together at some point. I've seen it in a million books and it bugs me that everyone feels the need to write the same things. So we had Addie acting like a five year old every time Rowan asked her to do something or saved her or SPOKE to her. OOh I hate you so much in spite of you saving me and my friend countless times and I can't admit I fancy you. Oh grow up! Her whining and petulant behaviour grinded on my last nerve and I nearly quit the book 100 pages in. She was also rude to everyone she met which made her look like a spoiled brat and that was really bugging me. Other niggles were minor like it taking so long to find out everything that James was and could do, and the fact that there were too many secrets being kept from the reader as well as each character.
The big plot reveals about Addie's past did not come as a surprise and there are lots of hints, intentional or otherwise, through the book as to what she has done. It didn't spoil the plot though which is the main thing. So in general I found it interesting and entertaining and I did like the way it finished. I'm not sure that I would read on with the next book though as Addie was too much of a pain and it looks like a lot more of her angst is still to come.
I would recommend it to fans of magic, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
This was a frustrating book. There are some great ideas and exciting action sequences, good characters and good writing...all things that make you want to know what was going to happen next. The alchemy story was great, I found the way she mixed her potions interesting and there were a mix of interesting characters that you wanted to find out more about. There were action fights, magical assaults, zombies, vampire alchemists, grims, hellhounds and elementals fighting with air, fire, earth and water which was pretty cool and it was a decent plot with a mixture of urban fantasy, magic and mythology. There is a lot to like about this book and the author is obviously good at telling a story and doing good in depth character development.
Which is why it did not need to go down the typical route of copying all those other books in having the love triangle and the 'I-hate-you-you-smell' childish relationship between the two main characters who you know will end up in bed together at some point. I've seen it in a million books and it bugs me that everyone feels the need to write the same things. So we had Addie acting like a five year old every time Rowan asked her to do something or saved her or SPOKE to her. OOh I hate you so much in spite of you saving me and my friend countless times and I can't admit I fancy you. Oh grow up! Her whining and petulant behaviour grinded on my last nerve and I nearly quit the book 100 pages in. She was also rude to everyone she met which made her look like a spoiled brat and that was really bugging me. Other niggles were minor like it taking so long to find out everything that James was and could do, and the fact that there were too many secrets being kept from the reader as well as each character.
The big plot reveals about Addie's past did not come as a surprise and there are lots of hints, intentional or otherwise, through the book as to what she has done. It didn't spoil the plot though which is the main thing. So in general I found it interesting and entertaining and I did like the way it finished. I'm not sure that I would read on with the next book though as Addie was too much of a pain and it looks like a lot more of her angst is still to come.
I would recommend it to fans of magic, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
singh_reads_kanwar2's review
3.0
Addie is an alchemist with a amnesia, she has been rescued from the ruin of the Alchemica, the premier Alchemy institute in the U.S., she remembers nothing about her past...except alchemy. And she is good at it.
After preparing a memory potion, Addie hopes to remember everything that happened. Instead, she gets sketchy memories of the night the Alchemica burned...and of the Fire Elemental, . A man who could turn her to ashes with a thought holds all the answers, or so she thinks.
From there, story takes a number of twists and turns as Addie, her friend James and the elementals race became the part of journey to uncover what happened that night before someone else does.
What I love most about book is Addie's world view. She's snarky, but vulnerable. Serious, but naive. She hopes for the best, but plans for the worst. She has emotional, but knows how to outsmart an enemy with cunningness. Her romance with Rowan is just plain hot. There's a dark side to all this as well, including a double-cross, a pack of zombies and something haunting in Addie's past. And here came the story cliffhanger.
mdlaclair's review
4.0
The main character having amnesia interred me to read this book. I am very glad I did. It is a very cool world! with Alchemy and magic at the center alone with a mystical beast and Zombies. I could not wait to pick up the next book.
wildflowerz76's review
4.0
Let's be honest: most of the books I get for free or super cheap on the Kindle are crap. There's a reason why they're relegated to the "gym reading" folder. It's because they're so light and fluffy and full of nothing that it's easy to zone out while I'm on the treadmill. And while this book didn't require a whole lot of brain power on my part to read, it was very fun and enjoyable.
I used to read a lot of urban fantasy. But at some point, you've read all the really good ones and all you've got left is the crap or anything "new" feels old because you've just read it before. So I haven't read a whole lot of UF in a while. But I'm definitely glad I checked this one out. I'm putting the next on my to-read list for sure.
One note, though: the cover is kind of awful.
I used to read a lot of urban fantasy. But at some point, you've read all the really good ones and all you've got left is the crap or anything "new" feels old because you've just read it before. So I haven't read a whole lot of UF in a while. But I'm definitely glad I checked this one out. I'm putting the next on my to-read list for sure.
One note, though: the cover is kind of awful.
kessaofluatha's review
4.0
The ending was definitely a shock. I didn't predict Amelia to be such a contrast from Addie.
The storyline was decent and I connected with some of the characters, but I don't have an extreme urge to continue with the next book in the series.
The storyline was decent and I connected with some of the characters, but I don't have an extreme urge to continue with the next book in the series.
lbrick363's review
3.0
I’d probably read the second book
At first it was a bit slow, but then it picked up. I pretty much knew who was behind it all but it was still an okay read.
At first it was a bit slow, but then it picked up. I pretty much knew who was behind it all but it was still an okay read.
jerefi's review
2.0
I liked the premise and I liked a most of the characters, but I saw the ending coming a mile away. I also found some parts a bit slow.