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cricklewood's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Whoa. This was an unexpected page turner for me. Exciting (and pretty unique!) worldbuilding mixed with science, peppered with interesting dynamics and chemistry between the characters, and a likable main character discovering herself and seeking redemption. Definitely one to continue.
lucy_rain_and_cupcakes's review
5.0
~Sometime a favorite book is discover when you're least expecting. I'll admit I had this book on my Kindle since June, and have completely forgot about it. I started reading this book one night and didn't closed my eyes until I finished reading this book. Yes, it was that interesting.
When the magic returned two years ago, there are two type of magic co-existed in the world. New magic which are those who can control magic element with their mind, and Old magic which are inherited by bloodline passed down generations. There is also a third-type of modern "magic", those who works with chemistry and philosophy, the Alchemist.
I thought The Final Formula was unique and different compare to other Urban Fantasy genre. This book has an unique take on magical creatures that aren't mainstream, while having a fresh take on some supernatural beings that were common among Urban Fantasy genre.
I just loved the characters in this book, first we have Addie, an intelligent and strong female Alchemist who has no memory before the bombing of Alchemica. Addie's character was very easy to like, her confident in her Alchemist ability was admirable. Addie has a side-kick that turned out to be anything but ordinary. I loved James' character, I found his abilities interesting and unique. Then there is the Flame Lord, Rowan, the only Fire elemental that is living past his prime. Rowan was a mystery but very entertaining to read, especially when he and Addie work together.
This book was such a pleasure to read, Ms Andre wrote a book that hits all the right spot for me. The story and the writing just flaws together so well. Very well developed characters, and an intriguing fantasy world that has a solid world building, which I can't get enough of. You want mystery there was mystery, you want action there were plenty of actions, you want romance there were some romances, but it never takeaway the focus of the story.
I do think the ending was a little predicable, I thought Addie was too engrossed in her own world and can be overzealous at time, especially when she finds familiar faces that would trigger her memories, in result she often overlook many obvious clues.
Some readers have issue with the age differences, but honestly age seem irrelevant when you are reading supernatural/fantasy books.
This was a well written, well pace book that has a plot full of twists and turns. The Final Formula was an unique, gripping Urban Fantasy book that I couldn't put it down once I start reading. If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy and am looking for something a bit different to read, you don't want to missed out on this book! (Kindle readers, this book is free on Amazon. Go read this book!)
Happy Reading!
bananatricky's review
4.0
Wow!
I bought this book (£0.77 at Amazon) because Becca apparently beta reads for one of my favourite authors, Lindsay Buroker, and Lindsay raved about her. I am so glad I did.
Addie's past is a black hole. The only thing she can remember is alchemy but not her name or anything else. She is eking out a living making heart-seeking bullets for a gun shop. Her first memories are of surviving the explosion which flattened the alchemy building and killed all the alchemists. She also saw the Fire Elemental and a group of black-clad special forces types. She decides to try to find out what really happened that night and how she lost her memories.
There were some parts of the book which followed a standard PNR/UF expectation there's nothing wrong with that at all and others might not agree that these were either sign-posted or expected.
However, there were also lots of things which I didn't expect, even after some revelations have been made - I'm not even going to spoiler them!
The story progressed at a cracking pace and although I was a tad confused at the start about how things fitted in it all resolved itself nicely at the end.
On the strength of this I have already downloaded the novella and the next full book - thanks for the recommendation Lindsay.
I bought this book (£0.77 at Amazon) because Becca apparently beta reads for one of my favourite authors, Lindsay Buroker, and Lindsay raved about her. I am so glad I did.
Addie's past is a black hole. The only thing she can remember is alchemy but not her name or anything else. She is eking out a living making heart-seeking bullets for a gun shop. Her first memories are of surviving the explosion which flattened the alchemy building and killed all the alchemists. She also saw the Fire Elemental and a group of black-clad special forces types. She decides to try to find out what really happened that night and how she lost her memories.
There were some parts of the book which followed a standard PNR/UF expectation
Spoiler
I suspected Emil and Neil from early on, I also suspected that Addie had devised the Final Formula. It seemed inevitable that Addie and Rowan would get together and that James was in love with Addie -However, there were also lots of things which I didn't expect, even after some revelations have been made - I'm not even going to spoiler them!
The story progressed at a cracking pace and although I was a tad confused at the start about how things fitted in it all resolved itself nicely at the end.
On the strength of this I have already downloaded the novella and the next full book - thanks for the recommendation Lindsay.
slc333's review
3.0
For most of the book I was hovering between 4 and 5 stars. It was well paced, fun and the alchemical stuff was interesting and not over done. I liked the character of Addie - she is feisty, kind, self confident and very creative in her potion making. I loved her relationship with best friend James and she and Rowan were really cute together and I love the development of their romance. But then
Spoiler
the last 10% ruined it for me by basically ruining everything about this book that I loved so much. Firstly I was annoyed that she made James in love with Addie - the sibling like love & friendship that Addie feels for James worked much better. But I could have coped with that, it was having past Addie -as Amelia-'s action so reprehensible with regard to both James and Rowan that ruined it for me. In one fell swoop it destroys all the things that made me love the story so much - Addie's character and her relationships with both James & Rowan. It would have been so much better if unpleasant past Addie hadn't been directly responsible for betraying both James & Rowan thereby ruining my enjoyment of the story. You could still have Addie trying to redeem herself but without the loss of the things that made the book so fun.Spoiler
Obviously I am pretty much alone in this sentiment as everyone else seems to love every aspect of the story even the twist. I just felt sad and disappointed.chyina's review
4.0
The best fantasy I've read in a while.
Addie stands for "Addled Alchemist." What else can she say? When they found her months ago, she had no memories and the only words that came from her lips were that of alchemical ingredients. But that was then and this is now. With her friend James by her side, she decides to find out the truth. What happened the night she lost her memory? The night her home blew up?
Addie is a wonderfully hilarious character. Well, not hilarious. Most of the time I couldn't stand her as she was rude for no reason and absolutely annoying...but, she had her moments. Becca Andre gives us a good look into James' life and it adds so much to the story. Not often do authors give so much focus to a character who is neither the protagonist nor a love interest. But James' relationship with Addie defines her as she has been living with him since she lost her memory. And even though she hates his abusive older brothers, we can see true love there.
On the other side of things is Rowan. The Flame Lord. The one who Addie thinks has all the answers. But when she discovers he isn't who she thought she was she is a bit confused and altogether outraged. Could he be any more pretentious? But Addie still desires to know what's going on and Andre weaves in comedy through the snide comments and arguments that bounce back and forth between her protagonist and Rowan. This book definitely made me excited to embark on the rest of the series.
Addie stands for "Addled Alchemist." What else can she say? When they found her months ago, she had no memories and the only words that came from her lips were that of alchemical ingredients. But that was then and this is now. With her friend James by her side, she decides to find out the truth. What happened the night she lost her memory? The night her home blew up?
Addie is a wonderfully hilarious character. Well, not hilarious. Most of the time I couldn't stand her as she was rude for no reason and absolutely annoying...but, she had her moments. Becca Andre gives us a good look into James' life and it adds so much to the story. Not often do authors give so much focus to a character who is neither the protagonist nor a love interest. But James' relationship with Addie defines her as she has been living with him since she lost her memory. And even though she hates his abusive older brothers, we can see true love there.
On the other side of things is Rowan. The Flame Lord. The one who Addie thinks has all the answers. But when she discovers he isn't who she thought she was she is a bit confused and altogether outraged. Could he be any more pretentious? But Addie still desires to know what's going on and Andre weaves in comedy through the snide comments and arguments that bounce back and forth between her protagonist and Rowan. This book definitely made me excited to embark on the rest of the series.
suncani's review
4.0
Good, fast moving book. At first I found the pace a bit off-putting as it felt like the timing was off, but as I went through it worked and added to the atmosphere of the novel. I liked the twist at the end and felt it added suitable consequences to what Addie had done. The concepts of alchemy and Elements were explained just enough for me without slowing the pace of the story. Looking forward to reading the next one and learning more about the world and how Addie deals with the revelations of this book.
beardybot's review
5.0
Fantastic book. Really great. I'm on holiday, but I just had to finish. I'm glad I did. Immediately ordered book 1.5. It sort of combines supernatural YA with modern urban fantasy, but it does it so well it feels fresh and new.
Addie is a really good lead, too. Stronger than most of the famous 'strong female leads', though we'll see in the second book how she deals with the big reveal at the end.
ddbookreviews's review
4.0
Addie is an Alchemist, trying to find out what happened when the Alchemica was destroyed. She has amnesia and therefore the Hunter brothers who now employ her call her the Addled Alchemist. In her effort to uncover what happened she discovers that her best friend is not truly human, that the arrogant Flame Lord is nice to look at and that what she may uncover would change everything as she now knew it.
Follow Addie, James, and the four Elements in their struggle against necromancers and lichs. This is one paranormal series you will not want to put down until you have read them all.
Follow Addie, James, and the four Elements in their struggle against necromancers and lichs. This is one paranormal series you will not want to put down until you have read them all.