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lacunaboo's review
4.0
I admit, when I read the very first page I kind of rolled my eyes. It seemed like the book had a sort of forced quirky tone as narrated by Addie, which I thought would be annoying. The first several chapters were interesting enough, but I still thought that overall this was going to be a kind of silly read.
And then I got sucked in. I don't know what changed, but Addie's quirky voice was no longer forced and was, in fact, highly amusing, as it was meant to be. The storyline was engaging and had an impressive number of layers to it. The romance was super hot (heh, heh, a little Elemental humor there). I sped through the pages to get to the end, and will definitely be picking up the next books in the series.
This tale has alchemy, magic, the undead, and a spunky (man, I hate that term, but can't think of a better alternative at the moment) heroine who ends up being a very conflicted protagonist, adding to her interest.
Well done!
And then I got sucked in. I don't know what changed, but Addie's quirky voice was no longer forced and was, in fact, highly amusing, as it was meant to be. The storyline was engaging and had an impressive number of layers to it. The romance was super hot (heh, heh, a little Elemental humor there). I sped through the pages to get to the end, and will definitely be picking up the next books in the series.
This tale has alchemy, magic, the undead, and a spunky (man, I hate that term, but can't think of a better alternative at the moment) heroine who ends up being a very conflicted protagonist, adding to her interest.
Well done!
mydogclimbstree's review
4.0
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The story was an intriguing mystery, and I often cheered on the somewhat sheltered and bewildered heroine.
I don't quite know how to write this without spoilers, but it felt like someone pulled the rug out from under me near the end of the book. If you like a good twist, this certainly had a few.
There are some graphic sexual situations.
I don't quite know how to write this without spoilers, but it felt like someone pulled the rug out from under me near the end of the book. If you like a good twist, this certainly had a few.
There are some graphic sexual situations.
mariaschneider's review
dark
- Strong character development? Yes
1.75
Really good book..until the ending. I assume it was done so that the story can go to a second book. Not a cliffhanger, but a really suck ending. Most of the rest of the book was 5 star writing and plotting, but I won't continue. I hate downer endings. Ruined the whole book for me. If you like dark, tense endings, this book is for you. I am certain the problem will be resolved in next books (this first was free so it was probably not solved in order for people to actually get the next book) but for me, it's a shame to not get that resolved, enjoy the characters and WANT to read more adventures.
helensbookshelf's review
3.0
I've no idea where I got this from. I found it on my kindle while looking for something to read next while on holiday, apparently, I have had it since 2015 but I have no recollection of it at all!
Anyway, I choose it because it looked like it had been on there the longest and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It's not amazing and has a few issues but I read it in half a day, really enjoyed it and went straight on to buy the next one.
As an urban fantasy, it's got everything it needs, a smart mouth protagonist who messes up more than she succeeds, interesting potential love interests and lots of action to keep it all moving along.
I liked Addie, the Master Alchemist that lost her memory when the Alchemia exploded. She got me on side straight away and she's just far enough from perfect to not be annoying.
Rowan, the Fire Element who Addie initially thinks might have caused the explosion but ends up teaming up with is arrogant with a kind enough edge to make him likeable.
Their interactions spark off the page and were my favourite thing about the book. I always like the romance side and I would have liked a bit more of them together because I found that the story-line itself was over-complicated and there was always just a bit too much going on.
There was too much world-building and not enough at the same time because although a lot of the book was Addie explaining things I still didn't get a very clear mental picture of what her world looks like. This is a typical first book problem though, especially when there are complex magic rules that need to be understood by the reader.
I very much enjoyed reading it though, I was addicted straight away and I hope that the next books in the series live up to the initial promise.
Anyway, I choose it because it looked like it had been on there the longest and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It's not amazing and has a few issues but I read it in half a day, really enjoyed it and went straight on to buy the next one.
As an urban fantasy, it's got everything it needs, a smart mouth protagonist who messes up more than she succeeds, interesting potential love interests and lots of action to keep it all moving along.
I liked Addie, the Master Alchemist that lost her memory when the Alchemia exploded. She got me on side straight away and she's just far enough from perfect to not be annoying.
Rowan, the Fire Element who Addie initially thinks might have caused the explosion but ends up teaming up with is arrogant with a kind enough edge to make him likeable.
Their interactions spark off the page and were my favourite thing about the book. I always like the romance side and I would have liked a bit more of them together because I found that the story-line itself was over-complicated and there was always just a bit too much going on.
There was too much world-building and not enough at the same time because although a lot of the book was Addie explaining things I still didn't get a very clear mental picture of what her world looks like. This is a typical first book problem though, especially when there are complex magic rules that need to be understood by the reader.
I very much enjoyed reading it though, I was addicted straight away and I hope that the next books in the series live up to the initial promise.
aimee70807's review
5.0
The Final Formula is one of the top two books I've read this month, which is saying a lot since I whip through the pages at an alarming rate. From a female alchemist who can't remember her past to the magic-has-returned world-building and excellent side characters, The Final Formula kept me riveted to the very end.
The end isn't precisely a cliffhanger, since it resolves the plot questions this book opened, but I should warn you that lovers of a happily ever after will be left itching for the rest of the series. Unfortunately, at the time of this review, the series is not yet complete, so I think I'll wait until the last book is out before I invest more of my soul into Addie. Let's just hope I remember who she is when that time comes around!
The end isn't precisely a cliffhanger, since it resolves the plot questions this book opened, but I should warn you that lovers of a happily ever after will be left itching for the rest of the series. Unfortunately, at the time of this review, the series is not yet complete, so I think I'll wait until the last book is out before I invest more of my soul into Addie. Let's just hope I remember who she is when that time comes around!
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