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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
5 Stars
I don't know what I was expecting going into this book but wow, this was soooooo good, probably one of my favorite reads this year! I didn't see any of those twists coming and I literally gasped at each reveal lol. I loved how the author reimagined this time period and these historical figures - I just love the prince so much. Zilan was also a great MC to follow, so relatable and well-rounded. The way this ended was not what I was expecting but I loved it (even though it had me so conflicted-iykyk) and I cannot wait to pick up the next book a see what happens next (plz get my bb back!!!).
I don't know what I was expecting going into this book but wow, this was soooooo good, probably one of my favorite reads this year! I didn't see any of those twists coming and I literally gasped at each reveal lol. I loved how the author reimagined this time period and these historical figures - I just love the prince so much. Zilan was also a great MC to follow, so relatable and well-rounded. The way this ended was not what I was expecting but I loved it (even though it had me so conflicted-iykyk) and I cannot wait to pick up the next book a see what happens next (plz get my bb back!!!).
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Did I kick myself for not reading The Scarlet Alchemist sooner? Absolutely! BUT…My brain thanked me for the delay for my sanity, as I could reach for book two once I picked my jaw off the floor. The Scarlet Alchemist is a dark fantasy set retelling the Tang Dynasty period's history in China, around deadly alchemy and dabbling with life and death with exhilarating results as danger and desire collide.
Kylie Lee Baker's writing style is decadently dark, evocatively blending action, suspense, and murder with beautiful tender moments into a thrilling, action-packed plot that explores power, identity, and sacrifice themes. She pulls brutal punches for her rich, well-developed characters who you will love – she's an evil mastermind who is giving them a baptism of fire through her ruthless plot. Her ability to paint stark contrasts with her words in her world-building is stunning – she brings to life opulent shimmering palaces full of the eternal young nobles to the bustling, depraved streets where everyone struggles to survive day to day while dreaming of a better life.
Fan Zilan is a marvelously unhinged protagonist with buckets of determination and a resilient heart. She's fought through the school of hard knocks to earn every victory as she pursues her dreams to make a better life for herself and her adopted family. You can't help but relate to her battles and root for her success in every desperate moment as she strives through bullying by those who think themselves above her, political intrigues, and growing close to the crown prince, Li Hong, whose life hangs by a thread in turbulent times.
An unputdownable, addictive historical fantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat and staying up way past your bedtime with an immersive, fast-paced plot, gripping narrative, and ruthless storytelling. If you loved the Poppy Wars, Hunger Games, and Asian-inspired fantasy, add The Scarlet Alchemist to your TBR.
One last piece of advice – about the ending… give yourself a minute to pick your jaw off the floor. Make a cup of tea and start the next book immediately- your nerves might never be the same, but you will be OK, I promise.
Kylie Lee Baker's writing style is decadently dark, evocatively blending action, suspense, and murder with beautiful tender moments into a thrilling, action-packed plot that explores power, identity, and sacrifice themes. She pulls brutal punches for her rich, well-developed characters who you will love – she's an evil mastermind who is giving them a baptism of fire through her ruthless plot. Her ability to paint stark contrasts with her words in her world-building is stunning – she brings to life opulent shimmering palaces full of the eternal young nobles to the bustling, depraved streets where everyone struggles to survive day to day while dreaming of a better life.
Fan Zilan is a marvelously unhinged protagonist with buckets of determination and a resilient heart. She's fought through the school of hard knocks to earn every victory as she pursues her dreams to make a better life for herself and her adopted family. You can't help but relate to her battles and root for her success in every desperate moment as she strives through bullying by those who think themselves above her, political intrigues, and growing close to the crown prince, Li Hong, whose life hangs by a thread in turbulent times.
An unputdownable, addictive historical fantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat and staying up way past your bedtime with an immersive, fast-paced plot, gripping narrative, and ruthless storytelling. If you loved the Poppy Wars, Hunger Games, and Asian-inspired fantasy, add The Scarlet Alchemist to your TBR.
One last piece of advice – about the ending… give yourself a minute to pick your jaw off the floor. Make a cup of tea and start the next book immediately- your nerves might never be the same, but you will be OK, I promise.
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK!!!
It was so good the writing, the characters, THE PLOT TWISTS THAT JUST KEPT COMING. I don’t know if I’m just not perceptive enough to see them coming but holy damn.
The prince and her
It was so good the writing, the characters, THE PLOT TWISTS THAT JUST KEPT COMING. I don’t know if I’m just not perceptive enough to see them coming but holy damn.
The prince and her
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wasn't expecting this book to be as... gruesome as it was. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely caught me off guard and wasn't what I'd been in the mood for, so I think that took away from some of my enjoyment of this book.
It was decent, but not amazing. It was dark and bloody and exciting, but it felt like it was missing something. I think it focussed so closely on certain aspects that the world felt like it didn't exist outside of the scenes we were in - it didn't feel full and real, and that lessened the impact. I just didn't feel immersed in the world and it felt slippery, hard to get my bearings.
I did like the relationship between the Prince and Zilan - her sharpness against his earnest naivete was a fun combination. It did seem like a bit of a plot hole of sorts thatwhen Zilan found out she was dead and would drain the qi of her loved ones, she never once seemed to think about what that meant for her and Hong... Sure, there was a lot going on, but you'd think that in her despair that would be one of the things that she thought of - that she could never stay with him because she would kill him.
I am curious about the second book, so I probably will read it, but I think this is one that I'll eventually unhaul from my shelves because I won't likely reread it and I don't care about having it in my "trophy collection".
It was decent, but not amazing. It was dark and bloody and exciting, but it felt like it was missing something. I think it focussed so closely on certain aspects that the world felt like it didn't exist outside of the scenes we were in - it didn't feel full and real, and that lessened the impact. I just didn't feel immersed in the world and it felt slippery, hard to get my bearings.
I did like the relationship between the Prince and Zilan - her sharpness against his earnest naivete was a fun combination. It did seem like a bit of a plot hole of sorts that
I am curious about the second book, so I probably will read it, but I think this is one that I'll eventually unhaul from my shelves because I won't likely reread it and I don't care about having it in my "trophy collection".