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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
-Full review to come
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
WOW. This book was incredible. I do not know how the twists and turns kept getting me, but they did. Just jaw dropping every other then. And the writing is impeccable. I found myself having to intentionally slow down because I was so excited and trying to fly through it. Cannot wait to read the second book!!
4.5 ⭐️
I read this after watching The Apothecary Diaries hoping for similar vibes. While it was nothing like that, it still was a great read. I would have loved for the world to be expanded more and the romance to be deeper, but over all it was a gripping reading and I was really caught by surprise at the end, and I love when it’s not a stereotypical story.
I read this after watching The Apothecary Diaries hoping for similar vibes. While it was nothing like that, it still was a great read. I would have loved for the world to be expanded more and the romance to be deeper, but over all it was a gripping reading and I was really caught by surprise at the end, and I love when it’s not a stereotypical story.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kicking my feet and twirling my hair thinking about the Moon Alchemist.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
AHHHHHHHHHHHH SO GOOD!!! If you like the anime/light novel/manga series The Apothecary Diaries and/or Fullmetal Alchemist, this is the book for you. This was such an amazing read and I HAVE to read the next book now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Child death
It felt very much too similar to both the poppy war and fullmetal alchemist
I also did not have a sense of horror or urgency or anything that was going on. I didn’t feel any tension, didn’t feel anything that main character felt. Everything was just like …. Oh ok….
I also did not have a sense of horror or urgency or anything that was going on. I didn’t feel any tension, didn’t feel anything that main character felt. Everything was just like …. Oh ok….
rating: ★★★★
Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC! MINIMAL SPOILERS AHEAD!
✩‧₊˚ background✧.*
In Imperial China, Fan Zilan lives in a village with her family, where she performs alchemy to resurrect the dead for others. She takes in her skills with pride and good practice, wanting to become a royal alchemist one day. As she seeks to complete her alchemical exams, she meets the Crown Prince, who wants her help with a problem that relates to the royal family. It's up to Zilan to continue her alchemy work while secrets begin to unfold, both of the royal family and of herself.
✩‧₊˚ review✧.*
I discovered this book by its cover and went on to read its plot background, and I loved how it sounded. I like the twist the author did on the Tang Dynasty while being inspired by real-life people, and the visual written details on alchemy and the characters' surroundings. Zilan is a very intriguing character, as the hints to her past got me hooked, especially towards the end. The Crown Prince's character was a bit of a mystery to me at first, but I liked how the author opened him up and showed him to the reader. Whenever the Empress showed up, I would get chills through me. The plot and world building itself is beautiful, and this was a fun read that got my history nerd self excited to learn more about the setting.
✩‧₊˚ recommend?✧.*
I recommend this book to readers who are interested in history, fans of Chloe Gong, and science and historical fiction lovers. It's worth reading if you like books based on Asian history.
The Scarlet Alchemist is out October 3, 2023! Preorder now!
Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC! MINIMAL SPOILERS AHEAD!
✩‧₊˚ background✧.*
In Imperial China, Fan Zilan lives in a village with her family, where she performs alchemy to resurrect the dead for others. She takes in her skills with pride and good practice, wanting to become a royal alchemist one day. As she seeks to complete her alchemical exams, she meets the Crown Prince, who wants her help with a problem that relates to the royal family. It's up to Zilan to continue her alchemy work while secrets begin to unfold, both of the royal family and of herself.
✩‧₊˚ review✧.*
I discovered this book by its cover and went on to read its plot background, and I loved how it sounded. I like the twist the author did on the Tang Dynasty while being inspired by real-life people, and the visual written details on alchemy and the characters' surroundings. Zilan is a very intriguing character, as the hints to her past got me hooked, especially towards the end. The Crown Prince's character was a bit of a mystery to me at first, but I liked how the author opened him up and showed him to the reader. Whenever the Empress showed up, I would get chills through me. The plot and world building itself is beautiful, and this was a fun read that got my history nerd self excited to learn more about the setting.
✩‧₊˚ recommend?✧.*
I recommend this book to readers who are interested in history, fans of Chloe Gong, and science and historical fiction lovers. It's worth reading if you like books based on Asian history.
The Scarlet Alchemist is out October 3, 2023! Preorder now!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes