A review by anna4
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious tense 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

4.0

I had a really great time with this book! Didn’t expect to like it so much.

The writing was easy and the story and world building therefore just as easy to understand. However, there were very few expressions that seemed too modern considering the setting and even more so the time period. In true me-fashion, I didn’t write down the specific parts, but I do remember thinking “hmm that’s a weird thing to say”. Nothing too noticeable though or anything, that would ruin a reader's experience.

I did like all of the characters, especially Yufei. Probably one of the best characters in this book.

I very much enjoyed the relationship between Zilan and her siblings/cousins. Their conversations and interactions were almost always humorous one way or another. 

Zilan herself is a very strong protagonist. Fighting her way to become a royal alchemist against all odds. Some of her choices along the way were questionable and maybe more so naive, which is somewhat understandable considering her age and her life as well as her position in society.

I do have to say that the only thing I wasn’t completely sold on was the romance. I can see it, but I also wasn’t feeling it completely. This might be because I wasn’t really aware of how much time passed between arriving at court and being in-love or because there weren’t enough moments between the two love interests for me to make this believable.

There was a moment near the very end (pretty sure it was the second to last chapter or maybe even the chapter before that) where I thought things could go either way and I will say that I am intrigued by an alternative sequel. 

The book does not end in a cliffhanger. I would even say it’s a rather soft ending, though a very good one, with a nice transition for the sequel. 

If you’re not a native english speaker and have difficulties getting around in a non-western setting, I would recommend trying this book. The setting is great. The plot is, too. Very understandable without being overwhelmed.

(I will also say, that whenever the alchemists performed their magic, I was thinking about that game that probably most of us have played at one point, which is “Little Alchemy”. Great game!)