A review by hearth_hobbit
The Alchemy of Sorrow by Quenby Olson, Krystle Matar, Madolyn Rogers, Angela Boord, Levi Jacobs, Intisar Khanani, Sonya M. Black, M.L. Wang, Carol A. Park, Rachel Emma Shaw, Sarah Chorn, Clayton W. Snyder, Virginia McClain, K.S. Villoso

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

 
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an honest review. 

2.5 Stars: I read it.

Favorite Short Stories: Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani and Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang.

Thoughts: This was an ambitious project for all authors involved. I liked that there are trigger warnings at the beginning of the book for each story. I loved how creatively some authors approached the subject. Unfortunately, the majority of stories, I felt, fell short. The short stories that tie into some of the authors’ current work and series have the opportunity to advertise what their series has to offer. With exception of one story that did this, I felt like all other attempts failed to make me interested at all because the stories couldn’t stand on their own. I did, however, find two authors who I’m really interested in reading more work from. 

Lullaby by K.S. Villoso (3 stars)
I liked the way the author approached writing the main character. However, the world that the author is building off is one that she uses for one of her series. Not having read that series, I felt like I was spending more time trying to understand the world than getting to the main point of the story. Had I read the series or was familiar with the world, maybe it would have made more of an impact.

Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black (2 stars)
This short story is about a phoenix rider who has to step away from her post because of her chronic illness. This world was heavily inspired by East Asian culture and I didn’t know why a white author needed to use these influences for their story. This story explores a loss of identity, self, and a dear companion. I felt like the story was cut off too soon because it felt like we were getting to the point of the story when it ends.

A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord (2 stars)
This story is about grieving for a past life. This is another short story that exists in the author’s existing written world. I’m sure if you’ve read the series, you would probably get a lot out of this story. Without that context, I felt like the author laid out the story well for people who aren’t familiar with her past work. Overall, I think this was entertaining and it ends on a hopeful note. 

A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs (2 stars) 
This short story reminded me both of 1001 Nights and maybe a little bit of Beauty and the Beast. This was well written and flowed well but I didn’t love it. Main character seems to be of South Asian descent and is referred to as a “sandwalker” culturally and is sold into slavery by her family (they keep trying to say she’s “indentured” but a debt was never mentioned so that seems more like slavery). Feels a little uncomfy coming from a white, male author. 

Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani (5 stars)
This story was dedicated to “every child who has to grow up too fast and carry more than they know how.” This story might be my favorite from the collection. When an oldest child is made to be a sort of third parent, it can be really frustrating and the story reflects that. But also looking at circumstances that put the child in that situation and having empathy for remaining caregivers is also important to remember. Also, dragons make everything better. 

The Witch in the Wood by Quenby Olson (4 stars)
This story is about a new mother seeking help for her sick child in a familiar place. It’s about the cost of motherhood and the mothers who will do anything for their children.This story was very touching.
 
Thief by Virginia McClain (2 stars)
This story is about what you would do if you could have more time. This story was sweet and I’m sure it was very cathartic for the author.

Thicker than Water by Carol A. Park (1 star)
This is another tie-in to an existing series. This story is about grieving a sense of belonging that a person may have had in the past. This story was not for me. 

Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang (5 stars)
This story is about mourning the loss of a parent and mourning the potential a parent could have, against the backdrop of a futuristic world that has the VR MMORPG we all wish existed IRL. Escapism during grief is sometimes a vital way to cope that can easily lead down a slippery slope to an unhealthy way of dealing with reality.This story really spoke to me. 

Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder (2 stars)
This story is about grief and how it can take over one’s life. I did not connect with this story.

Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw (3 stars)
The idea behind the relics and cores were really interesting. This story is also a part of a larger series and it feels like it. 

The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers (3 stars)
This story explores depression and grief. This is part of a larger series. I did not connect with this story

The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar (2 stars)
This story is about grief and how it affects the family and friends of one who has passed.This is part of a larger series and felt like it. This story wasn’t for me.