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A review by teri_reads
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book sucked me in from the very beginning and I found myself flying through it, and now I'm left (not-so-patiently) waiting for Book 2.
The magic system is really interesting, using different metals to generate alchemy based on the four elements. From the beginning, we find out that Zilan performs life alchemy (aka resurrects people), which is forbidden. But that skill and knowledge gets her wrapped up in the royal family in ways she could've never expected.
This is a Young Adult novel where the 17-year-old protagonist really felt like she made sense to me. She was full of complicated feelings about her history, her role within her family, and her status as a merchant among scholars and royals. She got wrapped up in things so much bigger than her and more complicated than she realized, all because she rushed in without fully thinking through the consequences. Her allegiance and motivations were pulled back and forth as she struggled to figure out who she really was and what she wanted to stand for.
There were a few really good, unexpected twists in this book. And looking back, there were some really interesting bits of foreshadowing and breadcrumbs throughout the earlier bits of the book that made the reveals all that more impactful.
Here's a few spoiler-y thoughts.
- I felt the Empress made such a well-written villain. Always one step ahead, pulling on puppet strings in a million directions. But at the last second misjudging Zilan's true priorities, and how much of herself she'd be willing to give up to save the world. She could never truly understand Zilan's mind.
- I genuinely loved her relationship with the Prince. Give me a golden retriever boy who falls in love with the girl who actively hates his guts any day.
- THE ENDING. What an absolute TEASE, miss Kylie Lee! You are really gonna make sure we all read Book 2. I felt NO closure, and I have 8 million questions.
The magic system is really interesting, using different metals to generate alchemy based on the four elements. From the beginning, we find out that Zilan performs life alchemy (aka resurrects people), which is forbidden. But that skill and knowledge gets her wrapped up in the royal family in ways she could've never expected.
This is a Young Adult novel where the 17-year-old protagonist really felt like she made sense to me. She was full of complicated feelings about her history, her role within her family, and her status as a merchant among scholars and royals. She got wrapped up in things so much bigger than her and more complicated than she realized, all because she rushed in without fully thinking through the consequences. Her allegiance and motivations were pulled back and forth as she struggled to figure out who she really was and what she wanted to stand for.
There were a few really good, unexpected twists in this book. And looking back, there were some really interesting bits of foreshadowing and breadcrumbs throughout the earlier bits of the book that made the reveals all that more impactful.
- I felt the Empress made such a well-written villain. Always one step ahead, pulling on puppet strings in a million directions. But at the last second misjudging Zilan's true priorities, and how much of herself she'd be willing to give up to save the world. She could never truly understand Zilan's mind.
- I genuinely loved her relationship with the Prince. Give me a golden retriever boy who falls in love with the girl who actively hates his guts any day.
- THE ENDING. What an absolute TEASE, miss Kylie Lee! You are really gonna make sure we all read Book 2. I felt NO closure, and I have 8 million questions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Racism
Alternate Tang Dynasty China. Based on the history that alchemists were searching for a source of immortality. This book is dark and gruesome, but doesn't feel like horror or too intense.