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A review by yomireads
Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Infinity Alchemist is set to be released February 5th, and it has a formula for success that I was eager to jump into. It has a cast queer characters to sing about: gender-fluid, trans, gay, pansexual, and bisexuality all wrapped comfortably in a plot with a lot of potential. The magic was gripping, and the premise intriguing. What missed the mark for me was the execution of all that promise. While those unapologetically queer and emotionally diverse characters were what propelled me through just under half the story before I had to call it quits, they were also the reason I had to call it quits.
This is a story that tries for multiple POVs, but only occasionally, and without any indicators to the reader, nor any real shift in internal monologue, which from my read, creates two-dimensional characters and writing. And with the fast pacing of the story, much of the character development feels stilted and rushed, the chemistry between characters convoluted and inorganic, and the conflict between relationships contrived rather than sincere.
Within a weeks time Ash and Ramsey achieve what is supposedly inconceivably difficult, bitter rivals drop all their judgements of one another, and all thoughts of establishing Ash's foundational alchemy is out the window, leaving the audience without a working idea of what those foundational skills look like, and Ash as both ignorant and arrogant as a powerful but hapless alchemist.
Truly, I wanted to be on Ash's side, especially since we so rarely get trans characters who get to express their righteous fury, but none of Ash's fury felt righteous, only trite and shallow. I appreciate his self-awareness on his pride and short temper, but self-awareness can only take you so far.
The plot says it's about the Book of Source, but the focus meanders around that with so little urgency it's hard to believe it when the characters express its utmost importance. Here's a synopsis of what I read, with mild spoilers to capture what I mean.
Ash wants his license. Ramsey wants the Book. Bargain time. Ramsey has a complex history. What's dead-beat dad, Gresham up to? Surprise, assassin orphan. Now there's romantic tension and, whoops, don't forget about the Book. Stilted dialogue with an assassin (what could go wrong?) It went wrong. But what if the person I've spent half the book coming to trust is untrustworthy, because these untrustworthy people say so? Mmm, I'm still not gonna tell them where the Book is. Good thing the bad guys don't care enough to use any alchemic methods of getting that info. Now we're exploring exlovers I guess?
I tapped out here.
I think with a slower pacing and a writing style with less focus on telling the audience character traits and more on showing it this would have been a winner. Especially considering I loved this author's contemporary romance last year-- I gave that story and writing a full five stars!
While this was a disappointing read for me, if you enjoy fast paced stories with a focus on character that's angled toward a younger audience, put your libby hold in early.
This is a story that tries for multiple POVs, but only occasionally, and without any indicators to the reader, nor any real shift in internal monologue, which from my read, creates two-dimensional characters and writing. And with the fast pacing of the story, much of the character development feels stilted and rushed, the chemistry between characters convoluted and inorganic, and the conflict between relationships contrived rather than sincere.
Within a weeks time Ash and Ramsey achieve what is supposedly inconceivably difficult, bitter rivals drop all their judgements of one another, and all thoughts of establishing Ash's foundational alchemy is out the window, leaving the audience without a working idea of what those foundational skills look like, and Ash as both ignorant and arrogant as a powerful but hapless alchemist.
Truly, I wanted to be on Ash's side, especially since we so rarely get trans characters who get to express their righteous fury, but none of Ash's fury felt righteous, only trite and shallow. I appreciate his self-awareness on his pride and short temper, but self-awareness can only take you so far.
The plot says it's about the Book of Source, but the focus meanders around that with so little urgency it's hard to believe it when the characters express its utmost importance. Here's a synopsis of what I read, with mild spoilers to capture what I mean.
Ash wants his license. Ramsey wants the Book. Bargain time. Ramsey has a complex history. What's dead-beat dad, Gresham up to? Surprise, assassin orphan. Now there's romantic tension and, whoops, don't forget about the Book. Stilted dialogue with an assassin (what could go wrong?) It went wrong. But what if the person I've spent half the book coming to trust is untrustworthy, because these untrustworthy people say so? Mmm, I'm still not gonna tell them where the Book is. Good thing the bad guys don't care enough to use any alchemic methods of getting that info. Now we're exploring exlovers I guess?
I tapped out here.
I think with a slower pacing and a writing style with less focus on telling the audience character traits and more on showing it this would have been a winner. Especially considering I loved this author's contemporary romance last year-- I gave that story and writing a full five stars!
While this was a disappointing read for me, if you enjoy fast paced stories with a focus on character that's angled toward a younger audience, put your libby hold in early.