What an absolutely BONKERS ride from start to finish. This book was incredible, but definitely not for the faint of heart. Baker’s gorgeous and gruesome prose is the icing on the cake, with a story that is ambitious and unpredictable (much like our main character, Zilan) with an incredible cast of characters. I can’t emphasize enough how much I enjoyed the characters in this story, and how real they felt.
The Scarlet Alchemist follows Zilan, a young and talented self-taught alchemist, and her cousins-who-are-basically-siblings as they vie for positions in the royal court. The trio are met with resistance at every turn, but they have little to lose and everything to gain. However, they’re all definitely in way over their heads. I promise, you’re not prepared for just how off the rails this goes, with one of the best villains I’ve encountered in a long while.
This book is a gory one, more so than Keeper of Night (which I also loved). While perhaps not as constantly horrific as Hell Followed With Us, I’d say the depictions are on par with that book, if you’re familiar. Although it leans into horror elements, it’s still definitely a fantasy novel, so I think it will have some broad crossover appeal for fans of either/both genres.
I’m still reeling over the ending of this novel, and will likely be thinking about it for ages to come. I’ll be waiting as patiently as I can for book two, holy moly.
Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher for a copy of this book! This review reflects my honest opinion.
The Scarlet Alchemist follows Zilan, a young and talented self-taught alchemist, and her cousins-who-are-basically-siblings as they vie for positions in the royal court. The trio are met with resistance at every turn, but they have little to lose and everything to gain. However, they’re all definitely in way over their heads. I promise, you’re not prepared for just how off the rails this goes, with one of the best villains I’ve encountered in a long while.
This book is a gory one, more so than Keeper of Night (which I also loved). While perhaps not as constantly horrific as Hell Followed With Us, I’d say the depictions are on par with that book, if you’re familiar. Although it leans into horror elements, it’s still definitely a fantasy novel, so I think it will have some broad crossover appeal for fans of either/both genres.
I’m still reeling over the ending of this novel, and will likely be thinking about it for ages to come. I’ll be waiting as patiently as I can for book two, holy moly.
Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher for a copy of this book! This review reflects my honest opinion.