The Scarlet Alchemist

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b><i>You cannot create good without also creating evil.</i></b>
None of the books I’ve read recently made me so mad, but this one. But it was also so amazing this is my BOOK OF THE YEAR, as I don’t expect any other one to surpass its awesomeness. Please BE AWARE it’s very, very gruesome book, so if you don’t like bloody stuff like The Poppy War you’d check out some other title.
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<b>"Good” Yufei said. “Now go destroy them.”
“It’s an informational meeting. I’m not destroying–“
<i>”Destroy them,”</i> Yufei said, shaking her head. “No making friends until you pass."</b>
If you’re a regular Cdrama wuxia/xianxia watcher, then this book will make you feel like you’re home. A bit bloody home. Meet Zilan, orphaned alchemist living with her cousins and uncles as Fan Zilan – name reserved for a servant at most. But all makeshift sibling trio dream big of going to capital as royal officials. They’ve centered their whole lives around the exams, as they’re poor, and their only source of income is their ceramic shop and well, necromancy. Zilan always had a talent for bringing fresh corpses back to life, and as their earnings ain’t big enough to feed their family, after shop hours are over they welcome wealthy neighbours with their loved ones corpses. One night Zilan meets handsome stranger, that’s ready to pay her years worth of gold just to bring her to capital with him to have her ready as soon as his presumed inevitable death arrives, but she declines his offer. She said she’ll arrive at the capital on her own terms, as a part of the fresh batch of royal alchemist trials, which she did.
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<b>"Chang’an did not seem like a place where one could live quietly. It was a city with teeth, and it already knew my name."</b>
Whole Fans trio arrive at the capital and continue their officials trials, and you get kind of <i>Spin the dawn</i> rivalry but thousand times more bloody. And who might’ve guessed, the handsome stranger was in fact a Crown Prince of a legendary lady Emperor Wu Zetian, who due to her talented alchemists lives for over hundred years already, and surprisingly has quite a lot funerals of late in her family going on. Due to some twisted events, our Zilan becomes not only the Scarlet Alchemist, but also princes concubine. Which they of course <i>fake</i>. So you get fake dating but set in historical China, could there ever be anything more perfect? Thou there’s still all that blood and murders happening, which our Zilan is desperate to solve.
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<b>"From now on, you’ll be known as the Scarlet Alchemist.”</b>
The Scarlet Alchemist was truly a twisted but amazing ride, full of blood, found family, racism, fake dating, alchemy and once again blood. But I loved it with my whole heart, even thou the ending made me so mad now I want to kindly ask the author to let all of the characters finally have some rest (and make some freaking necromancy shenanigans to HAVE THAT PARTICULAR CINNAMON ROLL BACK IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW, thank you. I’ll painfully wait for the next instalment to arrive, hoping my heart will be mended and all the ducks will be fed. Thank you, solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and book of the year for me.

The Scarlet Alchemist is a gripping tale about a girl trying her best to climb the ranks of alchemists while retaining her true self. I’ve requested to read this because I was super interested in the book from the author’s TikTok, and I wasn’t let down AT ALL. This book met all of my expectations and more - if you’re also like me, looking at the author’s videos, they’re not spoilery at all.

I loved the tone of this novel. The action starts immediately without it being stifling. The pace at which things are revealed is even and doesn’t feel rushed. This is the first book I read by this author, and I loved her writing style!

We only meet a few characters in-depth, which makes sense for this genre of book, and they all have their own voice, despite their motivations differing. I loved every character presented, even though I would’ve loved to know more about the alchemists we’ve encountered.

The one thing that I would’ve changed was how hard Zilan had it for her all the damn time. Of course, the outcome was rewarding once she’d finally struggled her way out of the problem, but it got a little repetitive to have all her plans failing and then she’d pull through in the last second – I would’ve loved for her to have had an easy win at least once.

I loved her cousin, I loved how she knows them and also doesn’t know them at all and how her opinions and assuredness of how much she knows them are based on her own assumptions. Also, her and the Crown Prince? I love them.

Overall, for me this was an easy, quick read, with beautiful prose and fun, live characters. Shoutout to the villain as well, I wish she’d step on me honestly.

This is the first book I've read by Kylie Lee Baker and let me just begin this review with how chapter 30 all the way to chapter 32 made me want to rip my hair out; I was stressed and honestly was still emotionally recovering from the end of chapter 30. How dare you? It was punch after punch after punch?? Give me a break??? I'd be lying if I told you that I never stopped reading and put my kindle down just to say "she did NOT just do that", went back reading the same passage I stopped at, and coming back with the same conclusion that: Yes, she DID that and I did not read it wrong.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 rounded to 5

This was such a good read. I'll confess I know next to nothing about Chinese history, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy this book because the author does such a fantastic job of explaining things in the context of the story. I never felt like I was getting huge, unnecessary info-dumps and all the facts I was given were presented with the flow of the plot.

While the start is a little slow, the pace picks up very quickly once Zilan and her cousins reach the capital city of Chang'an, and the last 20% of the book moves at a breakneck speed! So much action happens in those last few chapters too, I was whizzing through them wanting to know what would happen.

The magical system based on alchemy is so interesting and not something I've come across in a fantasy book before, so it had me very intrigued.

A couple of moments had me shocked to the point I actually gasped and covered my mouth - and I'm someone who can usually quite accurately predict plot points and reveals before they happen. The Scarlet Alchemist kept me guessing throughout and I desperately need the next book ASAP. I guess I'll have to dig into the author's other works in the meantime.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.


the scarlet alchemist offers the reader a rich in details fully described world full of politics,drama, action, intriguing magic, and extremely high stakes.

The characters were so interesting to read about as well, I am always pleasantly surprised to find well written unhinged female characters and Baker delivers them in such a well executed manner in the book.

Through the story the reader is fully immersed due to the beautiful writing. This book was literally addicting, everything I wanted it to be and more and one of my new favourite fantasies.

Excellent story. Lots of action and twists and turns. Well worth reading.

Fantasy story set in China. Great characters. Easy reading

Looking forward to more from Kylie Lee Baker
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC and opportunity to enjoy this wonderful book

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own ☻

Secondly, how does one rate more than 5 stars on this platform?
Because I. Am. Obsessed.

I’ve never dipped into this sub-genre before, and I don’t know whether to be happy or sad that The Scarlet Alchemist was the first that I tried because I don’t know if I’ll ever find another like it again.

Kylie Lee Baker has such a way with words that pulled me so freaking deep into the story I found myself up at 4 am just thinking about the book (after I had put it down and said I’m going to bed at 3 am already) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her world building is beyond gorgeous and her characters are so so beautifully depicted and so real that Yufei and Wenshu feel like my own family the way they are Zilan’s.

The Prince was the sweetest love interest I’ve read about in YA in such a long time and I’m heartbroken and excited about what’s to come for them in the future.

I’ve been looking for something to get me into fantasy again and I’m so happy that this is what did it because I truly enjoyed all of the alchemy and fantasy elements of the Scarlet Alchemist and if this is the way KLB writes I may have to look into reading her first duology because I truly can’t remember the last time I was engrossed in fantasy like this.

I loved The Scarlet Alchemist so so much, and will be thinking about this book until I read the next one.

Hodder has once again delivered an exceptional title that surpasses all expectations. The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker is an absolute triumph!

Baker's writing style is elegant and evocative, seamlessly blending action, suspense, and heartfelt moments. The pacing is superb, with each chapter leaving you yearning for more. Further, she skillfully explores themes of power, privilege, and identity, weaving them into the fabric of the story without overshadowing the thrilling plot. The setting is incredibly immersive and captivating, flawlessly blending historical elements with fantastical elements of alchemy. The world comes to life through Baker's masterful descriptions, allowing readers to envision the opulent palaces, bustling streets, and the stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots. It's a world that feels both familiar and yet utterly unique.

Zilan, the protagonist, is a remarkable character whose determination and resilience make her instantly relatable. As she navigates the treacherous path of the imperial exams, competing against formidable alchemists while battling her own reputation, we can't help but root for her. The stakes are high, especially when the Crown Prince seeks her assistance in uncovering an assassination plot. The intricate web of political intrigue and the dark secrets lurking within the palace walls add layers of suspense and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this dark duology .

Do you love Fullmetal Alchemist as much as I do? Well then this is the book for you!

And no I don't just say that because there is alchemy. To me this book feels draws inspiration directly from FMA and I love it (considering FMA has one of the most well thought out plots ever, I am surprised more aren't inspired). An alchemist who dabbles in forbidden life alchemy, whose mother dies prior to the start, and whose foreigner father ran off but the mother always believed would return? Who is taking a state alchemy exam soon? Who initially learned from her alchemist father's notes? You can see it! And that is just the beginning.

However, don't think this is just a copy, no no. While inspiration is there, this book is its own wild plot that had me multiple times kicking my feet in the air and sending messages of “AHHHH” to my friend. I highly recommend this book.

The thing I LOVE most about this book is that most don’t forget the power difference between the Crown Prince and Zilan. This is frequently missing from many fantasies, particularly romantasy, that everything is hunky dory between someone royal and someone lower class. “He risks nothing and you risk everything” A line to remember and keeps it so real; this is why I like Yufei and Wenshu best. They were us, the readers, in this book bringing Zilan back to earth. They tempered my feelings for Zilan, who I liked a lot at the beginning, but grew more frustrated throughout the book. Hopefully, she does some growing up in the next book and remembers she’s seventeen, not an army general.

Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for the ARC.

This the first book I’ve read from this author and I Enjoyed this book. It was immersive and imaginative and the world building was fantastic with a really great magic system. I enjoyed the fast pace of the book once it got going as it does start a bit slow, but stick with it,
It’s funny and witty and I absolutely loved the main character. It’s unlike many other books I’ve read and I read a lot of fantasy. I would highly highly recommend this and I will 100% be adding a physical copy to my collection when this is released

•YA Fantasy Duology
•Set in alternate Tang Dynasty
•Ancient China
•Political games
•Dark Secrets
•Dragon Boat Festival
•Ordeal & Alchemy

The book is so intriguing and captivating. It’s about Alchemy. Set in ancient China, the FMC is oblivion to some perilous secrets. Her father vanished and her mother died. She became an alchemist. And alchemy is mysterious, secretive and filled with dangers. It has it is own rules like you can not create good without creating evil and people closest to you die in every four years. Alchemy is about drawing the power of the natural world. Though when the Emperor approaches her and offer her to become a royal alchemist, she couldn’t decline and she go to Chang’an but she gets tangled in an imperial exam, political games, and Emperor’s secrets. Also the secrets of dynasty surround her. Until the secrets unveils.

The characters are mysterious and secretive. The FMC felt like she is not kind in the beginning but later she felt broken hearted inside. The ending was so unpredictable and surprising. When the secrets came out, they turned Zilan’s world upside down. The world building is so fascinating where inequality between rich and poor has shown. It was such a thought provoking book.

Thank you Netgalley, Author and Publisher

it has genuinely been a long time since a book has captured my attention like this. like i was excited. i was scared. i was screaming. i was kicking my legs, giggling. kylie lee baker has had my eye for a while, and i am so, so glad that i finally did pick up one of her books. the scarlet alchemist is a book that i absolutely devoured. it's fast paced, with brilliant writing, interesting twists, and characters to fall in love with. zilan is such an unhinged main character i couldn't help but love her. you know those scenes in books when you just wish the mc would just explode with anger and show everyone doubting her and being unfair to her that she's fucking marvelous? that's zilan, down to the bone. it's so satisying to read those scenes of her. and hong! wow, he's kinda pathetic and a big dope, but i still love him anyway. klb i am on my hands and knees that they will be alright and nothing else will happen or else i swear to god. empress wu is an interesting character to me. she's evil and vicious and SMART and not gonna lie i kinda respect that....zilan's cousins were also so fun and loveable and the ending for yufei just kinda made me giggle somehow it's perfect for her. i think some of the twists can be predictable, but it didn't really damper my enjoyment. there wasn't a single dull moment in this book & i was fully entertained all throughout. i can definitely see klb becoming one of my new favorite authors to watch out for.

4.5 Stars.
This book was enjoyable from start to finish, I couldn't put it down. Zilan was a really unique protagonist, with plenty of depth to her character. While I know the book isn't predominantly focused on the romance, I do wish we saw more of Zilan and the Prince together, or saw more of what Zilan loved about him in her thoughts, because while I thought he was great, Zilan mostly seemed to think he was pretty useless, so her feelings for him seemed to come a bit out of nowhere.
Not knowing much Chinese history, the setting was fascinating, made even more so by the notes explaining the real people the characters were based on!
I'm really looking forward to the next book, and I'll definitely be picking up KLBs previous books in the meantime.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.

I love this one so much! It was so creative, and so well thought out. My favourite genre is fantasy horror, and thats because of books like this. I devoured it and will definitely read more of this authors work. I litterally was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

I already had a feeling this was gonna be a 5 star read from the first chapter.

I loved how dark this was, the gruesome details, the violence, all the descriptions. It was so disturbing yet wonderful to read with how amazing Kylie Lee Baker’s writing style is. Her dark writing style is very much up my alley and I was so in awe while reading every sentence.

There were so many intense and action-packed scenes throughout the book and I kept panicking on the edge of my seat because the stakes were so HIGH and I was SCARED for these characters.

I devoured this book so fast!!! The fast-paced plot made me feel like I was reading a 200 paged book instead of 400 pages because the writing was so highly addictive that I couldn’t stop myself from reading. This book literally had me in a chokehold lmao.

There were so many unexpected plot twist/reveals that had me shocked and excited and I loved every direction the story was going.

It’s so rare for me to cry in books but I teared up many times both from joy and sadness. I was not expecting to be this emotionally attached to the characters ESPECIALLY Li Hong. His character had to grow on me but now I just wanna hug him and protect him at all costs.

The romance had to grow on me as well because I wasn’t a big fan of the relationship development. But now I love Hong & Zilan, their dynamic is so sweet and makes me wanna tear up every time I think of them.

I’m genuinely so excited for this book to release in October and I’m already so excited for the sequel to come out!!!

This took me on such a journey with Zilan and her cousins, Yufei and Wenshu, and it was a thrilling ride! It was so magical, action packed, and beautifully written! I loved the progression of the characters. I loved ALL the characters. It had me laughing one moment and on the edge of my seat the next, nearly in tears. I got so worried when the story seemed to be going in a completely different direction to where I thought it was going but then the author came full circle and I needn't have worried. I just have to wait until book 2! Waaaah! I loved Zilan's relationship with the royal alchemists and wanted to see more of that. I loved how playful they were which was a pleasant surprise. Zilan and Prince Hong's relationship was slow burn but it was a natural progression from friends to lovers, and I loved the way their relationship blossomed. The Prince was quite weak and selfish in character but he redeems himself and shows how much he cares for others. Zilan was such a strong kick-ass FMC. And so was Yufei. Both Yufei and her brother Wenshu were fantastic characters. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds in book 2! There WILL be a book 2, right??

I have never read historical fantasy before and this book makes me want to read more of this genre. This book was fast paced from the beginning. Loved the premise of the book. I loved learning more about alchemy in fantasy way and how could be used. I really liked all the gory details when it came to the political imbalance. Overall, a wonderful read and will tell other readers about the book. I can’t wait till the next one.

Thanks to netgalley for providing me with this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you enjoy c-dramas, then you should definitely read The Scarlet Alchemist because it reads like a glorious c-drama. It's like an adaptation of a c-drama into a book; the world-building is majestic, fully fleshed out, and gloriously vivid.

We follow the journey of Fan Zilan who later becomes the Scarlet Alchemist. I really, really, really liked Zilan. She makes the tough decisions that others get dizzy just by thinking about it. She calls out injustice and privilege, and yet, deep down, you see a girl who wants to be loved and appreciated. She's so sure that her adoptive family only keeps her because it was the right thing to do and they would let her go as easily as changing clothes. It broke my heart so many times, but Zilan is just so resilient. I loved her tenacity and pure refusal of failing at anything.

Li Hong, the Prince, dear oh dear. I'm not usually one to fall for the innocent and sweet love interest, but Li Hong is probably one of the cutest, most endearing characters I've ever read. He's so pure; I just want to hug him like he hugs his ducks.

The plot had so many twists, and I loved them all, even the heartbreaking ones. This is not an author who is faint-hearted. She made the tough calls (killed and tortured characters and animals alike) and it made the book stronger and my heart much, much weaker. The story is brutal because the reality is brutal, and I appreciated the raw representation.

The world-building is fascinating. I'm not overly knowledgeable about Chinese history and dynasties, but I do know terms and such from watching c-dramas. The world-building felt like coming home to them, like a warm embrace. The alchemy part was amazing! It has always fascinated me, and I felt it was explained clearly and made me all the more interested in it. And most of all, original! Not done a thousand and one times! And it stemmed from actual research!

I loved everything about this book. The characters pulled at all my heartstrings. The plot gave me aneurisms. The world building left me like this emoji 😍😍😍😍😍😍

One of the most groundbreaking YA fantasy books out there. Don't miss it!

This has solidified me picking up any Kylie Lee Baker books past, present and future.

I demolished half this book in just a couple days and would've been faster through the whole thing if life hadn't gotten in the way. This book was excellent.

Opening note to the reader: Alchemy is real.
I was already hooked. Baker was so good at providing a context in brief way to the importance of alchemy in ancient China and the east v west alchemy.

We have Zilan, who is immensely skilled, not just for her age and background but on her own merits, is immensely skilled. Her love for her family is constantly felt, but also her insecurity in her role in her family appears throughout and makes her drive greatness very understandable. She wants to provide for her aunt and uncle and show she is a Fan. Her cousins/siblings really fit well and were enjoyable as characters. I do wish maybe we'd seen a bit more about the confrontation at the inn and the follow on, because surely no one would just let all that slide. Right?

I was unsure about the Crown Prince, because really Zilan's estimation of him felt justified but as their relationship changes, I really ended up liking him which made his outcome sting. Probably Baker's intention so absolutely well done and all the sad applause.

The reimaging of Wu Zetian as a gold hungry, power driven and stop at nothing in this world was very well done. In the short scenes she's there for and the bits we learn about her from Zilan's time as a royal alchemist absolutely make your skin crawl. She was the perfectly reimaged villain. I had to wonder just how long was the Emperor not the emperor before the big confrontation. And because of all the 'The Empress has ears everywhere' I was so suspicious of the royal alchemists.

There were little moments and dialogue that just got me. Like "Why is there a body in the pigpen?" Yufei asked. "That's for later," Like yeah, totally normally, crack on as usual. And the man with the cabbage cart had me giggling because I loved the 'MY CABBAGES' vendor in ATLA. I also immediately appreciate any writer that has a character wary of horses, because I also distrust them. Though we learn why this the case for Zilan later, it didn't make me appreciate it any less. And finally, shout out for the duck nutrition info, more people should know that.

I obviously had a thought of where things would go when I picked this up from its blurb but there were so many twists and turns, character developments and relationship developments, my face got tired from keeping my eyebrows so high. I really can't find fault in this other than I have to wait until next year to get the rest of the story. In the meantime, I can pick up Keeper of the Night Series and devour more of Baker's writing like the Empress with gold.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I requested <i>The Scarlet Alchemist</i> by Kylie Lee Baker because the cover was beautiful and the synopsis sounded like the kind of book I’d enjoy. But what I didn’t know is how much I’d love this story from the first page!

<b>The book follows Zilan</b>, a poor but badass girl <b>who is aiming to become a royal alchemist</b>. The story imagines an <b>alternative version of the Tang dynasty in China</b> where alchemists make rich people almost immortal if they consume gold, including Empress Wu and her family.

If I have to choose my favourite thing about this book I’d say the <b>fast pace</b>. Things are constantly happening in this story, which hooked me up from the first page. But don’t get too comfortable! Because <u>the moment I thought I knew everything that was going on, the author dropped some twists that shocked me</u>. The story is action packed and you will feel the need to keep reading. However, it is perhaps because of this reason that, in my opinion, the third act was a bit chaotic and confusing. A lot of things happened in a short period of time and I had to re-read a few pages to be able to comprehend the end of the book.

I wouldn’t say this is a YA book as the <b>atmosphere and the worldbuilding are very dark and complex</b>. Some <b>elements and scenes are very horror-like</b> which made me enjoy the story even more. I know the main character Zilan is only 17 and that’s probably one of the main reasons why this book has been classified as YA, but most of the time she and the rest of the characters (except maybe the Prince) behave as mature characters.

The <b>three main characters</b> (Zilan and her brothers) are a strong trio and I really enjoyed their dynamic. On the contrary, I’d say that even when I understand <u>the romantic side of the story, I found it boring and predictable</u>. The Prince is a very cute character but he wasn’t interesting enough for me to grow into him. However, I would like to mention that the rest of the side characters are really well-written and add a lot of insight to the story. <b>The Moon Alchemist</b> in particular is one of my favourites!

<b>The book finishes with a cliffhanger</b>, so if you don’t enjoy books where there are loose threads, I’d suggest waiting until the trilogy is complete.

Historical fantasy is one of the genres I usually enjoy the most and <i>The Scarlet Alchemist</i> was the perfect reading after a few heavy and boring books in the past month. It was my first encounter with the author but I’ll make sure to read her previous books as her style was mesmerizing.

<b>5/5
Rep: No queer rep in this book</b>

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I read The Keeper of Night earlier this year and absolutely loved it. The sequel sadly fell flat for me, but that didn't dim my excitement for this book. A historical fantasy set in medieval China with alchemy and necromancy? Sign me up!

I expected to love this book, I did not expect to get this swept away by it.
It's one of those books that really surprise you as the story goes in, it started rather 'small', and at the end it was shock after shock and you're just sitting there like "whoa damn things have really escalated".
There were quite a few plot twists in there that I did not see coming at all, also because some of them were things I haven't seen done before.

The book is certainly YA in terms of the characters who were young and acted like it (not a bad thing!), however, the plot and some of the events got quite dark, and it was a story about corruption and abuse of power, so overall I think it's a compelling book even for adults who feel like they've outgrown YA literature.

I liked the main characters and their chemistry. I really appreciated the humor that was thrown in at times as well, it was a nice balance to the dark plot. The romance was sweet, and I liked the character development that both main characters went through.

However, my favorite thing about this book was definitely the worldbuilding and setting. I'm a big fan of historical fantasy and I always get excited about time periods/settings I haven't read before or haven't read much of, so having a book set in medieval China in the times of Wu Zetian was really cool.
But then it gets SO MUCH better because of the alchemy, I loved how it was rooted in historical sources but turned into a more fantastical element. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about that, and now I want to read more books with alchemy because it was so fascinating to read about.
And if that wasn't enough, we also have necromancy, which I'm always a fan of. I loved the way it was done here since it had a rather unique twist to it.

I really loved the worldbuilding, but don't want to say anything else because it was such a delight to read about it and discover the workings of it as the story progressed.

Overall, this was fantastic and I highly recommend it.
I am, however, torn between being excited and nervous about the sequel. I'm a little bit worried that it will fall into the same trap that the author's first duology fell into for me, where I felt like the sequel wasn't really needed and felt a bit directionless, and with how this book ended, I just feel like the same could happen with this duology. I do like the setup for book 2 and think there is potential to it, but with how grand book 1 ended and how resolved everything seems, I just wonder if the sequel will be able to live up to that.

Kylie has done it again. She is one of my favourite writers. This story has gripped me; I couldn't put it down once it started. We are immediately thrown into action, and I love how in-depth all the characters are. With so few adds to the story and the ducks, how that made me laugh so loud. I love Zilan as a character and how unique she is to this world. I adore that this book reminds me of Full Metal Alchemist, not just the alchemy aspect but others, making this a treasure in my heart. This book made me gasp in shock, as I didn't know what was coming. Next, Kylie has unpredictable twists and turns in this book. The world-building in The Scarlet Alchemist is top-notch. I was so immersed in it that I didn't want to put the book down. When the secrets were revealed, they threw Zilan's world on its head. The world is fascinating because of the discrepancy between the affluent and the poor.
Furthermore, she deftly examines power, privilege, and identity themes, weaving them into the story's fabric without overshadowing the exciting action. The atmosphere is deep and engaging, seamlessly mixing historical and mystical alchemical components. Baker's superb descriptions bring the world to life, letting readers imagine the sumptuous palaces, bustling streets, and stark differences between the haves and the have-nots. It's a universe that feels both familiar and alien simultaneously.
5 Stars.

#thescarletalchemist #bookreview #arcreader #kylieleebaker #netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. I was so excited about it when I first read the blurb and it did not disappoint, not even for a moment.

Zilan is 100% a new favourite main character. She is determined and vicious and powerful and I am utterly obsessed with her. I love how flawed she is, how real she feels. She is a disaster in the absolute best way.

The magic system is also amazing and I highlighted more about that than I have in any other book ever. In fact, I don't really annotate earcs at all, but this one was just so expertly crafted that I couldn't resist!

The story itself delivered on everything it promised and that last 20% or so? Incredible.

I am desperate for more books in this series and I will definitely be checking out more books by this author because I am HOOKED.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod.

THIS BOOK WAS INSANELY GOOD!!! I just finished it and I'm sitting here, still holding my breath. And I'm supposed to wait till the next book is out like my soul wasn't just tumbled around all the way to the next century.

The Scarlet Alchemist was right up my alley, with my favourite setting to read about (China, in general, but specifically Tang dynasty, even though this is an alternate fantastical version), one of my favourite subjects to read about (alchemy, of course), in my favourite genre (fantasy), what more could a girl ask for? Brilliant characters? WE GOT THAT TOO!

Zilan was an amazing main character, one of my favourite characters ever. She cared about herself and her own success, but cared about her family and their wellbeing just as much. She proved everyone who underestimated her wrong and I loved seeing her do it.

I wasn't sure about Hong at first, I thought he was funny but didn't ship him with Zilan until maybe halfway into the book. I wanted to see if there was more to him than we originally saw, and there really was. You could tell that even though he was scared, he still wanted to do the right thing. On top of that, he was really sweet and kind to Zilan, his sisters and his ducks.

Oh how I love the ducks. There's even a possibly evil one, which is my favourite. I also used to feed ducks with bread before I knew it was bad for them, but I still treasure those memories with my uncle who fed them with me.

The plot was engaging and unpredictable, add that to the already fast pace, and this book will have you gasping for air. It's one of those reads that you just devour and immediately want to do it all over again.

This is my very first book by this author, and I can see now that I've seriously been missing out. So don't be like me, pick one of Kylie Lee Baker's books up today (preferably this one ahem ahem) and trust me that your whole world will never be the same again.

ALSO, don't look up anything about it, just go into the story as blind as possible and let Kylie Lee Baker's magical writing transport you into a treacherous court full of political intrigue, backstabbing royals, and alchemists who can create gold that makes you immortal...and thank me later.

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I loved this!!

You can tell KLB put her heart and soul into this book and it truly paid off. She really knows how to create an immersive world where the reader never wants to leave. It was action packed and full of court politics which are some of my favourite reads

The royal drama and high intensity plot with a fun magic system woven in, really left me wanting to read more and more.

I also love how Zilan was not the stereotypical perfect main character and instead she was flawed but yet so relatable.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book

Zilan, an aspiring royal alchemist, practices illegal resurrection alchemy to support her family. When she gets the chance to compete in imperial exams, she faces deadly challenges and a request from the Crown Prince to uncover an assassination plot. She becomes entangled in perilous palace politics and uncovers dark secrets from her past putting her life and future as an alchemist in danger.

I would consider myself a casual fan of fiction set in ancient China so the synopsis drew me right in. The action starts from page 1 and sets up the alchemy system and world lore fantastically. The plot moved along at a great pace, giving enough time to consider plot questions. I actually took a lot of notes while reading which is unusual for me, and I did not predict anything right at all! There were quite a few moments that made me put down my Kindle and wonder if something really just happened.

The characters were extremely well written with great depth. I loved Zilan as a protagonist, especially how she used abrasiveness to hide how soft she is. The prince was both a great foil to Zilan and an excellent character on his own. It is so refreshing to see a gentle love interest, especially in YA.

This was a nice easy read! I'd recommend it to YA readers, especially 15 and up due to some graphic descriptions.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I love the concept of Alchemy and AltHistory stories, and this book combines these two perfectly.
Set in an alternate Tang Dynasty where Alchemy is a thing, Zilan is poor and doing her best to get by - including necromancy. So she and her cousins sign up for the trials to become a Royal Alchemist at court. If you now think 'Blood of Stars' vibe, you're right. Just way more blood and way less stars.
There's also the Prince -cinnamon roll par excellence - and the evil Empress. Oh, and Monsters and family secrets.
All these things combined give a really thrilling tale that you can't put down. It takes a little while for the pace to pick up, but when it does - oh man. The last couple of chapters will leave you breathless and screaming.
The world is rich and fully built, and the magical system is so deep that I'm sure there will be more to uncover in future books.
I genuinely loved it and it was just short of a 5 star highlight.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC.

I recieved an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review

This book is seeped in the history of china. I loved every single page of this story from start to finish.

The world I was drawn into felt fresh but also like I knew it. The characters are brilliant and well written.

This is historical fiction at its very best and I can't wait to see what happens in the next part of Zilan's journey.

An intriguing and well plotted story set in a Chines setting and featuring a strong MFC.
I like the plot and appreciated the style of writing.
There's echo of other books with similar setting but it's original and well done.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Zilan dreams of being a royal alchemist, of making gold and gems for the wealthy to eat and stay young forever. Living in an impoverished village in the south of China, she performs illegal alchemy to make ends meet, resurrecting the dead. Her reputation leads a rich man to her who wants to resurrect himself, for he believes he will be dead soon. When Zilan goes to the capital to compete against the best alchemists of the country she finds out that man is the Crown Prince! Caught in the political games of the royals, the more she succeeds in her alchemy, the more dangerous things become.

"You cannot create good without also creating evil."
After a dream-like prologue, we jump right into Zilan's captivating world and we never want to leave her side. A narrative that stirs up strong feelings, where you embrace the honesty and cleverness of its protagonist, evocative and embroidered with the greatest of humor. Words come together to birth vibrant, poetic-like descriptions complementing the engaging storytelling.

The 1st person POV works well here and the author conveys information beautifully in a chatty but lovable manner, through Zilan's thoughts and observing eye. Life has made Zilan thick-skinned, quite strong and a bit cynical, with hope and good intentions still a part of her. Her retorts are all the money. She has a strong sense of what is fair and what is unjust. Should her stumbling and falling so often be turned into a drinking game? Her siblings are instant favorites. All the characters are developed quite wonderfully with a bloodthirsty, properly evil villain and an unexpected ally amongst them.

This story is so satiating, brimming with action-worthy, absolutely surprising things happening, scenes that are endearing and heart-squeezing, that you want to scream at or applaud. All this with breath-stealing imagery. And some jaw-dropping reveals to boot.

The story is a lesson in "watch what you wish for". It is about the power of a dream, family, prejudice and the chasm between the haves and the have-nots. It is about what it really means to be alive. Dark but simultaneously entertaining, full of lurking danger and murderous secrets, I can safely say this is one of my favorite beginnings to a series of the year. I adored this book.

Damn! I was surprised that I loved this book so much and cannot wait for the sequel.

The scarlet alchemist is a fantasy retelling of the Tang dynasty, I don’t know much about this but the author did leave some historical notes at the end of the book about the inspiration which was a nice read.

We follow Zilan who has grown up with her cousins in their family’s míngqì (spirit objects) store, they’re from a poor province and see the injustices and cruelty people have to go through just to get by.

Zilan has dreams of becoming a royal alchemist and spends her time practicing alchemy and studying for the exams so that her dreams can become a reality.
To help make some extra money she, with the help of her 2 cousins will perform resurrections which is a type of alchemy that has been made illegal.

One day a mysterious figure shows up asking for her help but if she accepts she cannot partake in the upcoming exams, she rejects his offer as her ambition to become a royal alchemist is more important than the money and continues with her life getting ready to travel to the empire.

Once she arrives at the empire she begins her trials she’s been studying for and is ultimately thrown into a thrilling atmosphere with politics, corruption, assassination attempts, alchemists and strange monsters that lurk the halls.

The characters in this book with their strong support for each other, disagreements and the turmoil each character would face made for a captivating read seeing their complexities and decisions they would make- I do wish a few of the side characters had more time to show their personalities, though maybe that’s just me wanting more.

I loved the magic in this would and found it really unique to read about, the alchemists use their stones such as, gold, amethyst and firestones to perform their alchemy.

I found The monsters we would see in this book were pretty formidable to read about and brought so much depth to the dynamics between the characters relationships and plot- one of my favourite parts of this book was about the monsters and pearls.

A lingering theme throughout this book is the experiences of a biracial and lower class individual who will face unfair treatment for her identity, this gives us a fresh perspective whilst surrounded by riches.

Overall I found this book to have great pacing between the politics, relationships, family, mystery and action that every moment was a delight to read without ever feeling like it slowed down.
The last 40% or so of the book was jam-packed with action, reveals and twists that I just couldn’t put it down and was completely hooked, the ending has given me a thirst for the sequel, that I don’t want to wait for!😫

The author states that the inspiration of this book was partly after she read The Poppy Wars and was inspired to create something just as magical, I haven’t read that series but I’m sure fans of the poppy wars would enjoy this.

This book is simply amazing! A historical fantasy that is exciting and compelling. I most loved the use of alchemy and necromancy, the gore that went alongside this was very vivid, prepare for plenty of bloodshed. It’s well written with excellent world-building and well fleshed out characters. The FMC deserves a mention, she is determined and I couldn’t help but love her! This book is a wild ride, there’s politics, good vs evil, trials and danger at every turn. The book explores race, gender, class, wealth and power. Despite the heavy themes the book is a fun and witty read. Although be warned this book does contain plenty of emotional trauma but I feel this is well balanced. For instance, the family bonds are cozy to read amongst the high stakes plot. There’s so much about this book that felt fresh within the genre. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Side note: I’ve always wanted a pet duck, now this want is a NEED!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape for providing me this book in exchange in an honest review*

I loved this story so much that after I finished it, I re-read it again. It's a wonderful story. I loved it. The ending felt a little rushed and predictable but overall it was a 5 star book.

This book was everything I expected it to be, and more.

In an alternate Tang dynasty China, where alchemy is widely practiced and researched, Fan Zilan is an aspiring alchemist who dreams of providing for her family by serving at the royal court.

Zilan is a brilliantly crafted character and narrator. Right from the first scene, the reader can almost fully grasp her personality by how Zilan interacts with the world and characters around her but more importantly by how the world interacts with her. She is harassed for being poor. She is harassed for being of mixed heritage.She is harassed for simply being a woman. The world around her has made her ruthless and ambitious and she doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself in the face of injustice. Zilan burns with anger seeing the unfairness around her, yet she understands the man-eat-man world she lives in, and chooses to focus first and foremost on her and her family’s well being.She’s a beautifully complex and realistic character, and the first person narrative does her justice wonderfully.

Despite being a wonderful character on her own, Zilan shines out even more as a foil to her prospective romantic interest, the prince.Being completely sheltered his whole life, Li Hong’s kind intentions are shadowed by his naivety about the real world, in comparison to Zilan’s jaded view.

Zilan’s relationship with her siblings, Yufei and Wenshu, is also worth mentioning, as I have rarely seen such a wonderful sibling dynamic. The familial relationship between them felt real, and didn’t fall into the tired trope of ‘older sibling becomes the parent of younger sibling’. They constantly defend each other, joke together, fight with but also take care of each other’s well-being, determined to stay together.

The worldbuilding is simple, yet immersive. This is no high fantasy, as it takes place in real-world Tang dynasty China, albeit an alternate version. Alchemy has given the legendary empress Wu Zetian the key to immortality, and now she plans to rule eternally with the help of her Royal Alchemists. I loved the way the author drew inspiration from the real-life alchemy practiced in ancient China (with a few Emperors even dying trying to achieve the elixir of life). The more magically-inclined alchemy in the novel draws heavily upon the real world one, being mineral-based unlike the western alchemy often found in media.


I’ve greatly enjoyed this book and Kylie Lee Bakes is now officially an auto-buy author for me!

I loved this book. I LOVED THIS BOOK. The Scarlet Alchemist is imo the poster child for how YA can be complex, dark and nuanced while also being appropriate for teens. Everything about this title landed perfectly for me: the craft, the worldbuilding, the thematic resonance, THE CHARACTERISATION?! Kylie Lee Baker can really WRITE.

Probably the standout for me was the way KLB handled theme hand in hand with character. Explorations of race, gender, class and how all three relate to power, as well as the core theme of family and belonging, were so deftly executed, and the way they intertwined with Zilan's character and arc were simply masterful. I loved how she was both a vehicle for digging into very complex thematic material and a brilliant character in her own right. The supporting cast were also wonderful; I particularly adored the relationships between the three cousins, and oh boy, the PRINCE. EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM. He was gorgeously characterised, and just like the rest of the cast was a perfect mix of sympathetic and flawed.

I'm super impressed too at just how unflinching KLB was in this title. Make no mistake, the book gets DARK, and punches are never, ever pulled. Every time I thought 'no way, she won't go there', she went there, and then went harder. Every single victory is truly earned, through fire and blood and clawing at a crumbling ledge. However, it never felt gratuitous, and KLB balanced all the darkness with enough levity (via the character and relationship work) that it never felt as though we were outside the bounds of something appropriate for teens, or approaching something grimdark.

Overall, this book was one of the most pleasant surprises of the year--it wasn't on my radar at all until someone mentioned it in a discord server, and now it's a title I will never shut up about. This book really feels like the YA spiritual companion to She Who Became the Sun, and if there's a higher compliment I can pay, I don't know it.

Huge thanks to Hodder, NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

PS Never have I felt so much over DUCKS.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

The Scarlet Alchemist follows Zilan, who wants to become a royal alchemist and travels with her siblings to the capital to take the exam to become one.

“You cannot create good without also creating evil.”

I’ve had this book on my radar for a while and the stunning cover makes me that much more exciting to dive into this story! The synopsis also sounded so good!! In the end it didn’t disappoint.

I was really intrigued by the start and the hints of alchemy that were shown. I liked how it worked in threes and different stones brought different things. I found it a clever and good way to set the magic system up. The way Zilan revives people was also very interesting to read.

The world-building was done well and the writing really helped make the world and its characters come alive. I loved the descriptions given, as they were easy to follow along and picture in my mind.

I was a big fan of the plot! I liked how it was set up and how the stakes became gradually bigger and bigger. It also set up a good background for the characters and it helped in understanding their emotions and motivation.
I was a fan of the characters! Zilan had great growth in my eyes and really became more mature and less impulsive in what she did. I also really liked how she has strong loyalty and a strong mind which isn’t easily deterred. Hong was my favourite character by far! I just love him; he is rather innocent in certain ways which only makes me want to protect him more!

The relationships were done very well. The romance was a bit predictable, but I still liked the development of the feelings and how they interacted with each other, as it felt natural. I think the best relationship though was that of Zilan with Wenshu and Yufei! Their sibling bond it the backbone of this whole story and I really liked it. I also have to be honest and say that I liked Yufei and especially Wenshu more in the first half than the second half. Some of their actions were a bit odd and made me suspicious.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending. While I liked “the big battle” part, as it felt well executed, it was also a bit predictable that was going to happen. Then towards the end I was left a bit unsatisfied with how it wrapped up. I really hope that’ll right itself in the sequel!

Overall, The Scarlet Alchemist is a great book with a lot of depth in the story and its characters and an engaging plot that made me want to keep on reading.





<spoiler> I just didn’t like how Hong died in the end and it felt a bit sudden to resurrect Wenshu instead in his body while Wenshu and Yufei were so cruel towards her when they last were together</spoiler>

A vivid and unputdownable novel filled with magic. I loved the main character Zilan and how she felt split into two different worlds. Not just because of her bloodline, but because of her unique powers and capabilities. The introduction to the Chinese culture, particularly in the early century was fascinating to read about.

THE SCARLET ALCHEMIST was spectacular with its twists and turns. The magic system was easy to read about and had wicked-sharp writing. I liked the love interest and Zilan's cousins, furthermore the explanations of certain words found in Mandarin Chinese or a dialect was so clearly written and explained.

I will can't wait for the next book in this series and will also be checking out Kylie Lee Baker's other books.

First of all appreciation for this cover, absolutely stunning. It is what drew me in the first place and the plot was so good. I haven’t read fantasy in a while and this delivered.