Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book, while dealing with very dark topics, was a fun read. I enjoyed the magic system, the world building, and the dynamic between the characters. The romance was good but honestly took a back seat (for me) to the relationship between the main character, Zilan, and her siblings. There is a touch of more modern language and humor that the author acknowledges at the beginning, but it does contribute to the fun I had reading this book. Overall I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.

Zilan is a strong-willed girl who cares deeply for her family. She wishes to become a Royal Alchemist, partly to spite the father who presumably abandoned her and her mother even while she was dying, and partly to have enough security and income to live as a mixed-race woman without discrimination and to support her sick uncle and aunt who took her in after her mother passed away. She forms a strong bond with her cousins - Wenshu and Yufei - and they have easily become one of my favourite fictional trios ever. I loved reading about their interactions so much that it actually ruined my enjoyment of the book a little (more on this later). Having no alchemist skills, Wenshu and Yufei are also studying hard to pass exams in order to have secure jobs to get out of poverty and relieve the burden on their parents.

Little does Zilan know that 1. the kind of reputation she will have for resurrecting people as a side business and 2. what being a ROYAL Alchemist ACTUALLY entails when the Empress, having found the way to immortality, has ruled with an iron grip for an extra 100 years.

This is as much as I can say about the plot without spoilers. Trust me when I say it's a WILD ride.

I loved reading the criticism of wealth inequality, which is extremely relevant to today's society. Zilan has compassion and a strong sense of justice, which is a huge motivation for her actions but also causes her to make many hasty mistakes. I didn't feel convinced by some of the plot developments but perhaps my mind will be changed if I read the 2nd book in the duology (what do you mean I have to wait until 2024??).

One thing that dampened my enjoyment of the book was how much I liked the trio. [Spoilers] Understandably, their paths diverged after they reached the capital for more exams. Two of them focused on academy while Zilan focused on alchemy. Their circumstances also vastly changed when she became a Royal Alchemist and got herself involved with essentially Royal Businesses. I think I was just disappointed that I didn't get to read more of their silly but loving interactions. [End Spoilers]

Another thing that I disliked was the vague terms of services (?) surrounding the resurrection alchemy and how it seemed too convenient at times. Currently I am willing to overlook that given how good everything else was, and also withholding my judgement until book 2. (Once again, what do you mean I have to wait until 2024???)

I recommend this book to fans of The Poppy War series (which is mentioned as a source of inspiration) and Iron Widow, and anyone who's interested in reading about magic-like alchemy in the veins of Fullmetal Alchemist and toppling an unjust regime.

Thank you to netgalley for providing the e-arc!

The Scarlet Alchemist hooks you from the very first page. I am not the biggest historical fantasy reader, but the synopsis drew me in -- and the story definitely delivered! I really enjoyed how atmospheric this was, and I felt like I was inside of the world living the events of the book too. The plot was very unique and dark, and I did not have a hard time getting into the book. The worldbuilding, the high stakes, and the imagery were all well done. I do believe this book could have been better if the side characters were more developed. I didn't feel much connection to them, which is a shame. The main character, Zilan, was a joy to read about, however. I look forward to reading more by this author, and I will definitely be checking out her previous books as well as anything she writes next! Even if you don't read historical fantasy/fiction, this book should be at the top of your reading list for 2023.

This book was soooo good! The idea of what would happen if China had been able to come up with an immortal elixer is so intriguing. The romance was such an interesting twist for me because I caught myself both hoping they got together and hoping they didn't because I didn't want them to get hurt. I loved her family and honestly some elements of this just kept me guessing. The part that had me hooked the most though was about reviving the dead and how she did that. Learning the consequences of it and just how it had affected her life.

The Scarlet Alchemist is a griping fantasy ride that delves the reader into not only a story of guts and glory, glitter and gold, faith and truth, honor and humanity, darkness and blood, but into a story of a class divide and a girl's choices and there reverberations for the future.

A ride and a half, this is one story you do not want to miss.

I loved this story and I simply cannot wait for more. I received an ARC via NetGally and Inkyard Press and I am leaving an honest review.

Thank you so much Inkyard Press, Kylie Lee Baker, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I previously read Kylie’s The Keeper of the Night duology and fell in love with it! I enjoyed it so much that I was ecstatic to meet her in person in 2022 at YallFest. Because of my love for Kylie and her books, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that I was approved for this ARC. The book was a bit slow at first, but it was the worth it, because the world building was excellent. The story takes place in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, so I loved the incorporation of Chinese culture in a fantasy book. I really enjoyed Zilan because she’s smart, talented, and resourceful. She loves her family and wants to provide a better life for them by becoming a royal alchemist. However, the more she tries to achieve this dream, the more she realizes how dangerous the royal family’s political games. The plot was entertaining. I loved the unexpected twist and turns because it left me wanting more and more. The ending was satisfying because I didn’t expect that at all! Hopefully, Kylie will have more book signings in the future, because after the book is published, I’d love to get a physical copy of this book and ask if she could sign it. I would highly recommend this book!

The writing style worked really well for me. The prose was beautiful and there were times that I felt like I could feel the things described in the page like it was happening to me, which is simply great when a book can make you feel like that. The concepts of the magic system were also great. It reminded me a little bit of Alchemy of Souls (which is probably my favorite kdrama) but way darker. I liked the characters too, even if Zilan sometimes gave me anxiety with her impusive nature, but I could understand her desperation. Overall, a great read and I'm excited to see where the story goes in the second book after that ending!

Zilan has always dreamed of becoming a royal alchemist. However, coming from rural southern China no one expects her to succeed. By day, she helps her aunt and uncle in their store and by night she performs resurrections with the help of her cousins. Until one day, the Crown Prince catches wind of her abilities and begs her to resurrect him. For now at least he is very much alive but something more sinister is happening beyond the palace walls.

I’m going to need Baker to come pick my jaw up off the floor and put my heart back together again. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered an author so ruthless and so willing to do what it takes to create an absolutely vivid and imaginative story. My best advice going into this... don’t get attached to anything, any idea or anyone. Because this story is twisty. Everything you think you know will be challenged as Baker takes you on a ride to save the empire from what might just be my favourite villain in recent memory.

She manages to create a world loosely based on historical Chinese culture and a figure, that a reader can really get a sense of values and culture without it being overly bogged down in details. To me it’s a sign of great writing when there is so much to be inferred from interactions, character’s choices and supporting character’s reactions. The world though is brutal and to survive in it you must develop a thick skin and a bit of ruthlessness. Or do you? Because Baker also shows you how much kindness can make a difference. She shows us that sacrifices are often hidden where you least expect them.

There’s a bit of romance woven throughout the story but by no means is it the main focus point. Baker also takes us through an exploration of familial love and acceptance.

Zilan reminds me a lot of Ren from the Keeper of the Night duology (which was a fantastic series!) in the sense that both are little hedgehogs (prickly on the outside with a heart of gold once they become familiar with you). Both characters are a product of what they had to become in order to endure the ridicule in their societies for being of mixed race, an experience shared by the author according to her author’s note. So it makes me wonder just how much Zilan and Ren are like Baker herself.

Thank you to Inkyard Press & NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

★★★.75 /5

in an alternate tang dynasty, kylie lee baker paints the journey of fan zilan, a budding alchemist from southern china who fights her way to becoming a royal alchemist, in order to escape the plague of poverty. after accomplishing her dreams, though, she ends up facing more issues than she could have ever imagined.

fresh off of watching FMA: brotherhood, the premise of this book was just what i needed. baker illustrates the science behind alchemy so well that i could imagine and plot out a little web graph of elements being linked together in zilan’s mind every time she attempted an alchemical reaction. i also loved her as a character, in all her determined and headstrong characteristics (“eat the rich” incarnate). she has her flaws, of course – with “being senseless” as a glaring one lol – but it all works to represent her desperation and desire to succeed in the face of adversity.

the romantic subplot was sadly not for me. everything developed too quickly, without any (al)chemistry (haha) to spur the romance. they reach the “i would die for you” point out of NOWHERE and most of their time together in a relationship was just zilan *telling* us that he understood her in a way no one else did. in fact, a lot of the relationships in this book took a hit in favor of keeping the plot fast-paced and were quite under-developed, so it was difficult to emotionally connect with any of the side characters.

my biggest gripe was with the ending of the story. everything wrapped up TOO perfectly and QUICKLY, which detracted from all the suspense (that the author built up beautifully throughout the novel) and the stakes of zilan’s journey. this was just a sliver at the end of the book, so majority of the read was still enjoyable, but it really took me out of the moment ;-;

overall, though, this book excelled at keeping me on my toes. the twists and turns are plentiful (none of my guesses were right, but that might say more about me than the book) and there is no dearth of conflict in this story. also loved the historical context!!

durian supremacy 🫶🐥

thank you inkyard press for providing me with my first ARC!

I am in love with this book.

I was a fan of the The Keeper of Night Duology - both were excellent in my opinion, but this book is everything. I love the world so much, I love Zilan, I love that I didn't know what was going to happen and I was suprised at multiple points. Kylie also has the ability to jump in just the right way to me so the story moves along, but you don't feel like you are missing important things.

In short, I will recommend this book to everyone.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker is a dark and glittering jewel of a book, full of gold and fury. I devoured it in a day. It is perfectly paced, with dynamic prose, clever competition setups, and a protagonist who will leave you in awe of her resourcefulness.

I loved this book. It was a fantastic fantasy built around the idea of using earthly elements to create magic. Zilan and her cousins hope to go to the capital to help the family make more money. Zilan has been working for years to become an alchemist and wants to become one of the emperess's alchemists. She has learned how to ressurect the dead and hopes to be able to learn more with the rest of the world's best alchemists. When she gets to the capital she discovers things aren't as simple as they seem. With the prince's help, Zilan goes on a journey of discovery and growth. They hope that maybe they can help make the country a better place, if only they can defeat the "almost" immortal Emperess at her own game. A story about family, greed, and life, readers will enjoy every minute of this immersive read.

4.5🌟

Super immersive alternate historical fantasy with a drizzle of gory gemstone monsters. Loved how the alchemy magic system was developed and the light political intrigue at court. I found Zilan’s pragmatism very refreshing and really enjoyed her as a character.

This book became a fast favorite of mine, it was so good!

First off, I was enthralled by the magic system. I haven't read anything like it before and not only was it unique, but it felt very smart. It was so fun to try and figure out how Zilan was going to get herself out of every situation just using the alchemy knowledge you had from the book. Sometimes I could guess it (often thinking "oh there's no way she's going to do that, right?") and sometimes I would be surprised by her ingenuity. This made it a very fun book to puzzle through.

This book also had a really excellent blend of fantasy and historical fiction. I already mentioned how I loved the magic system. Well, I also loved the setting. If you've ever watched any historical c-dramas, then I think you will really enjoy picturing everything happening in the book (and if you haven't then you should because they are great just like this book).

I loved so many of the characters, but most of all I loved Zilan so much. She goes through a lot growing up without her parents and with her background of one parent of han Chinese descent and one from Scotia/Ireland. You feel so much for her and want everyone to treat her better. It can be a hard read because of that (there were so many minor side characters that I wanted to just shut up and stop being mean) but it's a really important perspective to tell a story from and I appreciated being able to see that as someone who doesn't have that heritage.

Besides our amazing main character, I also loved her cousins a lot. The relationship she has with her family was really beautifully written. I also loved the blooming romance between Zilan and the crown prince. He was so adorable, sweet, and naive but that balanced our strong Zilan out so well. I highlighted so many cute quotes from the crown prince throughout the book. Finally, I also want to give a shoutout to the other royal alchemists. Keeping it spoiler free I'll just say that they were a lovely addition to the book I did not expect.

The ending was just wow (again not saying much because I don't want to spoil anything) but it's got me so excited for the next book already and anything Kylie Lee Baker writes (now I need to go back and read her first duology)!

So basically, if you like strong, intelligent, loyal, and bad*ss women; an adorable man that loves our main woman so much; strong family bonds; exciting and unique magic; and historical settings with lots of scheming and palace intrigue then you should definitely read this book.

The epitome of historical Asian fantasy!! The imagination and detail was on another level. Can’t wait to dive back into this!!

thank you netgalley for the arc !

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 4/5 stars ✩࿐

read if you like:

♡ alternative history
♡ forced proximity
♡ political intrigue
♡ biracial rep
♡ bloodthirsty gf & her cinnamon-roll bf

⁀➷ performing her own feat of alchemy, kylie lee baker transforms tang dynasty history as we know it with the scarlet alchemist, reimagining the world as if chinese alchemists had succeeded in their toils to create an elixir of immortality. bladed with cut-throat political intrigue, the requisite alchemy, necromancy and a cast of morally grey characters - this fantasy infused alternative history will sink its claws into your bookish psyche.

⁀➷ zilan blows so many of her fellow fantasy heroines out of the water with her ruthlessness and consummate pragmatism - a trait of hers, which, when it rears its head, means no holds barred on her part. this unscrupulousness then fringed with the more sanded-down, likeable edges of her - evinced predominantly when in proximity to her family - zilan makes for an inimitable main character cut from a multifaceted gem. the filigreed detail to her is beyond what one would associate with ya fantasy. bearing in mind the force of her character, i’d wager there is little in the way of surprise that the other members of the cast are then effectively overshadowed by her presence. this is never more unequivocal than with her more diffident love interest, li hong, who, although personable and inspiring an uncomplicated affection in me, offered little else besides that.

⁀➷ the pacing is alacritous - there is never a dull moment with seamless transitions from the onset. i had the wind knocked out of me in certain scenes utterly fraught with danger, all but spasming with anxiety for the hapless zilan. with every page i was turning a blind-corner in breathless anticipation. the plot twists forevermore seem to be courting death and no one is safe for long in this viscerally painted, gore-drenched world of monsters plucked from any reader’s nightmare. suffice to say, that the villain succeeds still in inducing more goose-bumps in view of such horrors is ample proof of baker’s artistry. more impressive however, is the cleverly-hewn magic system - often carried out by means of gemstones - which we are introduced to through an ideal blend of telling and showing.

➸ conclusion :
a viciously unique transmutation of history, the scarlet alchemist promises the perfect literary sojourn in a world of violence and decadent alchemy - hitching your breath until the end tableau.

New from the author of The Keeper of Night comes a YA fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty. The Scarlet Alchemist follows Zilan, a poor merchant's daughter who is aiming to become a royal

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for an ARC of "The Scarlet Alchemist" in exchange for my review! This is the first book I've read by Kylie Lee Baker and I really like her style! This book was a little more gory and didn't have a happy ending like I was hoping for, but it had so many twists and turns, it kept me reading in fascination. Like there was some romance snuck in there, but again that doesn't end the way you'd expect. More and more secrets get exposed throughout the story that kept the plot interesting. The Empress was so calculating and awful, she made the perfect antagonist. It's set up with a huge cliffhanger at the end, it's going to be hard to wait for the second book to come out!

This is my first novel from KLB and it won't be my last! Action packed and adventure filled. We follow one woman's quest to follow her dreams. But happens when dreams and reality collide? Zilan is a poor biracial girl, who dreams of becoming a royal alchemist and make gold and gems for the wealthy to eat so they can stay forever young,to provide for her family, but for now she must practice an illegal form of alchemy of resurrecting the dead to make ends meet. Finally, she makes it to the capital to take the imperial exams, where she competes the top alchemists. But she also learns that secrets don't stay hidden, especially when your reputation besits you and now the crown prince himself is knocking on your door...

Fan Zilan grows up never really being sure of who she is. Her Scotian father disappears without a trace, and her mother dies of unexpected sickness, leaving her to be adopted into her aunt and uncle’s family. Struggling as mingqi merchants for years, Zilan and her cousins early on decide to prepare themselves to travel to the royal city and make enough of a living to support their family from afar. Though her cousins study to become scholars, Zilan studies alchemy, the sacred art in China which produced life gold, a substance that has sustained the youth of the wealthy elite. Hoping to find a place among the royal alchemists of Empress Wu, Zilan travels to the city of Chang’An to put herself through the proving trials. But they are only the first of many tests before her. As a child with foreign blood, everything is set against her, and she becomes the target of unseen menaces, while fear of an unknown violent killer is spreading through the city. But in the face of so many enemies, the heir to the throne yet seeks her out to beg for her help.

The lore and the system of alchemy that the author establishes throughout the story is incredibly creative. You feel the restraints of Zilan’s position and what she feels incapable of doing, yet in alchemy, there seems to be the promise of being able to accomplish almost anything if she can just figure out the way to break the world down into its parts. Based off of real figures from the end of the Tang dynasty, during a time when many emperors in China were seeking a way to grasp immortal life, Kylie Lee Baker presents this story as a “What if this time, they did it?” It’s a gripping mixture of Chinese culture, alchemical possibilities, fantasy-like systems of science, and unexpected scheming. As the main character is enmeshed deeper and deeper into court intrigues, the mystery only becomes hazier, and you never fully know what to expect. And in the moments where you finally see what is going to happen, suddenly you’re outsmarted again. Within all of this, there’s a theme of belonging and family, delving into what it means to find your place among the people you love, and understanding just what you’d do to protect them.