First, Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review!

This beautiful masterpiece destroyed me. That stayed up of night to finish it kind of destroyed. The good kind of destroyed that makes you dream about it for a week after. The Scarlet Alchemist excels across the board. It has phenomenal worldbuilding, an intense writing style, complex characters, and a plot that leaves you glued to the pages.

The Scarlet Alchemist is a high fantasy deeply rooted in Chinese history with a backdrop of romance. Our main character, Fan Zilan, is a dirt-poor half-Chinese, half-White merchant set on her path to becoming a royal alchemist. However, consequences have a habit of always catching up to you, especially when you dabble in illegal resurrections. Zilan and her two cousins, who are taking the civil service exam, make it to the capital city, Chang'an, in hopes of a better life. Life as a royal alchemist is not as rewarding as it would seem. As a reader, you will be kept on your toes by the fast-moving plot and unveiled secrets. This book also has a fair amount of terror, suspense, gore, and body horror. Overall, an astonishing 5-star read!

P.S. I have become a champion for Kylie Lee Baker. I will follow her in whatever direction she may go, and I would kill to see this on the big screen.

eARC received for review by NetGalley

5/5 ⭐️

This was everything I needed when I needed it.

I am in awe of how beautifully strong the main character, Fan Zilan, is. Seeing every aspect of her life stacked against her, as hopeful for a happy ending as I was, it was hard not to feel uncertain of the outcomes of her plans. The courage of Zilan greatly appealed to the not-so-courageous part of myself who wishes to be better for those around me. Through the brilliant writing of Kylie Lee Baker, The Scarlet Alchemist became a really encouraging and empowering piece of work.

I was wholly unprepared for each twist and turn this novel took and for the romance subplot. I have to say I am wholeheartedly amazed. Each revelation took me by complete surprise. Ever the sucker for romance that I am, each bit of the relationship between Zilan and the prince was eagerly consumed.

The number of emotions I went through during the final three chapters of this book is impossible to count. Baker captured my heart, ripped it out of my chest, and slowly pieced everything together in a brilliant tale of strength, family, friendship, love, and hope.

Baker was brought to my attention by a TikTok she made about comments she received regarding biracial characters of her work experiencing racism and how the commenters claimed such a thing was unrealistic. As a biracial person myself, I’d like to take a second to express my appreciation for including and exploring the topic of mixed-race identity.

Also, did anyone else make the “My Cabbages” Avatar reference while reading chapter nine?

Thank you to Kylie Lee Baker, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for the free eARC.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the summary of this book, I immediately needed to read it. I was thrilled when my request for an eARC was approved and as soon as it downloaded on my kindle, I started reading it.

This book is nearly unputdownable. Baker's writing is incredibly easy to read but enjoyable as well. The way she wove fantasy in with historical facts about ancient China was truly masterful. Every character is fully fleshed out and feels as if they have their own background story even if we never know it. They feel real! Zilan is incredibly relatable to read about, with her feeling of being half Chinese and half Scotian (which I believe is Irish if I understood the references). I loved the conflicting emotions she has with her cousins and whether or not she belongs as one of the family.

I think this is one of those books that teeters between YA and Adult due to the subject matter. So I highly recommend anyone who wants to read this to please check TW/CW. While Zilan is 17, the story is unapologetically grim and dark. Baker uses a lot of body imagery (I'd say it leans towards body horror for sure) to get the point across, and again this is done really well. I know nothing about how alchemy works, and the fact that this book is based off actual facts of alchemy was really cool. Baker makes it fairly easy to understand and I didn't really find myself getting lost.

I also can't end this review without talking about Hong. The romantic subplot with him was utter perfection. I loved his and Zilan's relationship and how soft Hong is compared to how sharp Zilan is. They mix beautifully together, giving them each what the other lacks. If I had to describe him, he's basically a Himbo Prince. Absolute cinnamon roll who supports his angry girlfriend.

I do not really have many complaints about this book. Hence why I've rated it the full five stars. Nothing seemed to bog me down, the story was so unique I truly didn't know where we were going next and that ending!! I really want the next book and I'm going to preorder a physical copy of this one because I really loved it.

If you love historical fiction with a bit of fantasy mixed in, definitely check this book out! I can guarantee it is not one you want to miss out on. 5 stars! :)

This was good and I'm ready for the next installment. A lot of alchemy, some necromancy, and a surprise I wasn't expecting. A great read if you enjoy historical fantasy.

This was a free copy via NetGalley.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me this E-arc, in return for an honest review.

Wow that ending took me by surprise!!! I loved every bit of this book as we delved into forbidden Alchemy, life gold, enemies to lovers, and the court politics of Empress Wu and her court. I love all the different characters we are introduced to, my special favourite is Li Hong, the Crown Prince. I love the ambition of the siblings, and how they fought every day to become who they wanted to be, and even if that meant the sacrifices that came. There were so many twists, that I really didn't know what next would happen, and I loved that! Can't wait for book 2!!!

This wasn't for me. It was just too dark and I didn't really like any of the main characters. It was well written and the world was compelling, and many will love it. Just not me.

Overall, a great read! I was invested in all of the characters - flaws and all. The writing style really worked for me and flowed well. It was atmospheric without getting bogged down into too much detail. I never felt overwhelmed by info dumping even though it was a well fleshed out story. I liked that we got some answers and twists, but are still left with questions. I admit didn’t love the direction the plot moved at the end, though. It was close to being a tad too much lol. However, I absolutely want to have the next one in my hands to see what happens next!

This book was nothing short of badass. I wanted more and more of this book. The character development and plot was chef's kiss.

Rating: 4..4/5

Review: As I got deeper into the story line, it began to dawn on me that an entrenched identity centered on race was alive and well in the contemporary fantasy genre. So, there must be an authorial progenitor to this "identity" an lo and behold, the protagonist mirrors in almost exacting presentation.

Yeah, we get it, you’re of mixed race. I am all for the presentation if the story line is not compromised by constant structured racial poignancy. In this instance the movement failed to progress or develop the main character in any meaningful way, as they were constantly mired in their own constructed identity. Racial constructs that rely solely on outside influences to maintain relevancy tend to limit the characters’ greater expression. Low self-esteem and constant negativity does not a developed character make. We see internalization with every confrontation, whether good or bad, with an inescapable persistence in racial identity prevailing. The supporting cast are lightly developed, as Zilan's narrative overrides their involvement. Prince beta-male might have been developed with more complexity, yet the result is a diminished character who fails at grabbing your attention. In short, his whining and constant vacillations become tedious. Perhaps what should be presented to the YA reader is a process to overcome internal challenges by being accountable and discarding associative blame.

Despite my narrow POV, this is still a well written novel with a good story line and blistering movement. The prose flows smoothly, scene transitions are logical and built with descriptive detail. And, for some reason, I am always pulling for Zilan as she is constantly punished by her circumstances. If you are looking for continuity in a fantasy novel, this is not it. If you want to escape to another place with vivid imagery and an entertaining story line, this is for you. I think the author will only get better as she learns to evolve ALL of her characters in concert with the movement.

"The Scarlet Alchemist" by Kylie Lee Baker is a fast-paced fantasy novel full of secrets, lies, deception, and an epic battle for power. Not to mention the story contains one of the baddest, most vile villains who will easily make your blood run cold.

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist who makes gold for the wealthy to eat so they can live forever. Not only would she be recognized as a great alchemist and rise above her station, but she would be able to provide for her family honourably, rather than illegally raising the dead in an impoverished village in southern China.

When she takes her imperial examinations, Zilan travels to the capital where she must compete in dangerous competitions against other alchemists. Her status as a necromancer has followed her to the capital where she is shunned by the other alchemists and pursued by the Prince who is convinced he needs her help.

The more competitions Zilan wins, the clearer it becomes that there is something sinister taking place in the capital and it's not just the dangerous political games of the royal family or the monsters that roam the palace halls. If Zilan is not careful, it won't just be her life at stake but everyone in the capital and beyond.

This is such an incredible book! The details are so vivid, it's easy to picture the landscape of each destination the reader is taken to on Zilan's journey. Baker has a real knack for world-building and making it feel tangible. Therefore, getting immersed in the book and its characters is easy. Especially when the characters banter back and forth the way siblings and families typically do. It brings some humour to a particularly dark and bloody story that adds another level of realism to the tale.

Speaking of characters, Zilan is a multi-faceted, complex character who is enjoyable to follow as she embarks on a dangerous journey to become a royal alchemist. There are so many secrets and twists and turns in the plot, that it is impossible to predict what Zilan's final outcome will be. It's easy to be invested in Zilan's story when her strength, courage, and love for her family drive her forward, often into horrible circumstances but it shows the depth of her determination that makes her so admirable.

I absolutely loved "The Scarlet Alchemist." It's everything I look for in a book: vivid descriptions, comprehensible and authentic world-building, realistic characters, creepy and bloodthirsty monsters, a compelling and complex villain, gore, and a romance that develops naturally over the course of the book. Oh, and who can forget the fast-paced, anxiety-inducing scenes that leave you wound tighter than a charging chord? For these reasons, this book gets twenty out of five golden stars from me. It's not too often I read books like this one that I look forward to reading over and over again and leaves a lasting impression long after having finished the story. Baker has definitely made it onto my list of authors whose other stories I must check out (and be on the lookout for).

Hopefully, this convinces everyone to go buy this book on its expected publication date of October 3rd, 2023. "The Scarlet Alchemist" by Kylie Lee Baker comes highly recommended, especially for readers who love fantasy, horror, alchemy, and romance.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

Kylie Lee Baker has done it again. I loved her first series, but I absolutely adored The Scarlet Alchemist. I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building, the power system and of course, our amazing main character Zilan. Alchemy has always been something very interesting to me and given how much I was (and am) obsessed with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, this is the perfect book for me.

I really liked the world-building and the power system. I think its definitely among the more unique ones I have read, with the way alchemy is used and explained. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it as well and how it all came together in the end.

I, for one, may have screamed a little at the ending and I literally want the next book now lol. If The Scarlet Alchemist isn't on your radar already, then it should be.

If you're a fan of YA fantasy, you'll definitely find this book to be a quick and enjoyable read. The alchemy-based magic system is intriguing, and the use of necromancy adds a unique twist to the story. The strongest aspects of the book were the beginning and the end. The opening chapters adeptly establish Zilan's character, thoughts, and motivations, which are essential for an ambitious protagonist. The ending is fast-paced and includes several surprising outcomes that set the stage for the sequel.

Although there weren't many main characters, I found myself not knowing them well except for Zilan. I anticipated more political intrigue and scheming court politics, but they were merely surface-level aspects of the story.

Overall, I highly recommend The Scarlet Alchemist to fans of dark fantasy, necromancy, and historical fantasy. If you enjoyed The Keeper of Night, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this book. However, if you didn't like Baker's debut novel, it's uncertain whether you'll appreciate this one. Nonetheless, I urge you to give it a chance as it's a thrilling, fun, and must-read book in my opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This novel was my first KLB novel and it will not be my last. I loved the imagery, sibling relationships as well as the world building. The stakes were super high and I was always kept on my feet as there were so many twists and turns.

Zilan is such a strong character whose flaws are put on the forefront. We also see her being weak, understanding being lonely and the disadvantages and hardships that she faces. She is probably top 5 main characters.

This novel deals with grief, loneliness and prejudice and I believe that it’s executed well. I cannot wait to read more by KLB!

Kylie Lee Baker is an expert in historical Asian fantasy, and her latest work of art is no exception. This book is filled with an interesting premise and unique world building. Zilan was a character I could get behind! I wish the relationships between characters could have been a little stronger, but it is still a wonderful read! Four of five strong stars!

Action packed and fun reimagining the alchemists and court of the Tang dynasty. The tale contains a bit of creep and gore and kept my attention from the very first chapter. Just when I would think the story was going down a well worn trope of YA novels the story had a twist keeping it off that path.

This writing is so immersive, and I love the use of national exams to rise higher in rank. It’s actually a trope I’ve seen in anime before and one of my favorites. The FMC is perfectly imperfect, angry in all the right ways.

Wow. Just Wow. Within the first couple of pages, I was hooked into this book and did not want to put it down. I will DEFINITELY be sharing with other fantasy book readers.
This book is set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China. Political Intrigue + Fantasy! And is really well written.

Zilan is a orphan. Her mother has died and her father disappeared. She lives with her Aunt and Uncle, who are in failing health, and her two cousins. She has a close relationship with her cousins, Wenshu and Yufei. Yufei is beautiful and strong and has many proposals for marriage, but she sends them all packing because she wants to be an imperial scholar and not be dependent on a man. Wenshu is bookish and scholarly. All have dreams of moving to the capital and being able to send money back to support the family. They are some of the lowest class and are looked down upon by others. Zilan secretly practices forbidden blood alchemy for extra money for the family. The author does a great job throughout the book of exploring themes of death, mixed-race identity, classism, and sibling relationships.

Just two weeks before the imperial exams, Zilan is approached in the marketplace by a man promising her a huge sum of money to give up her dream of becoming an imperial alchemist. She is offended and sticks to the plan she has worked toward for years.

The three cousins travel to the capital to continue to compete for positions that might help their family survive. Once they arrive, they realize just how much of an uphill battle it will be. Zilan finds that the man from the marketplace is actually the prince. As Zilan continues to move forward and succeed in her trials, her cousins distance themselves from her. Zilan struggles to hold on to what is important to her among the intrigue of the palace and alchemists. She finds herself in a dangerous game with very powerful people.

GUYS! It's sooo Good! I can't wait to read it with my Book Club and talk all about it!

I received this book as a free eBook ARC from Inkyard Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Scarlet Alchemist was another enjoyable fantasy work from Kylie Lee Baker. The premise was interesting, the world building nicely handled, and the action proceeded at a good pace throughout. Zilan was a well drawn and captivating character; however many of the supporting cast were not quite so deeply fleshed out. The ending left me intrigued to know what would happen next, so I would be keen to continue reading the series. This opening volume gets 4.5 stars from me. Recommended if you like alternate history fantasy with a little blood and gore.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

The book is a historical fiction book which is right up my alley. I have not previously read anything by this author, but was blown away by this book and will be reading more of her work.

I lived the characters, setting and storyline.

Recommend.

This book was so good! It reminded me of the Poppy War by RF Kuang along with the Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stuart. It was very gruesome and action-packed and I thoroughly enjoyed reading! I’m going to be not-so-patiently-waiting for the next book to come out.