This is the only YA novel I've read this year that I really liked. Set in an alternate version of the Chinese Tang dynasty, where alchemists have succeeded in unlocking the secret to eternal life, the novel follows Fan Zilan in her quest to become one of the revered Royal Alchemists at the court of Empress Wu Zetian. A stranger warns her off this course—says it's a terrible idea, and that she doesn't know the truth of what she's getting into—but Zilan ignores him, set on her course and certain it's the only route to success, fortune, and ensuring a stable future for her family.

This is also the only book I've ever read where I didn't mind the "beautiful girl thinks she's ugly" trope being used. Zilan is mixed race, half Han Chinese and half foreigner, and the traits she inherited from her runaway father make her stand out unfavorably amongst others her age. It doesn't help that her cousin Yufei, whom Zilan lives with and spends most of her time beside, is drop-dead gorgeous and with a line of suitors hoping for her hand in marriage. To me, this was a unique interpretation of the trope, making scenes where Zilan bemoans her terrible appearance bearable.

Plot, character, and worldbuilding all worked together to create an addicting narrative that I sped through, eager to discover what came next. A couple of twists may have been predictable, but the journey to them was well-written enough that I didn't mind at all. I've surprised myself by thinking this about young adult fiction, but I actually intend to pick up the sequel whenever its publication date rolls around.

Thank you to Inkyard Press in association with NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“You cannot create good without also creating evil.”

The Scarlet Alchemist is a beautifully crafted and wonderfully written story of alchemy, blood, and family. In this gripping duology opener, Kylie Lee Baker delivers a pleasingly grim and dark page-turner full of action, intrigue, and vivid worldbuilding. This glittering story takes place in an alternate Tang Dynasty China where alchemists have succeeded in creating an elixir for eternal youth through alchemical gold. The story follows a poor girl who dabbles in illegal practices of necromancy whilst she dreams of becoming a royal alchemist and as she navigates the dangerous political games of the royal family.

Fan Zilan, our protagonist, is a half Chinese half foreigner girl orphaned from a young age when her mother died and her father abandoned her. She now lives with her uncle and aunt and both of her cousins, Yufei and Wenshu, whom she brought back from the death. She illegally performs this life alchemy to resurrect the dead in order to support her family’s store, where they make and sell míngqì (clay vessels for burials). At the same time, Zilan and her cousins are studying to take the civil service exams in the capital of China, if they pass them, they will be able to live more comfortably. Competition is fierce for a poor half-foreign girl, but Zilan will do anything to win her spot in the royal palace and protect her family. Zilan’s illegal practices have earned her some reputation and the Crown Prince seeks her services. Now our protagonist will find herself embroiled in royal conspiracies and monstrous alchemical experiments.

Baker’s writing is highly immersive and vivid, creating a world that is richly detailed and atmospheric. The plot is well-crafted, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end and the concept of blood/death alchemy adds a high-stakes element to the story, perfectly complementing the tone and atmosphere of the narrative. Baker’s ability to create a captivating world of royal intrigue intertwined with the mystical art of alchemy is truly commendable. The book is fast-paced, filled with action, violence, and gore elements.

The concept of alchemy loosely based on the principles of Chinese Taoist alchemy during the Tang Dynasty is a fascinating take. In the book alchemists use qi energy and gemstones to transform the world around them. Depending on the results they want to achieve, they’ll use different stones: firestones, waterstones, woodstones, earthstones, or metalstones. Zilan uses her powers to help her with small daily tasks (as well as to resurrect the dead) but the rich are using alchemists to create gold that will delay their aging. Since only the wealthy can afford this, a massive wealth gap has been created. The political intrigue and court politics of this alternate history add an additional layer of excitement to this tale.

As for the characters, our protagonist is a sharp-edged and fierce heroine, a sort of working-class heroine. She is determined to become a royal alchemist and works tirelessly to achieve her dream and support her family. Whilst she is wonderfully flawed, she is also extremely likeable. Zilan’s older cousin, Wenshu, has the brains whilst her older cousin Yufei has the strength. On the other hand, the Crown Prince is the perfect representation of a golden retriever character. The sibling/cousin relationships and mixed-race identity explored in the book add an extra layer of depth to the narrative. While these side characters could have been more developed, Zilan’s journey and her relationships, including a reluctant allies-to-lovers dynamic, drive the story forward. It’s this developing romantic relationship that offers some light-hearted joy in the midst of all the grisly and ruthless events.

If you enjoyed Baker’s debut novel, The Keeper of Night, you will find The Scarlet Alchemist just as enjoyable. It features a strong, complex protagonist and shares similar themes of racism, classism, identity and familial ties.

In conclusion, The Scarlet Alchemist is a highly grim and satisfying visceral to the core read that showcases Baker’s talent for storytelling. With daring imagination and incredible detail, Baker creates a world that will leave readers entrenched and craving for more. A must-read for lovers of historical and dark fantasy. Also, those who love c-dramas and Fullmetal Alchemist, this is the read for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A dark and rich alternative historical fantasy about a young woman, Zilan, and her commands over the dead who catches the eye of the royal family, and dreams of becoming their royal alchemist. Brought into the upper echelons of society and thankful to be out of the slums of her countryside village, it would seem not all is glittering behind palace walls as decay runs deep in the hearts of the elite and Zilan and her cousins must learn how to navigate this new world. Or risk the ire of the empress herself.

What a phenomenal read! I was instantly hooked at the dark magic Zilan has command over, and the stakes her use of that magic wrought upon her and her cousins. There is a deeply insidious unease that permeates through this book, and I was genuinely shocked by an ending i could not have seen coming. I cannot wait for the sequel!

<b>4.5 stars</b>

If you read Kylie Lee Baker's <i>Keeper of Night</i> then you have a good idea what to expect from this book. (And if you didn't, go do that!!) While there are noticeable differences, honestly more than I expected, Baker's style certainly shines through, and if you enjoyed one I expect you'll appreciate the other. In particular, Baker explores a lot of the same themes between the two stories, which you can observe just from the summaries - both include a historical setting, main characters struggling with their mixed identities, prominent sibling relationships, and death magic.

While <i>The Keeper of Night</i> read closer a horror folktale in some parts, <i>The Scarlet Alchemist</i> came across to me with a bit more of a familiar YA storyline. About the first half of the book is related to some trials that our main character must undergo in her attempt to become an imperial alchemist, and it's when we got past these that the story, to me, really took off. To be fair though, I'm not one for training and trial-based plotlines in most cases, so if anything it's admirable that Baker kept my attention despite that comprising a significant portion of the book. And when I say things took off after that, I mean the kind of can't-put-it-down-until-I-finish feeling that only my work schedule was able to interrupt.

I'm not sure how to say this in a way that comes across well, but I'm simply so glad Baker is writing this kind of YA - violent and gory in an almost beautiful way and still unapologetically young (by which I mean, the main character makes the decisions of a teenager and falls in love like a teenager; she's angry at the world and refuses to leave it unchanged, in that somewhat shortsighted but valiantly hopeful worldview that adults can never quite reproduce.) What I'm saying is, as much as I am devouring these works now, I would have done so even more as a teen, and as genre and age trends continue to dissolve into an unnavigable cesspit, I admire the path Baker (and her editors) have decided to take. (Which only makes it that much more a shame that Inkyard Press has been shut down.)

Okay, back to the story. The twists and turns were so well-delivered. I saw some coming and others I didn't, but towards the later part of the book they just kept coming, and every time I was like, "okay <i>this</i> is the plan that's gonna work out for them," it inevitably altered in some way I didn't predict. Again, I was simply hooked until the end.

What else is there? If somehow I haven't mentioned Baker's prose yet, you should know that it's vivid and eloquent. The atmosphere she's able to create and, I'll say it again, the pure bloodiness she doesn't shy away from, all come together to make her one of my favorite authors in that vein. Oh, and the magic system! Necromancy is cool on its own of course, but the use of elemental stones was fun to follow along with and, as acknowledged in the text, provides almost infinite possibilities, so I'm excited to see what else she comes up with for that in the sequel. (Also, the fact that she was able to invent such different, fleshed-out, world-altering systems for both of her series so far is impressive.)

As a fan of examinations of themes of death, ferocious main characters, complicated and meaningful sibling relationships, and of course, expert prose, I don't see myself ever not being excited for a new Kylie Lee Baker novel any time soon.

The author excelled at integrating meaningful setting descriptions and worldbuilding throughout the read. Details ranging from various cultures, factions, politics, mythology, and magic were woven throughout the pages to create an immersive and colorful setting. I quite liked the alchemy included and the information that we learned about the stones and their uses. The historical notes included in the back of the book were helpful and informative, and I liked seeing how the author used history to inspire this book and its world.

Another thing the author does well is writing a well-rounded, morally grey protagonist. I enjoyed the varied motivations of the characters, their goals, and their morals, and how well these were incorporated into the plot, though mostly just for the MC and a couple of the secondary characters. I did want a bit more from some of the secondary characters, as many of them felt like they solely existed to support the protagonist rather than feeling like real people.

This is set up for a second book, and while some things were resolved, the ending certainly counts as a cliffhanger. I definitely recommend this work if you enjoy YA fantasy, though you might still like this read even if YA isn’t your typical go-to genre. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book, but I didn't quite love it. There was something about it that just didn't click with me the way that I wanted it too.

I think part of it was because it seemed a little like a clone. The world building was complex, yet didn't fully explain things in my opinion. And it just didn't seem like it was as unique as I wanted it to be.

The characters were flawed, and I couldn't help but to really hate some of the ones that I think I was supposed to love. The instalove in this was also a little.... bleh.... to me, but wasn't enough for me to hate the book as a whole.

All this is to say that I still think that it was worth the read and will read the next one in the series as well! Though I have critiques, it was still a good book.

3.5 rounded up!

This was a stunning read, with a magic system that I couldn’t get enough of. The writing was beautiful and the world building was magical.

This author’s Keeper of the Night series captivated me, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of the first book in her new series.

Zilan dreams of escaping her impoverished village in southern China to become a royal alchemist and provide for her family. She may lack formal training, but she has the talent and ability. Unfortunately, she faces biased judges and bully competitors at her imperial exams. But Zilan is determined and stubborn and finally achieves her dream. It’s just not exactly what she expected. Dangerous political maneuverings are afoot with the Emperor ill and out of the public eye and the Empress trying to change the line of succession. The Crown Prince seeks Zilan’s help as he deals with numerous assassination attempts.

It’s not a spoiler to say the Empress is the antagonist in this story, and she’s a doozy. With her political aspirations and other despicable actions I won’t spoil, she’s easy to hate. She even reminded me a bit of Delores Umbridge. The prince won me over as soon as I knew he treated the palace ducks like his pets. He has plans to make the kingdom a better place, but first he needs to do something about the Empress.

Zilan is likable and flawed with a gray tinge. She has some truly iconic moments near the end and makes surprising choices – but I was behind her a thousand percent. I like the direction the story is headed, and the sequel will be one of my most anticipated reads next year (hoping that’s when it’s released!).

With an immersive world, vivid imagery, and incredibly high stakes, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This book is a mashup of historical fiction and fantasy. It has an interesting magic system based on alchemy and historical alchemical practices. If you have read Baker's previous works, they are geared toward the young adult reader, however there are some dark themes and her work is not devoid of gore and violence. There is also a bit of a horror element to this much like there was with The Keeper of Night. There is a bit of a romance element, but it wasn't front and center and I didn't really feel the chemistry between the love interests.

This follows Fan Zilan, an aspiring alchemist from poor family and a poor village. Zilan was adopted by her aunt and uncle and she wants nothing more than to become a Royal Alchemist to send money home to support them and help them rise from poverty. She and her two cousins who she thinks of as her siblings, must travel to the city of Chang'an and take their civil service exams in the hopes of rising to a higher station and sending money home to their parents. Her cousins want to become scholars and Zilan who is self-taught wants to learn everything she can from the other alchemists. Upon arriving in the city they quickly learn that they can't trust anyone and that something strange is afoot at the palace.

I thought the characters were very immature at times. Zilan was insecure and reckless, then guilty about the outcomes. The Crown Prince, Hong, is also quite immature despite being next in line to be emperor and constantly in danger. I think younger readers will connect with these characters a lot more than I did. The world building was very well done and Baker did a great job on that front describing the alchemy and the monsters. There was quite a bit of court intrigue and she did a good job painting the picture of what was going on inside and outside the palace.

This does leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger, which sets us up for book two nicely. I do feel that we got closure for the most part with the storyline for book one, but this does leave us with some open questions on where the empire is headed and what Zilan will do next. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

I really enjoyed this book. I hope the author continues to write more books in the future. I can't wait to see what this author releases in the future.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker was a weird one... at first I didn't like it, then I did, and then WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING???? I.... absolutely have no words. That was a trip for sure.

We follow Zilan who dreams of saving her family from a life of poverty. She possesses not only street smarts but also the ability to raise the dead so while extremely disadvantaged from others with formal education, she aims to complete the Imperial exams to declare her as a royal alchemist. Thus begins a story full of political games, monsters, and the undead.

What didn't I like about it:
- The love interest is a giant himbo. While not as infuriating as other himbos I've encountered before I personally dislike incompetent characters for the sake of comic relief.
- The story really wasn't interesting til about 75% of the way through.
- The ending. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT??? Bruh.

What did I like about it:
- Strong, smart, badass FMCs who have big dreams and an even bigger desire to stab everyone that gets in her way
- Dark, full of monsters and court politics in this alternate Tang Dynasty China
- The ending. HELLO?!?!?! Again - WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT??? I wasn't planning on reading the sequel tbh but now I absolutely HAVE to.

You know that TikTok audio -- SICK. AND. TWISTED.
Ugh, I'm still screaming.

Kylie Lee Baker's The Scarlet Alchemist is a riveting blend of fantasy, intrigue, and emotional depth that captivates from the first page. Set against the backdrop of a richly imagined ancient China, the story follows Zilan, a young woman with grand aspirations to become a royal alchemist. Zilan's journey from her impoverished village to the grandeur of the capital is not just physical; it's a journey of self-discovery, brimming with challenges and wonders.

One of the book's most impressive elements is its intricate depiction of alchemy. Baker's imagination shines in her exploration of this mystical science, particularly the illegal practice of resurrecting the dead. This aspect of the story is tragic and fascinating, offering fertile ground for exploring themes of life, death, and the ethical dilemmas that come with such power. The internal workings of this magical system are thoughtfully crafted, adding a layer of realism to the fantastical elements.

The novel truly excels in portraying the imperial court's political machinations. As Zilan gets entangled in the dangerous games of the royal family, the story takes thrilling twists and turns. Baker skillfully weaves a narrative where the line between friend and foe is constantly blurred, keeping the reader on edge. A looming assassination attempt and the Crown Prince's involvement in Zilan's life adds a gripping political dimension to the plot.

What sets The Scarlet Alchemist apart is its emotional depth. Zilan is an easy protagonist to root for – her struggles and triumphs feel deeply personal. The elements of body horror and the moral implications of her alchemical abilities add a poignant layer to her character development.

The Scarlet Alchemist is fascinating, offering a fresh take on alchemical magic within a beautifully crafted world. It's a must-read for fantasy fans and those intrigued by the darker aspects of magic and power. Baker has crafted a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, making The Scarlet Alchemist a memorable addition to the genre.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for providing an e-Arc of The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker for my review.

The Scarlet Alchemist offers a captivating magic system that immediately draws readers into a world of enchantment and mystery. The intricate details of the magical elements showcase the author's creativity and imagination. However, the novel falls short in terms of pacing, making it a challenging read. The plot seems to stagger at times, disrupting the flow of the narrative and hindering the overall engagement. Additionally, the writing style might not appeal to everyone, as it lacks a certain fluidity that could enhance the overall reading experience. Despite the compelling magic system, the uneven pacing and writing style may leave some readers wanting more from The Scarlet Alchemist.

It was SO GOOD! I need more people to read this, so I have someone to talk about it with. Best believe it'll be going on a spotlight easel at work once our copy comes in!!

Zilan wants only two things - to protect those she loves and to become a Royal Alchemist. Abandoned by her father, then orphaned when her mother passes away, Zilan is taken in and raised by her aunt and uncle. Her first foray into necromancy (alchemy) is when she saves her cousins after they die due to a plague that sweeps through their village. Realizing she has some potential, she hones her craft and uses it to help supplement her family's income. As she comes of age, her reputation starts to spread and she sets her sights on the imperial palace. However, achieving one goal will put the other at risk. The deeper she gets pulled into the palace's secrets, the more danger she finds herself surrounded by, because beautiful monsters stalk these royal halls. Trapped between the family she resurrected so she wouldn't be alone, a good-hearted but spineless prince, and a nearly immortal empress hell bent on destroying everything, Zilan must find the strength and cunning to forge her own future.

The first in a new duology by Kylie Lee Baker, this book is perfect for fans of Joan He's Strike the Zither, Judy I. Lin's A Magic Steeped in Poison, and June Hur's The Red Palace.

Zilan is an amazing character! I don't think Ms. Baker could've written a more REAL and complex protagonist. She's resilient in the face of racism and sexism and abuse by males of higher authority. Her sheer determination to survive the alchemy trials is inspiring. But this isn't to say that she doesn't have self doubts or insecurities. She absolutely fears abandonment on a guttural level. She waffles between being angry her father left, but also holds dear the memory of him speaking in his foreign tongue. She doesn't believe that she's as strong or smart as her cousins and sees herself as a burden to them. However, it's these very dueling emotions that ultimately become her driving force.

PS: I'm loving this trend of princesses saving the princes! Sure, sure, the Crown Prince was trapped by his responsibilities and he also didn't really try to fight what was happening until the end. So I'm super curious if there will be any changes when Zilan finds him again. (IYKYK!)

The world building in The Scarlet Alchemist is immaculate. The magic system, Death road, the harsh contrast between the poor and the rich - everything had such detail that the world and everything in it felt real. The necromantic alchemy was so interesting and played such a pivotal role through the story that I must note that the descriptions of the dead are equally, if not more, vivid and specific which gave the scenes life (ha!), but also a goriness and level of body horror I hadn't expected, but thoroughly enjoyed.

The overarching plot also really propelled the story. Though the book started slow, it builds the world well before launching into a plot that is all go-go-go after the 25% mark. Then there's no stopping. Watching Zilan do her exams especially was so interesting - again, digging into the world building and seeing what's possible through the magic system - and everything beyond it kept my interest piqued. While I don't know how I feel about the end of this installment, I'm so curious to see what book 2 has in store for us.

And that brings me to the characters. Until her exams, I honestly felt like I didn't get to know Zilan, let alone her siblings. It was like all the effort went into the world, and the characters got what was left. Yufei and Wenshu kind of just remain the same through the book - Yufei is a stubborn, pretty girl who loves to eat; Wenshu is a nerdy scholar, who protects his siblings. That's all they are for the whole book, even to the very end, and that was kind of sad, especially given the stakes. I couldn't buy into the ending because I didn't feel like I cared and knew them in the same way Zilan clearly did.

In contrast, I feel like Zilan, after she leaves for her exams, starts to find herself away from her cousins. We get to understand her motivations and see her personality start to shine. Even Hong we get to know slightly better than her cousins, though he's also kind of one-note. Their relationship is a bit insta-lovey, but I appreciated Hong's constant concern around consent and ensuring he doesn't abuse his princely power over her, as well as their move from strangers, to friends, to partners in crime, to possibly maybe lovers. Even though the declarations were a bit grand by the end, I understood the admiration they had for each other.

All in all, this book was an adventure. Full of magic and Zilan's gritty determination, The Scarlet Alchemist sets the stakes high and leaves you wanting more. I'm definitely not done with the world that was created here, so that's the biggest draw for me to come back for book 2. I'm so curious as to the heights Zilan will take her alchemy to next!

TW: death, gore, blood, murder, sexism, fire/fire injury, injury detail, racism, sexual harassment, self-harm, classism, bullying, animal death (not dog); mentions death of a parent, death of a child, vomit, kidnapping

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.

There was much to enjoy in this book, especially the variety in the characters and the compelling nature of alchemy as a magic system. I was a bit disappointed by the pacing of the writing though. Large and imposing obstacles were presented and then overcome so swiftly it became hard to take the stakes seriously. The political machinations felt as though they WANTED to be the main focus of the narrative, but the story doesn't balance Zilan's personal investment with the severity of the world around her very well.

Good story, subpar execution.

This book is absolutely full of surprises. Just when you think you have your bearings, Baker knocks you off your feet with revelation after revelation. On top of the multi-layered plot, the prose is beautiful. Its visceral and engaging. Additionally, Baker's characters are so well-crafted.

There is gruesomeness and gore in this novel, so be prepared! That being said, the book is packed with emotional discoveries and heart-pounding challenges. The different settings are painted well, mostly with dark colors that hide so many shadows ready to pop out at the reader. There's polish and shine as well as grittiness and menace.

If there is a book two, I would be so excited. It ends mostly wrapped up and with a nugget of hope, but I want more! While I haven't read the author's previous novels, they've definitely bumped up my TBR list. This is a stunning novel.

Orphaned Zilan is a resurrection alchemist in a poor part of southern China, being raised by her aunt and uncle, and living with her two cousins. The three teens more or less earn all of the money for their family, but they all desire to take the royal exams with the hope of escaping poverty. The story really takes off when Zilan gets to the royal palace and gets entwined in a conspiracy involving the royal family. Magic, murders, plot twists, and a little romance make this a worthwhile read. Not knowing Chinese history, I didn’t realize that this was set in an alternate Tang Dynasty until I was finished with the book, but that didn’t make a difference in my enjoyment of the tale.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed the Scarlett Alchemist. I have read a good many YA fantasy stories lately where a reluctant FMC has special powers and much go compete/ find/ learn how to use them. I was prepared for a pretty formulaic story with some romance thrown in, because there always has to be romance now, right? You can see I was feeling pretty cynical.

Instead I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was engaged from beginning to end. The plot was far more than what I expected and the main character is super interesting and well developed. The Alchemy is also well handled and complex enough to really get my attention, both during the competition and after. This is everything a good competition plot fantasy should be, but also far more, There was a lot I didn't see coming which was also surprising.

This was a 4.5 read for me. I highly recommend. This stands out from many of the fantasy novels I have read recently.
Thanks to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for access to an eARC in exchange for this honest review

Zilan lives in a poor village and has been surviving on what she has earned from her alchemy, resurrection included. However, she wants to become a royal alchemist to provide more for her family, but in order to become one, she has to venture to the capital for the imperial exams.

Known for resurrections but noting that they are also illegal, the Crown Prince himself reaches out for her assistance because of an assassination attempt he suspects on him. When she spends her time at the capital and succeeds in passing the exams, she begins to learn that maybe being a royal alchemist is much more than what she would want to handle. With dangerous political games in the royal family she ends up getting involved in, her life is on the line along with the Crown Prince's life.

Throughout the story, the intertwining of secrets and twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the unexpected ending left a lasting impression. I particularly appreciated the immersive portrayal of Chinese culture and traditions, providing me with a deeper connection to the setting and the characters.

This book served as a nice introduction to Chinese literature. I enjoyed this and I'm glad to have read this!

I recommend it!