Suspense, romance, science fiction and fantasy in one!
In the Year 775 Guangzhou, China, 17yo Zilan lives with her aunt, uncle and two cousins who have all accepted her as part of the family. She has the ability to resurrect people and brings extra money to the family with this skill. She wants to be a royal alchemist and travels to the palace to fulfill her wish. She survives trials against prejudice with her cleverness and some help from the prince. Once Zilan begins to train, she’s named the Scarlet Alchemist and she discovers how dangerous and awful the Empress is, what she’s using the alchemists for and why she needs Zilan.

Likes/dislikes: I love the Prince because he’s funny, innocent and has a kind heart. Zilan is an interesting character because of her skills and background. I enjoyed reading the book and the suspense, romance and the science fiction made it easy to dive into.
Language: R for 29 swears and 2 f-words.
Mature Content: PG-13 for kissing.
Violence: R for bloody deaths.
Ethnicity: Chinese is the main ethnicity. Zilan had a Chinese mother and a foreign father.

A darker than expected, but thoroughly enjoyable read.

Somehow, I missed the fact that a significant portion of this book was about necromancy - I am not at all disappointed by this, but it was a surprise!

It was full of twists and turns, which made it an engaging read. The main characters did feel a bit young, but it’s YA and they felt realistic for their ages.

Overall, I enjoyed The Scarlet Alchemist and would read more from this author in the future.

Definitely a 4.5 but I’m rounding up.

The author’s debut Keeper of the Night was one of my favorite debuts of 2021 and while it’s sequel may have disappointed me a bit, I was extremely excited when I got to know that her next novel was gonna be set in an alternate Tang dynasty China. I’ve been waiting to read this for a while now and finally got the chance when I got the audiobook copy. And it was a dark and delicious read.

This book hooks you right away. I was immediately taken in by the idea of our protagonist, a biracial young orphan girl living with her Aunt’s family, helping with their business and dreaming of becoming a royal alchemist so that she can uplift her family from their poverty. The author quickly gives us a rundown of how the lives of the poor people might have been in those days through her eyes and the despair and gloom feels very real. The plot moves very quickly, which circumstances changing for Zilan all the time, her having to make decisions that can affect not just her future but of her family as well. The author also gives us just enough information about the dynamics of the royal family and the court, as well as glimpses into the kind of alchemical magic that’s possible. I won’t say the book was entirely predictable but it was familiar enough that I felt at ease, hoping I can glean what’s coming. And while the ending was both heartbreaking and a tad bit surprising, in retrospect it does feel mostly inevitable.

I think what makes this book so interesting though are the characters. Zilan can be impulsive and does/says things without thinking sometimes but it’s also because she is scared of not being loved by her cousins, of feeling like her Aunt and Uncle are doing her a favor, petrified of being abandoned again if she doesn’t make herself useful for them. But her love for them is immense and she always thinks about what she can do to better their lives. Yufei and Wenshu can be a bit of an enigma at times because we don’t get their POV and it can feel like they aren’t being supportive of Zilan’s more impulsive decisions, but they really care for her and just want her to be safe, without getting embroiled in royal business.

The Crown Prince Li Hong on the other hand is an exercise in privilege, doing things that he feels are helpful for Zilan but she feels extremely insulted by. He is compassionate but naive and indecisive but his character growth is interesting. The romance developing between him and Zilan is obvious but I hoped it wasn’t so quick, though it’s not surprising that two young people starved for affection might gravitate towards each other.

I really enjoyed how the author created this alternate Tang Dynasty because it’s the one era I know a bit about and how it would have been with life altering alchemical inventions was so cool to imagine. The gorgeous writing also made it easier for me to picture the narrative like a cdrama, which I absolutely delighted in doing. The immense classism, racism against ethnic minorities and biracial people, the corruption of the royal court, and the desolate lives of the common people are described with lot of emotion and made the book so much more than a escapist romantic YA fantasy.

Ultimately, this new series starter is dark, horrific at times, but the beauty of the writing keeps one glued to the pages, and the inherent hope for a better future among the characters makes us high with anticipation. The absolutely amazing Natalie Naudus makes the audiobook experience stunning, as she always does, and I would highly recommend the format. If I have to give a comp title though, I feel fans of A Magic Steeped in Poison duology will enjoy this one a lot.

Wow! This was a great fantasy novel. Very unique, great plot,sweet romantic tension and a sense of humor (the ducks!).

I raced through this book, and can’t wait to read the follow up novel.

Thank you to. Netgalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review.

The Scarlet Alchemist takes NO prisoners. This book will have you in a chokehold, leaving you turning pages as quickly as you can in order to get to what happens next. This book is immersive, magical, brutal, emotional, and addictive. Zilan is one of the most morally grey main characters I have seen for a ling time, but she maintains her values and morals- even to her detriment. If you are looking for a pristine heroine, she is not for you. While she had and will sacrifice everything for a thing she believes in, she also has no issue with others paying the price as well. Sometimes with their lives.
I love books that delve into life and death/the myths and legends and believes surrounding the afterlife, and how we relate to it as humans. This story delivers that and so much more. A necromancy story at its simplest, and a riveting dialogue on the injustices of humanity and what happens when one person gets too much power at its most complex. KLB is an autobuy for me from here on out!

I am shook.

When I say this book was my cup of tea, I mean it.

Zilan, our female lead, is bold yet pragmatic. Someone I can relate to. She uses everything within her means to survive, to do the best she can for herself and her family.

Fast-paced and compulsively readable, this book was a good blend of history and fantasy. The side characters were mostly likable and even the ones that weren't were at least interesting. While I enjoyed the romance, I do think it was a bit underdeveloped. Zilan and Li Hong went from strangers to reluctant allies to basically ride-or-die lovers quite fast. But I suppose high-stress/life-or-death situations tend to expedite things.

All-in-all I really liked this and I can't wait for the sequel.

The Scarlet Alchemist, by Kylie Lee Baker, is the first installment in the authors newest duology by the same name. The story is set in China beginning in the year 775. 100 years ago, royal alchemists discovered the secret receipt for gold that stopped you from aging, and made you blood the color of sunlight. Those who can afford the gold of immortality have basically been locked away in their mansions, while the poor continue to struggle to survive. Those like Fan Zilan who works in her families mingei store crated ghost vessels for those who passed.

Zilan has been experimenting on alchemy for years and hopes to follow in her father's footsteps. A father who came from Gaelic, Scotland to marry a Chinese woman. Zilan can tell you the ins and outs of various stones: Moonstones for healing and repair. Woodstones for manipulating plant and animal life. Metalstones for reshaping objects. Earthstones for transforming the mind. Firestones which are agents of destruction or great chaos. She's also been warned that you can not create good without creating evil which she temps every time she tries to bring someone back from the dead.

Something she has done twice before. Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. But for now, she’s trapped in her impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table—resurrecting the dead, for a price. When Zilan finally has the chance to complete her imperial exams, she ventures to the capital along with her cousins Wenshu and Yufei to compete against the best alchemists in the country in tasks she’ll be lucky to survive, let alone pass.

On top of that, her reputation for raising the dead has followed her, and the Crown Prince Li Hong seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt. The more Zilan succeeds in her alchemy, the more she gets caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family. The more she gets closer to her end goal, the more there are people willing to stop her in her tracks and try to embarrass her. But there are monsters lurking within the palace walls, and it’s only a matter of time before they—and secrets of Zilan’s past—catch up with her.

*Thoughts* This is a series that is set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China where alchemy has flourished, this world is decadent with gold and gems but teeming with death underneath the glitter. In some ways, the author comes close to having this be a historical fiction novel since key characters like Empress Wu Zetian, the first and last female emperor of China. Zilan is a curious sort in that she had no clue what happened to her parents until one of the Royal Alchemists makes her understand her own history that makes her unique. Like the author herself, Zilan is half Chinese and Half Irish who has the ability to raise the dead, a power that ends up pushing her to levels she could only dream of when all is said and done. Kylie is a master at crafting plot twists that surprise at every turn, and readers will be shocked to learn some of the details of Zilan's past and how they've come to haunt her in the present.

Baker "came in like a wrecking ball" and messed up my rankings this year. Engrossed in the story, I failed to recognize certain things were going to happen until...they did. My book is filled with multiple annotations that simply say, "What?" and "I did not see that coming!"

There are multiple reasons to pick up this YA historical fantasy. The world is immersive, brought to life with Baker's writing. The book is replete with beautiful descriptions--the prologue is my favorite chapter. The magic system is well-thought out and provides an interesting spin on necromancy. And then there's Zilan. She is the teen that will save the world, which is made probable by her quick wit and survivalist attitude. She is selfish, often appearing greedy, but underneath it all, she still maintains a sense of righteousness. I'm not sure if I would call her morally gray. She doesn't toe the line as much as she could, but for the people she cares about, there is no line.

Among the many themes present, the value of family is at the forefront. Her relationship with her siblings was a highlight. A hidden gem was the humor, and when Wenshu, Yufei, and Zilan are together, it shines through. Their love for each other was a source of strength for Zilan and also one for the book. I don't think I would have loved it half as much if it had not been for the three of them together and Wenshu constantly asking why his sisters were this way.

The Scarlet Alchemist is a favorite this year. Readers who enjoy historical fantasies that emphasize family bonds and provide a twist on raising the dead should pick this one up.

4.5 rounded up.

The Scarlet Alchemist is the third book I have read by Kylie Lee Baker. Her YA Keeper of Night duology was fantastic, so I was excited to be approved for this.

Things to love:
The world is set in an alternative Tang Dynasty China.
Alchemy!
The monsters! What an inventive and creative take! It was unexpected, and unexpected is always a good thing.
Zilan’s character (the protagonist) was very well developed.
The book was engaging from the beginning to end.

Things that could be better:
Character development could have been more in-depth for most of the side people introduced. I found them a little more superficial, including the prince.

The Scarlet Alchemist is an engrossing dark YA fantasy that continues to leave me impressed with Kylie Lee Baker. I will definitely continue with the series and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Potential Triggers: This is dark and there is a lot of violence and blood.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much of what I love in a story. It had interesting characters, an inviting premise, a cool world/magic system, and a lot of twists to keep you hooked right until the end. From the moment I picked this one up I was hooked and with each new development, I was just brought in further and further right up until the end of the story where I had to unfortunately disconnect because I am not blessed with the power of time manipulation so that I could jump to the publication of the sequel.

This book took me on a trip that had me alternating from laughing at the silly and goofy characters, to feeling sad at the tragedies, to lovesick at the romance, to angry at the characters for being so stubborn, and to just about every other emotion imaginable under the sun. There were several times when I had just about had it with the author for daring to be that good at writing and making me so invested in the plot.

This book is perfect for fans of:
Strike the Zither
Iron Widow
Descendant of the Crane
Zhara: Guardians of Dawn
Garden of the Cursed
A Magic Steeped in Poison
Jester

I just had the greatest time with this book and I know you all will as well.

I was so incredibly impressed with this book. Right from the start the writing style, the characters, how the plot flowed was so great. This book was the perfect mix of world building but still moved the plot forward. The Chinese alchemist setting was a fresh take and just added so much historical elements to this fantasy book. I will whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone! With this said I have to say I found the romance a bit weak in parts, but not enough for me to really dock down how much I enjoyed this!

In an alternate Tang Dynasty China, a poor biracial girl that can raise the dead gets caught up in dangerous political games. Zilan raises the dead to earn money, though she hopes to become a royal alchemist. When she goes to the capital to take her exam, rumors of her skill had preceded her and draws the attention of the Crown Prince. The better she does in the capital, the more Zilan is in danger.

This is book one of a new duology, steeped in Eastern culture and mythology. Alchemy here has a principal rule: all good created with it will create an equal evil. If you have ever seen "Fullmetal Alchemist," you know this as the law of equivalent exchange, though in this book it's a little less concrete. Zilan is mixed race, often looked down on for this, and feeling like she doesn't belong, even in her own family. I understand that feeling, and from the start of the novel my heart went out to her, and I had immediately connected with her and her journey.

As a member of the merchant class, Zilan and her cousins are disdained by scholar class administrators, and the use of her alchemy by transmuting stones corresponding to various elements is one of the few ways to augment the family's dwindling finances. Going to the capital is expensive, too, and the alchemy exams are dangerous; those who pass become royal alchemists for life, as they learn secrets the Empress will not allow outside of the palace. Monsters stalk the halls and occasionally escape into the city, wreaking havoc.

The world building here is amazing. It's an alternate history, where alchemy created life gold, allowing the nobility and royalty to extend their lives. Resurrection is also possible, which Zilan does even without formal training. The evil in such actions are the consequences, which she doesn't learn about until later. We learn of secrets she didn't realize that she had, and the final third of the book was a breakneck action story, with pain, loss, and the glimmer of hope for the future that will likely complete the duology. I can't wait to see what it has in store for us.

kylie lee baker has done it again. if i were to name one author who's consistent with delivering outstanding prose coupled with a cleverly written plot, it's definitely kylie!

kudos to delivering one of the best asian fantasy stories i've read this year!

Wow, I really enjoyed this one. Imagine if Poppy War, Bone Shard Daughter, and A Deadly Education had a YA dark historical fantasy baby and this is it. It wasn’t completely like any of those books really, but was a mash up of my favorite elements. Very creative alternate reality where the alchemists of the Tang dynasty actually did work out the secret to immortality. Great characters, plot, banter, and twists. I loved the morally gray heroine, cinnamon roll prince, the way magic worked, and the found family aspect. The last 25% literally had me at the edge of my seat but I was completely hooked from page 1. Can’t wait for the next book!

A captivating world of royal intrigue intertwined with the mystical art of alchemy.

Zilan has always aspired to become a royal alchemist and worked tirelessly towards her dream. When an opportunity finally presented itself, she didn't think twice about taking it. However, before she could become a royal alchemist, she had to prove her skills and intelligence by passing the imperial exams. Unfortunately, the examiners and her fellow examinees didn't make things easy for her. The examiners purposely withheld necessary tools from her, and the other examinees didn't bother to lend a helping hand. Will Zilan be able to overcome the odds and pass the exams? Will her dream of becoming a royal alchemist come true?

The plot of the book was very well-crafted, and it kept me hooked throughout. However, some minor complaints would be that the side characters were not as well developed as the protagonist, Zilan. Also, I would have loved to see more romance between Zilan and the prince. Nevertheless, it was a great read, and I would highly recommend it to fans of young adult fantasy novels.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Kylie Lee Baker, and Inkyard Press for graciously sending me the e-book to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

I love it. It offered a perfect combination of action and pace. It didn't let you sleep.

The characters are well written. They have significant trait that's make it bearable throughout the story. A pinch of jokes and sassines here and there. OH THE EMPRESS. I love it when woman right, but I like it even more when woman wrong. Clever, sadistic, and ten steps ahead. AND THE PRINCE HIMBO!!!! 🐣🐣🐣

Go pick up this book if you like an alternate universe of Tang dynasty, dead bodies come to life, PLOT TWIST, gripping story telling, kingdom political intrigue, with thick lines of sibling love and romance. Historical trivias here and there. Highly recommended!!!

If you're into The Poppy War, Iron Widow, or A Magic Seeped in Poison (Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Six Crimson Cranes are mentioned once) you may love this one!!

One of the best books I've read all year. Kylie Lee Baker never disappoints me. It's been such a joy to watch her grow as a writer and I'm so so excited to read more of her stories. I'm always excited for more books full of angry biracial girls. <3

To the book, I love the prince paired with Zilan's drive and fight. His himbo is the perfect match to her dedication. I loved the court politics and the magical competition. I adored how court isn't what it's made out to be and I'm always drooling for a deep family fued. I went in knowing I would like this book, but I came out stunned at how good it was. A true treat!

A bloody fun time! The Scarlet Alchemist is an alternate Tang dynasty YA historical fantasy with humour, family ties, and, of course, alchemy. The novel features a fascinating world where the rich eat life gold created to prolong their lifespans, but something stalks the palace and members of the royal family are now dead.

Mixed-race Fan Zilan casually performs alchemical resurrections out back in the pigpen but has dreams of becoming a royal alchemist. The first half of the novel explores Zilan at home, civic examination and becoming the Scarlet Alchemist. The latter half is so twisty within the palace and the twists just kept coming. That ending has me anticipating book 2!

There are bloodthirsty humans and monsters standing between Zilan's happiness and she won't stand down. This story has incredibly high stakes and the death count continues to tick up. Zilan experiences many hardships due to her foreigner parentage and will often make rash decisions that end up spiraling out of control. I enjoyed the interactions between the main character and her cousins for the banter, as well as Zilan with the sweet cinnamon roll prince. I was frustrated with the characters at times, but had to step back and reestablish to myself that I was reading a YA novel - everyone makes mistakes, especially teens!

The Scarlet Alchemist is quite graphic, so please ensure you check the content warnings.

Can we talk about that absolutely gorgeous cover?!

Read if you like:
- Avatar/Legend of Korra humour (there's a cabbage cart too!)
- alchemist with raw talent
- naive and sweet prince
- sibling/cousin banter
- twists
- magical monsters
- elements
- ducks

CW: death, blood, violence, murder, sexism, fire (burning at the stake), gore, animal death (human and animal killing animal) sexual harassment (forced to undress to underwear in public), self-harm (cutting palm for magic ritual), bullying, classism, racism, child death, kidnapping, vomit, torture

Wow! This was an incredible read! I sat down to start this one weekend and ended up pretty much spending the whole weekend reading whenever I could squeeze in a page because I could not put this book down. I was engrossed in the plot from the very beginning all the way to the end. The author really took it in ways I was not expecting in a YA novel and really went there at some points and major props to her for that. I also had a great time with the main character. Her personality reminded me a lot of Rin from The Poppy War so if you're a reader who wants more characters like Rin but in a YA fantasy instead of an adult one then this is the book for you. I also adored the prince and loved watching him and Zilan's relationship grow to a friendship throughout the course of the novel. This book also ended absolutely leaving me wanting more immediately and I cannot wait for the sequel to release.

Also there's an possibly evil duckling and what else could you want??

I have been a fan of Kylie Lee Baker since reading the arc of The Keeper of Night.

This is so much more darker, with gore and body horror and I loved every page!!