This book felt like the perfect ending to the duology. Kylie still managed to give tension and draw out strong emotions all while still mixing in her amazing sense of humor into the script. I loved the way this book played out. It definitely held a darker/grimmer aura as the new villain/antagonist was not who I was expecting it to be, and the way they planned things out left the characters feeling like they were in an impossible situation. But once again, Zilan has proven to be a witty and intelligent character, driven by her determination to win at all costs and that is why I love her oh so dearly. Kylie also did an amazing job of making the hated characters very likable, and one of those said characters became my second favorite in the entire duology despite their previous actions.

If you loved the first book, you'll definitely love the second book. Everything from the first book was pulled into the second book and reiterated in a way that solidified the magic system that was created. The logic following this magic system made so much sense, and I loved how it all fell perfectly together, like a little bow being perfectly tied once everything was settled.

The ending was a bit mellow/lackluster, which led to me dropping half a star (my total rating is 4.5), but at the same time, it was a topic in the book itself, how the ending played out, so I chose to go with it. I agree very much that this is how the series ended.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Blood Orchid is the second and final book in The Scarlet Alchemist duology by Kylie Lee Baker. The first book follows Zilan who dreams of becoming a royal alchemist. But when she is within the walls of the palace she finds herself surrounded by political intrigue and a court that is much more vicious then they let on to the public.
I really loved the first book in this series and found myself absolutely flying through it when I read it and this book was no different. I absolutely loved this book and was even better than the first book. The strength of this book and series really relies on the characters. I love Zilan as a main character because she is someone who is strong but can own up to her own mistakes and tries to undo them.
After the ending of the last book, I was nervous where we would start off in this book but it pretty much picks up right from where we left off. From the start, this book is full of action and it is non-stop from there. Each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to continue reading and I found myself flying through this book. I really loved the writing in this and always found myself thinking and wondering what was going to happen.
I though the writing was just as amazing in this as it was in the first book. It's clear that Kylie Lee Baker did a lot of research into this time period. Even though this book is about alchemy and has fantasy elements in it, she really made the time period shine as well and I really enjoyed seeing how she incorporated all those elements together.
I thought Kylie also did an amazing job wrapping up this duology in two books. Nothing felt like it fell flat or we were left without answers. I thought she did such a fantastic job wrapping up this duology with this book.
I would highly recommend this series if you are wanting a politically intriguing, action packed historical fantasy YA novel. This was just amazing and I cannot recommend it enough.

What a duology. Wow. Once again, Kylie Lee Baker has rendered me speechless.

I wasn’t sure what this sequel and finale would have in store for me. How would Baker tie up all the loose ends satisfactorily? It’s a tough ask. At first, I wasn’t sure what I thought about the story and the pacing in The Blood Orchid. The majority of this book was spent traveling. Personally, the beginning felt a tad slow, but once I passed the halfway mark, the pacing sped up, and I was once again clutching my Kindle, unable to put it down.  

If you enjoyed The Scarlet Alchemist, you’ll love The Blood Orchid. Baker crafted a finale worthy of the characters we fell in love with in the first book. It’s bittersweet knowing this story is over, but I'm eager for Baker's next book. I can confidently say I will devour everything Kylie Lee Baker writes from now on.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Blood Orchid continues where the first book left off, and is just as compelling and engrossing. Once again, I was drawn in by the fantastical twist on the Tang Dynasty intrigue and action/adventure, with the fictional characters interacting with prominent characters like Wu Zetian and other members of the Royal Family. I also enjoyed learning a bit more about alchemy as it exists in this version of the Tang Dynasty, and how the characters use it.
Zilan remains a compelling lead, and I really enjoyed learning more about her as she worked to bring down Empress Wu, and fought for her loved ones.
The secondary characters were also fleshed out in interesting ways, especially Zheng Sili, who has an intriguing redemption arc. While this installment felt a bit less balanced than the first, with the romance feeling more sidelined, I mostly enjoyed most of the character work overall.
Plot wise, there are some minor pacing issues, the byproduct of some behind-the-scenes shenanigans, with a trilogy being reduced to a duology (not to mention Inkyard Press, the original imprint the first book was published under, folded, resulting in this book being moved to HarperCollins).
While it is somewhat flawed, I enjoyed this installment overall, and would recommend the duology to readers who enjoy historical fantasy.

I was waiting for The Scarlet Alchemist sequel for months. After that cliffhanger in The Scarlet Alchemist, I literally needed the sequel. I needed to know what’s going to happen. Is Zilan going to restore the kingdom? And how is she going to do it?
Thankfully, I was able to read the sequel, The Blood Orchid, early on. I got to say that this book blew my mind away. I literally could not put it down at all. I was blowing away the pages. I couldn’t stop at all. I needed to know what was going to happen and if Zilan was going to find justice for her fellow royal alchemists and love. 
So much happens in The Blood Orchid that it’s going to be chaotic at times, but it will keep you interested from the moment. Just pay attention to the details because they all connect one another. There is so much more to the myth of Penglai Island than I expected. And I love all of the connections to it.
I do wish we could get a backstory of the royal alchemists, because their brief appearances do intrigue me. I wouldn’t mind reading it.

I really admire Zilan. She can get herself out of every situation by putting that big brain of hers, and some handy alchemy to work. And she really needs it in this book! Because although the empress is dead, she had far reaching plans to keep control of the empire no matter what! Also luckily, Zilan has her brother Wenshu traveling with her, and Durian (that duck has some amazing talents revealed in this book!) on their search to find Penglai Island and bring back the innocents slain by the empress and her minions. And while there is a bit of romance (a bit hard since Hong is waiting by his river, a spirit only) I love that Kylie Lee Baker concentrated again more on familial relationships (mostly Wenshu but Yufei does make an appearance farther in the book). That was just as much fun as a romance because of how strong their love is for each other, in life or death or anything in between.

Watching Zilan and the empress go head to head was fantastic because both are ruthless when something upsets their plans though Zilan definitely has a better moral compass and good reasons to go after the power of Penglai. I also liked the travel and seeing new lands and meeting some very interesting, albeit alchemists that hold their own secrets that must be ferreted out.

So, in summary, this book is fantastic, full of meaningful sacrifice for love, awesome and finishes up the duology perfectly. Just be warned the ending is full of Yes Yes! Noooooo! Yes! Ahhhh! and then Yes yes yes! And I cannot state how much I love Durian the duck!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me a chance to read this absolutely fantastic book!

This was such an incredible journey that kept you hanging on till the ending wanting to know what was going to happen next and how would everything get resolved finally? The descriptions were so well done, it made everything seem so vivid and I had no trouble imaging what was going on, we get the same quality writing from the first book, The Scarlet Alchemist. The romance was a very small part but it was scattered throughout the book so you still felt the connection between Hong and Zilan, it was beautiful in a tragic way since they were separated the whole time. A lot of guilt kept circling with Zilan but it was understandable, it was horrific what all she'd been through from the first book to this one, so many sacrifices that there's no way she wouldn't feel the weight of it on herself. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and how everything wrapped up, it was very fitting. The final chapter had me worried but it was a happy ending, so those of you who are worried about if it's going to be a tragedy, fear not, we get a really good ending. Durian was adorable and I love how Zilan cared for her because it was also like a piece of Hong that she had.

The perfect sequel! The journey across the different terrains was gut wrenching and a thrill ride at the same time. The characters were relatable and complimented one another.

— “if saving him is madness, then I lost my mind long ago.”

i actually have nothing to say. this was too good. the fever dream prose, vivid characters and relationships, intense plot, i loved everything. i usually hate a certain trope used in this, but this was written so beautifully that i can't even be mad. and i'm going to miss zilan so much—she's already one of my favorite book characters.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Rating: 3.5 stars

In the wake of the heartache and devastation of Chang’an, our main character, Zilan, goes on a mission to find the mythical island of Penglai, a foundation of alchemical power, in hopes to bring back the souls of her friends and lover. It is full of action, adventure, and self-discovery. Through the quest we get to explore varies different regions of the country and learn the history and the magical system in more depth. The author even weaves in actual historical information, which she discussed at the end of the novel. I really enjoyed the tidbit of information, because I think it brings the story a little bit more to life. I also thought the quest was cleverly crafted in the form of a poetic riddle. With the discovery of each stanza, new secrets are revealed and we learn just how powerful and dark alchemy can be.

In terms of the characters, my feelings are kind of mixed. I really like Zilan and the Empress’s character. Their rivalry was exciting to read. They are both ruthless and cunning. Selfish in their own ways. Leaves a trail of destruction. In a way, the Empress is a foil and a reflection of Zilan which I find fascinating. There is also a foe in “The Scarlet Alchemist” that becomes an ally in this novel. I am not sure how I feel about the redemption arc. The character did some horrendous things to Zilan. I just felt forgiveness came a little too easily. I needed more atonement from that character. As for the siblings, especially the brother, I felt they put more pressure on Zilan, than actually giving her support. The fact that Wenshu didn’t even realize Zilan’s struggle with her self-doubt just shows how unaware he was during the journey. There were also new Alchemist characters that were introduced. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about them, except for what is necessary to drive the story, which is a shame. They are such interesting characters filled with selfishness and greed. I would have loved to know their backstory and how they ended up that way.

Finally, in the first book, I had mentioned in my review how I hope the author would explore the topic of life and death. One thing that frustrated me and took some of the tension out of the story was the constant reminder from Wenshu that everything will be ok, because Zilan can just bring everyone back from the dead. If that is the case, there is no consequences or stakes. However, the ending surprised me. It was a fitting ending, but a little too happily ever after. For such a dark book filled with chaos, bloodshed, and sacrifice, I would have preferred a more realistic ending.

Despite my conflicting thoughts, I still think this was a solid duology. I think the author has some creative ideas and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love Kylie Lee Bakers writing and this is such a strong duet. I did find this one slower paced than her other books and I missed the romance. Still a strong book though!

Absolutely enthralling. Just like the first. This second book sweeps you up into an epic adventure immediately, and doesn't let go.
Also the duck is the best. (and he's safe. That's not a spoiler, the author tells you herself.) ^_^

Thank you so very much to Kylie Lee Baker, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After absolutely eating up the first book in this duology, The Scarlet Alchemist, the ending had me itching for more of the story. This is how hooked I am on Baker's wonderfully concocted story. I am so very lucky to have been approved for an advanced readers copy of what has to be my most anticipated release of 2024.

Avoiding spoilers, the overall premise was a promising continuation of The Scarlet Alchemist, with an assortment of familiar yet different characters and what feels to be evolved dynamics between certain characters. What was done in book 2 really served to shake things up, all while building on the phenomenal ideas of the world's pre-existing alchemy rules. The ways that rules are bent but not broken are well thought out, which serves to oftentimes keep the reader on their toes. While some aspects of the story come off as a bit predictable, it was entertaining nonetheless.

So far I have really enjoyed Baker's writing, and I hope to read more of her work in the future!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I enjoyed the banter between Wenshu and Zilan. The world building, the story, just everything about it. I laughed, I gasped, I cried. And the ending was just perfect and what I was hoping for.

💥💥 Book Review 💥💥

The Blood Orchid
By Kylie Lee Baker

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

This book was such a great second book to end the dueology. It picks up right we’re to left off in the Scarlet Alchemist. I really love these two books! This book deals a lot more with alchemy which is neat to read about. There is gore in the book. This book deals a great deal with sibling relationships: the good, bad, and ugly. There were a few pacing issues that in some spots made it seem slow. This series is a force to be reckoned with because of the richness characters and plot. I absolutely loved these two books! Also the pictures on the front of the book are to die for with the richness and boldness of the image. LOVE! I am soo excited to read more from her!

Thank you to NetGalley and InkYard Press for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Blood Orchid picks up right where The Scarlet Alchemist ended, and it is a great adventure as Zilan seeks to restore what she’s lost. It’s hard to cover much without given anything away from the first book, but this does absolutely deliver on what was needed when the first one ended. I did slightly prefer the first book because things were bit more neatly done. This one has a lot to deal with and a little at the end felt rushed. This was still a great story despite that, and one I’d definitely recommend.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved The Scarlet Alchemist, which is the first book in this duology, so I've been waiting for The Blood Orchid and it was everything I wanted and more.

Zilan may have won the battle against the Empress, but her fight is not over. Now she must tie some loose ends from the first book while battling both new and familiar foes while going on a new quest. Good thing she has Durian the duck with her, among other allies.

I loved going back to Zilan's world, but as much as I had learned in the first book, the twists and turns never stop, and the pacing kept me engaged to the final page.

This is probably one of my favorite fantasy duologies and one I will recommend to anyone looking for a fun, well thought out adventure filled with heart and magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read an e-ARC of The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker! This book releases on October 22, 2024, so you have no excuse not to pick up the first book in this duology, The Scarlet Alchemist, before its release.

We pick right up where we left off as Zilan and her cousin, Wenshu, are on the hunt for a way to get to Penglai Island. This knowledge has been lost to history, but thanks to her father’s research, they have a lead to one of the most talented alchemists of history: the Sandstone alchemist. It will come as no surprise that they barely survive this encounter with their lives, but they also manage to make it out with an ancient scroll containing a transformation that means nothing to them. Little do they know, this scroll paves the path before them and sets them on the journey toward understanding alchemy more deeply than they ever could’ve imagined. With the most unlikely companion (and Durian the duck), this eventual party of three encounters endless obstacles, powerful, ancient alchemists, and some characters who just can’t seem to stay dead. Will all of their efforts be enough to resurrect the lives of those they lost and help ensure Li Hong’s reign as Emperor? Only time will tell.

If you love fast-paced fantasy, really REALLY cool magic systems, and an historic backdrop in China, this duology might just be for you! There’s a lot of character development, but it’s mostly plot-driven; it has the barest dash of romance (a subplot, really); and every plot twist makes the book that much more un-put-downable! I can’t wait to read more by Kylie Lee Baker, now.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

WOW! This sequel just completely blew me away. The Scarlet Alchemist was already a phenomenal book, and yet the Blood Orchid managed to exceed all expectations. The story wrapped up nicely, the character growth made sense, and the writing was just amazing. This is an absolute must read for fantasy fans! 5⭐️

One of my favorite duologies to date! I reread the first book before picking this up, and I highly recommend doing that. This book gets right into the action, and this book has SO MUCH going on. This book does a lot more with the worldbuilding, and the author does such a great job at explaining it without making it overly confusing. This book just GOES GOES GOES and I honestly couldn't put it down. Some people will be disappointed that there isn't as much romance in this book, but I loved it. This series was never about romance, it was about Zilan and her relationships with others and herself. I honestly couldn't get enough of this book, and it has one of the most unique premises I have ever read. I will recommend this book to everyone!!!

Thank you to HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!