The Scarlet Alchemist was one of my top reads last year and I could not have been more excited for this book. The content is just too dang good (coming from a diehard Fullmetal Alchemist fan). While I didn’t love The Blood Orchid as much as the first book, it was still a great read. The story definitely changed up and this plot was focused on a quest and highlighted familial relationships more so than romantic ones. I desperately missed Hong, but seeing Zilan’s relationship with her brother/cousin was incredibly satisfying. I loved all the side characters in this one and, as usual, badass antagonists. I loved the animal companion in this one as well. Not too proud to admit I totally cried at the end.

Overall, a satisfying conclusion but didn’t surpass my love of the first book.

Let's start with last year, when I read The Scarlet Alchemist. I really liked the Scarlet Alchemist, and I think most of that can be traced to the fact that it's a really good YA dark fantasy, and a little of it can be traced to the fact that I had read 3-4 deeply mediocre books in a row right before it, and I really needed a win. It was a win for me! I liked Zilan, our stubborn and flawed protagonist who harbors a deep rage at the cruelty and unfairness of the world she lives in, and who ultimately yearns for love. I liked her relationships with her cousins, with her love interest the prince, with her weird alchemy duck, and even with the villain of the story, the ambitious and complicated Wu Zhao. So I was really looking forward to eventually reading the next and final installment of Zilan's story.

All this to say, I really liked book one in this series, and in some ways, that made it a bit difficult to fully sum up my thoughts on The Blood Orchid. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Did it live up to the first one? Maybe...not? Or at least, not entirely.

The Blood Orchid has a lot of the same elements as The Scarlet Alchemist. We're still following Zilan as she tries to fix the blood-soaked world of the first book, even as she becomes more and more worried that everything she does to try and fix things only makes the world worse. We still get to see cool alchemy moments and we see a lot of interesting locations in this book. But ultimately, I think this book is just a bit messier and less focused than the first book was. The themes don't come together quite as well, not all of the twists hit for me (although some of them were really good, don't get me wrong), and not all of the character relationships got as much focus or development as I would have liked.

Seeing as Li Hong is, well, dead for most of this book, we don't get a lot of development of his and Zilan's romance. Probably the most prominent character relationships in this book are Zilan's relationship with her cousin, Wenshu (whom she chose to resurrect instead of Li Hong at the end of the first book, which is complicated for everyone involved), and her reluctant alliance with Zheng Sili, who I frankly barely remembered from book one. I enjoyed him in this book, though. I'm never going to be mad at the inclusion of a lightly-distrusted former antagonist who forms a reluctant alliance with the protagonist and then gets to have snarky banter with them.

I also was a little bit unsatisfied with some aspects of the ending...but I think that may be me nitpicking the execution. Overall I liked it, and I don't want to be overly critical. Could it have been stronger thematically? Perhaps. Did i still find it to be a suitable ending for this book and for the duology? Yeah, I think so.

Even if this book didn't fully live up to how much I liked the first one, I would still strongly recommend it to other readers who liked The Scarlet Alchemist and want to see the conclusion of Zilan's story. I'm also looking forward to reading more from Kylie Lee Baker. I'm very curious about her adult horror debut...even though I'm normally too much of a baby to read horror.

3.5/5 stars rounded up is what we're going with for the rating.

It was fun seeing how the chaos of the ending of The Scarlet Alchemist played out. I can’t really blame Zoltan for being a little morose about her Boyfriend / brother situation. It was definitely an awkward spot and while I can appreciate her brother being a bit salty he needs to get over it because at the end of the day she did pick him over her man. I loved seeing all the different alchemists and the history and the mythology of the world and how much it grew. I was a lot of fun. The island of Penglai was very interesting and a fun little scavenger hunt. The ending was also very exciting and weirdly perfect for the characters. I love it 10/10

What an ending! I am obsessed with this duology. Kylie Lee Baker, you have destroyed me just a little bit :') The historical elements, the gripping adventure, the character dynamics...I am so sad that this story is at its end! Definitely add to your must read list!

4.5/5

A bittersweet end to the duology. Loved seeing Zilan and her party go on a journey to find Penglai Island, making a new friend and being haunted by the Empress. Although the Blood Orchid was a fun read, it was a little bit slower compared to its counterpart, especially in the second half of the book.

Absolutely loved this duology and I am looking forward to read more books from this author.

This series is probably not for everyone, but it is definitely for ME. Kylie Lee Baker said the second book would be even more like Fullmetal Alchemist and she delivered. I could not have asked for a better conclusion for this world and these characters. Just like the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed the high stakes and high action, humor, complex relationships, and just a bit of an unhinged plot that makes it unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Cannot recommend this series enough if you enjoy dark and gory fantasy books that will also make you crack up.

After reading the Scarlet Alchemist last year, and being completely obsessed with it, I knew I had to find a way to get my hands on the Blood Orchid as soon as possible and I’m glad I did! The Blood Orchid sucked me in from chapter one! It’s packed full of action, while also being very heartfelt at times. The writing in this duo-logy is phenomenal and I was hanging onto every word!

I really enjoyed Zilan in this book. I really resonated with her struggles and her grief, as she attempts to navigate a world that seems to have it out for her at every turn.

Kylie Lee Baker has become one of my favorite authors within the past year, and I can’t wait to read more of her work!

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker was one of my favorite books of 2023. Getting an early ARC copy courtesy of NetGalley / HarperCollins of the sequel The Blood Orchid was thrilling and I was not disappointed. Once again this is a solid 5 star read and finishes off the duology beautifully. Zilan has returned with her dry wit, crazy smarts and general badass-ery. This time she is in a race against time to find Penglai Island to try and save those she loves. Those hoping for a romantic historical fiction fantasy will not find it - instead The Blood Orchid is so much more. It is about endurance, and hope, good vs evil, family bonds and at its heart, a good old fashioned treasure hunt. I couldn’t put it down, pulled in once again through the propulsive action, humor and mystery. I loved every minute.

Kylie Lee Baker's "The Blood Orchid" is a captivating narrative that delves into the dark side of alchemy and the true cost of playing with life and death. Zilan, a talented royal alchemist, is driven by personal tragedy to seek resurrection and redemption. Her quest for Penglai Island becomes an all-consuming obsession that challenges her morals, loyalties, and sense of self.

This duology is a must-read for fantasy fans, with exceptional world-building, complex characters, and lyrical writing. Zilan's growth and development are authentic and satisfying, making her easy to root for. The pacing is well-balanced, with high tension, action, and quieter moments of introspection.

Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger, keeping readers engaged. The plot twists are expertly crafted, with even bigger and better surprises throughout. The last chapter is lightly written, with subtle descriptions that scratch an itch in your brain.

"The Blood Orchid" is more than just a fantasy adventure – it's a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, raising important questions about alchemy, ambition, and redemption. A must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure!

4 stars! 🌟 I was so excited to receive a digital arc of The Blood Orchid from Net Galley! (Thank you Net Galley and HarperCollins) The ending of The Scarlet Alchemist had me on the edge of my seat - one twist after another made me unable to put the book down. I was so excited to be able to jump directly into the sequel.

This story takes place in an alternate history China where alchemy is discovered and misused by the wealthy and royal family to extend their lives through life gold. The magic system of alchemy in this series is so unique and well thought out. As much of Zilan’s success is from creative thinking and determination as it is her alchemical abilities.

I adored the characters in this book as they grew and developed from book one. The sibling banter between Zilan, Yufei and Wenshu is still incredible. One of the most accurate depictions of sibling bickering I’ve ever read. Durian the duck is my favorite. He gave me major hei hei from Moana vibes.

Hong remains such a sweetie I cannot gush enough about how much he loves and respects Zilan. He truly trusts her to continue waiting *wildly gestures to imply what’s happened without spoiling anything and still show my love for this dorky duck loving prince*

The Empress continued to astound me with her level of foresight and determination to remain in power. I was so impressed that she remained as imposing a figure in book two as book one. It’s no wonder she managed to rule as Empress Consort for a hundred years and eliminate almost every member of the royal family.

I cannot recommend this duology enough. If you enjoy unique magic systems, endearing characters, Asian inspired fantasy then this series is for you.

3
let me start this by saying i really did enjoy this duo logy but the few issues i had caused me to lower the ranked. After reading the first book in this series one of my favorite parts was the vagueness of the ending. it allowed me to finish it in my head and give the characters a happily ever after. fortunately and unfortunately the sequel didn’t exactly line up with my fictional series of events. i liked the incorporation of old characters and i liked the overall plot line for the most part. but the way a certain character was handled soured the rest of the novel for me. i really really wanted to like this but i just wish there were a few tweaks made. that being said i totally recommend to anyone who enjoyed the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. What a great ending to this duology; I’m going to miss these characters a lot. Kylie Lee Baker writes sibling dynamics so well, even if their angst can hurt sometimes. Both in this series and her last, these relationships are always cornerstones of the story, and I really appreciate that emphasis.

“The Blood Orchid” is the much-anticipated (by me, at least) sequel to “The Scarlet Alchemist,” a book that has haunted my dreams since I read it. This new installment follows Zilan, along with her brother Wenshu (who is hijacking her fiancée’s body) and her ex-rival Zheng Sili as they search for the legendary Penglai Island, a place where any dead person can be brought back to life. They must follow a trail of historical clues and hunt down other alchemists in order to find the rings that will transport them to Penglai. Meanwhile, Zilan is visiting the deceased Crown Prince Li Hong in the river realm of the dead, as he slowly drifts farther and farther away from the possibility of resurrection. She’s also being chased by his mother, the formidable and immortal Empress Wu.
There’s a lot to love about this book. Kylie Lee Baker is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I look forward to upgrading her to auto-buy status. As always her characters, worldbuilding, and prose are near perfection. I loved how much time was spent dissecting the relationship between Zilan and Wu, which really felt to me like the heart of this book. Wenshu and Zheng Sili were both very fun additions to the team and, at times, comic foils to Zilan’s seriousness. I did miss somewhat the presence of Hong, as he’s mostly dead and slowly fading into the background, but only because I loved him so much in the first book. I also missed the political intrigue and mystery that defined the first novel, because it was so well done, but I definitely enjoyed the more adventurous aspects of this sequel as well. I consider this series a must-read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, Chinese history, or horror, because these books manage to do all of that and also incorporate a coming-of-age story and a heartrending romance.

THE BLOOD ORCHID is such a satisfying sequel - it starts up pretty much where book 1 left off, and wastes no time diving into a fast paced, high tension plot that expands on the alchemical mythology of the world while also exploring the political and social ramifications of the events at the end of book 1. I love how well-developed the relationships between Zilan and her siblings are, how unhinged they can all be in different ways, and the humor of their interactions.

Nothing bad happens to Durian the demon duck and he remains a menace and a treasure to the very end.

My main quibbles with ORCHID are 1) the main villain feels just a bit too overpowered and 2) the plot does turn into a bit of a macguffin storyline, which are never my favorite. But I devoured this book in one sitting and overall had a very fun time with this duology.

3.75/5
Fulfilling ending to a dark story. This book doesn't have the same sense of urgency and tension the first book has but it does resolves mysteries presented in the first book. It is more a treasure hunt sort of story than a character figuring out the world kind of story. It does introduce new characters and it does help move the story along but at times it starts to drag. It kind of does the repeat the same plot to move the story along. I found the dialogue and interactions a little lack luster, the love Zilan has for her duck Durian is the cutest thing in the story. The story line itself was very interesting trying to find the "mythical" place and starts where the first book ended. I am very happy with the ending of this duology.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. This is my honest opinion.

*4.5 STARS*

Content Warning: death, violence

I loved the first book in this duology, The Scarlet Alchemist. So I was so excited to get an arc for The Blood Orchid. Here are my thoughts:

Likes:

Zilan is on a mission to find a way to bring back her beloved, Hong, after the major sacrifice that occurred in book one. She is on the road with her brother Wenshu, who is in the body of Hong. The pressure to save everyone and fix everything is always on Zilan’s mind but with the help of her brother and an unlikely friend, she accomplishes what needs to be done.
Who knew Zheng Sili, Zilan’s enemy turned frenemy would grow on me? The two of them arguing and bantering was making me laugh so much throughout this story – it was refreshing!
Zilan’s mission to find this secret place, Penglai Island, introduces us to some Chinese mythology which is explained more in the author’s note. But I loved meeting all these different alchemists and seeing what happened when they were on the island.
The ending is bittersweet but I liked it. I love the world building of this whole series.
Dislikes:

Of course I wanted more of Hong because he and Zilan were amazing in book one. But he’s waiting for her in the in-between and though they had a few moments together, I understood Zilan had to focus on her mission.


My Thoughts:

This was a great conclusion to the series. I love this world of alchemists in historical China. The story got me hooked from book one with the wonderful world-building and fantastic characters. I love that it had so much humor in it! I can’t wait to read what this author writes next!

The sequels are just never as great as the first books 😔

But that doesn't mean that it isn't still a good book. I just LOVED The Scarlet Alchemist so I had very high expectations coming into The Blood Orchid. There is not as much romance or plotting as the first book, and this one centers around finding Penglai Island by going on an adventure and collecting things. It got a little bit repetitive, so it was a really slow start for me. It wasn't until like 65% into the book where I was like, okay, I think I am finally hooked.

I think this is a really good conclusion to this duology, so I am still giving it fours stars. Maybe if I read this book right after I read the first book, the pacing would be better, so do take my review with a grain of salt. I would probably recommend that you reread the first one before going into The Blood Orchid.

I did really like the theme of family in this book. It was very cute and moving, and I am just happy that Zilan gets to explore this more deeply here. The historical note at the end is also really interesting because you can tell how much thought Lee Baker put into all the details for this book, like this is why I love historical fantasy so much.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-ARC!

The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker is a spellbinding blend of fantasy and mystery. Set in a richly imagined world, the novel follows a gripping plot filled with dark secrets and powerful magic. Baker's writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into a tale of intrigue and adventure. With a compelling protagonist and a well-crafted storyline, The Blood Orchid was a great book for after The Scarlet Alchemist and a great continuation of the series.

Durian the undead duck! Seriously, can I have one too? Baker's dark spirit worlds are a lot of fun to explore. While "The Scarlet Alchemist" focused more heavily on Li Hong and Zilan, the shift and focus for this installment was on family, adventure/quest, and consequences that actions have. I for one was all for it!
I did feel that it wrapped up a little too neatly, but I enjoyed the series regardless.

Thanks at Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blood Orange by Kylie Lee Baker
I absolutely devoured "The Scarlet Alchemist" and could not wait to dive into "The Blood Orchid," the second and final installment in the series.
While the conclusion was somewhat satisfying, I found the pacing of the second half to be a bit slow. Kylie excelled with "The Scarlet Alchemist" through her vivid writing and descriptive imagery, making this second installment feel somewhat rushed in comparison.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this duology and appreciated the closure it provided. I look forward to reading more from Kylie in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.