3.8

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was an action-packed conclusion to the Scarlet Alchemist series! Thankfully Kylie Lee Baker was kind enough to place in snippets of what has happened in the first book (It's been a while since I have read it). I encountered more twists and turns in the sequel than I remembered in the first book. I constantly felt like I was being pulled in different directions, as it felt like there were too many things happening at once. Maybe that was meant to illustrate how out-of-control the issue is at hand, but having less happening concurrently but better explained is better for the overall plot. I applaud the feeling of helplessness as the Empress is always somehow one step ahead

As much as I enjoyed the addition of Zheng Sili as a helpful hand with Fan Zilan and her family, there were undoubtedly more antagonists that are standing in her way. I appreciate that even with her lack of formal education, Zilan knew how to think on her feet, and it's exciting to see her decide in the moment. I just wished her cousins provided more support in her goal throughout the book rather than towards the end.

The ending is an incredible surprise!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I was approved for the arc for this sequel. My friends know that I heavily promoted the first book, The Scarlet Alchemist because I loved it so much. It will be the same for this sequel because I absolutely ADORED this book.

As soon as I started reading this book, I read 54 pages in one sitting and that alone tells you how invested in this story and world I was. The author does a great job picking up the story from where the first one ended. I was instantly transported to the setting of the book's world. Fan ZiLan is such a great main character who has so many layers and the author does a great job in showing you her thoughts, actions and how she treats those around her. I felt for her at many points throughout this book.

The world building in this one was also done really well. I was never confused but instead eager to read more about this world's setting and location. At times, the world did feel magical and mysterious. A lot of major plot events happened in this novel and I would say confidently that it was MORE action packed than the first one. I was surprised a couple of times by what was happening because I did not see it coming at all. This further contributed to my enjoyment of the book.

I also want to praise the author's writing style for being so easy to digest and get invested in. She has created a world and story that I actually would like to see in person. The author also did a great job in ending this series. The ending was wrapped up in a satisfying conclusion. Although one of the book tags is Fantasy Romance, I felt like Fantasy Historical Fiction fits this book better. To finish off this review, I would HIGHLY recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I am so happy to have received this arc as The Scarlet Alchemist is one of my absolute favorite books I have read in the last year. It is hard to follow such a great book but this did not disappoint. It does not fully live up to the first one in my opinion, but it was a great sequel and added to the story nicely. These books are just something completely unique to young adult fantasy and I love it. They remind me of a young adult version of the Poppy War books. They have the same twisted and dark vibe and with the magic and war it feels a fair comparison. I love these books and how they are not just centered on the romance but have a strong plot and story line on its own. This book made me feel all the emotions and was written so beautifully. Those last few chapters contain some of the most beautiful writing I have ever seen and left me feeling it all. This was a great book and I am very much looking forward to the third book in the trilogy.

I did enjoy the first book and was glad to see Durian the duck again! Just like before, the alchemy was so interesting to read about, and the adventure aspect was nice to follow, although a bit slow. I also liked that there wasn't too much romance (though the moments between Zilan & Hong were very sweet) and it was nice to explore Zilan's other relationships (familial).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Picking up where The Scarlet Alchemist left off, Zilan and her brother embark on a quest to find Penglai Island, a magical island that could restore all of those whom she has lost in her coup against the empress. The adventure is a bit of a scavenger hunt to gather pieces of a puzzle needed to get to the island, finding enemies and allies along the way. The thread of romance, which was light in the first book is even less prevalent in this sequel, but Zilan's relationships with her brother and a new friend's support show that she is not alone in her pursuit. One of the themes of the first book in the duology was the cost of magic and that resurfaces in The Blood Orchid most clearly before the story ends. The finale left me satisfied as fitting ending for the main characters. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Scarlet Alchemist, just know going in that the romance is pushed back for most of this story (for obvious reasons if you know how the first book ended); and for those that haven't read the first book but enjoy a magical fantasy adventure with a compelling main character, this duology is worth the consideration.
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This book was an amazing read, that took you places you didn't know you were going to go. I was fully absorbed in this book right off the bat and flew through it in one day. The author did an amazing job with the plot and making the characters unique but relatable. I will be recommending this book to all of my patrons, family, and friends. Great read!