Michael Samaan and Kat Musgrave met coincidentally (it seems) at the VA Museum. One with an interest in artifacts and the other for an inexplicable pull towards the display of a particular goblet.

The story starts from there and it is fascinating, unexpectedly full of questions and certainly events, people and feelings which cannot be logically explained. Going back hundreds of years to turbulent times, previous births and a reincarnation in a present time to set finally and bring to an end a very troubled past.

The story was magical, a love story repeated and a book I couldn’t put down. I would urge those who enjoy stories of history as well as those things which are magical, fantasy with a whiff of probability to get this book.

Kat and Michael find themselves connected to each other and to a display at a museum, and this story follows them as they uncover the truth of themselves — and their many pasts. This is a beautiful story of love and madness and the repercussions of attempting to control it all.

The Luck of Edenhall has always held a special fascination for Michael Salmaan and Kat Musgrave, and not just because it's a beautiful piece of art. The 14th-century glass creation marks a bond between these two strangers, as well as multiple other bonds that span generations and lifetimes. And when Michael and Kat meet in person, they can't deny the preternatural pull they feel to both the Luck and each other.

A dive into the history of the Salmaan family reveals a personal tie to the Luck: one that unveils a centuries-old alchemical marvel. The souls of lovers from hundreds of years ago are bound together by the Luck and its accompanying pieces, and Michael and Kat were instrumental in that discovery in former lives. But while some delight in reuniting with their lovers over and over again, others see their tie to the Luck as a curse. And while some simply want closure, others are willing to kill over and over again to get their revenge.

The Alchemist of Aleppo is the latest work of fiction to pay tribute to the legendary Luck of Edenhall (which is indeed a real vase on display at the V&A). The concept of the piece as a lodestone powering reincarnations for lovers across time is a wild one, and one that makes for some excellent romantic storytelling. While the complex and knotted timelines of the book are intriguing, the flow of the book is impeded by a lot of "telling" rather than "showing," with characters launching into unnatural-feeling monologues to fill in gaps. The villain of the piece has a sort of "Before I kill you, Mr. Bond" monologue toward the end, and a character introduced just before the finish line crams in a last-minute infodump that dilutes what should be a passionate scene. The concept itself is strong, as are the characters, and I hope to see Savage lean a little less into straight exposition in later works.

This was such a cool story to read! I loved all the POVs, the different stories woven together spanning generations. I’ve not read a book like this before, and it was such a treat to read!

This review is written as my honest opinion after receiving a NetGalley copy.

My feelings on this story are mixed, but I will start with the good.

This book had excellent scope. The generational storyline was exciting and lent the story a The Davinci Code-esque mystique (in a good way)! I thought most of the twists and adventure plots were good, and the story trekked along at a good pace.

Where the story fell apart for me:

The Characters. They were the weakest part of the story, and I was not particularly attached to Kat especially. The characters felt a little flat, and I would have put the book down if it wasn't for the plotline that kept me interested.

The Alchemist of Aleppo is a breathtaking exploration of love, memory, and the mysteries of the universe, masterfully weaving together art, science, and the enduring power of human connection. From the moment Michael Samaan and Kat Musgrave meet at the Victoria & Albert Museum, their magnetic bond pulls readers into a story that spans centuries and defies conventional boundaries of time and space.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its intricate narrative structure. The author seamlessly transitions between the present and the past, painting vivid scenes of medieval Aleppo alongside modern-day London. The goblet at the heart of the story—a creation of the enigmatic Alchemist of Aleppo—is more than an artifact; it’s a living testament to love’s resilience and the mysteries of the human soul. The detailed descriptions of the alchemist’s craft and the intertwining of his fate with Michael and Kat’s add an almost ethereal quality to the storytelling.

Both Michael, the introspective art historian, and Kat, the pragmatic geneticist, are richly developed characters. Their journey to uncover the truth behind the goblet is as much about self-discovery as it is about unraveling the secrets of the past. Their chemistry feels genuine, their dialogue sharp, and their shared moments poignant, making their connection deeply relatable despite the story’s mystical undertones.

What sets The Alchemist of Aleppo apart is its ability to balance the metaphysical with the emotional. Themes of love, loss, and redemption are explored through the lens of reincarnation and alchemy, yet they remain grounded in the universal experiences of longing and hope. The alchemist’s quest to preserve his wife’s essence in the goblet mirrors Michael and Kat’s search for meaning in their connection, creating a powerful parallel that resonates long after the final page.

This novel is not just a story—it’s an experience. It will captivate readers who love historical fiction, magical realism, and profound explorations of the human spirit. Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Night Circus will find themselves equally enchanted by The Alchemist of Aleppo.

In the end, this book reminds us of the enduring mysteries that science cannot explain and the treasures that money cannot buy: love, memory, and the unbreakable bonds of the soul. An absolute triumph.

The Alchemist of Aleppo was an intriguing read. It makes one think, and ask questions about love, life and immortality. I was swept away, caught in the maelstrom of a family's history throughout the ages and cycles of life.
Is it possible? I don't know, but I do know this, I kept reading until the novel was finished and I knew what happened. Better yet, it still has me thinking.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this delightful book.

Marie K. Savage is a new to me author. I was taken aback by this fantastic book. It was a well written page turner I couldn't put down. There are many worlds and a cornucopia of genres blended into this tale like time travel, reincarnation, mystery, and romance that will pull at your heartstrings. The different plots this author weaves are what kept me engrossed. It contains drama and suspense. The chemistry of the main characters, Michael and Kat, is off the charts sine they meet in front of the artifact that somehow deeply connects them. It's a full circle story that ties all plots together at the end. One-click this book and be prepared for an exciting journey. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author. 5 stars all the way!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blank Slate for the advanced copy of The Alchemist of Aleppo! This was such a fun and unique read, and I quite enjoyed diving into this world.

From the get go, I was drawn to Kat and Michael’s story of trying to figure out the secrets of The Luck while figuring out their own pasts and secrets. I was rooting for them to finally get a happy ending in this lifetime. I also loved Michael’s family, especially Leila, they were all memorable side characters.

What wasn’t for me was, unfortunately, the amount of different POV’s we got in this book. I generally dislike reading more than 2 POV’s as it can get confusing, and sometimes I was indeed confused as to which POV we were in.

Overall a great story. Could use some more editing for spelling mistakes, spacing errors and the like.

The Alchemist of Aleppo by Maria K. Savage is a captivating novel that explores reincarnation, fate, and the power of past lives. The story follows Michael Samaan and Kat Musgrave, whose intertwined lives across centuries, starting in 14th-century Aleppo, are shaped by a mystical goblet known as the Luck of Edenhall and an alchemist who manipulates their destinies. As Michael struggles to recall his past lives to save his family, Kat seeks to understand her role in the unfolding events. Savage’s rich character development and seamless shifting between timelines create an engaging, thought-provoking narrative about how our past actions reverberate through time, making this a must-read for fans of historical fiction with a supernatural twist.

The Alchemist of Aleppo follows two characters, Katherine “Kat” Musgraves and Michael Samaan, who are inexplicably drawn to a blown glass piece called the “Luck of Edenhall.” They’ve each dreamt of the piece for years, but their chance meeting one day at the museum’s display brings back memories and emotions that seem to have been hidden away for centuries. Kat and Michael seem to go on a journey through time as they piece together the history of the “Luck” and themselves.
One of my favorite details of this book is how Kat and Michael remain as rational-thinking as possible for as long as they can. It makes the characters feel so much more real because they aren’t willing to fall into the fantasy as soon as it shows itself. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. Some things were easy to pick up on early on, but some mysteries kept me reading until the very end, which I appreciated.
I do wish there had been more character development for both of the main characters, although I feel like I know Michael more than I do Kat. Kat feels very secretive about her teenage years like she doesn’t want to think too much about what happened, but I think she could have opened up more as the story went on and come to terms with her past in a way that would have brought her and Michael even closer together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and give it four out of five stars. I will definitely recommend this book to others when it is released.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Mystical /Time Travel/Fantasy

Review:

This was an interesting story. I liked the mixture of fantasy, romance and a bit of mystery. Not my usual genre but I thought it was well done. The story flowed well. The main timeline is set in the present with several short flashbacks set at different times in the past. The story flowed well and the different timelines were nicely interwoven in the main story and added an extra dimension mystery and intrigue to the book. The characters were interesting and likeable and their actions were well explained.

Overall:

A well written story with interesting characters,the right amount of mystery and magic mixed in with a bit of romance to keep you captivated till the end.

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

I tried to get into this one but the writing style combined with multiple POVs made my head spin a bit and I was not able to fully indulge in this one.

While it was not for me, if you heavily enjoy multiple POVs, I think you will love this read.

Thank you for the opportunity to leave honest feedback!

Michael and Kat are both pulled towards a century’s old goblet in the Victoria & Albert Museum. When they arrive at the goblet at the same time, they quickly realize that they also have a connection to each other. They each have their own strengths with Michael being an art historian and Kat being a geneticist, so they work together to learn about the history of the goblet and their own past lives. Why are they called together? Who else is enthralled by an ancient piece of art?

The Alchemist of Aleppo is a stand-alone novel that is a blend of magic with a historical fiction tale. The story spends much of its time in the present with many trips back into other centuries. The overarching story was entertaining, but it was missing the spark that is needed to make it a well-rounded hit. The Alchemist of Aleppo will be a good read for those who like this subgenre.

At a synopsis level, this book is a fun romp -- interesting concepts for dynamic between characters (and all their past lives), fun magic/science, and the piecemeal reveals of shared history. At a page level, I found myself skimming and sighing. While there are lots of fun ideas bouncing around in The Alchemist of Aleppo, the prose never managed to show those ideas at their best.

My main frustration was that everything took place off-screen. Interesting conversations and tense moments are related as flashbacks or recounted to other characters from a place of safety. As a result all the tension drains out of the book -- which, with a plot driven by dark magic and mysterious assassination attempts, should be high! This wasn't just a problem with action scenes; some of the most frustrating parts were character introductions. For example, Kat, the female lead, suffers from "desolation dreams" which have upset her life since she was a teenager and sent her down the path to becoming a geneticist (and ruined her one long-term relationship). They're central to her life, yet while we're told she has them over and over again, it's at least five chapters before we get any detail on what they contain. Michael's introduction also suffers from the same problem, where we learn that he is haunted by "a darkness," but with no specificity to what that looks like day-to-day. The characterizations end up feeling flat because we're just hearing the same information and never letting it evolve.

Once the two leads meet, the book picks up and we're treated to intrigue in the form of the identity (and goals) of the billionaire Sergei, as well as assassination attempts and revelations about what the alchemist actually did, but in truth I'd call the back half of the book cozy. Overall if you're looking for an easy contemporary romance read with fantastical and historical elements, The Alchemist of Aleppo might just fit the bill.

This one wasn't my cup of tea. I liked the premise but found the dialogue to be pretty stilted, which kept me from enjoying things fully.

The Alchemist of Aleppo by Marie K. Savage is a captivating blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and romance, offering readers a rich and immersive experience. The novel follows Michael, a British art historian, and Kat, an American geneticist, as they uncover the deep, soul-stirring connection between themselves and a mysterious 14th-century glass goblet. Savage's writing skillfully weaves together past lives, science, and history, creating a narrative that explores the intersection of love, fate, and the mysteries of time. The concept of reincarnation and the alchemist’s work to infuse the goblet with the essence of love offers a compelling hook for those drawn to stories that blur the lines between the tangible and the mystical. The unfolding mystery, combined with the romance, keeps readers intrigued and emotionally invested in the characters’ journey.

While The Alchemist of Aleppo is deeply imaginative and offers a thought-provoking exploration of love and destiny, some readers may find the pacing slow at times, especially as the narrative toggles between timelines and unravels the characters’ intertwined pasts. The complexity of the plot and the dense layers of historical and magical elements can occasionally feel overwhelming, making the story challenging to follow for those who prefer a more straightforward narrative. However, for readers who enjoy books that delve into the mysteries of the soul and love transcending time, Savage’s novel will be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. The Alchemist of Aleppo is perfect for those who crave an enchanting, philosophical journey through history and magic.

This was an enjoyable, easy to devour book. The author obviously researched the art history mentioned which grounded a lot of the themes and made for a really interesting backstory. The author did a great job of building a mood and main character backstory. I do wish we could have had some more in depth interactions between the main characters that built relationship and were not plot advancing. I was dying to know more about Micah and Yasmin's meeting and story, as well as more interation between Elias and Emmaline.

It did feel like there were some open ended items near the end of the novel that could nod to a follow up or a spin off.

Overall this was a fun read and I would have no trouble recommending.

This was such a great book! I loved every second of it. The combination of magic and a forever kind of love is always a big hit for me. The writing is descriptive but without exaggerating, it transports you and makes you forget reality for a while. It has different POVs but it never gets confusing. It’s such a creative story, even more so once you read the author’s notes. I have already recommended this book to every single bookish friend I have; is not a usual thing that you get so lost into a book.

The Alchemist of Aleppo is an intriguing time-travel/reincarnation story about a medieval glass artist of extraordinary talent. He becomes enamored of the dark arts so common to the era and creates a process he believes is a blessing but becomes a curse. The curse follows him and the others for whom he used the process down through centuries.
Overall, I felt the story pacing was slowed by the repeated references to dreams and unresolved anxieties. When certain reincarnated personalities met again there was instant recognition and I found that somewhat unbelievable too. However, the book was entertaining and the historical aspect of the story was believable enough.
Thank you Marie K Savage and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.