Infinity Alchemist

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber LTD for approving my request to read an eARC of this book.

I’ve been really looking forward to this one and after hearing how much Kacen Callender had been wanting to write fantasy books, I could really tell! There was so much passion in the pages, and wasn’t just rehashed tales like some fantasy books are. This was so refreshing and I really enjoyed reading it. The characters were so real and I was on the edge of my seat at parts, crossing my fingers that they’d make it.

I highly recommend reading this queer fantasy book, it was brilliant

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Infinity Alchemist' by Kacen Callender.

'Infinity Alchemist' is a new novel by Kacen Callender. I have followed them since 'Felix Ever After' so seeing that they have made a fantasy novel was so exciting to me. Callender's writing style translates so beautifully to fantasy and the characters are mindblowingly amazing to read about. 'Infinity Alchemist' is a joy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber for the advance reader copy.

This was my first time reading a book by Kacen Callender and I really enjoyed it.

The representation is done well, the world building was good and I felt that the story was paced fast enough that you were kept wanting to continue reading.

I enjoyed that there was a resolution to the story and a partial set up for a sequel but not in a cliffhanger way.

Overall I enjoyed this book and am excited to read more of what Callender had written.

I enjoyed Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.
It was a well written and fun YA read with an interesting world.
I especially liked the magic system!
I also really liked the characters and thought they were done really well.

I'm pretty sure there is going to be a sequel so I'm excited for that.
I would definitely be recommending this book!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

Lots of things to love about this book. Magic, fantasy, queer and gender fluid identities. An action packed adventure. Also includes polyamory which was ok but I felt slight distracting from the main thread. A great read. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I was really hooked in the beginning. The Author can clearly catch someone’s attention. Unfortunately I lost a bit of interest about halfway in.
I would have liked to see the relationship between Ash and Ramsey take a bit more time, but that might just be me being a little too old to be the intended audience for the book. I know I would have loved this when I was fifteen.

I really like the world, and there is a logic to it, which feels very welcoming. I love that alchemy is something inherent in all people, but to at it is still being highly controlled. That is a thing that I don’t see that often, and it war a really cool way to build to the world.

Three young alchemists embark on a quest leading them towards unexpected love and unimaginable power. Ash Woods isn’t supposed to perform alchemy, he’ll be arrested if anyone ever finds out, but when he’s caught by none other than the condescending Ramsay Thorne, he offers an ultimatum. Instead of handing him over to the authorities, Ramsay blackmails Ash into helping him with a dangerous personal mission. Finding the legendary Book of Source, which is said ti make its reader an an all-powerful alchemist.

As they work together and their feelings towards each other grow, Ash discovers heir mission is more gagerous that he imagined. Pitting them against influential and powerful alchemists, even his estranged father, their journey takes them to the cities and the wilds across the lands. This journey forces him to discover his own definition of true power and how far alchemists will go to see it.

An epic novel about how far we are willing to go for power, being true to ourselves and answer the magic that sings in our blood. This in an incredible novel steeped in magic and alchemical knowledge, perhaps this story is even the Book of Source, itself. There is power in creating a tale that is equally as enchanting as it is adventurous. Filled with an incredible cast of characters, a budding romance and an adventure that will continue after you finish the last page.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘵𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘈𝘭𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘒𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳

Infinity Alchemist is a fun YA fantasy following Ash, an alchemist who isn't legally allowed to practice it, despite his impressive power and talent. Ash ends up on a dangerous quest to find a mythical object as part of a trio determined to stop it falling into the wrong hands. A classic YA fantasy storyline, with great LGBTQ+ representation as fans of Kacen Callender might expect.

This was definitely an enjoyable read. I really like the idea of alchemy and the magic system hinted at in the book, with different tiers and needing to draw power from within. But I wanted more balance and exploration of this system. All of the characters in this book, on both sides, are immensely powerful and it felt like they could do anything with very little consequence. After an initial build up, the climax at the end of their quest happens in quite a rush.

Gender identity representation is great in this book, with a trans main character and a gender fluid main character, and I was pleasantly surprised by the romance element. I jumped into this book without reading, or at least remembering, the blurb. So whilst I wasn't convinced by the initial romance development (I think it was the teacher-student dynamic that put me off at the beginning), I enjoyed where it ended up.

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I had high hopes for this book, but it wasn’t quite what I expected. Once I realised this was a romantic fantasy, I did enjoy it.
Ash is the main point of view character, the illegitimate child of a powerful Alchemist forced to learn Alchemy in bitter secret, but he is a difficult character to like. I like the fact that he is trans and is just accepted by society with no explanation- that is how it is.

The romance between Ash and Ramsay dominates the first third of the book, the romance between Ash and a character introduced in the second third dominates the story and then for the last third, the story focuses on the romance between all three of them in a sweet polyamorous love story.
The actual fantasy about a special book that can give the reader power plays a background role as do the more fascinating elements that I would have liked to read about- the world and society Ash lives in, the houses, and the Alchemy.
There are some unique features of this Alchemy and society which are touched upon such as Ramsey is truly gender fluid as a result of their connection to the source but never in great detail.
The problem I had is the secondary characters are so much more nuanced and interesting than Ash and I was more invested in their stories than Ash’s- Ramsay, the gifted Alchemist living under the shadow of their parents’ heinous crime, Callum, Ramsay’s ex who is desperate for a different life but to scared to live it and Marlowe, the assassin working for Ash’s father. In fact, I would have loved to spend more time with Ash’s parents.
This book has a diverse range of characters and any inequalities in this society are based more on class and alchemy rather than race and sexuality.

This is marketed for Young Adults but in my view, this is more suitable for the older end of the age range.

I gave this book 4.5/5 stars!

I think Callender is a born fantasy writer.

Firstly, to get the criticism out of the way first: I think some scenes moved a little fast, I would have liked it to be a little more paced. Another thing I wish had been done was the development of side characters (besides the villains), but that's about it!
However, the world-building was so much fun to dive into and the characters so unique and lovable. I really appreciated the way the relationships between the characters were built, the foreshadowing and pining was delicious!! the characters back stories were SUPER well used to give the characters some motivations, but I liked it the most how the author made their characters outgrow their own pasts.

Prepare to be immersed in the captivating journey of three young alchemists as they navigate the realms of love and power beyond their wildest imaginations.

Meet Ash, a passionate lover of books, particularly those on magic. Though the term "magic" is now considered outdated, Ash's fascination remains unchanged. Being self-taught in the art of alchemy, Ash conceals his true abilities, fearing the consequences should anyone discover his secret. Enter Ramsay Thorne, a condescending figure, an alchemy professor, who catches Ash off guard. Instead of turning him over to authorities, Ramsay offers Ash a proposition: aid her in the search for the legendary Book of Source, and she will teach and safeguard his secret. This sacred text holds unimaginable power for its reader, and as Ash and Ramsay grow closer in collaboration, their connection takes an unexpected turn.

"The universe is a woven tapestry made of threads of energy streams that we think of as life. With Source, we are aware of each and every single string."

Amid their shared mission, Ash uncovers the true peril that lies ahead, putting them up against influential and formidable alchemists, including Ash's own estranged father. Ash's journey stretches across the vast landscapes of New Anglia, encompassing both bustling cities and untamed wilderness. Throughout this adventure, Ash must redefine his understanding of true power and confront the lengths to which alchemists will go to claim it.

In this remarkable YA fantasy debut by bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callender, the pages are ablaze with passion. It stands in stark contrast to traditional fantasy fare, breathing new life into the genre. The characters feel authentic, embarking on transformative journeys that captivated my imagination. Witnessing their mistakes, growth, and learning was a delight that had me teetering on the edge of my seat, hoping for their success.

Prior to reading this book, I had never experienced Kacen Callender's writing. Suffice to say, I was enthralled by their unique style. The representation of diverse identities is skillfully woven into the narrative, and the world-building is executed with precision. The story maintains an ideal pacing, I definitely felt carried along on an exhilarating adventure.

There is so much to adore about this book. From the intricate workings of magic and alchemy to the exploration of queer and gender fluid identities, as well as the importance of staying true to ourselves and the intricacies of polyamorous relationships, Infinity Alchemist offers a tapestry of themes to captivate many readers. While it may not be flawless, there is undeniable power in crafting a tale that is both enchanting and adventurous. Infinity Alchemist receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

I am very grateful to NetGalley and Faber for the advance reader copy.