Scan barcode
kuronekostea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Really loved this book! For any fans who enjoy the lore tied around the Philosopher's Stone, like Fullmetal Alchemist and such, this is a great read. Thea is a young, scholarly narrator which I enjoy as well. The book starts out a little slow but really picks up around chapter five.
The ending did leave me longing for a better wrap point. I feel the book could continue, but I don't believe a second one is in the works. I also would have liked some of the characters to have more time in the story.
The book doesn't actually pull many historical notes of the time period like the book description illudes to. Aside from added ambiance, the French revolution is only mentioned in passing as a background situation. Most of the book takes place in London actually.
The ending did leave me longing for a better wrap point. I feel the book could continue, but I don't believe a second one is in the works. I also would have liked some of the characters to have more time in the story.
The book doesn't actually pull many historical notes of the time period like the book description illudes to. Aside from added ambiance, the French revolution is only mentioned in passing as a background situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Torture, Pregnancy, and War
dbguide2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That is definitely the case in this book. Even though I first thought it would be hard to understand, what with all the alchemy and science information, but I’m glad it wasn’t! Thea (the main character) is more than passionate enough about alchemy and trying to complete any alchemist’s life goal and dream. I felt Thea’s need and want to create the Stone – it wasn’t just for her, she also wanted to prove herself to her mother.
Oh, her mother. What a character and a half. While she isn’t actually physically by Thea all throughout the book, her mom’s words and actions are most certainly there. And they affect her as the mom is really manipulative and only thinks of herself. She’s so dismissive of Thea’s alchemy skills and only wants Thea to help her in her triumph.
I won’t say much of the romance because it holds some spoilers, but it did not go the way I thought it would have. But I’m also impressed that it went that way. I enjoyed it and the fact that it wasn’t the usual cookie-cutter romance we see.
There was something I’m always not keen (in the slightest) to see and that was girl-on-girl hate/pitting girls against each other – whatever you prefer saying. And I’m so so tired of seeing it in books! Why do they have to think less of the other? Because the one girl enjoys ‘pretty’ things while the other prefers to study? Because a certain boy pays more attention to the one girl than the other? Would the story change if it were taken out? In this book, I think it wouldn’t change much if the criticising of the girls (by the girls) were taken out.
I think a big reason why I stay away from historical fiction is that there’s so much of the writing, usually of the narrative and description. Which is probably funny because if you present me with a fantasy book that has an overabundance of narration and description, I’ll probably thank you. But I didn’t feel that way in here! I could easily keep up with all the alchemy talk and kept being intrigued by how much Thea’s mom annoyed me (with how unfair she was to her daughter).
Oh, her mother. What a character and a half. While she isn’t actually physically by Thea all throughout the book, her mom’s words and actions are most certainly there. And they affect her as the mom is really manipulative and only thinks of herself. She’s so dismissive of Thea’s alchemy skills and only wants Thea to help her in her triumph.
I won’t say much of the romance because it holds some spoilers, but it did not go the way I thought it would have. But I’m also impressed that it went that way. I enjoyed it and the fact that it wasn’t the usual cookie-cutter romance we see.
There was something I’m always not keen (in the slightest) to see and that was girl-on-girl hate/pitting girls against each other – whatever you prefer saying. And I’m so so tired of seeing it in books! Why do they have to think less of the other? Because the one girl enjoys ‘pretty’ things while the other prefers to study? Because a certain boy pays more attention to the one girl than the other? Would the story change if it were taken out? In this book, I think it wouldn’t change much if the criticising of the girls (by the girls) were taken out.
I think a big reason why I stay away from historical fiction is that there’s so much of the writing, usually of the narrative and description. Which is probably funny because if you present me with a fantasy book that has an overabundance of narration and description, I’ll probably thank you. But I didn’t feel that way in here! I could easily keep up with all the alchemy talk and kept being intrigued by how much Thea’s mom annoyed me (with how unfair she was to her daughter).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
A lot of mentions of mad/madness/people performing actions due to their ‘madness’, as that was the term used back then. Those actions are mostly in terms of violence and violent acts