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sammymilfort's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
hobbithopeful's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A decent and magical book that was fun to read with great representation and tropes that sometimes overshadowed a plot that even the characters were questioning the accuracy of.
Let me be clear, there are books you enjoy because they are fun to read and have amazing writing and books you really have to force yourself not to focus on the plot holes and the writing in order to enjoy them. This was the later, but I did end up having a fairly good time until the second half.
I really did love the inclusion of a genderfluid character like Ramsay. I have never read a book that describes gender so beautifully, and the concept of binary. It really touched my soul and made me feel happy, just like how every scene with Ash and his binder felt relatable to me. The romance between the three mc did end up feeling sweet, if not a bit rushed and flat.
"'Energy is infinite, and love is energy, so love has the potential to be infinite, too.'"
We had so much build up towards the end, I was ready for a big dramatic showdown, massive battle scene, or some confrontation. Instead it kind of felt like... a let down? Almost too easy in a way? There were several moments I had to stop and wonder what the point of the whole story was if characters could have done things a certain way from the beginning.
My biggest pet peeve is as follows; why on earth was Lord Alexander wanting to make Ash his new adviser? It makes zero sense. Even the characters realize it. "And even if Ash had stopped his father, he was still an untrained, unlicensed alchemist with no mind for politics."
And then we have Ash acting as if he hadn't had any growth or change the whole book, just nearly spitting in the face of authority. Like? Color me confused because talking back to a man who could have you killed in a moment, why would you suddenly be prideful again for no reason? Yes, have your moment and stand up for yourself, but I was a little shocked by the context. Ash has a whole moment of realization before this and then it's what, gone? I think of interactions I've had with authority figures, nearly tripping over myself to not piss them off, (fellow BIPOC, you know what I mean) something that is engraved in our very souls from a young age. And after finally getting everything resolved Ash nearly risks it all and then just saunters out of there. (And then everyone clapped moment)
It was a really weak point of the book for me.
I like all the characters, I really do. It just almost felt like the author went into writing this with the intent of having certain tropes or having a poly romance and worked backwards from there. I loved Callum, but truly his whole character and storyline could have been left out and the book could have been stronger. (Or it should have been longer, the ending felt rushed)
I'm not saying this was a book built on tropes, because that is very far from the truth. But the way this book has been marketed, and blurbed, really pushes the whole "polyamorous and queer" representation. Which yes, I was so happy to see and get. But by the time it finally comes into play it honestly feels a little late in book for it. Then we come to the ending and it's...meant to be a bit of a cliffhanger moment I guess? After everything works out perfectly for everyone? I understand what I was meant to feel, but I just didn't feel it.
I felt the battle sequences were weak as well, being able to conjure and fight by imagining things is great, but it lacks the impact of tense combat or showing what it would look like.
I found myself having some of the same issues with their writing style, and how glossed over some plot points become. The pacing changes several times and I liked the first chunk of the book better than the last. Some of the characters feel like they're there just to serve as plot devices, and others lose their growth over the course of the book. I think if this was much longer we could have more time of developing relationships and better pacing. I'm honestly not sure what the point of even including Tobias to such an extent was if he wasn't going to be used as a red or as a truly major plot point. He just felt there to cause strife and further development of Ash.
I do recommend this book, it is a fun read, just not a solid one. Just know what you're getting into before you pick it up.
3.5 stars>
Complete random additional thought: Does anyone else agree this book was really male dominated? Curious if I'm crazy, because it felt like most/all of the side characters apart from plot device Marlowe were male.
Let me be clear, there are books you enjoy because they are fun to read and have amazing writing and books you really have to force yourself not to focus on the plot holes and the writing in order to enjoy them. This was the later, but I did end up having a fairly good time until the second half.
I really did love the inclusion of a genderfluid character like Ramsay. I have never read a book that describes gender so beautifully, and the concept of binary. It really touched my soul and made me feel happy, just like how every scene with Ash and his binder felt relatable to me. The romance between the three mc did end up feeling sweet, if not a bit rushed and flat.
"'Energy is infinite, and love is energy, so love has the potential to be infinite, too.'"
We had so much build up towards the end, I was ready for a big dramatic showdown, massive battle scene, or some confrontation. Instead it kind of felt like... a let down? Almost too easy in a way? There were several moments I had to stop and wonder what the point of the whole story was if characters could have done things a certain way from the beginning.
My biggest pet peeve is as follows;
And then we have Ash acting as if he hadn't had any growth or change the whole book, just nearly spitting in the face of authority. Like? Color me confused because talking back to a man who could have you killed in a moment, why would you suddenly be prideful again for no reason? Yes, have your moment and stand up for yourself, but I was a little shocked by the context. Ash has a whole moment of realization before this and then it's what, gone? I think of interactions I've had with authority figures, nearly tripping over myself to not piss them off, (fellow BIPOC, you know what I mean) something that is engraved in our very souls from a young age. And after finally getting everything resolved Ash nearly risks it all and then just saunters out of there. (And then everyone clapped moment)
It was a really weak point of the book for me.
I like all the characters, I really do. It just almost felt like the author went into writing this with the intent of having certain tropes or having a poly romance and worked backwards from there. I loved Callum, but truly his whole character and storyline could have been left out and the book could have been stronger. (Or it should have been longer, the ending felt rushed)
I'm not saying this was a book built on tropes, because that is very far from the truth. But the way this book has been marketed, and blurbed, really pushes the whole "polyamorous and queer" representation. Which yes, I was so happy to see and get. But by the time it finally comes into play it honestly feels a little late in book for it. Then we come to the ending and it's...meant to be a bit of a cliffhanger moment I guess? After everything works out perfectly for everyone? I understand what I was meant to feel, but I just didn't feel it.
I felt the battle sequences were weak as well, being able to conjure and fight by imagining things is great, but it lacks the impact of tense combat or showing what it would look like.
I found myself having some of the same issues with their writing style, and how glossed over some plot points become. The pacing changes several times and I liked the first chunk of the book better than the last. Some of the characters feel like they're there just to serve as plot devices, and others lose their growth over the course of the book. I think if this was much longer we could have more time of developing relationships and better pacing. I'm honestly not sure what the point of even including Tobias to such an extent was if he wasn't going to be used as a red or as a truly major plot point. He just felt there to cause strife and further development of Ash.
I do recommend this book, it is a fun read, just not a solid one. Just know what you're getting into before you pick it up.
3.5 stars>
Complete random additional thought: Does anyone else agree this book was really male dominated? Curious if I'm crazy, because it felt like most/all of the side characters apart from plot device Marlowe were male.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
essjayeffsea's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
So glad to have found and inhaled this ya fantasy romance novel. It is queer, trans, and poly in such a thoughtful and realistic way. It is so inclusive and queer. A true YA romance fantasy novel, it may be a little disappointing to some that it's not a very smutty book, but truly that's what made it so thoughtful and inclusive, I think everyone who enjoys YA fantasy would love this book. The characters are relatable and well-written.
Bravo to Kacen Callender! I cannot wait to read more from them!
Bravo to Kacen Callender! I cannot wait to read more from them!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
grownmoss's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
sp00ky_girl28's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
blackorchids's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The world building is great, kind of a divergent-meets-harry potter kind of vibe, lots of frank discussions about systemic classism with regards to both jobs/living situations as well as education which is a main theme, all of the main characters are lgbt+, the poly discussions felt pretty realistic. Ending seemed rushed somehow? Unclear if there will be a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Dysphoria
Minor: Bullying
Multiple POVs made the story feel choppy at times, and I wish more people were on the “good” side.takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Fantastic queer cast of main characters: one is transmasc, one is genderfluid, one is pansexual(?). This is a world where those identities are not an issue. The use of alchemy (magic) is 'othered'. The magic was cool in concept and explored a bit more at the beginning when Ramsy was teaching Ash, but then once we got into the action there wasn't a lot of descriptive magic. I felt a lot of the action parts were barely described and were instead glossed over. Was a bit confused what time period this is set and it's not super clear based on context clues. The dialogue reads more YA, but some of the content was definitely more New Adult. There was a lot of potential here, but it ended up being very character focused and the plot was a bit slow moving. I got rather bored by about 50%. The character dynamic between the main 3 were well done especially regarding their poly relationship. I don't know if this is going to be a series or not because it felt semi-conclusive. All the action really happens in the last 10-15% and that felt a bit rushed with how slow the rest of the book moved.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Teen for an advanced copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, and Torture
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Pride Book Tours for the free copy of this book.
- The world Kacen Callender has built in INFINITY ALCHEMIST is one of the best YA fantasy settings I’ve seen in a long time. It’s complex without being overly complicated, and explores hard topics alongside some really cool visuals.
- This book gets deep into classism, racism and power the way the best fantasy books can: it’s parallel to our world, but not didactic.
- I love how deeply queerness is woven into this book. The main characters are a trans boy and a person who shifts gender and pronouns at will, and it’s done in a way that I can’t imagine the book featuring any other characters. Plus - and I won’t give total spoilers here, but - fans of the love story in IRON WIDOW will also want to check out INFINITY ALCHEMIST.
- The world Kacen Callender has built in INFINITY ALCHEMIST is one of the best YA fantasy settings I’ve seen in a long time. It’s complex without being overly complicated, and explores hard topics alongside some really cool visuals.
- This book gets deep into classism, racism and power the way the best fantasy books can: it’s parallel to our world, but not didactic.
- I love how deeply queerness is woven into this book. The main characters are a trans boy and a person who shifts gender and pronouns at will, and it’s done in a way that I can’t imagine the book featuring any other characters. Plus - and I won’t give total spoilers here, but - fans of the love story in IRON WIDOW will also want to check out INFINITY ALCHEMIST.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
bookishmillennial's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
All I knew when I requested this arc (thank you Tor Teen and Netgalley!) was that it was a fantasy and likely teen/young adult, but I did not know that it'd become such a fun romantasy to begin the year! AHHHH!
This is mostly a character-driven novel about Ash, Ramsay, and Callum, while setting up some conflicts for the next book or two. First, we are shown Ash's deepening connection with Ramsay, a skilled alchemy apprentice who finds out that Ash is practicing magic without a license, but offers to help teach Ash if he helps Ramsay find the Book of Source. Ramsay is a gender fluid character (uses she/her and he/him pronouns), and this is tied to the worldbuilding that Kacen built in too, which I found really neat!
Ash is a young trans man (though he does refer to Callum as "the other boy" multiple times, but in my head, they are young/new adults!), and I appreciated the discussions between Ash and others during the intimate encounters about not touching his chest. Ash navigates discomfort and body dysmorphia but is surrounded by partners who deeply care about him and constantly check in with him for consent. The scene where Callum helps Ash with his binder was so very swoon-worthy! The second part of this novel is Ash's introduction to and developing romance with Callum, which is confusing for both of them because Callum is Ramsay's ex from two years ago, and Callum can feel energy/read minds, so it is pretty much my worst nightmare. Meeting my new lover's ex, being attracted to them, AND they know it?! I would simply pass away.
Anyway, the final installment of the novel is with the three of them reunited, and I found it to be the fastest-paced, yet it remained quite tender, cautious and curious between the three. Since we are only given the limited third-person POV of Ash, we don't quite know everything Ramsay and Callum are feeling. We primarily read about Ash's jealousy, care, fear, uncertainty, and compassion. However, Ash drives all of the characters to name their feelings and ask for dialogues about the conflicting emotions they're sifting through. I appreciated the vulnerability and honesty that all three characters display in their exploration of polyamory.
Beyond the romance, each of the characters are working through their own past traumas, including romantic heartbreak, familial obligation and expectations, classism/elitism, and more. I thought these topics were introduced with great care, and of course you don't enjoy seeing characters struggle with these things. However, I really think that's the beauty and magic of books - no matter what world you're in, these topics will come up, and fiction finds a way for us to bring it out of the ether and intentionally ruminate on it, self-reflect, or be in dialogue with others. To me, it's never "just a book" and this is just another beautiful example of that.
Thank you Kacen for a lovely start to a new series!
cw: death, classism, violence, murder, cursing, grief, animal death, bullying, toxic family dynamics/child abuse/emotional abuse
All I knew when I requested this arc (thank you Tor Teen and Netgalley!) was that it was a fantasy and likely teen/young adult, but I did not know that it'd become such a fun romantasy to begin the year! AHHHH!
This is mostly a character-driven novel about Ash, Ramsay, and Callum, while setting up some conflicts for the next book or two. First, we are shown Ash's deepening connection with Ramsay, a skilled alchemy apprentice who finds out that Ash is practicing magic without a license, but offers to help teach Ash if he helps Ramsay find the Book of Source. Ramsay is a gender fluid character (uses she/her and he/him pronouns), and this is tied to the worldbuilding that Kacen built in too, which I found really neat!
Ash is a young trans man (though he does refer to Callum as "the other boy" multiple times, but in my head, they are young/new adults!), and I appreciated the discussions between Ash and others during the intimate encounters about not touching his chest. Ash navigates discomfort and body dysmorphia but is surrounded by partners who deeply care about him and constantly check in with him for consent. The scene where Callum helps Ash with his binder was so very swoon-worthy! The second part of this novel is Ash's introduction to and developing romance with Callum, which is confusing for both of them because Callum is Ramsay's ex from two years ago, and Callum can feel energy/read minds, so it is pretty much my worst nightmare. Meeting my new lover's ex, being attracted to them, AND they know it?! I would simply pass away.
Anyway, the final installment of the novel is with the three of them reunited, and I found it to be the fastest-paced, yet it remained quite tender, cautious and curious between the three. Since we are only given the limited third-person POV of Ash, we don't quite know everything Ramsay and Callum are feeling. We primarily read about Ash's jealousy, care, fear, uncertainty, and compassion. However, Ash drives all of the characters to name their feelings and ask for dialogues about the conflicting emotions they're sifting through. I appreciated the vulnerability and honesty that all three characters display in their exploration of polyamory.
Beyond the romance, each of the characters are working through their own past traumas, including romantic heartbreak, familial obligation and expectations, classism/elitism, and more. I thought these topics were introduced with great care, and of course you don't enjoy seeing characters struggle with these things. However, I really think that's the beauty and magic of books - no matter what world you're in, these topics will come up, and fiction finds a way for us to bring it out of the ether and intentionally ruminate on it, self-reflect, or be in dialogue with others. To me, it's never "just a book" and this is just another beautiful example of that.
Thank you Kacen for a lovely start to a new series!
cw: death, classism, violence, murder, cursing, grief, animal death, bullying, toxic family dynamics/child abuse/emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Only an elite few are permitted to study alchemy–and Ash Woods is not one of them. Denied entry into the Lancaster College of Alchemic Science, the only alchemy practice he gets is in secret, in the afterhours of his job as a groundskeeper. At least, until he’s discovered by Ramsay Thorne.
When Ramasy discovers Ash practicing alchemy, Ash is sure he’s in trouble. Instead, Ramsay asks for Ash’s help in finding the Book of Source. Ash agrees, but as they start on their quest, there’s danger lurking around every corner. Soon, Ash finds himself against powerful alchemists–including his father. In order to win, Ash and Ramsay might have to find an unlikely ally in a person from Ramsay’s past.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for an advanced copy of Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender to review! This is Callender’s first foray into the YA fantasy world, and I’d say it’s a huge success. Honestly, I think Kacen Callender can do no wrong, no matter what genre they write in.
To start: this book has a wide variety of queer identities, and they’re just accepted at face value. Ramsay changes pronouns quite frequently throughout the book, and none of the characters blink an eye. Ash himself is a trans man, and while it’s clear he’s struggled with that before, by the time we meet him, he is fully transitioned. It is nice we’re getting trans-led stories that aren’t just about finding identity.
The magic system in this was also fascinating. It’s sort of energy based, with the ability to go onto different reality planes. There are parallels that can be drawn between their world and ours, especially in the decision of who gets to practice the power and who doesn’t. Of course it’s people with money and status who fit a certain “norm.” It works well as a commentary on our own society.
There’s also a polyamorous relationship by the end of the book, which doesn’t happen a lot in YA. At the moment, it also seems like a standalone fantasy, another rarity! YA fantasy just seems allergic to writing standalone books at the moment.
All in all, if you’re looking for an intricate fantasy featuring a magic school with some fantastic characters, definitely pick this one up when it comes out in February!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying