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balina_elah's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Dysphoria
torismazarine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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
natraf_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
romantic YA fantasy with leading trans, queer, and gender-fluid characters!
Three young alchemists from incredibly different walks of life join together with one mission, finding an incredibly powerful and ancient text… the Book of Source.
I loved this book - I do wish there was more explanation on the tiers of alchemy! I wanted to know so much more about their unique magic system. And knowing our main characters were so powerful, I wanted to know what made them special!
I wish we had seen more of the development in Ash’s skill as he began to practice techniques and build a foundation. Same goes for Callum, we meet Callum who clearly has a knack for alchemy as he’s been practicing it unaware in his fighting. I definitely wanted to see more of these three strengthen their skills and have it be applied to the storyline. Marlowe also had extreme potential!! The fact that she’s able to materialize into different spaces??? Extremely OP and needed more exploration! I really hope there is a second book that delves deeper into their alchemy and we can see them use it throughout the story.
Overall, a wonderfully unique read!
Three young alchemists from incredibly different walks of life join together with one mission, finding an incredibly powerful and ancient text… the Book of Source.
I loved this book - I do wish there was more explanation on the tiers of alchemy! I wanted to know so much more about their unique magic system. And knowing our main characters were so powerful, I wanted to know what made them special!
I wish we had seen more of the development in Ash’s skill as he began to practice techniques and build a foundation. Same goes for Callum, we meet Callum who clearly has a knack for alchemy as he’s been practicing it unaware in his fighting. I definitely wanted to see more of these three strengthen their skills and have it be applied to the storyline. Marlowe also had extreme potential!! The fact that she’s able to materialize into different spaces??? Extremely OP and needed more exploration! I really hope there is a second book that delves deeper into their alchemy and we can see them use it throughout the story.
Overall, a wonderfully unique read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and War
dubious_little_creature'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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Dysphoria
madscientistcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
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
thoughtsontomes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
This YA story has the dark academia twist with a mystery to find a book of legend. And there’s also polyamory! But yet again, it’s a depiction of a triad which is actually polyamory on hard mode and not as common as media would have people think, so I would have preferred to see a different depiction. I’ll still take what I can get though! Because of that, the romantic elements do feel a bit rushed for the intimacy required for that level of relationship. And the book does end with a hint that it could be a series as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Death of parent
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