A review by eyreguide
A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz

3.0

This novel sets up a very compelling new world - with the battle between the light and shadow and Elle Chance in the middle of it. The action starts pretty quickly as Elle is thrown into the conspiracy, and gradually uncovers things about herself and her past that reveals she has a very important power. Most of the story is spent though in Elle denying that power and her destiny which got a little tiresome as I read further. I felt that it made the story drag a little as Elle and Mr. Marsh clashed so much in their own little power struggle. Although the romance that bloomed up between them was sweet, it felt a little forced, and a little confusing given the stakes that Mr. Marsh was very much aware of. The characters could have used a little more development I think, as I sometimes felt distanced from them, and a little disbelieving of the motives for their actions.

This story was a very entertaining read however, and even though I was not completely charmed by the characters or the romance, the mystery and the world building - especially the way things came together in the end was very exciting and such a page-turner. The different elements of urban fantasy and steampunk were a great mixture to bring this world to life, and I loved the historical detail of the story and the different settings. It's a very rich novel that perhaps has too much going for it, so that some things seemed too rushed or unexplored, but it's a great, quick read that fans of the genre should enjoy.