Book Review: Alchemised

As a book lover and who runs the Luna’s book club it is only right to chat about one of our chosen books of this year. Alchemised written by SenLinYu is a fantasy romance fiction with a slight twist that we didn't know we needed. 

It starts off with the main character, Helena with jigsaw memories within a war torn world of necromancy. With this comes the unraveling of her darkest secrets and past. She is a prisoner and the only one left after the destruction of her allies. Everything she ever knew has been destroyed. According to her records she was once a healer who withholds important memories and information but struggles with memory loss unable to uncover the past. To uncover her memories she is sent to the High Reeve who is the most powerful necromancer. Feeling unprotected she is trapped on his estate finding out new secrets of her captor too. 

Normally I am someone who has found it hard to gel well with a fantasy story. Some I have clicked with easier than others but wouldn't label myself as an avid fantasy reader. This book is over a thousand pages which is a commitment. Can you believe it took me just seven days to finish. If that doesn't say anything I am not sure what does. 

This story is dark and graphic, not for the fainthearted. Definitely check the triggers please. 

This fantasy takes an angle of zombies, war and a piece of magic. The characters are so well written and explored and you formed emotional attachments to. In particular for myself, the High Fae, I loved this character. He was so complex and unpredictable but had a side to him that was gentle. The setting was incredible. One thing I do love about fantasy writing is the attention to detail. It added to the gothic scenery, even though you only bounced from Spirefell to the city.  

The story is divided into two. You are first introduced to a woman, our main character Helena who is found within a tank. This is where the story starts within the present. You are dealt with the story so far and are confused. But you come to learn you are supposed to be, because the main character is. The whole point of this first half is to feel like the main character yourself. It created attitudes and opinions on certain characters and settings but wait till the second half everything you knew or thought is completely turned around. 

Since I have read the entire book I have been told it does need a reread as you notice things in the first half and see the story differently. But I am not sure if I can do a thousand page book with all the details again. 

If there was one thing I had to say I didn't enjoy is the ending. But I feel like I am a lover of a sad ending and spoiler alert it ends quite flat. It was nice and deserved after everything the characters had been through but I didn't think it would have led to something so tranquil and lovely. Personally I thought they were destined for constant chaos till the end.

Overall I rated this a full 5 stars.