Alchemised

By: SenLinYu

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy—and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past.

“What is it you think you’re protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There’s no one left for you to save.”

Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner—of war and of her own mind. Her Resistance friends and allies have been brutally murdered, her abilities suppressed, and the world she knew destroyed.

In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers, whose vile undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive.

According to Resistance records, she was a healer of little importance within their ranks. But Helena has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading up to her capture, making her enemies wonder: Is she truly as insignificant as she appears, or are her lost memories hiding some vital piece of the Resistance’s final gambit?

To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world. Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight—to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self—is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own . . . secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.

Critic reviews

“A sweeping tale set in an uncharted dark fantasy world. It encompasses the realities of war and a romance that fights for survival.”—People

“SenLinYu’s debut is a doorstopper of a fantasy. . . . The superb worldbuilding and intricate plotline make this a must-read.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In this high fantasy with very dark themes, SenLinYu weaves a tale of political intrigue with centuries of depth and nuance. Many readers will be . . . drawn into the complex morality of two broken people finding love during a war.”—Booklist

“SenLinYu has created a vivid new universe. Alchemised made me remember what makes reading good fantasy so enjoyable.”—The Atlantic

“A book that digs its teeth in like a starving wolf. It unsettles, it gnaws, and yet by the final page, I wanted to thank it for what it put me through. . . . In a genre often dominated by safe formulas, SenLinYu’s debut is a reminder that speculative fiction still has teeth and knows how to bite.”—Grimdark Magazine

A masterpiece!!

No words. I have no words. This is an absolute masterpiece😭 SenLinYu created something that stood on it’s own entirely while also using elements of my favorite fanfiction story to inspire the concept. I enjoyed the necromancy and alchemy as the magic system, the chimaeras, the undead & the way immortality was used by the villain to seduce his followers. This is a DARK fantasy with a love story at it’s core and was actually so much darker that it’s fanfic counterpart and I believe better worldbuilding and depth because of the freedom Sen has in creating something of her own. Some non-spoilery themes: forbidden love during war, a villain who tortures and kills and destroys to no end, a possessive MMC who would burn the world for her, a headstrong and intelligent FMC, friendships and how war rages on despite it all, feeling alone and finding solace in another, and the strength it takes to push on even when you’re so so tired. I am forever in awe of Sen’s dark, powerful, beautiful writing. I already want to reread and highlight the hell out of it!
Absolutely loved the narration as well, so much talent!

Beautiful

The story starts slow, but pulls you in to the tragedy of a dark lost story. Brilliant and poetic writing by the author.

So good!

Such an amazing read. No need to read anything prior. I just wish it was narrated Duet.

wow.

just, wow.
*slow clap*
read it.
just read it.
why haven't you started yet.
amazing.

Will update when fully finished.

Loving this book so for. A bit sad at the troupes but we’re trekking on.