Alchemised

De: SenLinYu

Narrado por: 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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

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

“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

“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

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.

My Heart...

My heart. i have so many thoughts and feelings.I'm having a hard time putting it into words....Sen created such an interesting and thought out world. 5/5 stars.

Layers of Meaning

A bit too much crying and hysterics but oversll so imaginative, with layers of messages and depth. The end ties it nicely.

Stands on its own. Amazing

I love the world building and the love that the fmc and mmc have for each other.

I almost forgot where the book started

The sections of time described and walked through in this book are so vivid I almost forgot where the book started! As part three came, it felt like I had this flashback and it all came together in a crazy dramatic deeply romantic and chaotic way.

Very Dark, but Excellent

This was very hard to listen to at times, but wow was it good. Definitely check out the content warnings before proceeding. I went into this blind for a book club read, and the chapters flew by, despite the long runtime. Someone had recommended re-reading Part 1 between Part 2 and 3, and I also highly recommend that reading order. The writing is beautiful, the characters are tragic, and the story is unique. The narration is perfect - the voice given to each character brings even more depth. It's hard to recommend a story like this because it will inevitably hurt the reader, but if you're intrigued, I don't think you'll be disappointed.