The Accidental Alchemist

By: Gigi Pandian

Narrated by: Julia Motyka

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Gigi Pandian comes a modern tale of ancient intrigue.

Unpacking her belongings in her new hometown of Portland, Oregon, herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust can't help but notice she's picked up a stowaway. Dorian Robert-Houdin is a living, breathing three-and-half-foot gargoyle - not to mention a master of French cuisine - and he needs Zoe's expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Zoe, who's trying to put her old life behind her, isn't so sure she wants to reopen her alchemical past... until the dead man on her porch leaves her no choice.

Includes recipes!

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2015 Gigi Pandian (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Great Writer! Bad Plot

The writing was really good. The story idea was really good. Characterization destroyed this story. Or maybe it's just my own pet peeves. Pet peeve 1. Why don't characters do their own cooking, cleaning, self-care? Does every magical creature have to be Dobby, the house elf for the entitled main character? Pet Peeve 2. Out-of-date characterization of the POC love interest. Applauds for having a Chinese love interest, but why throw in an old 1950's stereotyoe? A Chinese cop is not FOTB? Plus, if you're going to bring in an etnic character, give us more of his culture. Where does he fit in Portland with his world view? There is a hint of world view, but he is mainly ashamed of his ancestral beliefs. Still, the author tried, so yeah. Finally, the biggest flaw with this well written, but poorly characterized, story was the main character. She never solved a single problem on her own. She didn't save the day. She didn't solve her own problems. She would have been out of luck had she been the only character in the story. The main character was the epitome of self-entitled whiner living in the past and running from her future. Perhaps this is a long character arc, but while I was very impressed with the writing, I was deeply disappointed by the character's one dimensional nature.

Teenagers are annoying

Would you try another book from Gigi Pandian and/or Julia Motyka?

Not sure. Narrator was fine.

What could Gigi Pandian have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

For some unknown reason, all of the main adult characters were besotted with one whiny, belligerent, back-stabbing teen boy and pandered to him ceaselessly. Teenagers are annoying enough to those who love them; to have the protagonist constantly rolling over for this kid, a total stranger to her, was tedious in the extreme.

Strange and twisted but enjoyable!

What made the experience of listening to The Accidental Alchemist the most enjoyable?

The alchemical information was fascinating.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I fell in love with both the Alchemist Zoey Faust and the charming French gargoyle Dorian.

What does Julia Motyka bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The readers voice is beautiful and a pleasure to listen too.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Heart of Stone or Alchemical magical mystery

Any additional comments?

I want to meet these characters again.

Fun read, engaging characters, NOT action packed

Would you listen to The Accidental Alchemist again? Why?

I might listen to it again one day mainly because of the characters. Zoe seems like someone I would love to hang out with!

What did you like best about this story?

Again, the main characters. I am kind of a hipster so I love that it was set in Portland and that Zoe is a vegan and traveled around for 60 years in an airstream and has white hair although she doesn't age. And of course I loved Dorian because uh duh! He's an adorable, talking gargoyle! And the narrator does a fantastic job with his french accent.

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard any of her other performances but she was really great. I think she represented the main character, Zoe, very well. She did a fantastic french accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No not really. I listened to it for a 2 hour drive and it did suck me in, but when I got to my destination I was ready for a break. Good, but not one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan of fantasy novels I think you will like this one. Pros: Engaging and likeable characters, a good story and mystery, I did not predict the ending (although I really did not try, I just let the story take me). Cons: I can see how this could be a slow read for some. It is not action packed. I also agree with some of the other reviewers on the food/cooking thing. You do find yourself thinking, "If it is so urgent and such a dyer situation, cant you skip a meal???" One minute they are panicking and the next, they are making a vegan souffle.
All in all, I enjoyed it and will be getting the next in the series if it is set at a good price.

An Enjoyable AND Relaxing Mystery? Who knew?!

This is a terrific beginning to a new series and I'm looking forward to the next book. Whether you like them or not, the characters are defined pretty well. Yes, the main character, Zoe, seems to put up with a lot from people, especially the teenager. However, I soon understood her as an emotion-weary, what-will-it-mean-tomorrow, choose-your-battles survivor rather than a weak push over.

The one real issue that I had with the story is the food, tea, and cooking angle. Joining the immortal alchemist and healthy living aspects is inspired and provides a wonderful dimension to the book and characters. However, too often long descriptions of a meal or tea seemed to be crammed into the narrative at extremely inappropriate times.

Julia Motyka, the narrator, is very good. Her voice is a perfect 'mid-tone' which doesn't rattle and interfere with visualization or contradict the characters. She is able to perform male characters distinctively without resorting to the 'gruffer/tougher' voice technique. Her pacing is also excellent, not too slow and not too fast. I particularly liked her projection of Zoe, a good woman who has been around for a long long time.

Gigi, when do we get the next book?

Better than I was expecting

Would you consider the audio edition of The Accidental Alchemist to be better than the print version?

Yes. the narriation with Julia Motyka was just right.

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No not yet but I am going to start looking now

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Stone isnt always coid

So much fun!

Would you listen to The Accidental Alchemist again? Why?

Recommendation:
'The Accidental Alchemist' by Gigi Pandian.
I loved it! It's about Zoe, a centuries old vegan botanist alchemist. She has to solve a murder mystery with Dorian, a 3 foot gourmet chef French Gargoyle. It's so much fun, and I laughed a lot too. Plus, there's lots of cool vegan recipes! I'm not vegan or even vegetarian, but I'm always looking for good healthy vegetarian recipes, and these sound yummy! They feed a local teen veggies, because he ate nothing but cookies and peanut butter sandwiches! He also makes vegan chocolate egg free cake that everyone in the town can't believe is not dairy! The main character is known as the best chef in town, vegan clean eating and all! I'm so excited book 2 is coming out in Jan 2016! My only complaint is it says it includes recipes in the audible blurb, but it didn't! Still, you can look online at Gigi Pandian's website, so I'm still giving it a full 5 stars. It was pure enjoyment!
The narrator, Julia Motyca, is also great! She has to do a French and a Check accent and I think she did both amazingly!

Serious, Simple, & Fun

I was not sure what to expect from this book at the start. My headline says most of it however. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. My favorite character was the Gargoyle. Enjoy !

Very entertaining

Any additional comments?
I got this book as a Daily Deal. t had been on my wish list but I removed it a long time ago. I am really glad I got it. I would be happy with it even if I had paid full price.Good story with interesting characters. It had no violence or sex. It was just a well written cute story. I highly recommend it if you just want some light entertainment.

Unique

I really liked this. I don't normally care for this sort of unrealistic plot (living gargoyle) but this one really caught me. I like the bits of factual information it provided. I look forward to future books along this line. I liked the gargoyle and I found the dialogue intelligent. My only 'problem' with the narrator was that I could hear throat clearing and swallowing. This took from the story because it was a reminder I was being read to and was not in the story.