2026 started with a masterpiece for me. Alchemised by SenLinYu was one of the most anticipated books of 2025. Since its publication, it received a myriad of responses, ranging from standing ovations to criticism. Because of this, I was both itching and anxious to read it. In retrospect, my fears of being let down were utterly ridiculous - I absolutely adored the story. Alchemised is a very dark tale, dealing with a plethora of profound topics, such as loss, trauma, war and the psychological effects on those affected by it. The civil war between alchemists and necromancers left Paladia a shell of its previous glory. The Resistance and the Order of the Eternal Flame were decimated by the conflict that ravaged the land for years, leaving Paladia to the whims of the High Necromancer. However, this is by no means a bad-against-good story, as nothing is really just black and white. You realise that nothing is as it seems, as the story surprises you time and time again with revelations that have you question almost everyone and everything. The story focuses on Helena Marino, a promising alchemist and Kaine Ferron, a member of one of the Guild families. Their respective journeys start on opposite sides. Helena is loyal to a fault to the Holdfast family and the Order of the Eternal Flame. During the war, she works as a healer, overexerting herself at the infirmary where she tends to the wounded and experiences the most gruesome aspects of the war. Kaine falls victim to the dark machinations of Morrough and the Guilds. Family ties, hopelessness and the desire to protect the ones he loves sweep him along, demanding a steep price in return. Both characters are exploited time and time again, enduring so much torture, pain and heartbreak that it numbs you. Countless times I had to put the book aside to process the plot and will the knot in my throat to unravel. But amidst all the darkness, Helena and Kaine have an epic love story. Not one that starts with rainbows, ribbons and cute gestures. It is one that slowly evolves from an unexpected alliance to the beautiful relationship that they have. Both are broken, their souls aching and shattered. The following quote of Kaine shows the lengths he is willing to go for those he cares about: "I have warned you, if something happens to you, I will personally raze the Eternal Flame. That isn't a threat. It is a promise. Consider your survival as much a necessity to the Resistance as Holdfast's. If you die, I will kill every single one of them." The book consists of three parts, which take place in different timelines. This was quite refreshing, despite my initial confusion. Like Helena, I felt disoriented, as she finds herself without any memories and being held captive. As the story progressed, the questions that plagued me were answered one by one. It is ingenious that, as a reader, you can opt to read the parts of the book ultimately in another order without really losing the suspense. The lore and world-building are immaculate and quite complex, so it took me some time to get a firm grasp of the magical system involved. The settings are portrayed as gloomy, bleak and sombre; danger lurking around every corner and shadow. With over a thousand pages, depending on the edition you are reading, it is a long journey. While some might argue that it is way too long and that certain passages could easily have been pruned, I believe that the book is exactly as long as it needs to be. The lore, the world-building, the dynamics between the characters all need their own time. The story has been an emotional roller coaster which left me reeling at the end. That tiny, little, unassuming and inconsequential caption to the image of Helena, Luc and Soren shattered me completely. Having just witnessed Helena and Kaine face insurmountable obstacles and make numerous sacrifices, labelling Helena as a non-active member of the Eternal Flame who did not fight was too much for me. Even as I write this review now, months later, I can feel the tears prick my eyes, and the oh-so-familiar knot materialise in my throat. The injustice of it all makes me want to scream.

Also am Anfang hat es mich nicht gecatcht und ich war am überlegen das Buch abzubrechen. Aber es lohnt sich auf jedenfall dran zu bleiben. Ab Seite 250 wird es erst Spannender. Ich liebe dieses Buch und es ist echt ein Meisterwerk

Der erste Part war sehr zäh. Danach wurde es wieder spannender als die Erinnerungen und Story zwischen Helena und Ferron erzählt wurde. Der letzt Teil was dann wieder so meh. Ich mochte das Ende nicht so und fand, dass das Buch allgemein zu langatmig war.

Ein brutales Dark Fantasy Werk mit einer mehr oder weniger romantischen „Liebesgeschichte“, die im Grunde total krank und toxisch ist. Anfänglich eher schwer zu lesen: ein komplexes Magiesystem mit vielen Fachbegriffen und vielen nicht unwichtigen Charakteren. Stellenweise zog sich das Buch sehr. Wirklich spannende Kapitel gab es nur wenige. Dennoch lässt es einen nicht los, weil man sich mit den Charakteren verbunden fühlt: Man fiebert mit und kämpft mit den Protagonisten auf (…oder durch die 🤔) knapp 1200 Seiten, die einen förmlich fühlen lassen, wie langatmig und erschöpfend ein Krieg sein kann… Ich denke, man hätte die Geschichte gut kürzen können, ohne Inhalt zu verlieren. Das hätte der Stimmung vermutlich sogar gut getan. Zudem hätte ich mir ein paar mehr wirklich spannende Kapitel gewünscht. Ich finde nicht, dass es den Hype wert ist. Lesen kann man es dennoch, wenn man das Genre mag, ein guter Leser ist bzw. einen langen Atem hat. Es ist in meinen Augen aber kein Must-Read. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass ‚Manacled‘ mich mehr gecatched hätte. Ich werde dem „Ursprungswerk“ - der HP Fanfiction - auf alle Fälle noch eine Chance geben. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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