***This book explores extremely dark and potentially triggering themes – reader discretion is advised.***
Based on an odd yet relatively famous fanfiction, SenLinYu’s “Alchemised” takes the reader on a terrifying, heart-wrenching, tearjerking journey through a dystopian war-torn society.
A colleague of mine explained the book “Alchemised”, saying “I can describe this book as a twisted blending of schoolyard magic and fucked up shit” and you know what? I can’t think of a better description for it.
I picked up “Alchemised” just a few days after it hit the shelves at Barnes & Noble after being recommended it by Mavrie Durham. Now, “Alchemised” is a revised and published version of “Manacled”, a Draco and Hermione fanfiction published on AO3, so some snaps to the author for coming so far in her career.
From start to finish “Alchemised” was just as intoxicating as “Manacled”, just different enough to keep me hooked on the storyline, but similar enough that I would very lightly urge readers to watch or read the Harry Potter series first.
Although these stories are still highly enjoyable without the prior reading of J.K. Rowling’s books. I would, however, strongly recommend a read, watch, or a quick Wikipedia search on what the “Handmaid’s Tale” is all about.
The book starts from the point of view of the main character, Helena Marino, a former alchemist for the Order of the Eternal Flame, prisoner, and partial lab rat of the New Regime who happens to have severe amnesia. All she knows is that her friends are gone, she doesn’t know where she is, and she can’t remember anything.
The story moves to her captivity at the manor of Kaine Ferron, a necromancer for the New Regime, who interrogates and attempts to extract her lost memories throughout her stay. The drama escalates as Marino moves about the manor, going unnoticed – or so she thinks – and picking up bits of information about who and what Ferron is, not only to the new regime, but to her as well.
The book was a little hard to get into as it is A LOT of necessary storybuilding, but once you are a fifth of the way in, it definitely picks up. The storyline can be confusing if you don’t pay attention so I would only read this book if you have the time to ACTUALLY read it. It isn’t super hard to follow but definitely needs the reader’s attention all the way throughout.
My favorite parts of the book were the flashback scenes during the war (I won’t go into too much detail to keep this review spoiler free), however it would do the reader good to pay attention throughout these flashback chapters as there is an assortment of easter eggs hidden throughout and most of them are absolutely heart-wrenching.
I can assume that the “Handmaid’s Tale” turn the book takes would be where some readers may get deterred. Although I can promise that a few chapters into that topic, the flashback sequence starts and completely turns the book on its head.
Back to the “Handmaid’s Tale” aspect, the New Regime is kickstarting a ‘breeding program’ for alchemists. If you have seen or read the “Handmaid’s Tale” as I’ve recommended, then you should know where this is going.
Reader discretion is highly advised when reading this book as it broaches many sensitive topics and puts the characters in emotionally unstable and severely uncomfortable situations. A few of the most prominent topics in the book are religious abuse, war, suicidal ideation, drug abuse, sexual assault, rape, medical torture, and human experimentation.
If you are uncomfortable reading this book at any time – put it down. Your mental health is not worth the risk of a fantasy book. But if you can handle the dark themes, “Alchemised” will take you on an adventure worth the read.