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The Alchemists Academy #2
Elemental Explosions
An explosive elemental at the Academy? Bring it On! A new student has entered The Alchemists Academy, and he brings with him an explosive power that threatens the Academy and the legend of Merlin. Wirt thought he was the only bad boy at the Academy, but he was wrong.Not only is Roland Black worse than Wirt, but a new teacher had replaced one of their beloved teachers, and she has more planned for Wirt andhis friends than just lesson plans. Alana, his crush has grown prettier, and now he is rivals for her attention with not only his best friendSpencer, but newcomer Roland, as well. On top of that, it is theirsecond year, and the year where all the students must pass a test tomove on to the Elite Class at the Academy. The Elite Class is the onlyclass in the third year at the Academy, and the students who fail willbe sent home, others will face something even deadlier.
Alchemists Academy #1: Stones to Ashes - Available
Alchemists Academy #2: Elemental Explosions - Available
Alchemists Academy #3: The Quantum Games - Available
Alchemists Academy #4: Year of the Elite - To Be Announced via Sparklesoup.com
Alchemists Academy #5: Prophecy's End - To Be Announced via Sparklesoup.com
Alchemists Academy #1: Stones to Ashes - Available
Alchemists Academy #2: Elemental Explosions - Available
Alchemists Academy #3: The Quantum Games - Available
Alchemists Academy #4: Year of the Elite - To Be Announced via Sparklesoup.com
Alchemists Academy #5: Prophecy's End - To Be Announced via Sparklesoup.com
220 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2011
4 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Kailin Gow
345 books2,501 followers2025 News!
https://ventsmagazine.com/2025/04/10/...
Kailin Gow is an USA Today Bestselling author, publisher, screenwriter, director, producer, and speaker with hundreds of books published. She is also the owner/founder and organizer of mega-book signing events like Rockin' Hollywood, Naughty Mafia in Las Vegas, which has featured the very top authors of Romance and drawn thousands of readers, including being in a documentary film now out on Amazon Prime.
Over 14 Million copies of her books have been downloaded around the world and translated into 25 languages. 2 of her book series, FADE Series and Red Genesis Series, has been optioned by the Academy Award-winning team behind Netflix #1 most Liked and Top 10 Netflix Original Film, Wish Dragon, also the team behind the special effects magic of Star Wars and Marvel films.
She owns a traditional publishing company with an API (Asian Pacific Islander) Diversity initiative that has partnerships with production companies across the globe with distribution through Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney and more! Kailin Gow is a go to media guest on Women in Film and Television and is a voting member of the Academy Awards.
Her Worldwide Brand, Kailin Gow's Go Girl has won awards for its tv series, books, cosmetics, fashions, beauty and health products, and soon-to-be home and travel products. As of 2021, Kailin Gow's Go Girl is excited to expand into its own line of hotels, starting with a 70+ room hotel in Texas. In 2022, her books will be adapted into entertainment venues called Sparklesoup World, offered in various locations throughout the U.S. and internationally.
She has been a host on world-class stages, an invited speaker for BEA and a regular radio/TV guest for major stations. She is an official voice of AAPI, She has a TV Reality show on her as an author and personality. She is also the host and publisher of a leading author industry guide, subscription newsletter, and podcast called Authors Voices. Five of her pen names are USA Today Bestselling authors and will be traditionally published in 2022. She is also a recurring speaker/instructor of writing series and serials for professional screenwriters and producers as of 2021.
She was called an "innovating author" and an "Author as Influencer" by Goodreads executives at Book Expo America 2014 in their speech.
Kailin Gow is one of Cindy Crawford's Beauties, who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, along with Gabrielle Union.
She was called "a successful author who knows how to balance being an author and life" by Huffington Post. USA Today recommends her steamy romances while PBS Kids have recommended her Teen Fantasy Series.
Amazon highlighted her author success story on the homepage of Amazon.com and in their book, Transformations and was invited by Amazon to be an author spokesperson for Amazon's launch of the Kindle fire in Santa Monica.
In the publishing industry, she has written and presented many articles and workshops for major publications as well as conventions. https://www.fastcompany.com/user/kail...
and is the host/founder of the podcast and newsletter Author Voices. Additionally, she owns a law firm specializing in consumer advocacy.
Kailin Gow holds a Masters degree in Management from USC and degrees in Social Ecology (Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, and Ecology/Climate), Drama, and Film making from UC Irvine where she once ran and DJ for a radio station that helped discovered OC bands like Sugar Ray and Gwen Stefani.
https://ventsmagazine.com/2025/04/10/...
Kailin Gow is an USA Today Bestselling author, publisher, screenwriter, director, producer, and speaker with hundreds of books published. She is also the owner/founder and organizer of mega-book signing events like Rockin' Hollywood, Naughty Mafia in Las Vegas, which has featured the very top authors of Romance and drawn thousands of readers, including being in a documentary film now out on Amazon Prime.
Over 14 Million copies of her books have been downloaded around the world and translated into 25 languages. 2 of her book series, FADE Series and Red Genesis Series, has been optioned by the Academy Award-winning team behind Netflix #1 most Liked and Top 10 Netflix Original Film, Wish Dragon, also the team behind the special effects magic of Star Wars and Marvel films.
She owns a traditional publishing company with an API (Asian Pacific Islander) Diversity initiative that has partnerships with production companies across the globe with distribution through Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney and more! Kailin Gow is a go to media guest on Women in Film and Television and is a voting member of the Academy Awards.
Her Worldwide Brand, Kailin Gow's Go Girl has won awards for its tv series, books, cosmetics, fashions, beauty and health products, and soon-to-be home and travel products. As of 2021, Kailin Gow's Go Girl is excited to expand into its own line of hotels, starting with a 70+ room hotel in Texas. In 2022, her books will be adapted into entertainment venues called Sparklesoup World, offered in various locations throughout the U.S. and internationally.
She has been a host on world-class stages, an invited speaker for BEA and a regular radio/TV guest for major stations. She is an official voice of AAPI, She has a TV Reality show on her as an author and personality. She is also the host and publisher of a leading author industry guide, subscription newsletter, and podcast called Authors Voices. Five of her pen names are USA Today Bestselling authors and will be traditionally published in 2022. She is also a recurring speaker/instructor of writing series and serials for professional screenwriters and producers as of 2021.
She was called an "innovating author" and an "Author as Influencer" by Goodreads executives at Book Expo America 2014 in their speech.
Kailin Gow is one of Cindy Crawford's Beauties, who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, along with Gabrielle Union.
She was called "a successful author who knows how to balance being an author and life" by Huffington Post. USA Today recommends her steamy romances while PBS Kids have recommended her Teen Fantasy Series.
Amazon highlighted her author success story on the homepage of Amazon.com and in their book, Transformations and was invited by Amazon to be an author spokesperson for Amazon's launch of the Kindle fire in Santa Monica.
In the publishing industry, she has written and presented many articles and workshops for major publications as well as conventions. https://www.fastcompany.com/user/kail...
and is the host/founder of the podcast and newsletter Author Voices. Additionally, she owns a law firm specializing in consumer advocacy.
Kailin Gow holds a Masters degree in Management from USC and degrees in Social Ecology (Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, and Ecology/Climate), Drama, and Film making from UC Irvine where she once ran and DJ for a radio station that helped discovered OC bands like Sugar Ray and Gwen Stefani.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 14, 2013
Book 2 continues the adventures of Wirt established in Book 1 (you can read my review here). I enjoyed the second book more than the first, as I felt the characters were already established, and I was rooting for them from the start. In this book, a new student arrives, and no one seems to like him—that is, except all the girls! Roland is the object of everyone’s crush, including Alana, who has ended her relationship over the summer with Spencer, as Spencer’s father does not approve of the match. But Roland’s father has had a past conflict with Spencer’s father, and there is immediate tension there.
Wirt has been bothered by strange dreams involving Merlin, and he has been reassigned to room with Roland (at the request of Spencer’s father, who thinks Spencer should have a single room). While Wirt and Spencer are both jealous of Roland mostly because he has alchemist2won Alana’s affection, there are hints that Roland is more sinister than a girl-stealing roommate. Upon first meeting, he shows Wirt a dangerous quantum ball, which is used for a deadly game (if you lose, you die!). We find out later that the school plans to reinstate such a game in the event of a tie-breaker for admittance into the elite class of third-years, which is a major conflict in the book.
The second-years are informed that they’re being tested all year—both with grades and official tests, and with informal observations and Quests. As a result of the testing, fourteen will be chosen to become the elite class of third-years. This means they will be trained in a specialty that will lead them to have an elite job (as a magical advisor to someone in power, for example, like Merlin was to Arthur).
In the meantime, Wirt has been discovering his talent in transmutation—turning one thing into another, surpassing even the talents of his teachers. It seems even the sinister headmaster recognizes Wirt’s talents, though no one will tell him much about his skills, or their significance, or their plans for him. Still, Wirt decides that he’s never had a real home—until he arrived at the Academy. With that in mind, he decides he desires to be accepted as one of the elite class next year, rather than being dismissed to a paltry job with the rest of the unselected students.
I read this book quickly, but I’ll give you fair warning: it ends on a cliffhanger, and you’ll want to read the third book right away!
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed in the above review are my own.
Wirt has been bothered by strange dreams involving Merlin, and he has been reassigned to room with Roland (at the request of Spencer’s father, who thinks Spencer should have a single room). While Wirt and Spencer are both jealous of Roland mostly because he has alchemist2won Alana’s affection, there are hints that Roland is more sinister than a girl-stealing roommate. Upon first meeting, he shows Wirt a dangerous quantum ball, which is used for a deadly game (if you lose, you die!). We find out later that the school plans to reinstate such a game in the event of a tie-breaker for admittance into the elite class of third-years, which is a major conflict in the book.
The second-years are informed that they’re being tested all year—both with grades and official tests, and with informal observations and Quests. As a result of the testing, fourteen will be chosen to become the elite class of third-years. This means they will be trained in a specialty that will lead them to have an elite job (as a magical advisor to someone in power, for example, like Merlin was to Arthur).
In the meantime, Wirt has been discovering his talent in transmutation—turning one thing into another, surpassing even the talents of his teachers. It seems even the sinister headmaster recognizes Wirt’s talents, though no one will tell him much about his skills, or their significance, or their plans for him. Still, Wirt decides that he’s never had a real home—until he arrived at the Academy. With that in mind, he decides he desires to be accepted as one of the elite class next year, rather than being dismissed to a paltry job with the rest of the unselected students.
I read this book quickly, but I’ll give you fair warning: it ends on a cliffhanger, and you’ll want to read the third book right away!
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed in the above review are my own.
January 14, 2013
This is another fantastic read from Kailin Gow. The adventurous tale of Wirt and his friends only gets more exciting in this book and leaves me wanting more. This series is such fun and the characters and storyline can go in any direction, it has such potential.
Starting off where Stones to Ashes finishes, Elemental Explosions is exactly as the title states. Wirt is learning more about his abilities; learning how to harness his elemental powers. His teachers have unorthodox methods of teaching Wirt how to use his abilities, but they are effective.
There is a new student, Roland Black and there seems to be a history with Spencer’s Father and Roland’s Father. The tension in the air surrounding these two is not just over their Father’s history but also over Alana. Wirt arrives back at his room one day to find Spencer moved out and Roland moved in. He is confused and frustrated over Spencer and their friendship is questioned.
Wirt finds out that Year 2 is a year of tests, tests and more testing in order to gain one of the precious 14 places in the Elite program. The students are all highly strung and trying their hardest to pass all of their classes in order to be offered one of the spot for Year 3. If there is a tie, this year there will be a tournament called The Quantum Games where the participants will have to fight to the possible death in order to obtain that final spot.
Magical ropes go missing and again part of a test, teams are made and Wirt and his friends go in search. Wirt has a feeling that Roland is involved in the missing ropes somehow.
This is another page turner and I enjoyed this one more than the first. With the end leaving me hanging, I am anxious for book 3, The Quantum Games. I highly recommend this series to all young adult fantasy readers.
Starting off where Stones to Ashes finishes, Elemental Explosions is exactly as the title states. Wirt is learning more about his abilities; learning how to harness his elemental powers. His teachers have unorthodox methods of teaching Wirt how to use his abilities, but they are effective.
There is a new student, Roland Black and there seems to be a history with Spencer’s Father and Roland’s Father. The tension in the air surrounding these two is not just over their Father’s history but also over Alana. Wirt arrives back at his room one day to find Spencer moved out and Roland moved in. He is confused and frustrated over Spencer and their friendship is questioned.
Wirt finds out that Year 2 is a year of tests, tests and more testing in order to gain one of the precious 14 places in the Elite program. The students are all highly strung and trying their hardest to pass all of their classes in order to be offered one of the spot for Year 3. If there is a tie, this year there will be a tournament called The Quantum Games where the participants will have to fight to the possible death in order to obtain that final spot.
Magical ropes go missing and again part of a test, teams are made and Wirt and his friends go in search. Wirt has a feeling that Roland is involved in the missing ropes somehow.
This is another page turner and I enjoyed this one more than the first. With the end leaving me hanging, I am anxious for book 3, The Quantum Games. I highly recommend this series to all young adult fantasy readers.
December 18, 2012
See the full review at:
Read My Mind
The second installment of THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY brings back the characters from before: Wirt, Alana, Spencer and their instructors. But, Wirt isn't the new student on the block anymore. In their second year, the young students are joined by Roland Black. Black turned out to be an interesting character to me. Wirt didn't trust him from the beginning and since the reader sees everything from Wirt's eyes, we are also left to wonder at Black's preternatural-seeming popularity with the young girls at the Alchemists Academy and also with his proficiency at school subjects. Kailin Gow did an excellent job of introducing a possible foe, while also not making him too obviously evil or even more than just suspicious.
In ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS, the second year students learn that the whole of the semester could potentially be a test for the "Elite Class", a very select third year class. In the first installment, after Wirt's introduction to the Alchemist's Academy, the plot turned to a quest for a missing relic. Here, Gow has constructed a plot around the machinations of the headmaster, Black and Wirt's separation from Spencer, a fellow student and former roommate.
While there is not the same excitement and danger as the quest device, a princess' disappearance, Spencer and Alana's relationship discord, and a shocking discovery that Wirt makes about Roland Black filled the pages and made ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS a one-sitting read for me. In keeping with the first book in the series, Gow captured my attention with the magical exploits of a group of young students. THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY series is a great foray into fantasy for Harry Potter fans and magic enthusiasts.
Book Rating:
12/15
3.5 star
B+
The second installment of THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY brings back the characters from before: Wirt, Alana, Spencer and their instructors. But, Wirt isn't the new student on the block anymore. In their second year, the young students are joined by Roland Black. Black turned out to be an interesting character to me. Wirt didn't trust him from the beginning and since the reader sees everything from Wirt's eyes, we are also left to wonder at Black's preternatural-seeming popularity with the young girls at the Alchemists Academy and also with his proficiency at school subjects. Kailin Gow did an excellent job of introducing a possible foe, while also not making him too obviously evil or even more than just suspicious.
In ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS, the second year students learn that the whole of the semester could potentially be a test for the "Elite Class", a very select third year class. In the first installment, after Wirt's introduction to the Alchemist's Academy, the plot turned to a quest for a missing relic. Here, Gow has constructed a plot around the machinations of the headmaster, Black and Wirt's separation from Spencer, a fellow student and former roommate.
While there is not the same excitement and danger as the quest device, a princess' disappearance, Spencer and Alana's relationship discord, and a shocking discovery that Wirt makes about Roland Black filled the pages and made ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS a one-sitting read for me. In keeping with the first book in the series, Gow captured my attention with the magical exploits of a group of young students. THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY series is a great foray into fantasy for Harry Potter fans and magic enthusiasts.
Book Rating:
12/15
3.5 star
B+
January 18, 2013
In book two of the Alchemist's Academy, Wirt's second year of school gets off to a rocky start when a new bad boy shows up. Roland not only takes Spencer's half of Wirt's room, he takes Alana's affection and causes jealousy among the boys. The year brings other bad news too--only 14 students will be allowed to attend third year classes. So Wirt must compete against his old friends. Roland has worse plans though, and his game plan is deadly.
There were fewer errors in book two than one, and a nice set up for some Merlin connection that didn't develop further in this story. But there were plenty of tests and excitement. A new teacher who seems to know Wirt from the outset tests him in potentially fatal ways. There's another (spoiler), and this time it's a (you guess) who did it and a major character almost gets killed.
Suffice it to say I enjoyed the book right up to the end, and then I was disappointed because the place where the contest should have started was taken by previews of other books. We get far enough to learn who earned most of the spots as third year students, and then the book stops before the last spot is given to whoever wins the contest. After all the hints about Roland's plans taking place at mid-term, either that event passed without making it clear it happened at mid-term (maybe the spoiler), or the student rankings announcement came before mid-term. Even Wirt thought he had more time to complete tests, so it's not just me who wasn't aware the year was up.
Yes, The Alchemists Academy is a series, but that wasn't a real ending. I was ready to give a 4.5 and then boom, a point lost for not finishing the story took it to 3.5. After I thought about the current market not allowing most writers the leeway Rowling enjoyed to write longer books to finish her story arcs, I decided overall this partial arc deserves a 4.
There were fewer errors in book two than one, and a nice set up for some Merlin connection that didn't develop further in this story. But there were plenty of tests and excitement. A new teacher who seems to know Wirt from the outset tests him in potentially fatal ways. There's another (spoiler), and this time it's a (you guess) who did it and a major character almost gets killed.
Suffice it to say I enjoyed the book right up to the end, and then I was disappointed because the place where the contest should have started was taken by previews of other books. We get far enough to learn who earned most of the spots as third year students, and then the book stops before the last spot is given to whoever wins the contest. After all the hints about Roland's plans taking place at mid-term, either that event passed without making it clear it happened at mid-term (maybe the spoiler), or the student rankings announcement came before mid-term. Even Wirt thought he had more time to complete tests, so it's not just me who wasn't aware the year was up.
Yes, The Alchemists Academy is a series, but that wasn't a real ending. I was ready to give a 4.5 and then boom, a point lost for not finishing the story took it to 3.5. After I thought about the current market not allowing most writers the leeway Rowling enjoyed to write longer books to finish her story arcs, I decided overall this partial arc deserves a 4.
December 26, 2012
I liked Elemental Explosions even more than the first book in the series. I liked the first book and the premise and I was interested to see what Kailin Gow was going to do with the next book and I think she really stepped up her game with Elemental Explosions. And the step up for the next book has me excited as well. Wirt and all of his friends are back at school and the adventures just keep on coming.
Elemental Explosions focuses more on The Elite Class, a group of 14 super students. Everyone is fighting for one of those 14 stops. And a new character is introduced. His name is Roland and he is Wirt's new roommate. He just seems kind of shifty to me. Alana (who every guy seems to like) keeps chasing after Roland like a puppy. I didn't really get what the appeal was of him for her, but then again maybe that is just because I really like the idea of her and Spencer.
Elemental Explosions is fast paced and exciting. It is a great book for younger readers. I think it would be good for middle grade or young teens. Magic, mystery, and plenty of action to keep you entertained. It is more of a plot based book and there is always plenty going on. In the second installment in the Alchemists Academy series you get to learn about different classes too. I was so happy that this was continued from the first book because my favorite part is figuring out Kailin's take on the magic being taught. I find it fascinating. I also loved seeing Wirt develop his powers. He really does seem kind of incredible.
I'm pretty excited for the next one because of the set up Kailin Gow did with Wirt's Merlin dreams. I think that is going to be really intriguing. If you are looking for a good magical adventure for younger readers, this is the series for you.
Elemental Explosions focuses more on The Elite Class, a group of 14 super students. Everyone is fighting for one of those 14 stops. And a new character is introduced. His name is Roland and he is Wirt's new roommate. He just seems kind of shifty to me. Alana (who every guy seems to like) keeps chasing after Roland like a puppy. I didn't really get what the appeal was of him for her, but then again maybe that is just because I really like the idea of her and Spencer.
Elemental Explosions is fast paced and exciting. It is a great book for younger readers. I think it would be good for middle grade or young teens. Magic, mystery, and plenty of action to keep you entertained. It is more of a plot based book and there is always plenty going on. In the second installment in the Alchemists Academy series you get to learn about different classes too. I was so happy that this was continued from the first book because my favorite part is figuring out Kailin's take on the magic being taught. I find it fascinating. I also loved seeing Wirt develop his powers. He really does seem kind of incredible.
I'm pretty excited for the next one because of the set up Kailin Gow did with Wirt's Merlin dreams. I think that is going to be really intriguing. If you are looking for a good magical adventure for younger readers, this is the series for you.
December 15, 2012
This review and others can be found on my blog @ http://bookaholicfaggots.blogspot.com
The Elemental Explosions went by a whole lot faster than Stones to Ashes. Although I think there were more pages, the whole book was interesting from the front to the end. The new student Roland seems like something that may catch a reader's attention and hate him. While Spencer, Alana, and Wirt tires their best to get a spot in the 14 spots available for the the third year elite students, Roland seems like a threat to them. It's not that he's smart. Not that he's powerful. Just that he cheats. But no one else knows but Wirt and Spencer. As much as Wirt complains to Alana about Roland, Alana believes Roland to be a nice, helpful guy. Ugh.
The Elemental Explosions reminded me a little of Harry Potter this time. Wirt is kinda like Harry Potter who tries to solve the problems brewing up at school. Like Hogwarts, Alchemist Academy is a boarding school that focuses on magic and could transport. And also like Harry Potter, there is Spencer for Ron (except their personalities are kinda the opposite, but they serve the same role.) and Alana for Hermoine. And Roland just reminds me of Draco, who never seems to get in trouble no matter whatever he does. The whole elite students thing reminds me of the head of each group in Harry Potter. Ex: Like Percy being the head in Gryffindor.
Either way, I must the Elemental Explosions served as a great read and I can't wait for the next book to come, The Quamtum Games and see who wins the final place in the elite students. And also, another comparison. The Quamtum Games reminds me of Quidditch, a little. Yeah. ;)
The Elemental Explosions went by a whole lot faster than Stones to Ashes. Although I think there were more pages, the whole book was interesting from the front to the end. The new student Roland seems like something that may catch a reader's attention and hate him. While Spencer, Alana, and Wirt tires their best to get a spot in the 14 spots available for the the third year elite students, Roland seems like a threat to them. It's not that he's smart. Not that he's powerful. Just that he cheats. But no one else knows but Wirt and Spencer. As much as Wirt complains to Alana about Roland, Alana believes Roland to be a nice, helpful guy. Ugh.
The Elemental Explosions reminded me a little of Harry Potter this time. Wirt is kinda like Harry Potter who tries to solve the problems brewing up at school. Like Hogwarts, Alchemist Academy is a boarding school that focuses on magic and could transport. And also like Harry Potter, there is Spencer for Ron (except their personalities are kinda the opposite, but they serve the same role.) and Alana for Hermoine. And Roland just reminds me of Draco, who never seems to get in trouble no matter whatever he does. The whole elite students thing reminds me of the head of each group in Harry Potter. Ex: Like Percy being the head in Gryffindor.
Either way, I must the Elemental Explosions served as a great read and I can't wait for the next book to come, The Quamtum Games and see who wins the final place in the elite students. And also, another comparison. The Quamtum Games reminds me of Quidditch, a little. Yeah. ;)
January 5, 2013
Review first published on my blog, Pieces of Whimsy
3.5/5
This book began in Wirt's dreams and picked up nicely where the other book left off. Right at the start you get more of insight into who Wirt could be and what plans people may have for him. I definitely found myself coming up with some theories within the first few pages.
This book still follows Wirt and alongside him, his friends, Spender and Alana, but in this book a new character is also introduced. Roland is the new guy that the girl fawn over and the guys wish they could be. He and Wirt start off on the wrong foot and their relationship doesn't improve especially with Alana apparently smitten with Roland.
You got to know more of the characters backgrounds in this book which gave you a deeper connection to them. The new characters are fun and mysterious and I really like the whole Merlin/Wirt aspect.
The book started off slowly, not quite drawing me in but the last few chapters really made the book and I had a whole heap of fun reading them. I especially love the whole 'quantum games' element and thought it really added the right sort of drama the book needed.
There were some inconsistencies and some strange wording in the story but overlooking that it was really good. The start of the book didn't quite grab me in the way I'd hope but the ending of the book was great and I really want to know how it plays out in the next book!
3.5/5
This book began in Wirt's dreams and picked up nicely where the other book left off. Right at the start you get more of insight into who Wirt could be and what plans people may have for him. I definitely found myself coming up with some theories within the first few pages.
This book still follows Wirt and alongside him, his friends, Spender and Alana, but in this book a new character is also introduced. Roland is the new guy that the girl fawn over and the guys wish they could be. He and Wirt start off on the wrong foot and their relationship doesn't improve especially with Alana apparently smitten with Roland.
You got to know more of the characters backgrounds in this book which gave you a deeper connection to them. The new characters are fun and mysterious and I really like the whole Merlin/Wirt aspect.
The book started off slowly, not quite drawing me in but the last few chapters really made the book and I had a whole heap of fun reading them. I especially love the whole 'quantum games' element and thought it really added the right sort of drama the book needed.
There were some inconsistencies and some strange wording in the story but overlooking that it was really good. The start of the book didn't quite grab me in the way I'd hope but the ending of the book was great and I really want to know how it plays out in the next book!
December 6, 2012
Our story picks up where the first book left off. Wirt and his friends haved saved the day along with their school. Instead of things going back to normal, they start to get weirder. Wirt's roommate, Spencer, moves out and into his own room. Wirt gets a new roommate; the strange and unusual Ronald Black. Wirt has his own suspicions about Ronald when he hears some cryptic conversations between him and an unknown source. His best friend and former roommate, Spencer, is being quiet and sulky. Alana is falling hard for the new boy, much to Wirt's and Spencer's dismay.
Just when you think things couldn't get much worse the headmaster announces it is time to select The Elite Class. Only 14 students will get picked to be in this special group and there will be no place for the rest of them at The Alchemists Academy. Wirt wonders if he has what it takes to be one of The Elite and where will he go if not?
I am giving this book five wonderful stars. I liked the first book in this series and gave it four stars but this one is much better. Thank you to the author, Kailin Gow, for gifting this book to me for a fair and honest review. This book ends with a major cliffhanger and I am looking forward the the third book in this series The Quantum Games.
Just when you think things couldn't get much worse the headmaster announces it is time to select The Elite Class. Only 14 students will get picked to be in this special group and there will be no place for the rest of them at The Alchemists Academy. Wirt wonders if he has what it takes to be one of The Elite and where will he go if not?
I am giving this book five wonderful stars. I liked the first book in this series and gave it four stars but this one is much better. Thank you to the author, Kailin Gow, for gifting this book to me for a fair and honest review. This book ends with a major cliffhanger and I am looking forward the the third book in this series The Quantum Games.
December 15, 2012
3.5 stars
I'm happy to be a part of the tour for this Alchemists series by Kailin Gow. This series is written more for the younger crowd, maybe middle grades and up. Something I can really appreciate about this series so far is that it is clean. There isn't the swearing and sexual content that is found in many of the YA books out there.
This series takes on a sort of scaled down Harry Potter feel as the main characters are at a school for magic and finding themselves in all sorts of adventures and trouble. They have teachers who may or may not be the good guys and they get to meet all sorts of interesting creatures like unicorns and dragons. There is mystery and intrigue and a dashing young hero who you cannot help but root for. As the students learn more about their magic abilities and go on quests, things get more and more interesting.
I enjoyed the second book more than the first and now I'm looking forward to the next book, The Quantum Games. Things are going to get really exciting. I read through these books pretty fast and all the while kept thinking that these might be perfect for the middle grade boy who is into magic and adventure.
I'm happy to be a part of the tour for this Alchemists series by Kailin Gow. This series is written more for the younger crowd, maybe middle grades and up. Something I can really appreciate about this series so far is that it is clean. There isn't the swearing and sexual content that is found in many of the YA books out there.
This series takes on a sort of scaled down Harry Potter feel as the main characters are at a school for magic and finding themselves in all sorts of adventures and trouble. They have teachers who may or may not be the good guys and they get to meet all sorts of interesting creatures like unicorns and dragons. There is mystery and intrigue and a dashing young hero who you cannot help but root for. As the students learn more about their magic abilities and go on quests, things get more and more interesting.
I enjoyed the second book more than the first and now I'm looking forward to the next book, The Quantum Games. Things are going to get really exciting. I read through these books pretty fast and all the while kept thinking that these might be perfect for the middle grade boy who is into magic and adventure.
January 24, 2013
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
After completing the world building in the first installment of The Alchemists Academy, Wirt finds that he is no longer the new kid and Roland threatens his spot to make the Elite 14 in the third year group. Roland is not the best candidate in his eyes since he doesn't always play fair. Everything just seems to come easily to him and that raises suspicions in Wirt's eyes. Alana has grown more sure of herself and even lovelier, especially to Wirt. Even though he feels she that Roland has stolen her heart.
Wirt is put through his paces as he tries to get into the Elite Class. Again, there are the entertaining characters of the Headmaster and other teachers based on Merlin and the Lady of the Lake as well as favorites Spencer and Princess Priscilla. I miss that Spencer wasn't around as much in this installment. The end will have you on the edge of your seat as you wait to hear which students made it through to the elite class. This is a very clean middle grade read.
LOVED IT
After completing the world building in the first installment of The Alchemists Academy, Wirt finds that he is no longer the new kid and Roland threatens his spot to make the Elite 14 in the third year group. Roland is not the best candidate in his eyes since he doesn't always play fair. Everything just seems to come easily to him and that raises suspicions in Wirt's eyes. Alana has grown more sure of herself and even lovelier, especially to Wirt. Even though he feels she that Roland has stolen her heart.
Wirt is put through his paces as he tries to get into the Elite Class. Again, there are the entertaining characters of the Headmaster and other teachers based on Merlin and the Lady of the Lake as well as favorites Spencer and Princess Priscilla. I miss that Spencer wasn't around as much in this installment. The end will have you on the edge of your seat as you wait to hear which students made it through to the elite class. This is a very clean middle grade read.
January 2, 2013
The Alchemists Academy books are a fun new twist on a magical school. The magic is very different from what you would find in Harry Potter. The magical system is based on Merlin and The Lady of the Lake. I liked this a lot because I've read a lot of stories about King Arthur and the Sorcerer Merlin. Of course from the title, Alchemy is studied at the school. The characters in the story are distinct, from silly Princess Priscilla, to the studious Spencer, the serious Alana and then to main character Wirt, orphaned and misjudged by those around him. The school is in another realm in a HUGE tree. They travel around in huge tubes within the tree. There were many fun and different ideas that were original to this story. I think that fans of magical schools will truly enjoy these books. Also, tweens and YA readers will enjoy the characters, the challenges, and the mysteries that await them at the Alchemists Academy.
December 26, 2012
This is the second book in the Alchemist Academy series. Wirt is a student at the Alchemist Academy and has adjusted to his newfound magical skills.
His roommate changes this year. He is no longer with his friend Spencer, instead he is STUCK with Roland. The nemesis of Spencer. They don't hit it off well and it leads to contention and plot development.
I preferred the second book to the first. There was more action and the flow of the story moved at a better pace. I was caught up in the story this time and waiting to see what would happen to Wirt and his friends next.
I am looking forward to the third book. It will be fun to continue on this journey and see who prevails in "The Quantum Games."
This book is great for the tween on up.
His roommate changes this year. He is no longer with his friend Spencer, instead he is STUCK with Roland. The nemesis of Spencer. They don't hit it off well and it leads to contention and plot development.
I preferred the second book to the first. There was more action and the flow of the story moved at a better pace. I was caught up in the story this time and waiting to see what would happen to Wirt and his friends next.
I am looking forward to the third book. It will be fun to continue on this journey and see who prevails in "The Quantum Games."
This book is great for the tween on up.
December 5, 2012
I really liked this sequel. It flowed right from the beginning and of course I loved all the characters! (Especially Wirt!!)
I liked how there was a mix of comedy, suspense, romance and mystery in this one novel. I think as far as sequels go, this one lives up to its Predecessor and did not disappoint me at all!
I liked how there was a mix of comedy, suspense, romance and mystery in this one novel. I think as far as sequels go, this one lives up to its Predecessor and did not disappoint me at all!
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