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Eliza and the Alchemist
Happy birthday. Let’s go to hell.
When nineteen-year-old Eliza enrolls in a UCLA history class—taught by handsome, enigmatic professor Oliver Crowley—she vows to solve the mystery that is her professor, which leads to a terrifying quest full of demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and an obnoxious stepmother. But, can she confront the most frightening creature of all—herself?
Eliza and the Alchemist takes readers on a macabre journey from the golden age of film to gang-ridden East Los Angeles, and to the very gates of hell.
When nineteen-year-old Eliza enrolls in a UCLA history class—taught by handsome, enigmatic professor Oliver Crowley—she vows to solve the mystery that is her professor, which leads to a terrifying quest full of demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and an obnoxious stepmother. But, can she confront the most frightening creature of all—herself?
Eliza and the Alchemist takes readers on a macabre journey from the golden age of film to gang-ridden East Los Angeles, and to the very gates of hell.
- GenresFantasy
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2023
48 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 1, 2023
4.5/5
Eliza desires a healthy relationship (and sex), but she has no idea how to get them. Students have parties and sex, so why can’t she? First, guys of her age tire her. Second, she prefers to daydream and imagine passionate scenarios with older men than actually indulge in them.
So it’s a romance, after all? Nope. Sure, Eliza’s infatuation with the enigmatic Professor Oliver Crowley is important to the plot, but secondary to wildly imaginative adventure and family history. It still drives the character’s dynamics and situational humor, though. The plot takes her and the readers on a hell of an adventure, including demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and, literally, hell.
Eliza and The Alchemist is an engaging page-turner with good characterization, evocative writing, and lots of heart. The beginning revolves around Eliza’s crush on the professor, which leads to her stealing a cherished heirloom (a rare book) from her father to impress him. It’s an unfortunate decision because the book serves to open gates to hell and unleash demons in the world. Worry not, though. Oliver is an alchemist and Eliza has a knack for it, too. She just needs a little training and concentration.
Eliza is snarky and likable. Despite her idiosyncrasies and extravagant behavior, she’s resourceful and strong-minded. Professor Crowley does an excellent job of being the story’s intriguing enigma for both Eliza and the reader. Secondary characters may lack depth, but they make the story colorful (especially kindhearted zombie gangbanger Jaime and lovesick Ethan infatuated with Eliza).
I loved Lacámara’s witty and engaging writing style. It’s short, clear, and easy to read. His vivid descriptions and clever use of historical flourishes and Hollywood references made the world-building rich and immersive. And probably slightly Meta.
Imaginative and terrifying creatures, from skeletal zombies to giant scorpions, create a sense of danger and urgency in the story, though darker moments are balanced with humor.
I had a great time reading Eliza and the Alchemist; it’s a fun and engaging read that combines elements of horror, comedy, and romance into a charmingly quirky and imaginative paranormal adventure. Highly recommended!
Eliza desires a healthy relationship (and sex), but she has no idea how to get them. Students have parties and sex, so why can’t she? First, guys of her age tire her. Second, she prefers to daydream and imagine passionate scenarios with older men than actually indulge in them.
So it’s a romance, after all? Nope. Sure, Eliza’s infatuation with the enigmatic Professor Oliver Crowley is important to the plot, but secondary to wildly imaginative adventure and family history. It still drives the character’s dynamics and situational humor, though. The plot takes her and the readers on a hell of an adventure, including demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and, literally, hell.
Eliza and The Alchemist is an engaging page-turner with good characterization, evocative writing, and lots of heart. The beginning revolves around Eliza’s crush on the professor, which leads to her stealing a cherished heirloom (a rare book) from her father to impress him. It’s an unfortunate decision because the book serves to open gates to hell and unleash demons in the world. Worry not, though. Oliver is an alchemist and Eliza has a knack for it, too. She just needs a little training and concentration.
Eliza is snarky and likable. Despite her idiosyncrasies and extravagant behavior, she’s resourceful and strong-minded. Professor Crowley does an excellent job of being the story’s intriguing enigma for both Eliza and the reader. Secondary characters may lack depth, but they make the story colorful (especially kindhearted zombie gangbanger Jaime and lovesick Ethan infatuated with Eliza).
I loved Lacámara’s witty and engaging writing style. It’s short, clear, and easy to read. His vivid descriptions and clever use of historical flourishes and Hollywood references made the world-building rich and immersive. And probably slightly Meta.
Imaginative and terrifying creatures, from skeletal zombies to giant scorpions, create a sense of danger and urgency in the story, though darker moments are balanced with humor.
I had a great time reading Eliza and the Alchemist; it’s a fun and engaging read that combines elements of horror, comedy, and romance into a charmingly quirky and imaginative paranormal adventure. Highly recommended!
March 8, 2023
(Some mild generalized spoilers) Eliza and the Alchemist is the kind of book I’m always looking for : a smart, engaging adventure with unusual characters that I instantly loved. Eliza is feisty, funny, ingenious and in love with her strange and enigmatic professor, Oliver Crowley. Him, not so much. But he does need her particular talent to advance his mysterious research. From there, the gates of hell are opened, demons flood the UCLA campus, Crowley’s past (and obsession) are revealed and Eliza is up for it all - even when she starts to understand her own, less than traditional, family history.
The story is funny, exciting, and touching in surprising ways. It goes beyond just an adventure story and delves into fathers and daughters and where the love a parent has for a child can take them.
Really worth it!
The story is funny, exciting, and touching in surprising ways. It goes beyond just an adventure story and delves into fathers and daughters and where the love a parent has for a child can take them.
Really worth it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2023
OMG, 3 ratings? For this droll bit of fantasy chock full of: humor, demons, zombies, gang killings, sex, movie lore, chase scenes, nutty characters, satire, and family love? Criminal. This book deserves big love and tons of GR attention. Maybe this author needs to make a TikTok.
I’m pretty sure I came to this title via a list of “what indie books to read” on the Kirkus Reviews website. I bought a few of the books from that list that intrigued me. This one has cover art that makes it look like a YA fantasy. I’m very tough to please when it comes to YA so that almost put me off. I’m glad I didn’t judge the book by the cover. It’s not the standard drivel peddled with that type of cover art.
The story’s heroine Eliza is approaching her 20th birthday and trying to seduce her older, enigmatic college professor. She steals an old book from her father’s library in order to impress him. All sorts of magical stuff happens forcing Eliza and the alchemist/professor to team up to save Los Angeles and the world from demonic hoards. All of this is told in a zany style I found to be reminiscent of Christopher Moore. This book is perhaps a hair less LOL funny than a Moore book, but it is just as biting. Plus, it has a lovely vein of charm and daddy/daughter love in it. It’s nice mix of laughs, Horror, and heart.
So excited to read more of these books one day, pretty please Mr. Lacamara.
I’m pretty sure I came to this title via a list of “what indie books to read” on the Kirkus Reviews website. I bought a few of the books from that list that intrigued me. This one has cover art that makes it look like a YA fantasy. I’m very tough to please when it comes to YA so that almost put me off. I’m glad I didn’t judge the book by the cover. It’s not the standard drivel peddled with that type of cover art.
The story’s heroine Eliza is approaching her 20th birthday and trying to seduce her older, enigmatic college professor. She steals an old book from her father’s library in order to impress him. All sorts of magical stuff happens forcing Eliza and the alchemist/professor to team up to save Los Angeles and the world from demonic hoards. All of this is told in a zany style I found to be reminiscent of Christopher Moore. This book is perhaps a hair less LOL funny than a Moore book, but it is just as biting. Plus, it has a lovely vein of charm and daddy/daughter love in it. It’s nice mix of laughs, Horror, and heart.
So excited to read more of these books one day, pretty please Mr. Lacamara.
May 25, 2023
I wrote it, so... you know. I think it's great! So does my mom! Kirkus Reviews and Blue Ink must have liked it, too, because they gave it great starred reviews!
August 19, 2024
Fast paced fantasy with humor
The book is like reading a dream. It was a great romp of imagination. I hope to read more from this author.
The book is like reading a dream. It was a great romp of imagination. I hope to read more from this author.
June 8, 2025
I love this! It’s so fresh and funny the writing is sarcastic and engaging. It sounds like there’s another one coming? I hope so!!!
October 31, 2025
Liked it so much I read it twice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews