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Brimstone
(English) At the age of 14, Jenny Swift is torn from her home deep in the forest to become apprenticed to the master alchemist Richard Antrobus. Jenny's mother was a healer from the East who has taught her well and from whom she inherits her exotic looks. But this difference means that she faces suspicion and distrust as she is drawn into a plot to throw the world into chaos. Not only does Jenny have to fight to stay alive amid the treachery and intrigue that surrounds the court of the Duke, but she finds her friendships and loyalties tested to the full. Forced to seek the key to the greatest secrets of the alchemists, Jenny discovers the power that lies within her - skills which could make her the greatest alchemist of any age.
(Vietnamese) Chưa tròn mười lăm tuổi, Jenny Swift đã bị một người đàn ông xa lạ mang khỏi tổ ấm thân yêu của mình. Richard Antrobus là nhà giả kim lỗi lạc nhất thế giới và ông đã chọn cô - một cô bé mang dòng máu lai non trẻ - làm người học việc của mình. Khi vừa đến thành Vale tráng lệ, Jenny đã phải đối mặt với sự chết chóc, âm mưu và phản bội. Để cứu lấy mạng sống của những người thân yêu, Jenny phải khám phá ra những kỹ năng mà cô chưa bao giờ tưởng tượng là mình có được. Để sống sót, cô phải vực dậy lòng can đảm hiếm người có được của bản thân.
(Vietnamese) Chưa tròn mười lăm tuổi, Jenny Swift đã bị một người đàn ông xa lạ mang khỏi tổ ấm thân yêu của mình. Richard Antrobus là nhà giả kim lỗi lạc nhất thế giới và ông đã chọn cô - một cô bé mang dòng máu lai non trẻ - làm người học việc của mình. Khi vừa đến thành Vale tráng lệ, Jenny đã phải đối mặt với sự chết chóc, âm mưu và phản bội. Để cứu lấy mạng sống của những người thân yêu, Jenny phải khám phá ra những kỹ năng mà cô chưa bao giờ tưởng tượng là mình có được. Để sống sót, cô phải vực dậy lòng can đảm hiếm người có được của bản thân.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2010
26 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Alan Skinner
11 books25 followersWriting and theatre have always been my great passions and I have been fortunate to have been able to keep both in my life - despite the many distractions that have led me astray over the years. So often we put aside those things most important to us while we attend to the ordinary demands of life, until one day we stumble across that neglected part of ourself and wonder how we came to neglect it for so long. All of us should remember that if something is worth dreaming about, it is worth acting on.
My first completed play, Daisy Chain (co-written with my daughter, Eryn) was produced in Melbourne in 2010. Before that, I had written Blue Fire and Ice and Furnaces of Forge, young fantasy novels that introduced readers to a unique and magical place simply called The Land, with its assortment of delightful and special characters and the adventures that befall them.
After that came Brimstone, the first in the four-book series, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Its sequel, Hourglass is nearing completion. I am also completing a literary historical romp called Master Quickly. Oh, and I mustn't forget a children's picture storybook titled Buckle and the Pirate, with illustrations by the wonderful artist Serena Riglietti, who (among a great many other achievements) was the illustrator of the Italian edition of the Harry Potter books. Rather than release Buckle and the Pirate as a traditional book, I am planning to develop it into an interactive book app. Last, but not least, I have also done some freelance work, including an article for the Guardian books section.
Earning enough from my writing to keep body and soul well-nourished is a fine ambition. But, like many an author, simply being read beats everything else.
Everything worthwhile about an author is to be found within the pages of an author's books. But, for those who like a dash of trivia with their dose of literature, I can tell you that I was born in Boston. In 1964, my six siblings and I migrated to Australia - by coincidence, at exactly the same time as his parebts did the same. In 1991, I moved (without siblings or parents) back to Boston for a year, then to London (my spiritual and preferred home) where I established a consultancy in the City, offering advice to firms such as Barings, Legal and General, Lotus Corporation and Lloyds of London. There I stayed until that milestone year, 2000, when an offer from Credit Suisse drew me to Switzerland. From 2000-2005 I lived and worked in Zurich, and then again from 2008-2010, before returning to Melbourne to spend time with my family.
Rights to my book have been sold to Spain, Brazil and Vietnam.
My first completed play, Daisy Chain (co-written with my daughter, Eryn) was produced in Melbourne in 2010. Before that, I had written Blue Fire and Ice and Furnaces of Forge, young fantasy novels that introduced readers to a unique and magical place simply called The Land, with its assortment of delightful and special characters and the adventures that befall them.
After that came Brimstone, the first in the four-book series, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Its sequel, Hourglass is nearing completion. I am also completing a literary historical romp called Master Quickly. Oh, and I mustn't forget a children's picture storybook titled Buckle and the Pirate, with illustrations by the wonderful artist Serena Riglietti, who (among a great many other achievements) was the illustrator of the Italian edition of the Harry Potter books. Rather than release Buckle and the Pirate as a traditional book, I am planning to develop it into an interactive book app. Last, but not least, I have also done some freelance work, including an article for the Guardian books section.
Earning enough from my writing to keep body and soul well-nourished is a fine ambition. But, like many an author, simply being read beats everything else.
Everything worthwhile about an author is to be found within the pages of an author's books. But, for those who like a dash of trivia with their dose of literature, I can tell you that I was born in Boston. In 1964, my six siblings and I migrated to Australia - by coincidence, at exactly the same time as his parebts did the same. In 1991, I moved (without siblings or parents) back to Boston for a year, then to London (my spiritual and preferred home) where I established a consultancy in the City, offering advice to firms such as Barings, Legal and General, Lotus Corporation and Lloyds of London. There I stayed until that milestone year, 2000, when an offer from Credit Suisse drew me to Switzerland. From 2000-2005 I lived and worked in Zurich, and then again from 2008-2010, before returning to Melbourne to spend time with my family.
Rights to my book have been sold to Spain, Brazil and Vietnam.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 26, 2012
Imagine being raised in a little village... training to be a healer.... learning the craft from mother to daughter. Life is fairly simple until you are told that you must become the apprentice of a famous alchemist. That is what happens to the heroine of this story. She is just a girl and within a day of leaving the safety of Queerwood she is thrust into a dangerous role of having to help the alchemist save the city of Vail from losing it's crops and the possibility of all of the people perishing due to lack of food. The mysterious part is that she was destined for this role since she was small. Everything is connected and the truth comes out as she embarks on a dangerous and unforgettable adventure.
LOVED THIS STORY!!!!!
LOVED THIS STORY!!!!!
January 13, 2012
Don't recommend this for your children. Put it on a top shelf so they ask permission to read it. Or, they could climb up the shelves to get what they want to have.
Why should anyone want to read a story which is not what the reviewers are looking for? It is not fantasy; there's no magic here. And, Jenny Swift is not a hero; also, the rough, coarse servant actually turns out to be trustworthy protector; and, the attractive young man is not all he seems to be. Who would approve of this tale of a bygone age of young Robin Hoods who fight, not for personal glory but for something better?
Are we making a mistake in choosing books for young readers, escaping in fantasy, the popular choice of our times? No, we've all been there, needing to believe the impossible; and most of us have survived and gone on with our search for meaning, after the comfort of popular culture. So, perhaps parents should read this before recommending this to their children, untrained to select for themselves.
What is so interesting about an innocent girl in becoming a woman, trusting an apparently heartless teacher? In our suburbs today, aren't the roads crowded by cars dropping children at school and picking them up to keep them from dangerous strangers or noisy public transport? Can we truly believe that Jenny Swift has been prepared by her parents' love and mother's special knowledge to put her in the care of a revered alchemist to learn from his extraordinary knowledge? Her mother's exotic features mark her as a strange foreigner, and her father has chosen to relinquish a courtly position to become a woodcutter and care for his wife and child.
But, reading Brimstone did make my heart beat with excitement and expectation, wanting to find that Jenny's experiences, with help from her surprisingly capable friends, would nurture the wisdom and skills required to defeat a sinister enemy. I was not disappointed.
Why should anyone want to read a story which is not what the reviewers are looking for? It is not fantasy; there's no magic here. And, Jenny Swift is not a hero; also, the rough, coarse servant actually turns out to be trustworthy protector; and, the attractive young man is not all he seems to be. Who would approve of this tale of a bygone age of young Robin Hoods who fight, not for personal glory but for something better?
Are we making a mistake in choosing books for young readers, escaping in fantasy, the popular choice of our times? No, we've all been there, needing to believe the impossible; and most of us have survived and gone on with our search for meaning, after the comfort of popular culture. So, perhaps parents should read this before recommending this to their children, untrained to select for themselves.
What is so interesting about an innocent girl in becoming a woman, trusting an apparently heartless teacher? In our suburbs today, aren't the roads crowded by cars dropping children at school and picking them up to keep them from dangerous strangers or noisy public transport? Can we truly believe that Jenny Swift has been prepared by her parents' love and mother's special knowledge to put her in the care of a revered alchemist to learn from his extraordinary knowledge? Her mother's exotic features mark her as a strange foreigner, and her father has chosen to relinquish a courtly position to become a woodcutter and care for his wife and child.
But, reading Brimstone did make my heart beat with excitement and expectation, wanting to find that Jenny's experiences, with help from her surprisingly capable friends, would nurture the wisdom and skills required to defeat a sinister enemy. I was not disappointed.
January 27, 2020
Brimstone is the first book in the Earth, Air, Fire and Water series, and we are introduced to Jenny. Her mother was a healer but Jenny is walking down the path toward Alchemy, which is where all the twists and turns of this book come into play.
Set in the court of the Duke, there is plenty of action to keep your interest. The world-building is fantastic, and the characters are all believable.
An excellent start to the series and one I hope to continue with.
Set in the court of the Duke, there is plenty of action to keep your interest. The world-building is fantastic, and the characters are all believable.
An excellent start to the series and one I hope to continue with.
December 8, 2012
Excellent YA fantasy! I loved the characters in Brimstone and the plot captured me completely. Brimstone accomplishes something wonderful I think in that it gives female fans of fantasy adventure a protagonist worth relating to, while retaining broader appeal and without sacrificing the quality of the work. Brimstone is a rare gem and I am very eagerly awaiting the sequel.
November 9, 2013
I picked this up because it looked interesting. I wasn't disappointed. Though some of the characters seem a little one dimensional and the active voice switching abruptly from one person to another could have made for an awful reading experience, Skinner's skill in telling a story is not overshadowed. I can't wait to find out what kind of mess Jenny gets into next!
June 25, 2013
I enjoyed this book, the story was great and I'd love to read more. The only thing I did think that the ending seemed a bit rushed, once the action was over, the end came really quickly.
April 6, 2019
Brimstone
Loved this book. Story is wonderful. Having a female protagonist during the time frame of this story makes it almost feel like science fiction. Great story. Highly recommend.
Loved this book. Story is wonderful. Having a female protagonist during the time frame of this story makes it almost feel like science fiction. Great story. Highly recommend.
December 27, 2021
Good Read
I found this book to be a fairly good read. It was well written and held my interest. I liked the characters.
I found this book to be a fairly good read. It was well written and held my interest. I liked the characters.
January 23, 2022
Who dun it of the old school
June 25, 2022
love your books and the characters and the bear I may be 59 but you have got me reading every night more books please
March 3, 2023
Cũng tàm tạm, cốt truyện hơi cuốn nhưng twist khá dễ đoán
June 3, 2014
3.5/5
Brimstone is an intriguing and original story, with a premise that stands out from many other young adult novels. It is the tale of fourteen-year-old Jenny Swift, who is forced to leave her father and her sick mother in order to become the new apprentice of Master Richard Antrobus, a renowned alchemist. At first, Jenny resents her apprenticeship and has no interest in becoming an alchemist In Vale, and wished to return home and become a healer like her mother. Living a sheltered life with her parents has left her unprepared for the hard, suspicious world she is thrown in to – she is labelled as an “outsider” because of her skin and her appearance, and also because she is female – a rarity among apprentices. Soon however, Jenny is pulled into danger that threatens to harm many people, and Jenny must use her great skill and natural abilities to protect those she cares for.
The first thing I have to say about Brimstone is do not let the cover put you off. Yes, okay, we can all agree it is not the best of covers, but it’s what’s inside that counts, and you’d be missing out if you skipped over this one. While I found the story slow to start, it becomes much better-paced when Jenny starts to get settled in Vale. While the book is very plot-driven, and so perhaps lacks completely developed characters, I really like the main character Jenny. She coped with everything that was thrown at her really well in my opinion, and kept a cool head even in dangerous situations. She was also very smart, and could piece together the puzzle to work out what was going on – she was strong-willed and refused to go down without a fight. She was a great main character and really made the stay enjoyable.
I also liked Frida and Emily, Jenny’s friends, and I liked it when they worked together – it showed a bit of girl power, which was great in an environment where everyone was judged by gender, race and rank. I liked Emily especially, because she was fun and lively and added humour to the story.
There were a lot of twists and turns in Brimstone – there was a really unexpected one at the end that shocked me and made me feel really sorry for the people involved. There was quite a lot of action going on, and I particularly enjoyed the scene between Jenny and Nate (a man looking for a certain object, which Jenny had); Jenny had to think really quickly and had to be strong in order to get out of the dangerous situation she was in, and I found it exciting to read about.
While there is going to be a sequel to Brimstone, you can rest assured that there is no huge cliffhanger to frustrate you – most things are wrapped up, with a few loose ends to be continued in the next book, and the ending leaves you with a satisfied feeling.
The only problem I had with Brimstone was that I felt some parts were perhaps a little too descriptive, and while I felt I could really picture what was going on, I did find myself skimming over a few paragraphs and then having to re-read them, which sort of jumbled the story for me.
Overall, Brimstone was a fresh, thrilling read, and while it’s not fantasy, I think it would appeal to fans of that genre, as well as those interested in alchemy.
Brimstone is an intriguing and original story, with a premise that stands out from many other young adult novels. It is the tale of fourteen-year-old Jenny Swift, who is forced to leave her father and her sick mother in order to become the new apprentice of Master Richard Antrobus, a renowned alchemist. At first, Jenny resents her apprenticeship and has no interest in becoming an alchemist In Vale, and wished to return home and become a healer like her mother. Living a sheltered life with her parents has left her unprepared for the hard, suspicious world she is thrown in to – she is labelled as an “outsider” because of her skin and her appearance, and also because she is female – a rarity among apprentices. Soon however, Jenny is pulled into danger that threatens to harm many people, and Jenny must use her great skill and natural abilities to protect those she cares for.
The first thing I have to say about Brimstone is do not let the cover put you off. Yes, okay, we can all agree it is not the best of covers, but it’s what’s inside that counts, and you’d be missing out if you skipped over this one. While I found the story slow to start, it becomes much better-paced when Jenny starts to get settled in Vale. While the book is very plot-driven, and so perhaps lacks completely developed characters, I really like the main character Jenny. She coped with everything that was thrown at her really well in my opinion, and kept a cool head even in dangerous situations. She was also very smart, and could piece together the puzzle to work out what was going on – she was strong-willed and refused to go down without a fight. She was a great main character and really made the stay enjoyable.
I also liked Frida and Emily, Jenny’s friends, and I liked it when they worked together – it showed a bit of girl power, which was great in an environment where everyone was judged by gender, race and rank. I liked Emily especially, because she was fun and lively and added humour to the story.
There were a lot of twists and turns in Brimstone – there was a really unexpected one at the end that shocked me and made me feel really sorry for the people involved. There was quite a lot of action going on, and I particularly enjoyed the scene between Jenny and Nate (a man looking for a certain object, which Jenny had); Jenny had to think really quickly and had to be strong in order to get out of the dangerous situation she was in, and I found it exciting to read about.
While there is going to be a sequel to Brimstone, you can rest assured that there is no huge cliffhanger to frustrate you – most things are wrapped up, with a few loose ends to be continued in the next book, and the ending leaves you with a satisfied feeling.
The only problem I had with Brimstone was that I felt some parts were perhaps a little too descriptive, and while I felt I could really picture what was going on, I did find myself skimming over a few paragraphs and then having to re-read them, which sort of jumbled the story for me.
Overall, Brimstone was a fresh, thrilling read, and while it’s not fantasy, I think it would appeal to fans of that genre, as well as those interested in alchemy.
October 21, 2011
MAKE SURE TO VISIT MY BLOG (http://wordsonpaperya.blogspot.com) AND ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR 'BRIMSTONE'! (AU only, starts 24/10)
4/5
What Skinner has written in 'Brimstone' is a cleverly spun tale that draws upon a reader's imagination in ways that any good fantasy novel should. Full of drama, danger, intrigue, magic, astonishment, and Romance with a capital 'R', 'Brimstone' fires up to a good start - as a series starter and a debut novel.
We begin with Jenny Swift, who is taken away from her home in the most horrid conditions she thought possible - only a handful of days left of her mum's life and she will be spending them playing the role of alchemist's apprentice. To one of the most esteemed and acknowledged alchemists in the world, mind, which would serve as a huge honour for anyone. But Jenny just wants to be with her parents and live in their cosy home in the woodlands. As Jenny and Antrobus, the alchemist, reach the great city of Vale, Jenny is thrown into imminent danger. Murder, betrayal...
Like any book, 'Brimstone' comes with its good points, and its bad points. Cover-wise, I probably would not have taken a second glance at it, to be completely honest. It's nothing to jump over the moon about, and it has a dated look to it. It gets the job done though.
Writing: 3rd perspective. Yes, it did result in a bit of a detached feeling towards the characters. Overall, it was also quite wordy (at times), and I did need to skip passages I found unnecessary. At best, Skinner remembers to include all the senses when describing something that should be dramatic and elicit strong reactions from the reader.
Characters: I liked and appreciated them the same way I would appreciate a Shakespearean character - a good point by far. I think with more character development, that I'm hoping will be in the next books, these characters can go much further and become memorable ones. I don't have a favourite, though I did enjoy the scenes with Emily and Jenny together; they have such a great friendship.
Ending: Definitive, momentous, heartfelt and dramatic. The twists at the end really threw me off, but any twists usually do.
Recommended for any fan of the fantasy/historical genres.
Note: Thank you Sibling Press for the documents and notes on the book, AND the actual book itself! I actually didn't have a look through the notes until afterward, and if I had known there was a character list in there I would have looked further, since there are so many characters in this book!
MAKE SURE TO VISIT MY BLOG (http://wordsonpaperya.blogspot.com) AND ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR 'BRIMSTONE'! (AU only)
4/5
What Skinner has written in 'Brimstone' is a cleverly spun tale that draws upon a reader's imagination in ways that any good fantasy novel should. Full of drama, danger, intrigue, magic, astonishment, and Romance with a capital 'R', 'Brimstone' fires up to a good start - as a series starter and a debut novel.
We begin with Jenny Swift, who is taken away from her home in the most horrid conditions she thought possible - only a handful of days left of her mum's life and she will be spending them playing the role of alchemist's apprentice. To one of the most esteemed and acknowledged alchemists in the world, mind, which would serve as a huge honour for anyone. But Jenny just wants to be with her parents and live in their cosy home in the woodlands. As Jenny and Antrobus, the alchemist, reach the great city of Vale, Jenny is thrown into imminent danger. Murder, betrayal...
Like any book, 'Brimstone' comes with its good points, and its bad points. Cover-wise, I probably would not have taken a second glance at it, to be completely honest. It's nothing to jump over the moon about, and it has a dated look to it. It gets the job done though.
Writing: 3rd perspective. Yes, it did result in a bit of a detached feeling towards the characters. Overall, it was also quite wordy (at times), and I did need to skip passages I found unnecessary. At best, Skinner remembers to include all the senses when describing something that should be dramatic and elicit strong reactions from the reader.
Characters: I liked and appreciated them the same way I would appreciate a Shakespearean character - a good point by far. I think with more character development, that I'm hoping will be in the next books, these characters can go much further and become memorable ones. I don't have a favourite, though I did enjoy the scenes with Emily and Jenny together; they have such a great friendship.
Ending: Definitive, momentous, heartfelt and dramatic. The twists at the end really threw me off, but any twists usually do.
Recommended for any fan of the fantasy/historical genres.
Note: Thank you Sibling Press for the documents and notes on the book, AND the actual book itself! I actually didn't have a look through the notes until afterward, and if I had known there was a character list in there I would have looked further, since there are so many characters in this book!
MAKE SURE TO VISIT MY BLOG (http://wordsonpaperya.blogspot.com) AND ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR 'BRIMSTONE'! (AU only)
August 6, 2013
This is a wonderfully well-imagined novel with terrific, strong characters and a well thought out story. Jenny Swift is plucked from her woodland home aged fifteen by Richard Antrobus, the master alchemist of small city-state Vale, who has chosen her for her extraordinary healing abilities to become his apprentice. She is immediately plunged into a world of danger and intrigue when Antrobus is attacked on their way to Vale, and the first few days of Jenny's apprenticeship become a race to find out more about her master, about the city she has moved to, and about the sciences of alchemy which seem to attract such danger.
The novel is pitched at a young adult audience, and certainly the occasional brutalities of a quasi-mediaeval style society might mildly alarm a much younger child, though Skinner has dealt with the hardships of his plot twists very carefully so as not to linger unnecessarily on the deaths that do take place. Nonetheless, there is a lovely child-like quality to this book at times, in Jenny's journey of discovery of herself, of alchemy, and of the city that contrasts so starkly with the peaceful woodlands of her sheltered childhood. Jenny draws all sorts of attention herself, for she is one female apprentice among boys, and her mother's exotic heritage means she looks unusual too. She has a typical teenager's anxieties about her looks, but she is also a great role model for following your talents and doing what you're good at, regardless of what others might think. We see Jenny make a friend in the marvellously flirtatious Emily Trickett, and her courage to help others engages both her friends in the novel and the reader.
This is a really well-written novel, a delightful read, and the next stories from Jenny's apprenticeship will be well worth the wait.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial and honest review. I am a reviewer for Awesome Indies.
The novel is pitched at a young adult audience, and certainly the occasional brutalities of a quasi-mediaeval style society might mildly alarm a much younger child, though Skinner has dealt with the hardships of his plot twists very carefully so as not to linger unnecessarily on the deaths that do take place. Nonetheless, there is a lovely child-like quality to this book at times, in Jenny's journey of discovery of herself, of alchemy, and of the city that contrasts so starkly with the peaceful woodlands of her sheltered childhood. Jenny draws all sorts of attention herself, for she is one female apprentice among boys, and her mother's exotic heritage means she looks unusual too. She has a typical teenager's anxieties about her looks, but she is also a great role model for following your talents and doing what you're good at, regardless of what others might think. We see Jenny make a friend in the marvellously flirtatious Emily Trickett, and her courage to help others engages both her friends in the novel and the reader.
This is a really well-written novel, a delightful read, and the next stories from Jenny's apprenticeship will be well worth the wait.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial and honest review. I am a reviewer for Awesome Indies.
March 27, 2012
This book moves deceptively fast: there were times when Jenny (the protagonist) is frustrated by the lack of action, then you find out it's only been a day. The plot is interesting, though I wouldn't call it mind blowing or anything. It is also very straight forward read; there's only one plot and zero side story.
Jenny is quite naive, having grown up far away from everyone except her parents. This innocence pops up throughout the book and unfortunately does nothing for the "heroine." For instance, she decides not to lock the front door of her master's house because there are people home. Just because you live in the forest doesn't mean you shouldn't lock your door (I grew up in the ghetto, but this really irked me). Then, after repeatedly being told that all alchemists keep secrets, she goes and blabs it right away. No hesitation to what she was doing. Luckily this worked to her benefit, but seriously?!
Lastly what bothered me was not being able to figure out where the heck this is set. The author mentions familiar places (Venice/Venetian, etc) but then goes on to make up a majority of the other names. Confusing, to say the least.
Interesting plot that could have been better executed. Jenny learns alchemy quickly and independently in the face of a tough situation, however as a person she doesn't grow all that much. Yes, she is no longer angry for being taken from her family, but she does not speak up about her concerns (even though, to me, it was very obvious who the villain was), fails to listen to sage advice, and altogether lacks some common sense.
Jenny is quite naive, having grown up far away from everyone except her parents. This innocence pops up throughout the book and unfortunately does nothing for the "heroine." For instance, she decides not to lock the front door of her master's house because there are people home. Just because you live in the forest doesn't mean you shouldn't lock your door (I grew up in the ghetto, but this really irked me). Then, after repeatedly being told that all alchemists keep secrets, she goes and blabs it right away. No hesitation to what she was doing. Luckily this worked to her benefit, but seriously?!
Lastly what bothered me was not being able to figure out where the heck this is set. The author mentions familiar places (Venice/Venetian, etc) but then goes on to make up a majority of the other names. Confusing, to say the least.
Interesting plot that could have been better executed. Jenny learns alchemy quickly and independently in the face of a tough situation, however as a person she doesn't grow all that much. Yes, she is no longer angry for being taken from her family, but she does not speak up about her concerns (even though, to me, it was very obvious who the villain was), fails to listen to sage advice, and altogether lacks some common sense.
May 11, 2013
Even though this is classed as a fantasy book, there is no magic involved. Despite that, I found this to be an enjoyable and very quick read (one day). Recommended for those of you who just want to read a quick book, with likeable characters, a fast paced story line with not much lovey-dovey stuff. Well, there is a little bit of teenage girl angst, but what doesn't seem to have that these days? But there wasn't a lot of it to make me go bleugh.
April 9, 2012
YA, not exactly fantasy. It feels like fantasy, but there is NO magic in it at all. Main character is a teenage girl who is forced to apprentice to an alchemist. Well written characters, although I did find the villain a bit too easy to predict.
December 30, 2014
The story idea was fine, just nothing special. The writing style was a bit off too - I gave up at about 80%, when it should have been getting good. Even though it's a free book on Kindle, it's not worth your time!
December 28, 2015
I read this book a while ago and at this point I don't really remember what it is about or what I liked specifically. I do remember liking the suspense and action and that the main character was a great leading girl. Hopefully, I will reread it and write a better review in the future.
March 20, 2016
Fun book
A fun and exciting book written for both the young and the young-at-heart. Lots of actions in what turns out to be a mystery, but doesn't seem one at first.
Fun characters and fast paced plot. Well written. Really enjoyed my afternoon reading this book.
A fun and exciting book written for both the young and the young-at-heart. Lots of actions in what turns out to be a mystery, but doesn't seem one at first.
Fun characters and fast paced plot. Well written. Really enjoyed my afternoon reading this book.
August 11, 2016
I liked this book. Found the ending to be a bit brisk for my taste. Would like to have had a bit more of an ending after all the excitement.
Kindle version.
Kindle version.
April 16, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy read and was better than I thought it was going to be, I found myself not wanting to put it down.
May 9, 2012
Well done. I pickied this up as a free Kindle download on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised. Good story and characters. Strong feminine lead. Recommend!
June 28, 2012
Fairly good read for a YA book.very fast paced and the story draws you in from the start.
September 4, 2012
Free book from Kindle which I really enjoyed!
January 1, 2014
Coming of age tale, fast paced, easy read. Amazon kindle freebie.
March 22, 2016
Excellent
I found this book very well written and exciting . I love a book with a strong woman as the main character. Can't wait to read the next one.
I found this book very well written and exciting . I love a book with a strong woman as the main character. Can't wait to read the next one.
March 8, 2012
I enjoyed the richly-detailed setting of this book. :)
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