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Alchemy of Light and Shadow
In a world where relentless darkness breeds monstrous nightmares that hunt humanity every night, survival is confined within colossal domes forged through ancient alchemy.
Within these protective walls, a militaristic and aristocratic society thrives, bolstered by soldiers wielding elemental alchemy to battle the beasts that threaten their existence.
But danger lurks not only outside the domes; it festers within, as fear and ambition twist humanity into its own worst enemy. When a city falls, three siblings are thrust into the chaos, training to become soldiers in a desperate bid for survival.
Seven years later, another city succumbs to nightmarish horrors, pushing the remaining sanctuaries to their breaking point. As refugees flood in and resources dwindle, a daring squad is dispatched to reclaim a lost city.
Captain Sterling, leader of the elite squad, and Elizabeth, a soldier with a perilous and unique gift, are forced to confront their deep-seated differences amidst the turmoil.
As they navigate a world rife with betrayal and the haunting specter of their own humanity, they must unite to combat the true monsters that threaten to consume their world.
Can they harness their powers and trust one another long enough to save their fragile society, or will they be swallowed by the very darkness they fight against?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This story that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the struggle for survival in a world filled with danger and political intrigue, with a slow-burning romance and a focus on character development.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This book contains subject matter that might be difficult for some readers, including violence, mass death, monsters, explicit gore, parental abandonment, parental death, political and military corruption, idealisation of suicide and sacrifice, explicit language, consumption of alcohol and explicit sexual content. This is a book for adults !
Within these protective walls, a militaristic and aristocratic society thrives, bolstered by soldiers wielding elemental alchemy to battle the beasts that threaten their existence.
But danger lurks not only outside the domes; it festers within, as fear and ambition twist humanity into its own worst enemy. When a city falls, three siblings are thrust into the chaos, training to become soldiers in a desperate bid for survival.
Seven years later, another city succumbs to nightmarish horrors, pushing the remaining sanctuaries to their breaking point. As refugees flood in and resources dwindle, a daring squad is dispatched to reclaim a lost city.
Captain Sterling, leader of the elite squad, and Elizabeth, a soldier with a perilous and unique gift, are forced to confront their deep-seated differences amidst the turmoil.
As they navigate a world rife with betrayal and the haunting specter of their own humanity, they must unite to combat the true monsters that threaten to consume their world.
Can they harness their powers and trust one another long enough to save their fragile society, or will they be swallowed by the very darkness they fight against?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This story that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the struggle for survival in a world filled with danger and political intrigue, with a slow-burning romance and a focus on character development.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This book contains subject matter that might be difficult for some readers, including violence, mass death, monsters, explicit gore, parental abandonment, parental death, political and military corruption, idealisation of suicide and sacrifice, explicit language, consumption of alcohol and explicit sexual content. This is a book for adults !
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2024
15 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Myosotis
8 books31 followersMyosotis, forget me not.
My pen name reflects my choice to never forget my passion, myself, my interests, and the people who have marked my life. I try to remember all of that through writing. Each character, each story, is a facet of myself and my lived experiences I wish to remember--obviously, re-imagined in fantasy and fictional worlds and original characters.
This is not my career.
I just want to write stories that heal me, and maybe that can help you, too.
Follow me on this journey!
@myosotis_author
My pen name reflects my choice to never forget my passion, myself, my interests, and the people who have marked my life. I try to remember all of that through writing. Each character, each story, is a facet of myself and my lived experiences I wish to remember--obviously, re-imagined in fantasy and fictional worlds and original characters.
This is not my career.
I just want to write stories that heal me, and maybe that can help you, too.
Follow me on this journey!
@myosotis_author
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 19, 2023
I’m utterly impressed by the creativity and commitment it takes to create a fantasy of this caliber. World building that’s easy for the reader to understand but complex enough to be interesting with all its laws, history, and details—it’s one of the many things I enjoyed about this story.
Multiple POVs, multiple romances, and multiple reasons to stay invested in every character and their backgrounds and future. Well-written and easy to get wrapped up in, each one’s story is unique but interwoven and does its individual job of painting a bigger picture.
This book was excellently crafted, and it’s evident that both time and heart were generously poured into making it what it is. And after the ending’s revelations. . .I’m sure book 2 will be just as incredible.
Multiple POVs, multiple romances, and multiple reasons to stay invested in every character and their backgrounds and future. Well-written and easy to get wrapped up in, each one’s story is unique but interwoven and does its individual job of painting a bigger picture.
This book was excellently crafted, and it’s evident that both time and heart were generously poured into making it what it is. And after the ending’s revelations. . .I’m sure book 2 will be just as incredible.
December 19, 2023
If you're looking for action, romance and unexpected plot twists, this could be your book. The story takes place in a fantasy land, where the humans live into safe and isolated cities that protect them from the Darkness. And we're talking of Darkness with the capital letter: a shapeless force that destroys and kills.
In order to survive, the human kind has developed the ability to cast elements: air, water, earth, fire and light...and our main characters are members of one of the most important and famous families of hunters (the name that is used to call people with casting powers).
The world the author has created is beautiful and unusual, and I really appreciated the society which is very well structured and defined.
I would have loved getting to know a little more all the characters, and not just to focus so much on Elizabeth and Sterling. But this is a romantasy, so I think they're going to occupy a big part of the serie.
This first book appears to me like an "open door" to the next ones: we have a breathtaking final cliffhanger and the story leaves you with the feeling that "this is just the beginning".
I am really curious of reading what's going to happen!
In order to survive, the human kind has developed the ability to cast elements: air, water, earth, fire and light...and our main characters are members of one of the most important and famous families of hunters (the name that is used to call people with casting powers).
The world the author has created is beautiful and unusual, and I really appreciated the society which is very well structured and defined.
I would have loved getting to know a little more all the characters, and not just to focus so much on Elizabeth and Sterling. But this is a romantasy, so I think they're going to occupy a big part of the serie.
This first book appears to me like an "open door" to the next ones: we have a breathtaking final cliffhanger and the story leaves you with the feeling that "this is just the beginning".
I am really curious of reading what's going to happen!
December 23, 2023
This book has a fantastical realm, where humanity battles the ominous Darkness in cities shielded from its malevolent monsters/demons. Under the domes, humans were safe, until one day one of the domes collapsed.
This is action packed book, with romance, unexpected twists, and relatable messy humans and it will introduce an amazing world where individuals wield elemental powers to survive.
Our protagonists come from one of the most renowned families, individuals blessed with casting abilities. As the story unfolds, we discover a meticulously crafted society, set against the backdrop of a beautifully unusual universe.
I loved that all characters were flawed or messy, this made them more reliable to me. I would love it if we had more of main character's love story and drama :D And you will get multiple POVs, side characters included.
The story does end on a cliffhanger, so I definitely cannot wait for the second book. Brace yourself – this is just the beginning, and the anticipation for what lies ahead is truly irresistible!
This is action packed book, with romance, unexpected twists, and relatable messy humans and it will introduce an amazing world where individuals wield elemental powers to survive.
Our protagonists come from one of the most renowned families, individuals blessed with casting abilities. As the story unfolds, we discover a meticulously crafted society, set against the backdrop of a beautifully unusual universe.
I loved that all characters were flawed or messy, this made them more reliable to me. I would love it if we had more of main character's love story and drama :D And you will get multiple POVs, side characters included.
The story does end on a cliffhanger, so I definitely cannot wait for the second book. Brace yourself – this is just the beginning, and the anticipation for what lies ahead is truly irresistible!
October 4, 2023
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲.
Thank you Myosotis, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
For a long time, humanity has been at war with Darkness as it was everywhere and everything. But there came a time when even Darkness became prey. Now, humanity is fighting back. Casters (soldiers with elemental powers) are the weapons against Darkness and its beasts, now known as daemons. Due to the first bloodlines containing these powers and first successful fights, humanity found a way to survive - fortifying settlements, that later became cities, then later Domes. These Domes were called Arcadia, Curiosity, Arden, Fortuna, Lumen and Eminence (the Capitol). The war between humans and deamons became known as the hunt.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒚.
This was my first book by this wonderful author. I see that Myosotis has other books, so I will for sure check those out too! What can I say. AOLAS is a dark science fantasy story set in a world which, in many aspects, resembles our own. I was swept away into this immersive world from the prologue and basically inhaled every word that was written. There were some bits and pieces that felt bit slow or repetitive, BUT this is the first book in the series, so it's understandable (as the mystery and world-building slowly is being uncovered). I would not like to be a soldier here, where average lifespan is 25 just fyi..
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒂 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔.
We follow 4 main character pov's.
Elisabeth - a noble and headstrong girl who doesn't possess powers like her family does. But she makes it up with her raw and powerful fighting with her scythe and her strong determination. A guardian for the remaining humanity.
Aevon - El's older brother and a Commander of the army. He's the youngest caster to ever achieve such a high post. He's a talented light caster with a marvelous mind for tactics. But sometimes a loving and too forgiving fool.
Sterling - a noble born fire caster and the famous Eminence's first squad captain. He's placed the Domes above all else. Duty and honor above everyone and everything. And all it had taken to break him was Elisabeth.
Robin - a fellow soldier who is air caster. Having survived sudden attack, she eventually finds a group of friends that she will protect no matter what. Especially her. Clever, powerful and calming person.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Dark Science Fantasy
* Dystopian world with magic system, gore and nightmarish creatures
* Elemental powers - fire, air, water, light and earth (think of ATLA or The Legend of Kora)
* Alchemy, weaponry (swords, scythe etc), tech, tattoos and more
* Academy setting (3 years of studies and training, before joining the army)
* 4 povs
* LGBTQIA+
* Mutual pining
* Dislike to Lovers
* Lovers to Enemies
* Forced Proximity
* Found Family
* Duty/Desire
* Slow burn
* Trust/Betrayal
* Soldier/Captain
* Political intrigue
* High stakes
* Great action scenes
Thank you Myosotis, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
For a long time, humanity has been at war with Darkness as it was everywhere and everything. But there came a time when even Darkness became prey. Now, humanity is fighting back. Casters (soldiers with elemental powers) are the weapons against Darkness and its beasts, now known as daemons. Due to the first bloodlines containing these powers and first successful fights, humanity found a way to survive - fortifying settlements, that later became cities, then later Domes. These Domes were called Arcadia, Curiosity, Arden, Fortuna, Lumen and Eminence (the Capitol). The war between humans and deamons became known as the hunt.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒚.
This was my first book by this wonderful author. I see that Myosotis has other books, so I will for sure check those out too! What can I say. AOLAS is a dark science fantasy story set in a world which, in many aspects, resembles our own. I was swept away into this immersive world from the prologue and basically inhaled every word that was written. There were some bits and pieces that felt bit slow or repetitive, BUT this is the first book in the series, so it's understandable (as the mystery and world-building slowly is being uncovered). I would not like to be a soldier here, where average lifespan is 25 just fyi..
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒂 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔.
We follow 4 main character pov's.
Elisabeth - a noble and headstrong girl who doesn't possess powers like her family does. But she makes it up with her raw and powerful fighting with her scythe and her strong determination. A guardian for the remaining humanity.
Aevon - El's older brother and a Commander of the army. He's the youngest caster to ever achieve such a high post. He's a talented light caster with a marvelous mind for tactics. But sometimes a loving and too forgiving fool.
Sterling - a noble born fire caster and the famous Eminence's first squad captain. He's placed the Domes above all else. Duty and honor above everyone and everything. And all it had taken to break him was Elisabeth.
Robin - a fellow soldier who is air caster. Having survived sudden attack, she eventually finds a group of friends that she will protect no matter what. Especially her. Clever, powerful and calming person.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Dark Science Fantasy
* Dystopian world with magic system, gore and nightmarish creatures
* Elemental powers - fire, air, water, light and earth (think of ATLA or The Legend of Kora)
* Alchemy, weaponry (swords, scythe etc), tech, tattoos and more
* Academy setting (3 years of studies and training, before joining the army)
* 4 povs
* LGBTQIA+
* Mutual pining
* Dislike to Lovers
* Lovers to Enemies
* Forced Proximity
* Found Family
* Duty/Desire
* Slow burn
* Trust/Betrayal
* Soldier/Captain
* Political intrigue
* High stakes
* Great action scenes
October 3, 2023
This was my first time reading anything from the author, I enjoyed this arc. It could use a bit of editing, nothing terrible that isn't easily correct while reading through. If you enjoy political scheming, mild conspiracies, mixed with elemental magic and a few surprises check this book out. Thank you for letting me be a part of the arc reading. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
December 26, 2023
Romance + plot twists in a fantasy world? What more can ya ask for really. I need the second book asap
December 11, 2023
I'VE LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!
I've read the Arc and I just can't tell how much I love El, her brothers and.... STERLING.
You're not ready for this character. Sterling Is such a beautiful MMC, with lots of complexity, deep emotions and thoughs. He Is an hard crush, get readyyyyyy.
What about the plot?
Original, brutal, dark and full of action. You can't breathe between the chapters, the suspense Is a real presence while you're reading and I think that the author made a great job in the process of writing such a complex worldbuilding. The storyline Is a mix of something already seen and not yet, It reminded me of Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist and Shadow and bone. I really loved all the characters, the plot twists and ALL I CAN SAY FOR NOW IS THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL.
I know that I have to wait... AOLAS isn't out yet and I'm here, waiting. So I'll keep waiting, but damn. What a torture.
I've read the Arc and I just can't tell how much I love El, her brothers and.... STERLING.
You're not ready for this character. Sterling Is such a beautiful MMC, with lots of complexity, deep emotions and thoughs. He Is an hard crush, get readyyyyyy.
What about the plot?
Original, brutal, dark and full of action. You can't breathe between the chapters, the suspense Is a real presence while you're reading and I think that the author made a great job in the process of writing such a complex worldbuilding. The storyline Is a mix of something already seen and not yet, It reminded me of Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist and Shadow and bone. I really loved all the characters, the plot twists and ALL I CAN SAY FOR NOW IS THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL.
I know that I have to wait... AOLAS isn't out yet and I'm here, waiting. So I'll keep waiting, but damn. What a torture.
February 10, 2024
This book was AMAZING *screaming-crying-throwing up*
Insane world building, well-written characters, I can't wait for the next piece.
Insane world building, well-written characters, I can't wait for the next piece.
March 10, 2024
5⭐️2🌶️
Such a unique and fantastic book to read!
Such a unique and fantastic book to read!
December 27, 2023
It often takes me a while to get to a point in a story where I can’t put a book down, so I was surprised that Alchemy of Light & Shadow drew me in so quickly. I literally could not put it down for the first 50%.
The world is well-crafted, the characters have depth and the chapters were short enough that I never felt disappointed at a change of POV. The universe was both intricate enough and well-explained enough that it was not difficult to follow the alchemical elements and the characters’ journeys.
If some of the plot twists were expected, I was still thoroughly engaged with the political and strategical parts of the story. This, for me, was the strongest part of the book. The worlds created by the author are rich with history and it was easy to visualize the scenes, landscapes and cities. We can feel that this first book only breaches the surface and we have so much more to learn about that universe in the next book.
Another surprise as I read this book, was that I did not like the romance. Whereas it’s usually my favorite part of any book, this one did not click for me, and for several reasons. Mostly, I deeply disliked Sterling and the imbalance in Elisabeth and his relationship. I was very excited at first by this rivals-to-lovers trope, and their game made for promising developments. Once they started interacting though, it felt flat for me. I will not spoiler tag the rest of my remarks on this, but there are vague spoilers as to their relationship.
At first Elisabeth was very cocky and confident and I loved her immediately for it. I remember thinking that she was one of those female characters that people often deem “unlikable” but that I adore. Give me a loud, mouthy and arrogant FMC, and I’ll be a happy reader. However, there comes a twist that changes that, and while I would usually just think that it’s character evolution, the fact that it coincided with the start of their relationship made it hard to consider this as her personal journey.
Sterling, on the other hand, is powerful and composed, he has influence and knows his way around their world better than anyone, while she becomes unsure of herself, develops an unhealthy dose of self-loathing and admires Sterling so much that she considers him the ideal to reach for. She’s in a position where her trust and self-confidence were destroyed because she has been lied to, and he’s the one who has to teach her about herself. I absolutely hated this imbalance of power.
If she had started as this “powerless”, unsure person, it would have been fine. What I resented was the fact that she went from A to B and her personal journey is so tied up with the romance plot that the imbalance felt omnipresent. There were a number of specific things that felt wrong to me and emphasized my feelings on this, unfortunately.
The relationship also lacked the heat I was expecting because the narration does not delve enough into the sensations their feelings provoke, so it often felt like we are were being told what they felt instead of shown. Because of this, the intensity of their feelings felt sometimes overdramatic. Fortunately, Sterling’s POV help to temper with this a bit, and there were enough of incredible other characters to keep me reeled in. The secondary romances, however, I am totally invested in (the existing ones and the ones that were hinted at). I especially adored Morgan, Declan and Janvier and I can’t wait to see what will become of them.
I will say that despite the romance that didn’t work for me, it never crossed my mind to dnf this book and it left me wanting to see more of this world, more of these characters and I hope more of the group dynamic that started to emerge in this first installment, as it’s always what I prefer in books. I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the second book.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me this ARC to review.
The world is well-crafted, the characters have depth and the chapters were short enough that I never felt disappointed at a change of POV. The universe was both intricate enough and well-explained enough that it was not difficult to follow the alchemical elements and the characters’ journeys.
If some of the plot twists were expected, I was still thoroughly engaged with the political and strategical parts of the story. This, for me, was the strongest part of the book. The worlds created by the author are rich with history and it was easy to visualize the scenes, landscapes and cities. We can feel that this first book only breaches the surface and we have so much more to learn about that universe in the next book.
Another surprise as I read this book, was that I did not like the romance. Whereas it’s usually my favorite part of any book, this one did not click for me, and for several reasons. Mostly, I deeply disliked Sterling and the imbalance in Elisabeth and his relationship. I was very excited at first by this rivals-to-lovers trope, and their game made for promising developments. Once they started interacting though, it felt flat for me. I will not spoiler tag the rest of my remarks on this, but there are vague spoilers as to their relationship.
At first Elisabeth was very cocky and confident and I loved her immediately for it. I remember thinking that she was one of those female characters that people often deem “unlikable” but that I adore. Give me a loud, mouthy and arrogant FMC, and I’ll be a happy reader. However, there comes a twist that changes that, and while I would usually just think that it’s character evolution, the fact that it coincided with the start of their relationship made it hard to consider this as her personal journey.
Sterling, on the other hand, is powerful and composed, he has influence and knows his way around their world better than anyone, while she becomes unsure of herself, develops an unhealthy dose of self-loathing and admires Sterling so much that she considers him the ideal to reach for. She’s in a position where her trust and self-confidence were destroyed because she has been lied to, and he’s the one who has to teach her about herself. I absolutely hated this imbalance of power.
If she had started as this “powerless”, unsure person, it would have been fine. What I resented was the fact that she went from A to B and her personal journey is so tied up with the romance plot that the imbalance felt omnipresent. There were a number of specific things that felt wrong to me and emphasized my feelings on this, unfortunately.
The relationship also lacked the heat I was expecting because the narration does not delve enough into the sensations their feelings provoke, so it often felt like we are were being told what they felt instead of shown. Because of this, the intensity of their feelings felt sometimes overdramatic. Fortunately, Sterling’s POV help to temper with this a bit, and there were enough of incredible other characters to keep me reeled in. The secondary romances, however, I am totally invested in (the existing ones and the ones that were hinted at). I especially adored Morgan, Declan and Janvier and I can’t wait to see what will become of them.
I will say that despite the romance that didn’t work for me, it never crossed my mind to dnf this book and it left me wanting to see more of this world, more of these characters and I hope more of the group dynamic that started to emerge in this first installment, as it’s always what I prefer in books. I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the second book.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me this ARC to review.
December 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Elizabeth Chevalier is a young guardian, a fierce fighter without magical abilities, while her brothers are strong casters like their parents. In this world, humans live in domed cities, shielded from the creatures of the Darkness. Casters and guardians train within a magical academy to fight in the Hunt, a never ending war against daemons.
After the mysterious disappearance of her parents 7 years ago, another catastrophic event occurs and another city falls. A mysterious book of alchemy is found at the scene, just like before. To save their world, hot-headed Elizabeth must work with the self-righteous firecaster Sterling Liang, Captain of an elite squad of soldiers, to uncover the truth behind the attacks while fighting creatures of the Darkness and betrayals from within.
Tropes/themes:
📖Multi POV
📖Dystopian fantasy
📖Dislike to lovers
📖Forced proximity
📖Political intrigue
📖Elemental magic & alchemy
📖Found family
📖Hidden identities
📖Slow burn romance
Myosotis seamlessly crafts a tale featuring multi-POVs and interwoven storylines. I loved the intentional prose, suspenseful intrigue, and rich characters. At the forefront, we have Elizabeth and Sterling. El is an irreverent, wild force of vengeance who wants to feel worthy and seen while Sterling is conflicted between his duty and his heart. Their mutual pining was intense and I’m so invested in their relationship.
The story also delves into the power imbalance of a fragile aristocracy and I’m looking forward to discovering more about each of these characters, the secrets surrounding their families, and this incredible world!
Blending elements of dystopian fantasy, alchemy, and romance, Alchemy of Light and Shadow introduces the reader to an astonishing new world with complex characters and thrilling action. I cannot wait for the next books in this series!
**I received a free e-ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Huge thanks to Myosotis for the opportunity!**
Elizabeth Chevalier is a young guardian, a fierce fighter without magical abilities, while her brothers are strong casters like their parents. In this world, humans live in domed cities, shielded from the creatures of the Darkness. Casters and guardians train within a magical academy to fight in the Hunt, a never ending war against daemons.
After the mysterious disappearance of her parents 7 years ago, another catastrophic event occurs and another city falls. A mysterious book of alchemy is found at the scene, just like before. To save their world, hot-headed Elizabeth must work with the self-righteous firecaster Sterling Liang, Captain of an elite squad of soldiers, to uncover the truth behind the attacks while fighting creatures of the Darkness and betrayals from within.
Tropes/themes:
📖Multi POV
📖Dystopian fantasy
📖Dislike to lovers
📖Forced proximity
📖Political intrigue
📖Elemental magic & alchemy
📖Found family
📖Hidden identities
📖Slow burn romance
Myosotis seamlessly crafts a tale featuring multi-POVs and interwoven storylines. I loved the intentional prose, suspenseful intrigue, and rich characters. At the forefront, we have Elizabeth and Sterling. El is an irreverent, wild force of vengeance who wants to feel worthy and seen while Sterling is conflicted between his duty and his heart. Their mutual pining was intense and I’m so invested in their relationship.
The story also delves into the power imbalance of a fragile aristocracy and I’m looking forward to discovering more about each of these characters, the secrets surrounding their families, and this incredible world!
Blending elements of dystopian fantasy, alchemy, and romance, Alchemy of Light and Shadow introduces the reader to an astonishing new world with complex characters and thrilling action. I cannot wait for the next books in this series!
**I received a free e-ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Huge thanks to Myosotis for the opportunity!**
October 12, 2023
4.25 stars!
Thank you so much to Myosotis for the ARC in exchange for my honest review with no spoilers.
What went well:
This was a fun, easy-to-read novel about a group I loved learning about and getting to know. It has many of the tropes we all love as well as an engaging magic system to allow those often-used tropes to shine. The characters were relatable, especially Elizabeth, who was my favorite character next to Aevon. This had a found family aspect to it that pulled me in immediately and just enough "fluffy" scenes to make the group feel whole.
Inspired by ATLA, the elemental magic was really well done and articulated into this mashup of sci-fi and fantasy, and made perfect sense with the history that was set up in this world. I love genre-bending, and AOLAS does it well, as I couldn't find any chink in the proverbial magic system armor.
Each main-ish character served a purpose for the overall mystery and overarching plot, which I appreciated, and felt myself drawing conclusions to some of the twists that were either half-correct, fully-correct, or completely off base. Which to me, means a well-done plot.
Slight critiques:
While the side romances in this book were done really well, I think the main romance lacked a bit of depth for me. I believe this to be distinctly related to the pacing, as many chapters began with "x days later" which for me lost some of the bonding moments that should have made the main romance a little brighter among the many twists and turns. I did, however, appreciate how the pacing did not make this book 1000 pages long like some sci fi or fantasies, so take that with a grain of salt!
Overall, I really enjoyed this arc and would recommend for (adult) fans of ATLA, The 100, and Shadowhunters + anyone who wishes to support a fellow lovely indie author who clearly put lots of love and effort into this book!
Thank you so much to Myosotis for the ARC in exchange for my honest review with no spoilers.
What went well:
This was a fun, easy-to-read novel about a group I loved learning about and getting to know. It has many of the tropes we all love as well as an engaging magic system to allow those often-used tropes to shine. The characters were relatable, especially Elizabeth, who was my favorite character next to Aevon. This had a found family aspect to it that pulled me in immediately and just enough "fluffy" scenes to make the group feel whole.
Inspired by ATLA, the elemental magic was really well done and articulated into this mashup of sci-fi and fantasy, and made perfect sense with the history that was set up in this world. I love genre-bending, and AOLAS does it well, as I couldn't find any chink in the proverbial magic system armor.
Each main-ish character served a purpose for the overall mystery and overarching plot, which I appreciated, and felt myself drawing conclusions to some of the twists that were either half-correct, fully-correct, or completely off base. Which to me, means a well-done plot.
Slight critiques:
While the side romances in this book were done really well, I think the main romance lacked a bit of depth for me. I believe this to be distinctly related to the pacing, as many chapters began with "x days later" which for me lost some of the bonding moments that should have made the main romance a little brighter among the many twists and turns. I did, however, appreciate how the pacing did not make this book 1000 pages long like some sci fi or fantasies, so take that with a grain of salt!
Overall, I really enjoyed this arc and would recommend for (adult) fans of ATLA, The 100, and Shadowhunters + anyone who wishes to support a fellow lovely indie author who clearly put lots of love and effort into this book!
December 28, 2023
4.5⭐️ This book was a breath of fresh air to the usual fantasy books I read (in a good way). The magic system was elemental but done in a way I have never seen before and the realm is very different to most magical worlds. The world is amazing and i cannot wait to learn more about the domes. All the characters were well developed and were all strong minded, we had no damsels in distress here, only powerful men and women. The secrets and betrayal in this book will keep you wanting more. There is a good amount of spice for a book 1 with out the romance plot taking over the main story. Also this book will leave you with a million questions and needing the next book. I would 100% reccomend reading this book.
October 24, 2023
This book is genuinely fantastic. The characters were well-rounded and believable, the imagery was clear and rich, the romance was perfectly balanced, and the plot twists sent me reeling! I already liked this author, but this book is far beyond even what I expected. It has me so excited to see what she comes up with next. I did find the amount of italics a bit distracting at first, but once I fell into the story, I didn't mind so much. Still a 5-star read, for sure.
Read
January 18, 2024Please note that I don't use the star system because I'm an author and don't personally feel it's appropriate to star other author's books.
*****************************
Main point of all the words after this is: What a story; I do recommend you pick this up!
First off, this is no small endeavor. A detailed plot that sweeps along with steady pacing, the development of four point of view characters, worldbuilding of wonderfully detailed proportions all speak to the author's strengths and ability to build within complex detail. I salute and admire this skill!
The strengths and delights of this book are in the worldbuilding and the storytelling, which don't overshadow the small issues so much as bulldoze them to the sides. Even with some bits where I wished to see it all happening and was a little frustrated with telling, just because I wanted to get closer to the wonderful characters, I was happily drawn deep into the world, the story.
There is so much genuine heart and soul poured into this book- I can feel the love the author has for her characters and this world. Whatever I longed for at various times with some gaps in the flow of characterization throughout a scene, I was given in the way they described their world and how they moved in it. I could connect with each of them.
If you're looking for a smart and carefully crafted high-stakes romance inside a wonderfully detailed, unique science fantasy world, this is a great book for a curl up. The author has a genuinely cinematic imagination, and translates that into written worldbuilding with a great plot. Areas where a bit more of a careful edit and proof would be useful are evident, but the story carried me right through.
I really enjoyed this refreshingly unique and compelling ride to and through the finish. I want to know what happens to everyone next and I’ll be reading the sequel!
*****************************
Main point of all the words after this is: What a story; I do recommend you pick this up!
First off, this is no small endeavor. A detailed plot that sweeps along with steady pacing, the development of four point of view characters, worldbuilding of wonderfully detailed proportions all speak to the author's strengths and ability to build within complex detail. I salute and admire this skill!
The strengths and delights of this book are in the worldbuilding and the storytelling, which don't overshadow the small issues so much as bulldoze them to the sides. Even with some bits where I wished to see it all happening and was a little frustrated with telling, just because I wanted to get closer to the wonderful characters, I was happily drawn deep into the world, the story.
There is so much genuine heart and soul poured into this book- I can feel the love the author has for her characters and this world. Whatever I longed for at various times with some gaps in the flow of characterization throughout a scene, I was given in the way they described their world and how they moved in it. I could connect with each of them.
If you're looking for a smart and carefully crafted high-stakes romance inside a wonderfully detailed, unique science fantasy world, this is a great book for a curl up. The author has a genuinely cinematic imagination, and translates that into written worldbuilding with a great plot. Areas where a bit more of a careful edit and proof would be useful are evident, but the story carried me right through.
I really enjoyed this refreshingly unique and compelling ride to and through the finish. I want to know what happens to everyone next and I’ll be reading the sequel!
August 6, 2024
This book is on my top 3 books from myosotis!
Do you like levi from AOT, suga from bts and just the best book boyfriend ever? Get ready to meet sterling!
I really don't want to spoil the story as for me it was a delight to go in blind but expect an amazing story and as myosotis is known for, good spice!
Do you like levi from AOT, suga from bts and just the best book boyfriend ever? Get ready to meet sterling!
I really don't want to spoil the story as for me it was a delight to go in blind but expect an amazing story and as myosotis is known for, good spice!
October 1, 2023
This is the first time I'm reading anything by Myosotis so I didn't know what to expect. Some things I really liked and others that prevented me from fully loving it.
What I loved :
The thing I liked the most about AoLaS was the world-building. You can see on the page that the author took the time to think about every detail. It was such a rich world and that alone blows my mind and I think it has a lot more surprises in store for us in the second book. It threw me back to the dystopia era back in 2010 with Divergent, Hunger Games and others, except this is adult, which suits my tastes better.
The plot was interesting as well and I'm curious to know where it will go in the following book(s).
We get multi POVs which I like in books but I must admit, I liked some more than others (Hello Sterling 😏). It was interesting to see the world we're thrown in in different perspective and I'm also curious to know if we'll get different characters' point of view in the book to come or will we stay with the ones we had here.
And then, there was the romance aspect. While it's not the main focus of the story, I really liked reading about the relationship growth between Sterling and El and it seemed natural and not over the top, which I always appreciate.
What kept me from giving 4 or 5 stars though is that after a time, it got quite repetitive to me. I wish we had less repetition about things we learned in previous chapters and that the author would have instead dived more into the growth of the characters' relationships or even their personal growth and arc as characters. While the relationship between Sterling and Elizabeth was well done, we got a lot of stuff told to us instead of shown when it comes to other characters who also have their own POV and I wouldn't have minded 100 or 200 pages more if it meant building more chemistry between them.
The author provided me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
ALCHEMY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS releases January 5th!
What I loved :
The thing I liked the most about AoLaS was the world-building. You can see on the page that the author took the time to think about every detail. It was such a rich world and that alone blows my mind and I think it has a lot more surprises in store for us in the second book. It threw me back to the dystopia era back in 2010 with Divergent, Hunger Games and others, except this is adult, which suits my tastes better.
The plot was interesting as well and I'm curious to know where it will go in the following book(s).
We get multi POVs which I like in books but I must admit, I liked some more than others (Hello Sterling 😏). It was interesting to see the world we're thrown in in different perspective and I'm also curious to know if we'll get different characters' point of view in the book to come or will we stay with the ones we had here.
And then, there was the romance aspect. While it's not the main focus of the story, I really liked reading about the relationship growth between Sterling and El and it seemed natural and not over the top, which I always appreciate.
What kept me from giving 4 or 5 stars though is that after a time, it got quite repetitive to me. I wish we had less repetition about things we learned in previous chapters and that the author would have instead dived more into the growth of the characters' relationships or even their personal growth and arc as characters. While the relationship between Sterling and Elizabeth was well done, we got a lot of stuff told to us instead of shown when it comes to other characters who also have their own POV and I wouldn't have minded 100 or 200 pages more if it meant building more chemistry between them.
The author provided me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
ALCHEMY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS releases January 5th!
November 24, 2023
This book gave me a mixed vibe of the shadowhunters and the last airbender. We get different pov's from not only our main couple but also others important characters which gave so much more perspective on the whole situation happening. You have founding families, casters of the elements, a battle between darkness and light, two people put together that are attracted to eachother but don't wanna admit it. Its has so many amazing elements, the world building is amazing. The story is incredible, the tension between the characters is just so ... ugh delicious. And when they finally do want to be together, they get ripped apart, i mean.... WHY???? I am sooo anxious for the next book, i need to know what happens with them, all of them.
November 20, 2024
3.75⭐️
It was a good book, but way to short. All about it felt so rushed. The months long jumps didn't make sense and left out so many details. In my opinion it would be much better if it was split in two books.
I hated how Elizabeth instantly knew how to controll the shadows after finding out she's a shadowcaster. There should have been shown more of her training and how she struggled with them.
Also the cursive words were overused and lowkey started to annoy me mid the book, but it's just a me thing.
This book is as if 'Avatar the last air bender' and 'Mortal Instruments' had a baby.
It was a good book, but way to short. All about it felt so rushed. The months long jumps didn't make sense and left out so many details. In my opinion it would be much better if it was split in two books.
I hated how Elizabeth instantly knew how to controll the shadows after finding out she's a shadowcaster. There should have been shown more of her training and how she struggled with them.
Also the cursive words were overused and lowkey started to annoy me mid the book, but it's just a me thing.
This book is as if 'Avatar the last air bender' and 'Mortal Instruments' had a baby.
February 23, 2025
I could barely put this book down, and now that I finished it I want more.
The little signs were there to anticipate certain events but they shocked me, I didn't see them coming until it happened.
I really like the multi person point of view. I always fall in love with side characters. I was able to fall in love with all the characters equally.
And Blair, seriously!? I know of all the events I choose to be angry about, it's Blair.
I knew Elizabeth was going to make the choice she made in the end. But I was still hoping she wouldn't.
I want more of this world and everyone in it.
The little signs were there to anticipate certain events but they shocked me, I didn't see them coming until it happened.
I really like the multi person point of view. I always fall in love with side characters. I was able to fall in love with all the characters equally.
And Blair, seriously!? I know of all the events I choose to be angry about, it's Blair.
I knew Elizabeth was going to make the choice she made in the end. But I was still hoping she wouldn't.
I want more of this world and everyone in it.
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