Alchemiya

by Katey Hawthorne

Eugenia was born to privilege in the Ratna clan, nobility famed for their alchemical jewel production. Eugenia’s a talented alchemist herself - but the patriarchy insists her less able brother is the heir to the family secrets and property. As if that weren’t insult enough, an accidentally public tryst with another woman means Genie is shunned by polite society altogether.

Enter the gorgeous Lord Oliver Plumtree, scion of one of the oldest alchemical families in Chrysopoeia and master of the foreboding Waldgrave Abbey. But Lord Oliver is actually Olivia, and on the lookout for a wife - one who requires an escape from the same crushing social mores that have forced Olivia to masquerade as her own long-dead brother to keep her family’s estate intact.

Genie and Liv seem a perfect match from the get-go, and things heat up quickly between them. But before they can carry off their marriage of convenience, Waldgrave Abbey reveals more secrets. Jealous Plumtree relatives and Liv’s association with the Secret Society of Alchemiya, rumored to be a dark and sinister arm of the patriarchy, might just ruin Genie and Liv’s chance at their unlikely happily ever after.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Steampunk, LGBT, Lesbian, Novella

Audible Audio

First published September 5, 2016

About the author

Hi! I'm Katey. I write superpowered and fantasy romance of an LGBTQIA bent. I live at Superpowered Love -- kateyhawthorne.com.

I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:

Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alchemiya by Katey Hawthorne
Historical steampunk F - F romance novella.
Genie is shunned by polite society after being caught in a public tryst with another woman. She agrees to an engagement from another prominent family. Lord Oliver has also had some romantic gossip around him because he’s actually Olivia in disguise. The union between Genie and Liv seems like a perfect pairing until there is a threat of exposure.

Great world building and a wonderful romance for a couple that didn’t expect to get their own HEA. A perfect solution for the two separate problems.

[Suzanne Bourgeois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am calling this alchemical punk. This was an amazing story. It had a little bit of everything: the rebellious, because she is repressed girl, the war for gender equality, the class war in general, and it was all wrapped up in an adorable romance. I will be unpacking the nuances for many readings to come. Also this was my forst f/f romance and i have one word: Hawt!

[Amber Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read my first f/f and Alchemiya by Katey Hawthorne was the perfect book to start with. I genuinely liked the characters and enjoyed their chemistry together. Their world was an interesting and I liked getting to learn more about Alchemy.

[Fanni's So Many Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alchemiya is a steam punk F/F romance novella. It's short, the world is interesting, and the romance is surprising and sweet.

The steam punk setting was perfect. It added a nice background with a society that repressed women, queer people struggling to find their happiness, and a touch of magic in the form of alchemiya.

While the premise of the book promised an interesting story, the book was lacking in actual plot and excitement. Even after more than a quarter of the book, I couldn't really figure out what the point was. If I didn't know there was romance to look forward to, the book would've felt entirely pointless.

And though there were some hints of something secretive and mysterious in the alchemical society, I would've loved to see more. I hope this is explored more in book 2.

The characters were refreshing. Both female MCs were interesting, and I liked how they interacted and how their relationship developed from friendship to something more. The purpose of women in society is to be pretty and good wife material, which notion both of the rejected. On their own ways.

The storytelling lacked a bit in terms of descriptiveness. A little more look into the world and surroundings would've helped a lot to brighten the picture I had in my head about how this steam punk world looks like.

Overall, this one is a short and sweet steam punk F/F romance with most of the focus on the romance plot and not much else.

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. The world was fascinating and I enjoyed Genie and Liv immensely. I very much want more in this world. The audio was very good!

[L.B. Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time period where women are decorative chess pieces, Eugenia is her family’s pawn while Olivia is her family’s knight. Alchemiya delivers steamy historical lesbian fiction. I appreciate that the novel makes it clear that Olivia is not a trans-masc character; she is a Shakespearean plot point here to overthrow the patriarchy. There are trans characters included that I hope we get to spend more time with in the sequel. As an enby human, I appreciate the way the “character is disguised as a lord!” trope was written. Extra fun, Olivia has one moment of mansplaining that really slaps home that privilege comes from how we are socialized. Don’t worry, mansplaining isn’t a big element of this romance. Eugenia is toppy as hell, Liv is a strong and loving kitten, and gender is a construct. I can’t wait to read the sequel and see how their story progresses!

My only want is that I was waiting for more alchemy, and the focus of book 1 is more about how these characters establish their relationship. There are seeds of something secret and intriguing about alchemical society… and I will have to wait until book 2 to find out WHAT’S IN THE FAMILY LIBRARY, LORD PLUMTREE? Tell me more! If you’re here for lesbians, historical fiction, and a alchemy you’ll be set. If you’re like me, you’re snagging the sequel right now to find out WHAT NEXT?

Bonus: Audiobook format? WONDERFUL. Rich, rolling perfection. Take a car trip and roll your windows up when the smut kicks in.

[Anushka Reddy Marri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love for novellas just doubled!

Beginning with a fantasy Bridgeton vibe, Alchemiya is the story of Euginea and Olivia as they fight the patriarchal society which does not let them shine to their truest potential just by their virtue of being women. Olivia is masquerading as her dead twin brother to save their estate from passing on to whichever relative has a male heir.

They immediately are smitten with each other when they meet but their journey will not be very smooth sailing.

Alchemiya is perfect - What starts off as a 'Too good to be true' romance gets intercepted with mysterious warning letters and rumors of a secret society. Will the MCs overcome these interruptions and salvage their relationship? Are the rumors of the secret society real?

This is a well-written novella with good characters and world-building. I liked how the reading experience is elevated with excerpts from books that Genie reads. It feels like there is a lot more to uncover and while the novella was good, it felt a bit incomplete to me. Or, maybe it was so good that I was left wanting more.

I cannot wait to dive into part 2!!!

Thank you to the author and Pride book Tours for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure when I was going into it how I would feel, but as I got further and further into it, I didn’t want it to end.

I loved the chemistry between Genie and Liv, and that helped to make the story that much better. The suspense and mystery that was going throughout the whole book was done in such a way that it kept me wanting to know more. It kept me turning the pages.

There were times while I was reading that I was actually worried about what was going happen next.

Overall, I would say that if your looking for a good read in this genre, then you should check this one out.

*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers

[Deborah May · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very kindly gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited for the premise, it seemed to tick all the boxes for me. However, I am not a reader of erotic fiction, of which this has a lot crammed into a few short 114 pages. If you love that genre, you will have a much better time.

However, having said that, I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system this novella immersed us in. It had great atmosphere. You felt for the main characters and were rooting for them. It also highlighted some important conversations regarding gender, society and the role women "should" play.

Not a bad read overall, just not for me, unfortunately.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I snagged this sapphic romance novella on the most recent Stuff Your Kindle Day, and I'm glad I did! The two leads were likeable, their romance was sweet, and there were more sex scenes than I'd expected, but they were all well done. The first half is cozy and focuses on the romance, and suddenly there's tons of drama packed into second half. That's my main complaint: because this is only 100 pages, there's not enough time to sit with and absorb a plot point before the story immediately moves on to the next one. I would've loved another 50 pages or so, just to give everything a little more room to breathe. And I was expecting there to be a lot more alchemy!

[Dolorianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alchemiya was such a beautiful novella. It had a historical vibe mixed with magical science, and a couple who were able to readjust their futures to include a romance neither one thought they'd get a chance to have. I was happy to hear that the author is planning to continue their story in a series.

[JoLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fight For Equality
I loved this book due to all of the social stigmas it took on. And it had a steampunk feel. Just because she is a girl, she is getting passed over to take over the family business and is shunned because she is gay. But then she finds her love who is parading as a male. I am very picky about the historical romance books that I read but can't wait to read more by this author.

[B.J. Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this queer historical fantasy romance.
The story world of Alchemiya with the aristocratic alchemists was enthralling but what I loved even more was the bold, adventurous Genie and her love Olivia. This is their romance but there's a lot more to the story! I am SO looking forward to book 2!

[Creature · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters A LOT but I wish there was more explanation about the alchemist system and how it works. It doesn't do much explaining on that part. But I did really enjoy this one. Let's go lesbians! 🏳️‍🌈💗

[Michele Fogal · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was one serious problem with this book. It was too short!! So awesome I could have read 300 more pages. Let's hope she makes this a series...

[Mnms · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly uncomplicated case of mistaken identity

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this novella, the world building was brilliant and well developed and I'm intrigued by this world and its history.
The romance was also fantastic. One of my favorite f/f couples. I found Eugenia very relatable and I cared for her immediately. Olivia was equally likable and interesting and the two of them were just perfect together. They warmed my heart.
I can't wait to read more about this magical world.

[Maaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute historical steampunk sapphic romance! I really enjoyed this romance story and I feel that the steampunk/gaslamp vibes were on point and fit well into the world that has been created. I would definitely enjoy more books within the universe.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Besides the last paragraph, the blurb pretty much sums up this story. I’m rather pleased I didn’t read it too closely before opening the book, as I personally think the blurb gives too much away. The cover and genre are what attracted me, first and foremost.

The story is told in third person and from Genie’s point-of-view. The heroines, Eugenia and Liv are delightful characters. An unsuspecting couple at that. Genie who is much more worldly than the virginal Liv took great delight in educating Liv in the fine arts of lovemaking. The sex scenes, of course, were erotic. However, whether a reader finds them titillating or not will depend on what gets their blood pumping. Let’s just say there’s a lot of rutting.

As per the last line of the blurb, not everything is smooth sailing. With so many people seeing themselves as the greatest alchemist, egos and more are at stake. At times, the story is a story within a story (did that make sense?), as Genie is privy to reading ancient tombs in Olivia’s family library.

Besides mention of horses and carriages, I have no idea what era the story is set in. I must admit I found myself a little lost at times; I can’t put my finger on why. It was more than likely my state of mind at the time, and definitely not a reflection on a well thought-out story.

Notes are left which add mystery to the plot, along with talk of the SSA, aka Secret Society of Alchemist, or was it? All is revealed in the end.

People who enjoy historical settings, with scientific lingo, engaging heroines, and a side of spice, will more than likely enjoy 'Alchemiya.'

Copy provided in exchange for an honest review

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are super quick and quite fun introduction to a steampunk vibe historical romance. I read Alchemiya in just over a day and I’m about 70% of the way through The Tower (I’ve been quite poorly and struggling to focus) and I’ll definitely be finishing that today. For quicker readers you could 100% read both in the space of a day.

The representation in these books is a breath of fresh air. The LGBTQIA+ community are front and centre of these two books and I love it. We get to read the characters stories, hear the struggles that come with them and also see them thrive as their genuine selves.

For novellas, a lot of information is packed into the story to ensure relevant world and character building is done to support the plot and the readers journey. The author has done this so fluidly, there’s no confusion about who people are, what’s being discussed or the environment around the stories. If anything it has made me wish the books were longer to get more of this world of Alchemy, the details of the cultures and the characters that come to life within the pages. That is how much these shorter stories can sink into your skin, making you want more and more.

I’m conscious because they are shorter books that if I start talking plots I’ll create spoilers which is a no no for me. So what I can say, the books have a family they are so far centred around (this could change with future books, I’m just speaking of these two). There’s treacherous, sneaky, greedy relatives who want what’s not theirs and throwing curve balls to bring our characters down. So a bit of drama there. And there is romances.

I’m looking forward to finishing The Tower later today! And will be keeping an eye out for future novellas in this series

[Katey Hawthorne]

New book, new series. Bring the alchemy!