The Alchemary

The Alchemy Trials #1

by Rachel Vincent

Neither amnesia nor the brothers trying to steer her fate will stop Amber Fallbrook from uncovering the truth about herself, the Alchemary, and the legend of the Philosopher’s Stone.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers, The Shifters) pens a dark paranormal romantasy centered on alchemy magic—and those who dare harness it.

Naked, knowing little more than her name, Amber Fallbrook does not recognize the stone tower she’s awoken in, or the vast, glittering ocean outside the window. Turning, she finds a very a different view: the beautiful, nearly naked man in the narrow bed is a stranger. So is the man who barges into the room unannounced, clearly expecting to find Amber alone.

Who are they? Who is she? Why can’t she remember?

Shocked to discover that she’s in her dormitory room at the Alchemary—the realm’s prestigious university dedicated to the study of alchemy—Amber has no recollection of having been one of the school’s top students for the past two years. The two men—brothers—are her childhood friends, even if “friends” is not the exact energy in the room.

One brother claims to want to protect her, and the other to help her recover her memory, but Amber soon realizes that nothing is at it seems at the Alchemary. Not the intentions of her classmates and faculty, not the stunning, labyrinthian campus, not the two brothers she’s increasingly attracted to—maybe not even herself.

Despite her memory loss, Amber rejoins her classes and prepares for the deadly Alchemary Trials alongside the other Mastery-level students. But as invigorating as the flowing language and symbology of alchemy is, she can’t help but notice that for an institution shining light on the quest for human perfection there are a lot of dark shadows in its winding corridors.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Magic

512 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2026

About the author

[Note: Though Rachel's blog entries are cross posted here, she does not frequent Goodreads. The best ways to contact her are FB, Twitter, or her Wordpress blog. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HER MESSAGES HERE. SHE DOES NOT CHECK THEM.]

A resident of Oklahoma, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

Reviews

[Heathers_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the synopsis seeing the words “the philosophers stone” immediately caught my interest, but this book is far from Harry Potter and has its own unique world and magic system.

The FMC is the top rated student in her class who excels in her education, however on the first day of her third and final school year she wakes up with memory loss. She can’t remember exactly her last memory and she definitely doesn’t recall her entire first two years of school and why her close male friend is in her bed.

There’s an interesting vibe going on between her two friends / brothers.. one broody, grumpy and seemingly jealous, and one care free, class clown and golden retriever vibes.

She has 6 weeks to attempt to restore her memories and figure out what caused her memory loss or she will not be able to participate in her final school years trials.

Overall I found the plot of the book interesting and an entertaining read. I will be continuing the series!

I found the school / magic system interesting and figuring out what each of the four trials were. if you’re into magical schools and love triangles I’d say this book is worth a try!

Thank you for the gifted copy, all opinions are my own

[indy · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE STARS!!!!

This book is why I’m so hesitant, yet incredibly grateful, when I receive arcs because WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT’S THE BEST BOOK YOUVE READ ALL YEAR BUT IT’S BOOK ONE IN A SERIES AND THE BOOK DOESN’T ACTUALLY COME OUT UNTIL NEXT YEAR AND BOOK TWO PROBABLY HASN’T BEEN WRITTEN YET AND WON’T BE RELEASED UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR.

Okay. Sorry. Breathe.

I’m going to be so so so annoying come April 2026 because I will be recommending this book to everyone. I was only halfway through the book when I realized this was probably book 1 in a series and you cannot begin to imagine how panicked I became… I LOVEEEE Amber, the FMC and narrator of this story. I also cannot say anything about this book because it will not be released for another 4 months. I went into this completely blind and I FEAR I WILL NEVER HAVE A READING EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS AGAIN!!!!

The two books that came to mind when reading and what I hope will be comp titles when promoting was Alchemised x The Atlas Six. This may be biased given those are two of my favorite books but if you like those two books you’ll love this one. I think, especially, if you didn’t like certain themes or plot points from them, this book makes different choices and utilizes those themes in more palatable ways.

Okay!!!! I’m not saying anything else even though this review has said absolutely nothing of substance. BUT!!!! I highly recommend adding this to your TBR if you love a darker romantasy (not dark as in dark romance but darker themes).

Okay byeeee please read this book when it’s released I love it so much and I’m really sad it’s over.

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so like... she messy as all hell, but I had a fun time.

- the amnesia angle is not my favourite narrative choice to deliver a story, but it got better as the book went on
- the ultimate explanation/reveal made me have more questions than answers about the amnesia, tbh
- for a Romantasy, I really didn't feel the connection between the main characters

but I really enjoyed how much academia there was as well as the mystery that's integrated with the school itself. that was super enjoyable and I'm willing to forgive the book a lot of its flaws :)

looking forward to a sequel

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Dark academia with some romance is right up my alley and I really enjoyed this one.

Amber wakes up with no recent memories to a stunning cliff-side view of the ocean outside her window. This immediately transports us to the beautiful setting of the Alchemary, the most prestigious school of alchemy. The descriptions of the campus buildings and architecture are so vivid you feel like you are there alongside Amber as she rediscovers everything herself. Amber learns she is in her third and final year and therefore must survive the Alchemary Trials or be expelled, despite having no memories of the past two years. To do so, Amber must rely on her only two friends to help her prepare. Wilder, her childhood best friend and current classmate, wants to help her to succeed. While his brother Desmond, a recent graduate and current staff researcher, will do anything to send her home to safety.

As Amber prepares for the trials she uncovers more questions than answers. Why was she researching the Philosopher’s stone? Is her relationship with either Wilder or Desmond more than just a simple friendship? Will she ever be able to decipher her old notes and discover the dark secrets lurking beneath the university’s shiny surface?

I think the biggest problem I had with the book was the pacing. The first 20% was very slow and then it would pick up but slow back down until the last 30%. I also would have liked to get a better grasp on Amber’s relationships with her other classmates before the amnesia. Overall though I loved it and will definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m in my dark academia era, so the synopsis of this book called to me. Romance, alchemy, deadly competitions- hell ya!

It was a lot drier than I thought it would be, and way lighter on the spice than expected as well.

It takes awhile to get into more of the thrills and action, and I loved the trials, but they were over and done with a bit too quickly.

Pretty good world-building, but I didn’t really like any of the characters. I don’t think I’ll be continuing on with this series.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Hyperion Avenue for a copy!

[millena ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was so fantastic, I loved everything about it, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story!

[Micronova · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemary, book one in The Alchemy Trials by Rachel Vincent
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.5 stars (rounded up.)

The Alchemary was my introduction to author, Rachel Vincent. I love a good dark mystery set in an academia setting. This novel definitely hit the vibes mark with the world that the author created. The imagery was done well and it was easy to envision this old timey, somewhat gothic campus feel one would expect from THE most prestigious Alchemy school.

Chapter one, paragraph one even, drops us right into the drama and moment that the FMC, Amber, wakes up to discover that she has lost much of her memory. Not all of it, mind you. Apparently just the most critical and vital memories and facts that are pertinent to the time period and level of knowledge she’s expected to have reached during her third year of studies.

Amber remembers her life up until a few years ago. She remembers that she wanted to be the best Alchemist. She remembers stories her mother had told her and things she was taught as she grew up (her mother once studied at The Alchemary.) She remembers her childhood friends, Wilder and Desmond, but cannot remember them as fellow students. She has literally zero memories of her time at school, professors or classmates (also doesn’t remember what a jerk she was to them,) and basic alchemical theory and practice let alone the advanced application. While this is surely frustrating and scary, something else surpasses that frustration and is truly terrifying-

Amber is in her third and final year and just yesterday (before waking up clueless,) she was deep in preparation finishing up her research project and readying herself to compete in The Alchemy Trials. She must survive these trials (or possibly cease to exist.) Or if she’s lucky she’ll fail the trials but live and face expulsion while watching her Alchemy dreams die.

I enjoyed this story. As I said earlier, I love a good dark academia tale. It was interesting to see Amber interact with all her colleagues who were (understandably,) suspicious of her. The romance and lusty tension vibe leaves you low key wondering what her relationship with the brothers was like before the memory loss. The trials were interesting as well. I enjoyed the scientific application to the way the students approached each trial. And what story in an academic rivalry setting would be complete without jealousy, angst and shady dealings?

Unfortunately, it seems that the academy stories and the trials are a dime a dozen. I did appreciate the magic academy and Alchemy twist though, as it’s not done nearly as often. The pacing was a bit all over the place. The story would transpire slowly, then pick up, only to fall again. There wasn’t a lot of character development. Granted Amber spends the majority of the book trying to recover memories and relearn alchemy with the help of Wilder and sometimes Desmond. I feel like we could have used more details on what Amber’s relationship with her colleagues was truly like. We get a few glimpses but not enough.

Overall, a good read. Despite the overdone storyline and the difficult pacing, the plot twist was a grand slam. Enough of a slam to warrant another half star in my rating AND peak my interest enough to absolutely come back for the next installment. Answers are needed!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion and the author for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publish date: April 7, 2026

[biianca ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

　｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡
　。 The Alchemary! ·✭✭✭✫✫· 3.0
　　ﾟ･｡･ﾟ
: ̗̀➛ Out of my four attempts at getting out of a reading slump, this one did it! I couldn't stop until I got some answers. Unfortunately, I still have some notes to give.

Let's start with what I enjoyed about it. The writing is engaging and the information is neatly organised, making the world and characters easy to follow. The magic system is especially compelling, and, danger of dying aside, I’d still want to study there. I also liked Amber and her boys, as well as the amnesia plotline, which provided the romantasy with a pinch of mystery.

What I didn't like, however, was that for more than half of the book, not much really happens, and the story starts to feel a bit dry. The final third, on the other hand, is packed with breathtaking trials and an excellent climax, so much so that I almost forgot it took ten hours of the audiobook to get there. I think the pacing could have been improved by balancing the steady rhythm of her rediscovering her reality with a bit more action throughout the earlier sections. Sure, I was eager for answers, but it took a little too long to get there without enough compelling events to keep the momentum going.

I’m also not a huge fan of love triangles, and although I admired Amber's dedication and perseverance, she could be incredibly messy at times. And they were brothers and also her best friends since childhood, so... a bit of consideration, maybe?

Regardless, I had a good time and I will be continuing the series.

[Lei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and intriguing read for me. I went into this expecting a dark magic university story with mystery, and it really delivered on that. From the beginning, I was already questioning everything, especially with Amber having no memory. I liked that feeling of not knowing who to trust. It made the reading experience more engaging.

What I enjoyed the most was the constant tension between the characters. Both male leads felt suspicious in different ways, and I kept changing my mind about them. There were moments where I thought I already figured things out, but then something would happen that made me doubt everything again.

The memory loss aspect was interesting, although there were times when it felt a bit confusing. I had to pause and really think about what was happening. At the same time, that confusion also worked with the story since Amber herself is trying to figure things out.

The romance was there, but for me it felt more like background tension. I was more invested in the mystery and the character dynamics. The twists near the end really surprised me. That reveal changed how I viewed everything, and now I am curious about what happens next.

Overall, this was not a perfect read for me, but I enjoyed the experience. It kept me thinking, and I would still continue the series.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemary was a gripping story from start to finish— I cannot wait to see where this series goes in the next installment.

I am a HUGE fan of dark academia and trials, but sometimes the plot can feel a little predictable. While some elements of this book were easy to predict, others were completely shocking (Urm, Hello, the last 15 percent in general).

Amber’s character was so complex! I truly couldn’t decide if I loved her, hated her, or pitied her until the big reveal about the philosopher’s stone. I really loved this element of the story, and that we got to know “Past Amber” and “Current Amber” so well. I do wonder if, as Amber continues her research in the next book, she may revert to “Past Amber” or be tempted to.

The love triangle between Amber, Desmond, and Wilder was not at all what I thought it would be by the end of the book— and I was thrilled with the outcome!

The LEAST predictable moment of this entire book for me was the ending. What do you mean her dad is an Aurum?! What do you mean?! HOW will they bring him back from that?! They have to! They had just mended things!!!

Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting the next installment and cannot wait to read it next. Thank you to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one started out slow for me and sort of had to grow on me but it took forever for that to happen. I felt for Amber and all that she was going through. Yet, I think the before Amber wasn't a good person and I'm not sure I would have like her. It seemed like she was all about the pursuit of alchemy no matter what or if anyone got hurt in the process.

It was interesting the way the two brothers treated Amber in the aftermath of her memory loss, more so when we learn of the relationships she had with them before. The school it's self didn't seem like a good place, only out to exploit the students and if they died, well they just weren't smart enough.

There was a big "battle" at the end where so much was revealed, even a bit of a cliff hanger. I'll probably check out the next book, but it will be a make or break book for me with the series.

[Mychaoticbookishlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a great time reading Alchemary by Rachel Vincent. It absolutely exceeded my expectations. It’s fast pasted full of action. I loved the idea of an alchemist who has had her mind wipes and the mystery around that one event was definitely intriguing. The dark academia vibes with the added element of deadly trials, a love triangle and lots of secrets made it that better. I really enjoyed this book and hope the series will continue

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark academia and alchemy? Romance and secrets? Mysteries and lost memories? Yes, please! I loved this book and can’t wait for the sequel!!!

[Karli]

This book is how I learned I do not like amnesia as a narrative device

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 🌟

✔️ Love triangle
✔️ Friends to lovers
✔️ Academia
✔️ Games and trials

This book was already on my TBR because of Allurial. Imagine my surprise and enthusiasm when I actually get an ARC for this book! That being said the beginning of this book started off exactly how I had imagined it due to the blurb. I immediately wanted to know her relationship with the two brothers and desperately wanted her to solve the mystery of her amnesia and regain said memories.

The first 20% of the book was hard to endure but that can be said of most fantasy books, the frontend will always be loaded with world building. Initially I was disappointed with the lack of romance and I felt only a slight pull towards one of the brothers. However, I feel like that is the point. The whole basis of this book is Amber acting on her instincts. In an effort to not spoil the book I'll leave it at that.

I was so focused on Amber solving the issue of her lost memories, actually I was screaming at the 3 of them to do something more substantial than just study and go to class. I truly felt like I was an observer beating on the glass wall of an aquarium, trying to get the characters to stop the world from ending. Hypothetically of course. Anyways, I came to the conclusion that Amber is better without her memories which was an unexpected outcome.

We do get some lackluster spice, and while spice is not a requirement I felt like those scenes were not truly descriptive as if the author was not comfortable being descriptive with the spice. I say this because the rest of the book is HIGHLY descriptive.

I was just vibing along going through the trials sure that our girl is gonna pass and prove everyone wrong. Sure that she's gonna recover her memories and resume her place at the head of the cohort. Sure she was gonna discover the philosopher's stone. Meanwhile homegirl is just completing side quests like her life depends on it. Then the plot twists literally hits me in the face, I didn't see the last 25% of this book coming.

Overall a unique romantasy and I will be continuing the series.

-------------------------------

"What use have I for rules, when it is results that matter?”

“Pride and ego are not worth dying for.”

“When I’m finished with Pryce Wishart, he’ll wish he’d never heard your name,”

“Why, in the name of utter anarchy, do you taste so good?”

“You are a burst of light in a dark room.”

“I could have lost you, Losing any member of our cohort is bad enough. Losing Petyr is . . . awful. But I can’t lose you. Amber, I don’t care whose life is in danger. I don’t care if it’s the Bluehelm herself, or an entire carriage full of mewling kittens and chubby babies. Don’t you ever do that again.”

"You will stay with me until then. They cannot deny me that now.”

“They didn’t understand that I would have razed the whole world for you. For us. I would have left the Alchemary with you to start our own laboratory. Or academy. Or whatever you wanted. And by the end, I was ready to do just that.”

“I didn’t want something better! I wanted you! You. As you were. There is nothing alchemy could have done to improve you."

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemary by Rachel Vincent
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

What I loved:
🧪alchemy
🧪the end twist
🧪Desmond

This might be the best alchemy-focused novel I've ever read. It was smart, creative, and unique. It also took me by surprise because I don't typically like amnesia plots, but Vincent had me entranced.

The MCs and their history together immediately pulled me in. I loved the Stefan/Damon vibes. I enjoyed all the interactions between them, but Desmond was the stand out. He intrigued me most and he had great chemistry with the FMC. Amber was clearly brilliant, logical, and clinical in her thinking, and Vincent did a magnificent job portraying that through her POV. Her mind was fascinating, and I loved her way of thinking and seeing her work through problems. I loved the tension the FMC had with her classmates, too.

The romance was a little more underdeveloped than I'd like, but I think it may ramp up in the sequel. I liked the tension that's brewing and the foundation that was built. The flashes of memory added intrigue, too. I will say Vincent made it difficult to pick a clear romantic interest winner, and I like when it's a challenge. However, I'm team Des regardless!

The plot and magic system were captivating. I loved the mystery behind the amnesia, the trials, the side quest. All of it kept me glued to the page. I couldn't get to the answers at the end fast enough! I really enjoyed how all the threads came together. I found one aspect predictable, but everything else blew my mind. That ending, that cliffhanger! I'm desperate for the sequel!

There were multiple things that pulled me out of this story, unfortunately. One was the spicy scene. At first, I thought it was just a kiss and I was all for it. But then it advanced and I was immediately disinterested. It didn't feel earned to me. I wanted more tension and build up before the spice. Next, the love triangle. Sometimes I like them. Sometimes I dislike them. Unfortunately, Alchemary falls into the dislike category for me. The FMC was too wishy washy and prone to running away. There wasn't a clear exploration and both MMCs were hiding things from her and it irked me. I just didn't find it enjoyable. Finally, the ending. Parts were good, others were underdeveloped. I wanted to feel the sadness, desperation, and tension. But I felt distanced from it all, and confused by some elements.

This was a great read. I adored the setting and the alchemy. The characters were colorful. The academia vibes were perfection. The ending was astounding and has me gagged. I absolutely recommend this for romantasy and dark academia fans!







***Spoilers below***

Some of the ending events that had me confused: Amber was expelled. Why? A reason was never given. Then she's reinstated, why expell her in the first place?! It's mentioned in passing Yoslin may have been expelled, too, but she's not seen again. What happened to Yoslin? Why did Amber not reach out?

Mostly, the ending was very quick, it almost gave me whiplash. I wish it was slower and more time was given for these events.

[Brandy Slifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Alchemary (The Alchemy Trials #1) — Rachel Vincent
📖 ARC Read via NetGalley | Kindle

⸻

Alright listen…

Why does it feel like ✨alchemy is the new morally gray billionaire✨ right now?? Because SAME. We’ve been FED lately.

BUT—this one? It does bring a little something extra to the table 👀

⸻

We’ve got:
🧪 Amnesia queen main character
🧪 Elite alchemy academy (but make it ✨deadly✨)
🧪 Love triangle… WITH BROTHERS (yes, you read that right 😮‍💨)

Amber Fallbrook wakes up with no memory and a very inconvenient reputation—apparently Past Amber was not a nice girl. Like… hated by everyone level of not nice 😬

Now she’s relearning alchemy, trying to figure out who she is…
while being stuck between Desmond and Wilder—two brothers from her past who clearly have ✨history✨ with her

…and oh yeah…

THESE TRIALS??
💀 You pass = you live
💀 You fail = you’re done done

No pressure babe 🙂

⸻

✨ What worked for me:

The world-building?? Chef’s kiss without being overwhelming 👏
I could feel this place—
the wood, the stone, the atmosphere… it was giving immersive without info-dump and I was GRATEFUL

The concept of the trials is brutal and addictive
and even though I side-eyed the pacing (we’ll get there), I was INVESTED

And that ending???
🚨 EXCUSE ME?? 🚨
That plot twist came in HOT and had me like—

“okay fine… I see you… I will be returning for book two”

⸻

😬 Now… let’s talk about it:

My biggest gripe?

This didn’t always feel… original

We’ve got:
📚 Alchemy everywhere lately
📚 Amnesia trope
📚 That familiar “chosen student / rival system” energy

At times it felt like I was reading pieces of other popular fantasy books stitched together

AND the trials—while intense—felt a little rushed??
Like these could have easily been expanded more instead of stacking multiple into one book

⸻

🚨 BUT MY PETTY COMPLAINT 🚨

The editing…

I don’t know who approved this but…
we had:
❌ spacing issues
❌ words mashed together
❌ noticeable typos

and it pulled me OUT of the story more than once 😩

Like bestie… we gotta fix that before final print

⸻

🌶️ Spice Level:
Not a full feast… but not crumbs either

There’s chemistry 👀
There’s tension 👀
There’s potential 👀

But I NEED more in book two because the setup??
Oh it’s there and I am READY

⸻

💭 Final Thoughts:

Despite its flaws, this book has a hook

Between the identity mystery, the deadly trials, and THAT ENDING…
I’m invested enough to keep going

Which honestly says a lot

⸻

✨ Final Verdict:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
+1 star energy for that twist alone because WOW

👉 Not the most original
👉 Needed stronger editing
👉 But addictive enough to continue

…and I WILL be picking up book two because I need answers and probably more chaos

⸻

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💙

[Katy | kaeosreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
2/5 🌶️

I am kind of obsessed with this book. The premise alone had me hooked, and the execution absolutely delivered. I need book two immediately.

Rachel Vincent’s writing style worked so well for me. It is immersive, sharp, and easy to sink into while still carrying enough weight to support the mystery and emotional layers of the story. This is one of those books where you feel yourself getting pulled deeper with every chapter.

I am usually very hit or miss on the memory loss trope, but this was done so well. I was fully locked in, constantly theorizing, flipping back through my notes, trying to piece everything together alongside Amber. I did end up partially guessing what was going on, but not entirely, and it did not take away from my experience at all. If anything, it made it more fun. There is something so satisfying about feeling like you are close to the truth while still being surprised.

The structure of the story really adds to that experience. I actually loved the side quests for clues hidden throughout the castle. I will admit that they stressed me out because I kept thinking Amber should absolutely be focusing on more important things, but the payoff was so worth it. The way everything comes together is incredibly satisfying, and I would not have fully seen it even if I had been looking straight at it.

Amber as a protagonist works really well for this type of story. You are learning alongside her, questioning everything, and trying to figure out what is real and what is missing. That sense of uncertainty carries through the entire book in a way that kept me completely engaged.

The love triangle adds another layer of chaos that I genuinely loved. Amber’s dynamic with her two childhood best friends, who are also brothers (with a strained relationship), had me completely spiraling. Looking back at my Kindle notes is actually hilarious because I did not know who to trust at any given moment. I was constantly flip flopping between the two of them, convinced one was the bad guy, then immediately questioning everything again. The tension, the history, and the uncertainty around their intentions made this part of the story so addictive.

My main critiques come down to pacing and one emotional beat that did not land as strongly as I expected. The pacing felt a bit disjointed at times, starting fast, slowing down, then speeding back up again. It never fully pulled me out of the story, but it was noticeable. There was also a KEY moment that felt like it should have hit harder emotionally, but it ended up not mattering at all in the end, so I guess it’s fine? IYKYK.

Overall, The Alchemary is addictive, clever, and incredibly satisfying. It is the kind of book that makes you want to immediately start theorizing, rereading, and talking about it with someone. I am already desperate for the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All my thoughts are my own.

[Nicole Arter · Rating 2 out of 5]

First - thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC!

I had high hopes for this book and unfortunately it did not hit the mark.

We follow FMC Amber as she wakes up to begin her final year at the Alchemary with amnesia does not remember ever having started. In fact doesn’t remember the last couple years of her life. Her classmates, professors, and half naked man in her bed are all strangers to her.

We follow her struggle to regain her lost knowledge, figure out why her memory was lost, and try to survive the trials set in her final year testing skills she doesn’t remember learning. There is intrigue and suspicion around two brothers each with their own motives to help her. We are unsure who to trust, what truly happened, and see if she can survive.

****SPOILERS AHEAD****

While the premise is exciting, the execution fell flat. The world building magic system was unique and interesting but too much of it we learned by being told instead of shown (I.e. through dialogue with characters just spouting definitions and historical facts in conversation). The teasing of a romance or maybe a love triangle was hinted at but never really flushed out.

The pacing was inconsistent. The first 40% of the book went really slowly and almost dragged on (I
Almost dnf-ed at this point). Then the pacing picked up a bit once the trials started, but then the trials themselves which the whole story had been building toward were sped through, with 2 of the 4 of them being skipped entirely because a side quest became the main storyline at that point. Finally, the last 10% went so quickly it was like getting whiplash. I would have like to have had the side quest sprinkled in earlier to make it more believable and liven up the first half of the story.

I appreciated that I didn’t see several of the twists coming however a couple of them came completely out of left field or felt like a twist just for the sake of a twist. The big reveal at the end had less of an impact because so many of the side characters that were heavily mentioned in the first half of the book were barely mentioned in the second half. So there was no “oh boy I never added those clues together until the reveal” moment because there were no clues to link.

Finally - the style of the dialogue felt awkward, formal, and unnatural. It made reading through scenes a challenge.

Ultimately I will not be continuing with this series.

[Daniela807 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, I will do my best to avoid any spoilers. Overall, this was a high 3 stars, but could not quite hit 4 stars for me.

I really liked the beginning of this tale: woman wakes up in a room, in her night attire, and has no idea where she is... or who the man sharing a bed with her is either. Throughout the novel, Amber is piecing together the last two years of her life trying to remember not only who she is, but also her research at the Alchemary - a "college" of sorts for alchemy. I also liked the concept of the "reset" of Amber's personality and how she grows to not really understand the person she was up until the night before her memory loss.

Yes, there is a love triangle. At times, the focus is a bit too heavy on this aspect, but then subtly moves to the overall story. There is at least one spice scene, but it somewhat makes sense and is not unnecessarily drawn out. The actual trials themselves were interesting and watching Amber try to relearn two years worth of material in only a month and a half in order to survive was intriguing. I only wish that had been explored more rather than skipped over in order to move along the story. I had my theories on what was happening (some correct), but the ending was not what I was expecting - a welcome surprise.

I think what kept it from a 4 was the formatting. This will be adjusted once the book is published, but I would recommend reading the print version versus digital. Some of the sentences were not broken up properly and it was hard to figure out who was speaking at different points in the story. While, again, this will be fixed it did take away from my experience. I also wanted to have more detail on how Amber was recovering her lost knowledge a bit more (similar to the description of the trials) to connect with her better. When Vincent is describing the alchemy, you can tell she is very focused and knows exactly what she wants to say. I did want more of that.

Overall, very high 3 star book. I would hope this is a duology, maybe a trilogy. Otherwise, it might get too drawn out and dilute the story. I will be on the lookout for when book 2 becomes available.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting premise with execution that fell a bit short and a twist that, while objectively awesome, was also incredibly predictable.

A fan of Rachel Vincent since I was a teen, there was never any question as to whether I’d be picking up her newest novel, her first foray into “romantasy” – or at least her first work marketed as such. Think of this as dark academia romantasy, HEAVY on the academia, medium on the romance, and light on the fantasy aspects. In fact, the only fantasy to be found is how it relates to the academia of alchemy, though it does get increasingly complicated and convoluted as the story progresses. Also, if you’re not a fan of the sibling love triangle trope, leave this one behind; it is prevalent.

Amber’s amnesia provides a clever and quick way to learn about the world of the story as she does, exposition provided in doses as she attempts to find years’ worth of missing pieces. I did really enjoy the fact that there is no magic answer to her missing memories, and that we learn her character trajectory is drastically changed because of their absence.

The academic side of things feels very fleshed out, but almost too much so? The science of alchemy is described in detail, but to the point that I had to fight skimming passages because while the author needs to know how this world works, we the readers don’t need each and every feature of it.

I found myself both pleasantly surprised and utterly annoyed with the romantic aspects of Amber and her relationship/s with brothers, Wilder and Desmond. A lot of things don’t make sense until they do, and I’d be curious to see how I’d feel on a re-read knowing what I do now. While specific between each pairing, there’s nothing to be found in the romance that is not very prevalent in the contemporary romantasy space and I found myself disappointed given my absolute adoration for Vincent’s previous romantic pairings. (Team Tod anyone??)

The twists twist, though the cliffhanger pales in comparison to other reveals. I’d recommend this read to anyone who’s a fan of current publishing trends but needs something a bit different and a lot smarter than most of what’s out there. Vincent will never let you down with the quality of her prose and storytelling.

Content warning: attempted sexual assault, amnesia, light body horror, vomit.

*Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!*

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

This is one of those books that seems to take a little bit of time to find its footing as it begins to build the world and introduce us to its characters. Then before you know it, something clicks into gear and all of a sudden you realize that things just got VERY interesting.

We are introduced to FMC Amber Fallbrook who is the very definition of an unreliable narrator. Why? Because when we meet her, she has just woken up with no memories of the last several years. Amber happens to be somewhat of a prodigy at the Alchemary—the realm’s prestigious university dedicated to the study of alchemy - and we are learning things at the same time that she is.

We learn, along with Amber, that the "old" Amber wasn't exactly the best person. She had one ambition and that was being the best, regardless of who was hurt or impacted. She also begins to realize that there are things coming to light that do not make sense. She seemed to be hiding things, writing in code, and working on secret projects - even from the two men who have supposedly been her friends since they were all children.

Speaking of the men, she wakes up with one brother in her bed, but it is the other brother whose images are popping up in flashes of her memory.

This may be classified as a romantasy, and for the most part, there is somewhat of a love triangle but that is not the focal point. The main focus of the storyline is Amber and her struggle to stay at the Alchemary after she has completely lost all of the information that she spent the last two years learning. To top that off, there are the major trials that are coming up (which are based on all of that learned knowledge) that are nothing to sneeze at. In these trials, you either pass or you die.....and she has six weeks to try to relearn as much as possible or hope that her memory returns.

I listened to this on audio and the narration was well done by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. This is definitely one of those books that builds and builds as the book unfolds and the last 25% of the book is filled with some MAJOR revelations. I will be eagerly awaiting the second book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

She knows nothing other than her name...

Amber Fallbrook wakes in a tower of stone... overlooking an ocean she does not know... in the company of a man...a nearly naked man at that.

And when another barges in... expecting to find Amber alone... her confusion only grows.

Who are they?

Who is she?

Where is she?

Why can't she remember...?

Imagine the shock when Amber realizes she's woken up in what's her dorm room in the most prestigious university dedicated to alchemy... and is further perplexed by the fact that she has no memory that she is in fact, among the best of the university's students...

for the past two years.

And that the two men in her life now are brothers.... her friends.... even though she may not feel as though they are friends with how... um... close they are.

One claims to want to protect her. The other claims to want to help her get her memory back. And in the labyrinthine campus... surrounded by her classmates, her professors, and what has become her life in the past two years... despite her growing affection for both of the brothers... Amber's life may not be all that it seems.

Darkly bewitching and calling with secrets that long to be discovered... that long to be known.... Rachel Vincent has created a truly spellbinding novel that will grab your attention and refuse to let you go until the very last page....and Vincent has far outdone herself on the magic system and giving a fresh look and take on alchemy that will linger in the back of my mind for ages to come.... not only that, but Vincent has seamlessly blended just the perfect dash of romance in to tie off the story in the most perfect of ways....

Overall, I very thoroughly enjoyed The Alchemary.. and I am looking forward to the sequel when it comes to that time....

I am voluntarily leaving a review as I was sent a copy of this in advanced. Special thanks to Hyperion Avenue, and Rachel Vincent's amazing team there for allowing me to read this amazing novel.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

I couldn't get into this one - I disliked all the characters and found I didn't care for them nor the mystery to be solved. Yes, we are supposed to have character development caused by the amnesia and a chance at redemption but honestly, the main character was just as insufferable after as before - and the love interests spent most of the book trying to be even more selfish and self centered than the main character (which was a feat in itself).

Story: Amber wakes up naked and in bed with one of her two best friends. Did she have a relationship with him or even the older brother who barges in to find them in bed? Problem is, she has amnesia and no idea what happened. And neither brother is helping her much to remember. All she knows is she was likely the most gifted student but also the most universally disliked, mostly due to her single mindedness to find the philosopher's stone formula at any cost. But then bad things begin to happen and she has a new mystery to become obsessed over.

So yes, although I stuck with this through to the end, it was never an enjoyable experience. The book was rather dry and slow, adding issues to the unlikable trio of main characters. Right from the beginning, when she wakes up with very few memories, neither brother offers her any information to help her begin to find a solution. They just crack quips or look disapprovingly. So why would we want her to end up with them? Or, her being so single minded and a jerk, would we want them to end up with her as she plays with the feelings of both?

So yeah, if you like selfish and unpleasant leads as almost antiheroes, this one is for you. But for me, I want a main character I can get behind and want to succeed. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[SW · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemary by Rachel Vincent – ARC Review
This one took its time with me—but in a way that ultimately paid off.
The story opens in complete disorientation alongside Amber, who wakes up with no memory of who she is, where she is, or why she’s surrounded by people who seem to know her intimately. The amnesia makes the beginning feel slow and, at times, confusing—especially with the first-person POV—but it also serves a purpose. We’re learning the world, the magic system, and the characters at the same pace as Amber, which creates a strong sense of immersion once everything starts clicking into place.
And when it clicks… it really clicks.
The Alchemary itself is richly imagined, with its dark academia vibes, layered secrets, and alchemy-driven magic system. There’s a constant sense that something is just slightly off beneath the surface, and that tension builds nicely as the story progresses. The twists were genuinely surprising—I thought I had things figured out more than once, and I was only ever half right. Vincent definitely knows how to keep readers guessing.
That said, not everything fully landed for me. The love triangle didn’t have much impact—I wasn’t particularly invested in either direction—and some side character arcs felt like they were building toward something that never quite materialized in this book. I’m hoping those threads get more attention in the sequel.
Despite the slower start, once I was hooked, I didn’t want to put it down. The second half delivers on the promise of the premise, and the ending absolutely sets up what should be a compelling continuation.
Overall, a slow-burn dark romantasy with strong twists, an intriguing magic system, and enough unanswered questions to make the next book an easy yes for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. These are my honest thoughts.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

We wake up with Amber, our FMC, with no memory of the last few years of her life at the Alchemary, the premier alchemy university on the continent. This wouldn't be problematic if 1) she wasn't entering her final year during which she must undergo 4 potentially deadly trials leveraging her past alchemy knowledge, 2) most of her alchemy knowledge was absorbed and created during the time covered by her memory loss, and 3) she hadn't made enemies of almost her entire class while being the previous top student, both in ways unbeknownst to her.

We spend the remainder of the book following Amber as she pushes herself to the limits of knowledge consumption and re-creation in her attempt to survive the trials. As if that wasn't stressful enough, she is also trying to remember her thesis project (which she had apparently started two years early and made significant progress on, despite it being 'impossible'). Add in what seems to be a love triangle between Amber and the two Gregory brothers, and we've got ourselves a plot full of half-truths, life-or-death trials, and insidious uses of alchemy and power.

I really enjoyed this; I grabbed it on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. Amber was, in my opinion, a very honest, 'real' FMC, in that she was (and still has a tendency to be) cruel in service of her own goals and learning. We get to see her grow throughout the story, and also realize how hard her personality 180 seems to be on everyone around her. The Gregory brothers are great foils to each other, and to Amber, in showcasing the best and worst of alchemy, sacrifice for love, and justifying decisions. While we do meet Amber's classmates and some other 'token' characters across the story, we really focus on the main three throughout, which is my only complaint, but I'm hopeful that we get a world expansion in book 2!

[Leslie Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC!

The Alchemary drops you straight into the chaos. Amber wakes up in a stone tower with no memory, a stranger in her bed, and Desmond and Wilder, two brothers from her past, reacting very differently to the situation. The entire alchemical university seems oddly unfazed and welcomes her back as if a total identity wipe is just a minor inconvenience. The tone is moody, coastal, and very dark academia in a way that pulls you in immediately.

I want to be honest about one thing I personally struggled with. The amnesia premise is a tough one for me. Even though I understand why it is used for the mystery, it is hard for me to connect with a world where a girl loses every memory she has and everyone around her simply moves on. Some early character reactions felt emotionally strange to me because of that.

I also felt the pacing slowed down in certain sections as Amber gradually regains pieces of her past. The reveals are interesting, but the momentum dips at times and I found myself wishing the story would move forward a little more quickly.

There is still a lot here that really worked for me. The Alchemary itself is an incredibly atmospheric setting. The tension between Amber, Desmond, and Wilder adds both emotional stakes and mystery. The Trials and the secrets surrounding the school kept my curiosity going, along with the question of who Amber was and who she is becoming.

If you enjoy dark academia, magical universities filled with hidden agendas, identity mysteries, complicated sibling dynamics, and slow-burn tension with real stakes, this book is worth picking up. It has a rich, moody world and plenty of intrigue, even with a few pacing bumps.

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars- This was such a good start to a new series. It was an interesting blend of romance, fantasy, science, and a strong female protagonist. It also had vibes from a long ago TV show that I loved called Samantha Who, starring Christina Applegate. I know this is a strange reference to put in a book review but I absolutely loved that show and I love that this book had a similar theme except with the added alchemy and dark academia world.

Amber Fallbrook has amnesia and has no memory of the last several years that she spent studying alchemy at The Alchemary. Despite her memory loss she refuses to leave The Alchemary as it has been her dream since she was little to study alchemy. The only problem is she is a mastery level student and has upcoming trials to take. These trials are deadly and Amber has no memory of what she has learned the past couple of years. She decides that she is going to study as hard as she can in the hopes that her memory will come back. In the coming weeks she begins to recognize that past Amber was not the nicest of people. Plus she can't figure out her love life. Who was she involved with before and who is really her friend? Amber must figure out her past in order to keep herself alive.

I am so excited to read the next book in this series. I loved this world as well as Amber and the brothers, Wilder and Desmond. Amber was a great character and I enjoyed reading about how she had changed. I liked that she was strong, and smart regardless of what had happened to her. I definitely think this book fits in the Romantasy category but I loved that it also had urban fantasy vibes as well. An excellent read and I can't wait to read more.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow. This was one of the most studious and intellectual takes on an academy setting in a book I’ve ever read, and it was absolutely perfect for the backdrop of The Alchemary.

Where many fantasy novels use an academy as more of a facade and placeholder for where the main characters convene and get up to hijinks, the study and application of alchemy *IS* the story here - in the most fascinating and compelling way. I deeply enjoyed my time reading this book, and my desire to learn more only increased with every chapter. And, true to the best fantasy formulas out there, the last handful of chapters of the book produced some incredible plot twists, eye opening character revelations, and a jaw-dropping ending with a major cliffhanger.

This is heavily plot driven, with romance very much taking a back seat while still being present - I say that as a positive note, it is executed perfectly and the story deserved to take a front seat. The “magic” system is really just science / alchemy, although obviously the application is fictitious to this world. The world building felt masterful and intentional, and I’m so excited to see where this story continues to evolve.

Rachel K Vincent, The Alchemary is a WINNER and I’m so excited for everyone to get a chance to read this book when it releases. For now, I’ll be patiently (okay, a little impatiently lol) waiting for the next book to release and the story to continue!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Alchemary is releasing on April 7, 2026. Mark your calendars — this is one you will certainly not want to skip if you’re a fan of fantasy, trials, and dark academia.