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Alchemist Gift: Witchcraft, Curses and Magic in Renaissance Italy
Time Travel to the Age of Alchemy. Alchemist Gift is an historical novel set in the present day and Renaissance Italy and Bavaria. The story is one of lost love, self-realization and redemption told through the relationships of five different love stories as the book unfolds. There is an element of spiritual fantasy in the novel, grounded in, let’s just say miraculous occurrences along with a light peppering of just good old unexplainable magic. See video promo at www.indiegogo.com and search for Alchemist Gift.
- GenresTime TravelHistorical
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2014
32 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 16, 2016
Alchemist Gift was a book unlike others. The first unusual thing about it was that the main character was not an alchemist. Roland Hughes was a modern day man, a career college student that relied heavily on his girlfriend, Liz Parker, for financial support.
He was unhappy with the way things were going and could feel that something was wrong in the relationship. He did what I guess many people do, he found a reason to be unfaithful to Liz with a virtual stranger. Sure what he overheard sounded bad on the phone and so he acted bad in retaliation. Lila Thurston was a beautiful willing stranger, but a stranger none the less.
Just as you are getting to know Roland better; the author takes us back to the middle ages. There we meet several families The Andano family we follow for many years which allows us to understand the characters growth, pain and history. There we meet Marcella and her mother and father. At the same point in time we meet Rene Hermes and his beloved Bella. Their story is beautiful. Each chapter bring you deep within these families and you get to really know them.
When you are entwined in the past, you are taken back to the future where Roland has made some life altering decisions. He is finally on track. Perhaps.
What this book is missing I can not tell you, there are secrets, mysteries, alchemy, time travel, love, bitterness, I would say it has it all. It is a wonderful book. These characters touched me in such a way, that I can't explain without ruining the book. It is one that I suggest you pick up and read. You will not be sorry. Mark Giglio has done magic with his wording, pacing and most of all sheer joy of his story.
Just be prepared for a time twisting, witch burning and miracle laden joyride!
He was unhappy with the way things were going and could feel that something was wrong in the relationship. He did what I guess many people do, he found a reason to be unfaithful to Liz with a virtual stranger. Sure what he overheard sounded bad on the phone and so he acted bad in retaliation. Lila Thurston was a beautiful willing stranger, but a stranger none the less.
Just as you are getting to know Roland better; the author takes us back to the middle ages. There we meet several families The Andano family we follow for many years which allows us to understand the characters growth, pain and history. There we meet Marcella and her mother and father. At the same point in time we meet Rene Hermes and his beloved Bella. Their story is beautiful. Each chapter bring you deep within these families and you get to really know them.
When you are entwined in the past, you are taken back to the future where Roland has made some life altering decisions. He is finally on track. Perhaps.
What this book is missing I can not tell you, there are secrets, mysteries, alchemy, time travel, love, bitterness, I would say it has it all. It is a wonderful book. These characters touched me in such a way, that I can't explain without ruining the book. It is one that I suggest you pick up and read. You will not be sorry. Mark Giglio has done magic with his wording, pacing and most of all sheer joy of his story.
Just be prepared for a time twisting, witch burning and miracle laden joyride!
May 3, 2014
Alchemist Gift is a story that creates characters that you really grow to love and respect. It honestly feels as though you are in the worlds with them. Mark Giglio has managed to capture time in a way that most could not and the ride is a once in a lifetime experience.
With worlds you can see as if you are watching a movie, and characters that are so dynamic they could be your next door neighbor, this book transports you through time and space to a magical place.
With worlds you can see as if you are watching a movie, and characters that are so dynamic they could be your next door neighbor, this book transports you through time and space to a magical place.
May 8, 2014
Great. Got an e- version online, and I couldn't put it down. Just finished. With a few small editing fixes this will be a great book, although it's well on its way in its current form. I look forward to the finished edition and picking up a print copy.
December 2, 2014
Alchemist Gift gives the reader good value for their money at approximately 450 pages long. The story is primarily set in Renaissance Italy and Bavaria with a secondary minor setting of current day San Diego.
The book has a large cast of characters who are all introduced in fine flowing detail, many of who appear in several different time scales as the stories jump back and forth during proceedings.
A dream scene opens the book with a piazza full of people gathering for a town event. We then meet Roland Hughes in present day San Diego, a twenty-eight year old perpetual student drifting through life unsure of his true role. Supported by life-long friend Liz, Roland fails to see that his lethargy to life and love is losing him a future with Liz.
Back in medieval Italy several innocent girls are being accused of witch-craft, until a storm saves them from burning and a miracle occurs. The story then follows many of the characters in tales of their lives, struggles and loves. A special cabinet is made from wood which is believed to have magical qualities. Approximately 600 years later in San Diego Roland finds an alchemist cabinet which transports him in time to the Renaissance era where he is coerced into the life of an alchemist and the ultimate prize to turn lead into Gold.
I enjoyed reading the alchemy parts in the book, but I didn't connect with Roland's character. I also found myself struggling to keep pace with all the characters and the level of their importance to the storylines. The book does offer family trees at the back which could perhaps be placed earlier for an e-version.
The book has a large cast of characters who are all introduced in fine flowing detail, many of who appear in several different time scales as the stories jump back and forth during proceedings.
A dream scene opens the book with a piazza full of people gathering for a town event. We then meet Roland Hughes in present day San Diego, a twenty-eight year old perpetual student drifting through life unsure of his true role. Supported by life-long friend Liz, Roland fails to see that his lethargy to life and love is losing him a future with Liz.
Back in medieval Italy several innocent girls are being accused of witch-craft, until a storm saves them from burning and a miracle occurs. The story then follows many of the characters in tales of their lives, struggles and loves. A special cabinet is made from wood which is believed to have magical qualities. Approximately 600 years later in San Diego Roland finds an alchemist cabinet which transports him in time to the Renaissance era where he is coerced into the life of an alchemist and the ultimate prize to turn lead into Gold.
I enjoyed reading the alchemy parts in the book, but I didn't connect with Roland's character. I also found myself struggling to keep pace with all the characters and the level of their importance to the storylines. The book does offer family trees at the back which could perhaps be placed earlier for an e-version.
March 5, 2014
I did a beta read of the book. Alchemist Gift was difficult to put down. It satisfies on so many levels. The author has done his homework on the Renaissance period of the late 1400s, early 1500s. He captures the politics, culture and religion of the times through six love stories. The human condition is apparent in the characters with love, desire, lust, kindness, brutality, spirituality, and courage. There are many strong women in the story who are strong for their character and confidence. From philosophy to science and science fiction the book introduces you to the ancient Bagdad battery that powers a Renaissance version of a laser beam up to the magical Alchemist Cabinet. The characters experience time in a non-linear fashion reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez in "One Hundred Years of Solitude". The descriptions made me feel like I was there experiencing the events with all my senses. There is action, adventure, magic, romance, history, culture and more. This book is a full course meal.
January 23, 2016
Alchemist Gift This was hard to put down. Lots of exciting events happen in our time: car chase, theft, visions, sex then in the Renaissance: witch burning, witch hunting, alchemy, scientific experiments that lead to ripping open portals. Then there are the love stories: 5 I believe. Some so beautiful and enduring that it really touches your heart. And a satisfying conclusion with truth and right winning out.
February 26, 2016
Firstly, I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-copy of the 'Alchemist Gift' in exchange for an honest review.
What a time for my laptop to develop a serious problem and is now awaiting repair. Thankfully I have my Ipad! Based upon reading the majority of the e-copy on my laptop, I can say that I have really enjoyed this book. I rarely write what a book is about for fear of spoiling for others, but I do recommend. Am looking forward to finishing this book soon.
What a time for my laptop to develop a serious problem and is now awaiting repair. Thankfully I have my Ipad! Based upon reading the majority of the e-copy on my laptop, I can say that I have really enjoyed this book. I rarely write what a book is about for fear of spoiling for others, but I do recommend. Am looking forward to finishing this book soon.
April 26, 2016
Normally this is not the type of book I read, but once I opened it and started reading, I could not put it down. I read it front to back in about a month. Takes me normally a year or more and especially how long it was surprised me. I am so looking forward to more books from this author. 5 stars is not enough for Alchemist Gift. It is more like a 20 star or more book. Well written, captured the essence of the time .
February 2, 2019
You start in the 14th century, then pop to the 21st century with Roland and Liz. Their romance is on hold while Roland tries to get his studies in order. Liz has the high powered job and an attentive married boss. Then you’re back in the 14th century with witchcraft and miracles and, of course, the bad apples in the Catholic church hunting for the witches, a tad futile with the first group miraculously rescued by the wood from an old apple orchard. The wood is as much a part of the unfolding drama as the characters involved for it becomes the Alchemists chest that transcends time. Roland stumbles onto the chest and looks in one of the drawers. There is a folded paper with his name and several thousand dollars. This gives him the wherewithal to purchase said chest. His romance with Liz seems nowhere and he examines the chest in his rented, dingy rooms. Something explodes and he winds up in the 14th century almost in the arms of Sofia, the daughter of the cabinet maker. She has been raised by the man known to have dabbled in the art of alchemy while at this studies. He is now mostly bedridden. Roland is not able to remember his past life and develops a strong attachment to the two. The countryside is besieged by the Protestant forces from the North. The local duke is allied with the Catholics and he too has an adopted daughter. His abuse of her has stirred her into a plot or revenge. A chance meeting of Roland while the Duke’s soldiers make off with a number of orphans to sell to a slave market, causes her and Roland to strike a deal for gold through the process of alchemy. Will the scheme work? How will Roland, Sofia, and Liz all resolve the missing parts of their lives will be found within the tale.
December 1, 2018
A riveting read
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book but ended up not wanting to put it down. Roland seems unable to commit to his long time girlfriend, Liz, and after falling into a one night stand with a wealthy socialite, he sees Liz walk away, ending their relationship. Roland begins to have vague visions in which he sees people and places from another time and another place. I won't give anything away but this story really packs a punch and is full of unexpected rwists and turns. I was hooked on Roland's exploits when a strange cabinet enters his life and transports him to... Read it and find out. Excellent read.
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book but ended up not wanting to put it down. Roland seems unable to commit to his long time girlfriend, Liz, and after falling into a one night stand with a wealthy socialite, he sees Liz walk away, ending their relationship. Roland begins to have vague visions in which he sees people and places from another time and another place. I won't give anything away but this story really packs a punch and is full of unexpected rwists and turns. I was hooked on Roland's exploits when a strange cabinet enters his life and transports him to... Read it and find out. Excellent read.
October 28, 2018
Interesting if somewhat diffuse time-travel fantasy.
March 5, 2016
I received an e-book copy from the author for an exchange of an honest review.
This is an interesting read about several stories that take place both in the present and the past. I could not put it down until I reached the 400+ page. After that it dragged a little. The book does need a good edit. My copy was +700 pages but I think the story would benefit from a trim, as I found myself skipping parts in order to finish it. As some other reviewer said, I did not take to Roland's character. I also found some of the sub-plots were left without conclusion. You don't know what happened to them, did not like that, or maybe it needs more editing.
This is an interesting read about several stories that take place both in the present and the past. I could not put it down until I reached the 400+ page. After that it dragged a little. The book does need a good edit. My copy was +700 pages but I think the story would benefit from a trim, as I found myself skipping parts in order to finish it. As some other reviewer said, I did not take to Roland's character. I also found some of the sub-plots were left without conclusion. You don't know what happened to them, did not like that, or maybe it needs more editing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews