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Alchemists of Dawn
467 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
G.S. Valiant
1 book1 followerG.S. Valiant is a Canadian author with Malaysian roots. She’s been obsessed with books since the first time her parents took her to a bookstore. When not writing or reading, she can be found practicing martial arts or spending time with her socially anxious rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 29, 2026
3.5 rounded up to 4.
“Dying is easy. It's living through the day after society collapses that's hard.”
The book in a nutshell: Roxanne a leading researcher at the Vyner industries witness a horrifying murder. As Roxanne begins to uncover the culprit behind the murder, her mother an equally enigmatic woman, who also happens to be the first and only woman department head, is thrown into chaos surrounding this murder mystery. Who got murdered? Why did it take place? Can Roxanne and her mother set aside their differences and work together to bring justice? That’s the rest of the plot.
This is the author’s debut novel and it was definitely a wonderful one. I learned from this book that there is a subgenre in fantasy, called gaslamp fantasy and this book fits the bill. Think steampunk but without the sci-fi details but more magic workings. (Example of book: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell)
I enjoyed reading this book. If you give me two powerful woman, and them being mother-daughter duo; I would eat it up anytime. Though the dynamics between them were initially conflicted, towards the end it straightened out beautifully.
The description of food is amazing and at times made me crave some of the south Indian food mentioned in this book. The romance is only a subplot here and it was well done. The tension and chemistry were particularly endearing. This subplot made the book more engaging.
The world building and action sequences were fairly okay and straightforward. Though I kinda wanted more of them. The plot was easy to understand and can be predictable at times.
Overall, this was an amazing debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Pick this up if you are looking to explore the fantasy realm in the subgenre of gaslamp and that has two strong FMC. Bonus point, it’s a standalone so no cliffhanger kinda ending.
E-arc courtesy of Netgalley.
“Dying is easy. It's living through the day after society collapses that's hard.”
The book in a nutshell: Roxanne a leading researcher at the Vyner industries witness a horrifying murder. As Roxanne begins to uncover the culprit behind the murder, her mother an equally enigmatic woman, who also happens to be the first and only woman department head, is thrown into chaos surrounding this murder mystery. Who got murdered? Why did it take place? Can Roxanne and her mother set aside their differences and work together to bring justice? That’s the rest of the plot.
This is the author’s debut novel and it was definitely a wonderful one. I learned from this book that there is a subgenre in fantasy, called gaslamp fantasy and this book fits the bill. Think steampunk but without the sci-fi details but more magic workings. (Example of book: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell)
I enjoyed reading this book. If you give me two powerful woman, and them being mother-daughter duo; I would eat it up anytime. Though the dynamics between them were initially conflicted, towards the end it straightened out beautifully.
The description of food is amazing and at times made me crave some of the south Indian food mentioned in this book. The romance is only a subplot here and it was well done. The tension and chemistry were particularly endearing. This subplot made the book more engaging.
The world building and action sequences were fairly okay and straightforward. Though I kinda wanted more of them. The plot was easy to understand and can be predictable at times.
Overall, this was an amazing debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Pick this up if you are looking to explore the fantasy realm in the subgenre of gaslamp and that has two strong FMC. Bonus point, it’s a standalone so no cliffhanger kinda ending.
E-arc courtesy of Netgalley.
June 9, 2026
* 4.5 stars *
Roxanne is a researcher at an alchemy company/monopoly (because of course capitalism would affect magic too!). After her boss is killed, she follows the trail of corruption, one that her mother, head of department, is also following in parallel.
The world building in this book was fantastic. I was hooked from the start and wanted to keep learning about this world and the magic system. All the characters, from the main characters to the smaller ones, felt real, unique and complex. The mystery was surprising and kept you on your toes but not so much that it felt unknowable (I always find it frustrating if there’s no way to guess what happens).
I was slightly worried this was going to be a mum and daughter buddy cop story but this felt like a real mother-daughter relationship with all its high and low points.
I loved the romantic relationships in this book. They added a sweet, slightly spicy, touch to the book without pulling focus from the main storyline. I was invested in these relationships - at one point, I did think if one of these characters dies and they don’t get their happy ending, I’m going to scream haha.
My only negative is that the ending felt a bit rushed and slightly confusing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. I had been searching for a good fantasy mystery and this was exactly what I needed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Tapir for this ARC.
Roxanne is a researcher at an alchemy company/monopoly (because of course capitalism would affect magic too!). After her boss is killed, she follows the trail of corruption, one that her mother, head of department, is also following in parallel.
The world building in this book was fantastic. I was hooked from the start and wanted to keep learning about this world and the magic system. All the characters, from the main characters to the smaller ones, felt real, unique and complex. The mystery was surprising and kept you on your toes but not so much that it felt unknowable (I always find it frustrating if there’s no way to guess what happens).
I was slightly worried this was going to be a mum and daughter buddy cop story but this felt like a real mother-daughter relationship with all its high and low points.
I loved the romantic relationships in this book. They added a sweet, slightly spicy, touch to the book without pulling focus from the main storyline. I was invested in these relationships - at one point, I did think if one of these characters dies and they don’t get their happy ending, I’m going to scream haha.
My only negative is that the ending felt a bit rushed and slightly confusing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. I had been searching for a good fantasy mystery and this was exactly what I needed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Tapir for this ARC.
June 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Tapir Publishing and G.S. Valiant for an opportunity to read this book.
I was very excited by the premise and the ambitious setting of this, as well as the prospect of female main characters who are… well, not teenagers. I’m also a big fan of a mother-daughter relationship depicted not as picture-perfect or downright abusive, but as layered and complex while ultimately loving. I appreciated it here and wish that theme was explored more. I also hoped Roxanne and Juliana would be spending more time together, but then again, them not doing exactly that is probably part of the emotional conflict here.
I like the idea of magic as something tangible and commodified being in the centre of conflict, and the juxtaposition of console and freehand magic. Must confess, though, I didn’t quite get how the enchantment works, as in, can anyone do it, or do you have to be gifted, the mechanics of it didn’t quite stick with me.
The setting feels vaguely Southeast Asian coded, but I wish there were more descriptions so that I could imagine the place better. Other than Vyner's uniform, I don’t think I’ve gotten a good idea of what the female characters wear, what the streetcars and buildings look like. I know this is a gaslamp fantasy, but I kept imagining the Vyner complex as some modern white corporate building with cubicles and stuff, when it’s probably closer to art nouveau.
The , though, was described in an appropriately awe-inspiring way, but I’m still wondering how it was . But hey, I’m always down for a cool mythical creature being used in fantasy, so points for that.
The conflict is solid and raises important moral questions, but there was probably one convenient accident too many as the plot unfolded. All I’m gonna say, Vyner must’ve gotten complacent with its security over the years. I wish there were more discussion between Juliana and Roxanne about what it means to work for a company that is inherently harmful, but also provides vital services and is the livelihood for many. This theme is interrogated, but there could’ve been more of that to my taste.
I hope I don’t offend anyone when I say my main problem with this book is its poor editing. Some phrases were repeated a few paragraphs apart, the characters kept calling each other by name in dialogues, which felt unnatural, and the messaging came across as quite heavy-handed and at times downright sermon-y. Some of those things could’ve been fixed very easily. It got worse toward the end, where everyone suddenly needed to pause for a make-out session or proclamation of love, ruining the pacing and the sense of stakes. Might just be my bitter scepticism shining through, but I felt like nobody was reading the room.
To end on a positive note, this book is stacked with great female characters, but Lillian and Juliana might be my favourites. I liked that the ending wasn’t a decisive ‘and then everything was fine and no one did anything bad ever again’, and I appreciated the setting. As you can see above, I’ve noticed many flaws, but now, as I’ve sat with this book for a bit after finishing it, my impression is rather positive. It’s fun, easy to read, and alludes to a rich, diverse, and interesting world. I congratulate the author on her ambitious debut and hope she writes more.
I was very excited by the premise and the ambitious setting of this, as well as the prospect of female main characters who are… well, not teenagers. I’m also a big fan of a mother-daughter relationship depicted not as picture-perfect or downright abusive, but as layered and complex while ultimately loving. I appreciated it here and wish that theme was explored more. I also hoped Roxanne and Juliana would be spending more time together, but then again, them not doing exactly that is probably part of the emotional conflict here.
I like the idea of magic as something tangible and commodified being in the centre of conflict, and the juxtaposition of console and freehand magic. Must confess, though, I didn’t quite get how the enchantment works, as in, can anyone do it, or do you have to be gifted, the mechanics of it didn’t quite stick with me.
The setting feels vaguely Southeast Asian coded, but I wish there were more descriptions so that I could imagine the place better. Other than Vyner's uniform, I don’t think I’ve gotten a good idea of what the female characters wear, what the streetcars and buildings look like. I know this is a gaslamp fantasy, but I kept imagining the Vyner complex as some modern white corporate building with cubicles and stuff, when it’s probably closer to art nouveau.
The , though, was described in an appropriately awe-inspiring way, but I’m still wondering how it was . But hey, I’m always down for a cool mythical creature being used in fantasy, so points for that.
The conflict is solid and raises important moral questions, but there was probably one convenient accident too many as the plot unfolded. All I’m gonna say, Vyner must’ve gotten complacent with its security over the years. I wish there were more discussion between Juliana and Roxanne about what it means to work for a company that is inherently harmful, but also provides vital services and is the livelihood for many. This theme is interrogated, but there could’ve been more of that to my taste.
I hope I don’t offend anyone when I say my main problem with this book is its poor editing. Some phrases were repeated a few paragraphs apart, the characters kept calling each other by name in dialogues, which felt unnatural, and the messaging came across as quite heavy-handed and at times downright sermon-y. Some of those things could’ve been fixed very easily. It got worse toward the end, where everyone suddenly needed to pause for a make-out session or proclamation of love, ruining the pacing and the sense of stakes. Might just be my bitter scepticism shining through, but I felt like nobody was reading the room.
To end on a positive note, this book is stacked with great female characters, but Lillian and Juliana might be my favourites. I liked that the ending wasn’t a decisive ‘and then everything was fine and no one did anything bad ever again’, and I appreciated the setting. As you can see above, I’ve noticed many flaws, but now, as I’ve sat with this book for a bit after finishing it, my impression is rather positive. It’s fun, easy to read, and alludes to a rich, diverse, and interesting world. I congratulate the author on her ambitious debut and hope she writes more.
June 3, 2026
3.75 stars, rounded up for GoodReads and NetGalley.
Thank you NetGalley and Blue Tapir Publishing for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Alchemists of Dawn is a fantasy novel with elements of dystopian fiction and mystery. Our two protagonists are well-crafted strong women and I appreciate the effort the author put into fleshing them both out and making them nuanced and believable. Our protagonists and their friends are a highlight of the book, with their dynamics and personalities bringing light to a novel that would otherwise be pretty dark. With that said, however, the antagonists/"villain" characters did not receive the same amount of care and craft, often coming off as cartoonishly evil.
With that in mind, my largest critique of this novel is that the messaging is rather heavy-handed. While the villains are caricatures of evil itself, the second half of the novel features our "heroes" speaking in monologues that are really lengthy opinions on the state of the fictional world (which is suspiciously similar to situations that are plaguing the real world). In my opinion, the themes and messaging of this novel feel very "tell, not show" at certain points, and I think the book would have been stronger had we not been walked through and guided to every conclusion; I believe the audience can reach those same conclusions on their own without help. Plus, adding nuance to the antagonists would have added more layers and allowed for much more discussion and stronger conversations on the important topics covered in this book.
With that said, I think this book is capable of sparking great conversations among its readers, and I appreciate the author using their voice in their art. There are important themes of womanhood and motherhood that shine in this book as well. There is also a fairly well-crafted atmosphere that shines in the lighter moments of the novel, contrasting with its heavy themes that lends positively to the pacing of the book (which I would consider medium but on the slower side of medium). As mentioned earlier, the dynamics between the characters are strong, especially in Roxanne's perspective, and their relationships feel believable. If I had to pick on one more element of the book, it would be that the description promises two romantic subplots, but one of them is sorely underdeveloped.
With all of that in mind, I think this book would be an enjoyable read for someone who:
-Is interested in "gaslamp" fantasy (an aesthetic very similar to steampunk)
-Prioritizes political intrigue when reading a fantasy novel
-Is a fan of a dystopian fiction
-Likes a cozy "vibe" when reading heavy themes (but the coziness doesn't undermine the narrative)
-Appreciates the perspectives of strong women leads
If any or all of those things sound appealing, this might be a book you would enjoy spending some time with!
Thank you NetGalley and Blue Tapir Publishing for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Alchemists of Dawn is a fantasy novel with elements of dystopian fiction and mystery. Our two protagonists are well-crafted strong women and I appreciate the effort the author put into fleshing them both out and making them nuanced and believable. Our protagonists and their friends are a highlight of the book, with their dynamics and personalities bringing light to a novel that would otherwise be pretty dark. With that said, however, the antagonists/"villain" characters did not receive the same amount of care and craft, often coming off as cartoonishly evil.
With that in mind, my largest critique of this novel is that the messaging is rather heavy-handed. While the villains are caricatures of evil itself, the second half of the novel features our "heroes" speaking in monologues that are really lengthy opinions on the state of the fictional world (which is suspiciously similar to situations that are plaguing the real world). In my opinion, the themes and messaging of this novel feel very "tell, not show" at certain points, and I think the book would have been stronger had we not been walked through and guided to every conclusion; I believe the audience can reach those same conclusions on their own without help. Plus, adding nuance to the antagonists would have added more layers and allowed for much more discussion and stronger conversations on the important topics covered in this book.
With that said, I think this book is capable of sparking great conversations among its readers, and I appreciate the author using their voice in their art. There are important themes of womanhood and motherhood that shine in this book as well. There is also a fairly well-crafted atmosphere that shines in the lighter moments of the novel, contrasting with its heavy themes that lends positively to the pacing of the book (which I would consider medium but on the slower side of medium). As mentioned earlier, the dynamics between the characters are strong, especially in Roxanne's perspective, and their relationships feel believable. If I had to pick on one more element of the book, it would be that the description promises two romantic subplots, but one of them is sorely underdeveloped.
With all of that in mind, I think this book would be an enjoyable read for someone who:
-Is interested in "gaslamp" fantasy (an aesthetic very similar to steampunk)
-Prioritizes political intrigue when reading a fantasy novel
-Is a fan of a dystopian fiction
-Likes a cozy "vibe" when reading heavy themes (but the coziness doesn't undermine the narrative)
-Appreciates the perspectives of strong women leads
If any or all of those things sound appealing, this might be a book you would enjoy spending some time with!
June 12, 2026
5 stars.
Wow, this is one of the most well written indie books I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC from BookSirens. I'm very impressed by the author's writing style and just the way she describes things. As a scientist myself, I love reading about women in STEM and, sadly, many books don't have enough actual experiments in them or don't do the science justice. I'm happy to say this book does not do those things and fits the bill of being an exemplary women in STEM book. I'm very impressed by how the author described the experiments while also making them accessible and understood by non-scientists.
This book was action packed and had great twists and turns. I was hooked! I also loved the romance subplot. Although I'm a sucker for a slow burn with extreme amounts of yearning, the way the romance was written was tasteful and well done. I did get kind of annoyed at how long it took for Juliana and Roxanne to actually share what they know about the mysteries around them and work together to solve them. I mean, come on! You don't team up until the last half of the book! I was nearly pulling my hair out at how, individually they were making progress in the investigation, but both needed info the other already had. You're working towards the same goal. If they had of just talked, they could have collaborated and solved things a lot quicker.
Despite a couple grammatical errors (a couple missed quotation marks when someone started talking, a couple missed periods, and a couple repeated "the"s and "a"s), this was such a fun read! I look forward to reading more works from this author!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow, this is one of the most well written indie books I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC from BookSirens. I'm very impressed by the author's writing style and just the way she describes things. As a scientist myself, I love reading about women in STEM and, sadly, many books don't have enough actual experiments in them or don't do the science justice. I'm happy to say this book does not do those things and fits the bill of being an exemplary women in STEM book. I'm very impressed by how the author described the experiments while also making them accessible and understood by non-scientists.
This book was action packed and had great twists and turns. I was hooked! I also loved the romance subplot. Although I'm a sucker for a slow burn with extreme amounts of yearning, the way the romance was written was tasteful and well done. I did get kind of annoyed at how long it took for Juliana and Roxanne to actually share what they know about the mysteries around them and work together to solve them. I mean, come on! You don't team up until the last half of the book! I was nearly pulling my hair out at how, individually they were making progress in the investigation, but both needed info the other already had. You're working towards the same goal. If they had of just talked, they could have collaborated and solved things a lot quicker.
Despite a couple grammatical errors (a couple missed quotation marks when someone started talking, a couple missed periods, and a couple repeated "the"s and "a"s), this was such a fun read! I look forward to reading more works from this author!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2026
Alchemists of Dawn had some strong points, but overall it was a mixed read for me. The biggest challenge was the pacing. Much of the story moves quite slowly, with a brief stretch in the middle where things pick up before settling back into a slower rhythm again. I also found the world-building surprisingly limited for a fantasy novel. While there are plenty of descriptive passages, many of them felt focused on details that didn’t add much to the setting or plot, leaving me wanting a deeper understanding of the world itself.
That said, G.S. Valiant is clearly a talented writer. The prose flows well and is easy to read, making it simple to keep turning the pages even when the story slowed down. The characters were also a highlight. They develop steadily throughout the novel and become genuinely likeable, which helped keep me invested in their journey.
While the book didn’t fully work for me, I can see why others might enjoy its character-driven approach and writing style. For readers who prefer a slower-paced fantasy focused on character growth rather than extensive world-building, this may be worth a try. 3/5 stars.
That said, G.S. Valiant is clearly a talented writer. The prose flows well and is easy to read, making it simple to keep turning the pages even when the story slowed down. The characters were also a highlight. They develop steadily throughout the novel and become genuinely likeable, which helped keep me invested in their journey.
While the book didn’t fully work for me, I can see why others might enjoy its character-driven approach and writing style. For readers who prefer a slower-paced fantasy focused on character growth rather than extensive world-building, this may be worth a try. 3/5 stars.
June 14, 2026
First things first, credit where it's due: I could read this through NetGalley with the approval of Victory Editing. I think I have to review it but I always review what I read so it doesn’t change much.
We're in a corporate setting about energy shortage. Rings a bell ? Well the flavor is a bit different since here it's not about oil. It's about magic. Magic is oil/electricity. It's refined from mines and stored in cells.
The main cast are members of this conglomerate that has a monopoly on the stuff. Not high level leads. They are mainly women and the conglomerate is lead by men.
This is the two main themes of the book which are explored by characters that want to bring change.
I liked how it funnels and weaves the two in the narrative. I'm always a fan of exposing the layering of social issues, show how they intermingle. What can be done, and the limits.
I'm not saying it's done in a perfect way here.
We do fall back into petit-bourgeois, or classical liberalist narratives. With artisanship and so on.
I'm not going on a political rant here. It's good and that's enough, sometimes.
By the way, as a Final fantasy fan I loved the Shinra tower insider plots and schemes. The mako... I mean magic lore. ("Magick" I see you). The romance is well executed except at the end I'd say where it's stacking every resolutions.
So it's a solid 3.
We're in a corporate setting about energy shortage. Rings a bell ? Well the flavor is a bit different since here it's not about oil. It's about magic. Magic is oil/electricity. It's refined from mines and stored in cells.
The main cast are members of this conglomerate that has a monopoly on the stuff. Not high level leads. They are mainly women and the conglomerate is lead by men.
This is the two main themes of the book which are explored by characters that want to bring change.
I liked how it funnels and weaves the two in the narrative. I'm always a fan of exposing the layering of social issues, show how they intermingle. What can be done, and the limits.
I'm not saying it's done in a perfect way here.
We do fall back into petit-bourgeois, or classical liberalist narratives. With artisanship and so on.
I'm not going on a political rant here. It's good and that's enough, sometimes.
By the way, as a Final fantasy fan I loved the Shinra tower insider plots and schemes. The mako... I mean magic lore. ("Magick" I see you). The romance is well executed except at the end I'd say where it's stacking every resolutions.
So it's a solid 3.
June 18, 2026
If you enjoy stories that prioritize clever problem-solving and character dynamics over "chosen one" tropes, you will likely appreciate this book. It is a refreshing take on the genre that balances mystery and world-building with ease.
Whether you are a fan of gaslamp fantasy or just enjoy a strong mystery with a touch of magic, Alchemists of Dawn is a highly promising debut worth adding to your "To Be Read" pile.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Whether you are a fan of gaslamp fantasy or just enjoy a strong mystery with a touch of magic, Alchemists of Dawn is a highly promising debut worth adding to your "To Be Read" pile.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2026
4.75 out of 5 stars
A very good first novel that I highly recommend. The start was a bit slower read for me, mainly I think due to absorbing info about the world and the many characters.
There is some plot/character development relevant romance, but you'll be safe skimming those parts if that isn't your cup of tea.
A very good first novel that I highly recommend. The start was a bit slower read for me, mainly I think due to absorbing info about the world and the many characters.
There is some plot/character development relevant romance, but you'll be safe skimming those parts if that isn't your cup of tea.
May 28, 2026
Thanks to net galley for the ARC on this debut!
It was good, I really enjoyed it overall. I love that it had an academic/ women in stem cross with magic and mystery.
I found the writing engaging and easy to read
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ enjoyable read!
It was good, I really enjoyed it overall. I love that it had an academic/ women in stem cross with magic and mystery.
I found the writing engaging and easy to read
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ enjoyable read!
May 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Tapir Publishing for the ARC of this book. This book has moved into one of my top reads so far this year. It truly had everything I love- magic, mystery, women in STEM, and a totally awesome FMC! I loved the different POV’s, and the magic system was truly intriguing. This book’s imagery was amazing, and I could easily imagine everything the author described. Such a fun, easy read! Highly recommend!!
June 2, 2026
Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I was very excited to read this book. From the title, to the cover, to the premise, it seemed right up my alley.
A sci-fi book that also deals with magic? A mother and daughter relationship at the centre of it? Dual POVs from both the daughter AND the mother aka a somewhat "inexperienced" woman in the world of Vyner vs the woman who made a LOT of things happen and knew the innerworking not only of job politics but of their craft. Oh my god, there is this one like that goes "I realised I did not know who my mother was outside of work" and that was DELICIOUS.
But unfortunately, I had to DNF it.
Like I said, I was very excited to read it, but it simply was not for me.
First of all, the very first scene is of a business meeting. There are a lot of names, terms and overall information being thrown around and we had barely even begun. Especially since the world is not presented to us from the beginning and we are literally thrust into the middle of a meeting, it is hard to understand what these characters are talking about. The book was advertised as having Women in Fantasy STEM so I knew that we would be dealing with a lot of information from the get-go (seeing as fantasy and sci-fi are two different genres and each have their own intricacies), but to me, it felt very convoluted.
There was something that happened around Chapter 4 that piqued my interest and I actually devoured the next three chapters, only to then be once again infodumped on. There are lots of paragraphs just going on and on about how magic works, but at the end of the day I did not really understand why magic existed or how it came to exist and how it works. These descriptions take up so much space and are quite confusing. There was not enough exploration on how the world or the magic worked for a bunch of facts and names and terms to be dumped on us.
I also did not quite understand how the company worked? Despite it being told to us, I'm not so sure I grasped the concept.
There are also too many roles, too many characters. Too many assistant department heads or researches or assistants of developers or presidents or vice-presidents or chairmen. Having a diverse cast is NOT a bad thing per se, and I love a well populated book. But once again, since the titles were so many and so different from each other (but at the same time, literally the same - it's like that one business card scene in American Psycho, only 10 times worse.) I just got everyone mixed up and confused. Hell, there are eight? Six? Men introduced in the very first scene and they all do the same thing? Some lead Research, some lead Refining? What the hell is refining?
I swear, I gave it all my attention. I read and reread to make sure I was getting everything right, but it just got to a point where I had to stop.
This is the right book for someone out there!
The main characters are incredibly strong-willed and competent. I like how Juliana observes has a more subtle approach to work politics and the iron-clad will of Roxanne. There is magic, there is STEM, there is a very good friendship between some of the main cast of characters, and I'm sure this will be someone's book.
It just wasn't for me, and that's okay.
I was very excited to read this book. From the title, to the cover, to the premise, it seemed right up my alley.
A sci-fi book that also deals with magic? A mother and daughter relationship at the centre of it? Dual POVs from both the daughter AND the mother aka a somewhat "inexperienced" woman in the world of Vyner vs the woman who made a LOT of things happen and knew the innerworking not only of job politics but of their craft. Oh my god, there is this one like that goes "I realised I did not know who my mother was outside of work" and that was DELICIOUS.
But unfortunately, I had to DNF it.
Like I said, I was very excited to read it, but it simply was not for me.
First of all, the very first scene is of a business meeting. There are a lot of names, terms and overall information being thrown around and we had barely even begun. Especially since the world is not presented to us from the beginning and we are literally thrust into the middle of a meeting, it is hard to understand what these characters are talking about. The book was advertised as having Women in Fantasy STEM so I knew that we would be dealing with a lot of information from the get-go (seeing as fantasy and sci-fi are two different genres and each have their own intricacies), but to me, it felt very convoluted.
There was something that happened around Chapter 4 that piqued my interest and I actually devoured the next three chapters, only to then be once again infodumped on. There are lots of paragraphs just going on and on about how magic works, but at the end of the day I did not really understand why magic existed or how it came to exist and how it works. These descriptions take up so much space and are quite confusing. There was not enough exploration on how the world or the magic worked for a bunch of facts and names and terms to be dumped on us.
I also did not quite understand how the company worked? Despite it being told to us, I'm not so sure I grasped the concept.
There are also too many roles, too many characters. Too many assistant department heads or researches or assistants of developers or presidents or vice-presidents or chairmen. Having a diverse cast is NOT a bad thing per se, and I love a well populated book. But once again, since the titles were so many and so different from each other (but at the same time, literally the same - it's like that one business card scene in American Psycho, only 10 times worse.) I just got everyone mixed up and confused. Hell, there are eight? Six? Men introduced in the very first scene and they all do the same thing? Some lead Research, some lead Refining? What the hell is refining?
I swear, I gave it all my attention. I read and reread to make sure I was getting everything right, but it just got to a point where I had to stop.
This is the right book for someone out there!
The main characters are incredibly strong-willed and competent. I like how Juliana observes has a more subtle approach to work politics and the iron-clad will of Roxanne. There is magic, there is STEM, there is a very good friendship between some of the main cast of characters, and I'm sure this will be someone's book.
It just wasn't for me, and that's okay.
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