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Alchemy: Vols 1&2 Combined Special Edition - mystery murder thriller
Alchemy: a story of perfect murder & Alchemy: turning Silver to Gold" in a single volume WHAT READERS SAID ABOUT "Alchemy #1: "
""Possibly one of the best books released this year!"
"An absolutely amazing book. Spectacular. A real find!"
"after reading the first few chapters of Alchemy, I was hooked!"
"I could imagine this as a 'Ripper Street' style TV drama. Highly entertaining!"
"Packed with suspense!"
"Incredibly original!"
"an amazing storyteller and his research is spot on"
"The storyline is clever and it's rich in history."
"literally grabs you from the very first chapter"
"left me guessing until the very end!"
"a fascinating story... with several unexpected twists."
"atmospheric and absorbing!"
"a killer tale, really entertaining!"
"a fascinating historical account of a disturbing murder trial"
"a scary suspense murder mystery with an eloquent narrative - without the blood 'n' guts"
"The suspense is powerful!"
"It's rare that I find a book that I just can't put down!"
"If you love Victorian Era historical mystery and intrigue, you'll like this book!"
"An excellent mystery thriller with lots of twists and turns!"
"full of excitement and surprises!"
"very suspenseful and leaves you at the edge of your chair!"
"Loved the twists and unexpected!"
"A real page-turner. Couldn't put it down!"
"a very entertaining story with lots of mystery!"
"just gets better and better as you read it!"
"never ceases to surprise... compulsive reading and a real pageturner!"
"If you are a reader of period suspense and murder plots well written to portray the period, I highly recommend this!"
"A fascinating tale of murder and mayhem!"
"A while since I have enjoyed a book as much as this." "
FIRST REVIEWS of "Alchemy 2 on Goodreads: " ""Chris James has done it again! And this book is even better than his first. I did not want it to end. I saved it like a treat, a reward to look forward to. I enjoyed every word. This book is a masterpiece, spanning so much history as well as telling a great story. This author rivals C.J. Sansom for history and Alexandre Dumas for pace and adventure. I loved so many things about this book." "When is a book great? When the sequel is not only as good as but better than the first!" "In my review for the first book, I said that it was the book that "blew me out of the water" this year. Well, if the first did that then I am at loss for the words I need to describe this sequel. To say it eclipsed the first is definitely a gross understatement." "I really enjoyed the author's debut novel, and this one is another cracker. Chris James writes highly original dark and mysterious thrillers that are wonderfully well crafted and different to anything else I've read. No spoilers here, just a strong recommendation to buy and read this excellent novel just as soon as it's available." "Alchemy: turning Silver to Gold is not only better than the first one it is darker and more disturbing if that is even possible. It is ideal for anyone who loves a good horror/crime novel"
""Possibly one of the best books released this year!"
"An absolutely amazing book. Spectacular. A real find!"
"after reading the first few chapters of Alchemy, I was hooked!"
"I could imagine this as a 'Ripper Street' style TV drama. Highly entertaining!"
"Packed with suspense!"
"Incredibly original!"
"an amazing storyteller and his research is spot on"
"The storyline is clever and it's rich in history."
"literally grabs you from the very first chapter"
"left me guessing until the very end!"
"a fascinating story... with several unexpected twists."
"atmospheric and absorbing!"
"a killer tale, really entertaining!"
"a fascinating historical account of a disturbing murder trial"
"a scary suspense murder mystery with an eloquent narrative - without the blood 'n' guts"
"The suspense is powerful!"
"It's rare that I find a book that I just can't put down!"
"If you love Victorian Era historical mystery and intrigue, you'll like this book!"
"An excellent mystery thriller with lots of twists and turns!"
"full of excitement and surprises!"
"very suspenseful and leaves you at the edge of your chair!"
"Loved the twists and unexpected!"
"A real page-turner. Couldn't put it down!"
"a very entertaining story with lots of mystery!"
"just gets better and better as you read it!"
"never ceases to surprise... compulsive reading and a real pageturner!"
"If you are a reader of period suspense and murder plots well written to portray the period, I highly recommend this!"
"A fascinating tale of murder and mayhem!"
"A while since I have enjoyed a book as much as this." "
FIRST REVIEWS of "Alchemy 2 on Goodreads: " ""Chris James has done it again! And this book is even better than his first. I did not want it to end. I saved it like a treat, a reward to look forward to. I enjoyed every word. This book is a masterpiece, spanning so much history as well as telling a great story. This author rivals C.J. Sansom for history and Alexandre Dumas for pace and adventure. I loved so many things about this book." "When is a book great? When the sequel is not only as good as but better than the first!" "In my review for the first book, I said that it was the book that "blew me out of the water" this year. Well, if the first did that then I am at loss for the words I need to describe this sequel. To say it eclipsed the first is definitely a gross understatement." "I really enjoyed the author's debut novel, and this one is another cracker. Chris James writes highly original dark and mysterious thrillers that are wonderfully well crafted and different to anything else I've read. No spoilers here, just a strong recommendation to buy and read this excellent novel just as soon as it's available." "Alchemy: turning Silver to Gold is not only better than the first one it is darker and more disturbing if that is even possible. It is ideal for anyone who loves a good horror/crime novel"
592 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2015
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 18, 2016
What can I say the star rating says it all. Anyone who follows my reviews will know I don't give out 5 stars lightly, but I couldn't justify giving Alchemy anything less.Blending a love story with a touch of the supernatural, the paradox of a healer and a killer, dabbling in potions and elixirs all set against the backdrop of Victorian England. What is there not to like?!
Jacob Silver is a talented artist as well as a gifted student. Picked out by one of the professors at his school, Legatum, he has been chosen to conduct experiments in order to create the elixir of life, unlocking the secret recipe to immortality. When he meets Emily Muxlow he is immediately smitten, and suffering from consumption she is the perfect candidate for the potions he has been brewing in the secret laboratory concealed in the catacombs under the school. Driven by love Jacob is determined to cure her so that they can be together forever.
Fast forward a few years and after time apart Emily reappears in Jacob's life, crippled but alive and wanting to be his wife. The re-emergence of his old professor means he can continue his work as an Alchemist and healer and therefore help Emily to feel better. What more could a man want? There is no doubt that Jacob loves Emily to distraction. She is the inspiration behind his portraits which are lifelike depictions of his true love and earn him his bread and butter whilst he embarks on the epic alchemical journey to immortality. All he wants is to make her feel better.
So how do we get to the point where he is not only on trial for the murder of multiple women, but also for the desecration of Emily's grave?
I won't give too much away because, honestly, you just have to read these books they are astounding! As a history lover, especially when it comes to the Victorian era, I loved that Chris James blended real life murders that happened in that era such as Jack the Ripper and the Acid bath murderer with this supernatural, fictional account of an extraordinary individual. Initially I was daunted when my kindle told me that the combined addition would take 12 hours to read but I swear they just flew by, I was completely absorbed. Being an avid reader there's not much that shocks me anymore but Alchemy shocked me, it excited me, it consumed me so completely I'm still reeling!
Thankfully I had the combined edition because if I hadn't I would have been tearing my hair out waiting for the sequel! Read it, just read it. You will not be disappointed!
Jacob Silver is a talented artist as well as a gifted student. Picked out by one of the professors at his school, Legatum, he has been chosen to conduct experiments in order to create the elixir of life, unlocking the secret recipe to immortality. When he meets Emily Muxlow he is immediately smitten, and suffering from consumption she is the perfect candidate for the potions he has been brewing in the secret laboratory concealed in the catacombs under the school. Driven by love Jacob is determined to cure her so that they can be together forever.
Fast forward a few years and after time apart Emily reappears in Jacob's life, crippled but alive and wanting to be his wife. The re-emergence of his old professor means he can continue his work as an Alchemist and healer and therefore help Emily to feel better. What more could a man want? There is no doubt that Jacob loves Emily to distraction. She is the inspiration behind his portraits which are lifelike depictions of his true love and earn him his bread and butter whilst he embarks on the epic alchemical journey to immortality. All he wants is to make her feel better.
So how do we get to the point where he is not only on trial for the murder of multiple women, but also for the desecration of Emily's grave?
I won't give too much away because, honestly, you just have to read these books they are astounding! As a history lover, especially when it comes to the Victorian era, I loved that Chris James blended real life murders that happened in that era such as Jack the Ripper and the Acid bath murderer with this supernatural, fictional account of an extraordinary individual. Initially I was daunted when my kindle told me that the combined addition would take 12 hours to read but I swear they just flew by, I was completely absorbed. Being an avid reader there's not much that shocks me anymore but Alchemy shocked me, it excited me, it consumed me so completely I'm still reeling!
Thankfully I had the combined edition because if I hadn't I would have been tearing my hair out waiting for the sequel! Read it, just read it. You will not be disappointed!
February 17, 2017
think jack the ripper, silence of the lamb murder styled murders- I read this with out stopping- not going to be every ones cup of tea. The alchemist has discovered a way to paint images that evoke a real emotion of desire and passion. Longevity.
January 28, 2016
Alchemy is an engrossing supernatural mystery that explores the lengths men will go to attain immortality. Do not be put off by the length of this omnibus edition, it is definitely better to read both volumes together. The second volume is more of a continuation than a sequel.
As the novel progresses, the reader moves back and forth in time, gaining a unique understanding of the situation from multiple perspectives - that of Lizzie, the last living model, Silver, the brilliant artist and alchemist, and a few other pertinent characters. The truth is multifaceted. In both novels, Silver is put on trial for murder. Chris James reveals events and intentions slowly, layer by layer enticing the reader with each new bit of information.
Although this is a mystery, it isn't a traditional one by any means. There are aspects that place it more amongst horror and fantasy novels. This isn't a novel appropriate for younger readers.
Alchemy is a magnificent first novel, and I commend Chris James on his skill. I look forward to seeing what he writes next.
5/5
I received a copy of Alchemy Volumes 1 & 2 from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
As the novel progresses, the reader moves back and forth in time, gaining a unique understanding of the situation from multiple perspectives - that of Lizzie, the last living model, Silver, the brilliant artist and alchemist, and a few other pertinent characters. The truth is multifaceted. In both novels, Silver is put on trial for murder. Chris James reveals events and intentions slowly, layer by layer enticing the reader with each new bit of information.
Although this is a mystery, it isn't a traditional one by any means. There are aspects that place it more amongst horror and fantasy novels. This isn't a novel appropriate for younger readers.
Alchemy is a magnificent first novel, and I commend Chris James on his skill. I look forward to seeing what he writes next.
5/5
I received a copy of Alchemy Volumes 1 & 2 from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
February 3, 2016
Just finished reading my double header of Alchemy and Alchemy 2 by Chris James and all I can say is ..... Brilliant. Loved it..... if you haven't read it.... buy it and read it.... especially if you like detectives, thrillers, history, gruesome magic and it even has a bit of romance every now and then. It is clever and the characters have depth. It's not for the fainthearted but if you like this kind of book it will thrill you to the bone......The Perfect Murder.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews