Alchemy of Souls

The Hundred Halls #3

by Thomas K. Carpenter

In the Hundred Halls, students experiment with all manners of catoptromancy, lexology, verumancy, rune spells, demonology, shape changing, and a thousand other arcane techniques. Every magic is encouraged. Every magic, except one—soul magic. As Aurie's third year begins, students are found without their souls, ripped from their bodies, leaving them empty husks. Someone, or something, is stealing them for a nefarious purpose. With that kind of power being collected, not even the professors are safe. If Aurie and her sister cannot stop the soul thief before the end of the year, the Hundred Halls will never be the same.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2017

About the author

Thomas K. Carpenter is a full time contemporary fantasy author with over 70 independently published titles. His bestselling, multi-series universe, The Hundred Halls, has over 43 books and counting. His stories focus on fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures. All the books can be found at major retailers and directly from the author at https://thomaskcarpenter.com/.

You can sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialso...
When he is not writing, he enjoys playing turn-based strategy games and MTG, skiing, hiking, traveling, and chilling on the couch with his wife and their little dog, Merlin, at home in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

Reviews

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit in this thoroughly entertaining series!

There are even more sinister shenanigans afoot amidst the Hundred Halls, and that's not even counting the trouble Pi is going to find herself in when Auri finally discovers what is hidden in her sister's room!

Another fast paced action filled adventure with Aurie, Pi and the Hundred Halls at its centre.

The Cabal continues on its devious journey of attempting to wrest all magical power for their own twisted ends. Some intriguing new characters enter.

The two sisters are refreshingly different from each other and the typical stereotypical 'Mage in training'. Aurie the rule-following one and Pi who's happy to cross the often blurred lines of etiquette, and what's legal.

They continue to grow as individuals, expand their knowledge and try their hardest to protect their friends. Not always successfully.

And darn! I would time taking a large sip of coffee just as Tristen and his entrapment by bra occurred! My iPhone may never recover. You have been warned - reading about errors in spells can be almost as hazardous as bungling the spell in person!

A terrific series, packed with intrigue, humour and action that has some unique and likeable characters and an interesting magic system. Always a fun read.

[Peter Bruyns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This IS a YA Book!

I'm my 72 year, I'm inclined to think that the author got it right with this book if he was aiming to please YA mostly. There IS nothing wrong with the story, for an adult it's just subtly off.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, I found it too slow in places, to repetitive in others, and contradictory in other sections even a paragraph or page apart. Had to force myself to finish reading through, it was that...whatever. Liked the premise but the execution for me was missing...things. Still, promised friend would read all the books so 1-3, 4, and then what usually do is review the sets and individually. Was 3 1/2 which means have to decide to go lower or higher so went with erring on side of higher rating. Read these in the 3 pack set, of which this is #3.


As her 3rd year begins students are found without their souls, but for what purpose and how much power is being collected, and not even professors are safe.

Trials of Magic (The Hundred Halls Book 1)
Web of Lies (The Hundred Halls Book 2)
Alchemy of Souls (The Hundred Halls Book 3)
The Hundred Halls (Books 1-3)
Gathering of Shadows (The Hundred Halls Book 4)

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the series.
That being said, I have problems with the behavior of Pi and her obsession with family history. As a family genealogist I understand the need to research history, but to put side reason and self preservation in the quest for answers makes no sense.
By the way, do they not have public records in this world, or the census?
Why doesn't she start with a records search?
Also, they know that the bad guys are constantly working to do harm, and to take over the college, shouldn't they be forming an opposing group?
Surely the head of the house of assassins would still be upset with the way she was manipulated, and might be willing to help.
Given that there are other magical schools in the world, one would think that there are competing universities who would love to bring the Hundred Halls down.
One wonders, given how many members of the Cabal have already been eliminated, who is left in the running on that side.

[Kirk Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought the first three books of this series on Kindle as a package deal. They're OK, but I enjoyed the third book the best of them. I confess, had I purchased the first individually, I might not have continued, but with nothing else to read, I continued - and am glad I did.

There are a few loose ends. Many deliberately, but I fear a few are just forgotten. The author does let some of their preachy morality sneak through in some places which can be a bit jarring, but it's mostly OK.

Four stars is a high score, and I'm being generous. But I gave the earlier ones three and this one was a bit better. It's also an easy read - and sometimes that's what I need.

[Ellie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alchemy of Souls, by Thomas K Carpenter
(Book Review)


The other week, I found myself in a reading slump and decided to return to a favourite author of mine, Thomas K Carpenter. I first came across Thomas’s work when I began my journey as an aspiring indie author around 2015-16.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed every book of his that I’ve read. It felt only natural to return to the Hundred Halls Series with book 3, Alchemy of Souls.

Trials of Souls was exactly what I needed to kick myself out of my recent reading slump. It was exactly what I expected: a fast-paced story of magic, family, power, and betrayal. The story dives straight into the action, with Aurie (elder sister of main character Pi), resulting in a conspiracy surrounding her and the strength of her magical abilities. Not only that but an estranged uncle turns up, claiming to want to get closer to his two nieces.

Meanwhile, a terrifying beast stalks the undercity, content to such out people’s souls. It’s up to Aurie and Pi to save their city.


*Characters*

Pythia: Pi has always been my favourite character. Her sense of humour catches me off guard (in a good way) every time, her resourcefulness is truly ingenious.

Aurie: I felt awful for Aurie throughout most of the book: for people to think you’re unstable is the worst feeling in the world. I could completely relate to this feeling as I struggle with frequent mood swings and associated behaviours. Despite Aurie being ostracized in book three, Aurie shows great strength and determination when confronting an ever-mounting list of problems.

Violet Cardwell: In book three, we learn a lot more about Violet’s past. Violet, a snotty and bratty rival mage hides more secrets than you could imagine. She’s always been cruel to Aurie and Pi since book one and now everything begins to add up. Behind Violet’s ice cold facade is a terrible pain from a traumatic childhood.


*Story*

As usual, Carpenter’s imagination delivered me into a thrilling world of magic and mayhem. Carpenter has a particular talent for building tension, often leaving me feeling as if my heart is in my throat.


*Predictable?*

While I definitely saw some parts coming, I was blown away by how many little details I hadn’t picked up on. The climax of the story surprised me but in a good way. I finished book three, feeling satisfied and ready to dive into book four.


* A memorable quote*

I’d like to leave you with a quote that hit me hard.

‘In our darkest hours, when the world is against us and the parts of ourselves we show others get stripped away, that’s who we are.’

I couldn’t agree more with this. In times of crisis, we delve deep into our soul, in order to fight and push through our problems.


*Overview*

Book three: Alchemy of Souls was thrilling, magical, and surprising. This series so far has been bold, imaginative, and filled with exciting magical exploits. The series deals with themes from friendship and family, to power and altruism.


My rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to fantasy book lovers that like well-written indie novels.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense, new adult & college fantasy. Aurie and Pi have moved into their third year in The Hundred Halls. The Cabal is directly out for them this time. To top it off, a soul thief is picking off a student in each hall. While the primary plot of this title comes to an effective end, this title doesn't start or end well.

Entertaining. Great world building. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

Part of "The Hundred Halls (Books 1-3) (Hundred Halls Bundles Book 1)"

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You simply can't put these books down once you've started.

Carpenter has done it again! His writing style is very easy going and smooth. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone so I'll just say that more magic and mystery await at the Hundred Halls.

[Karen Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first two in the series. There were events in the beginning I didn't like, but it does get better if you keep reading. After about half the book, I couldn't put it down.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main characters still annoy me just because they seem so naive, but I always need to remember that they are based upon circumstances and their life. I will probably continue with the final books but unsure yet if I will move into the other aspects of the hundred halls world.

[Deanna Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intensity keeps increasing

Every time I stay thinking that I've had enough of this series the author turns it up a notch and I keep reading.

[Jacqueline Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I really enjoyed reading more about Aurie and Pi. They are very resourceful and can do just about anything that they set out to do.

[Stuart Macmartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up to 4 stars. An entertaining read, with a few twists I should have seen, which are the best kind. Characters to sympathize with, even unlikeable ones.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I've read it twice already in the first week since I purchased it--once to see what was going to happen, and then more slowly to enjoy the author's creativity, innovative use of magic & otherworldly characters. Highly recommend!