Sian

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Sian’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (85)
currently-reading‎ (4)

read‎ (1387)
did-not-finish‎ (14)

2025-anticipates‎ (19)
favorites‎ (5)

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Sian is Currently Reading

Sian is currently reading

Alchemised

by SenLinYu (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2025

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Sian said: " For me, a 6 star reads comes along every few years but I knew almost immediately that this was going to be one of my favourite books of all time.

The main characters - Helena and Kaine - are so nuanced and fleshed out. They feel like they could jump o For me, a 6 star reads comes along every few years but I knew almost immediately that this was going to be one of my favourite books of all time.

The main characters - Helena and Kaine - are so nuanced and fleshed out. They feel like they could jump off the page. These people are so crushed by this war in a way that feels really real and honest. They should be treated as heroes but the only reward they get for sacrificing everything is to be villainised in the history books despite their best efforts. That is one of the most heartbreaking things about this book. Similar to "Katabsis" this is a 'love story' but it is not a 'romantasy' which I hope people keep in mind when reading.

I enjoy books that don't flinch away from hard topics. The SA scenes are handled really well. They aren't graphic or romanticised. They are there for a purpose but that purpose isn't sensationalised.

The worldbuilding was one of the things I was most interested in as someone who had read the original HP fanfic. I think it was done really well. Making it Alchemy vs Necromancy was a really interesting move. It added to the dark fantasy element nicely. Not to mention, there were some gory moments that the horror fan in me loved. I particularly loved the scene where we get the introduction to necromancy, it was so memorable. If you're worried about any of the HP world leaking through, I would say it's almost unrecognisable. It feels completely like it's own thing.

The decision to have the Order of the Eternal Flame be a religious institution opened up so many excellent opportunities for discussions of how religion is abused by those with power in order to maintain control. It felt timely and poignant to include that conversation during a time where American Evangelicals have lost the plot. It also allowed so much complexity to be added to the discussions on good and evil within the novel. How far can you go before the 'evil' things you're doing in the name of 'good' corrupt your soul? Where is the line? Is there a line? Is the corruption of your soul worth it in the end?

There are some slight criticisms I could make - a few minor worldbuilding things (like, would this word exist in this world because it feels super modern? sort of situations) and maybe the flashback side characters take a little too long to be memorable.

It's also a shame that the copy I received was the UK first print run which includes a misprint where the content warnings are on a page right next to a spoiler. I hate to think that this mistake potentially ruined someones enjoyment of the book.

I will be a fan of SenLinYu for as long as they are writing - whether thats traditionally published fiction or fanfiction. Even if this book feels like it may be too dark for you, I think they are going to have such a long and prosperous career because of how unbelievably talented they are. I hope that others love this book the way I do. I hope that the people who were just as excited as me for this release enjoy every single minute of their reading experience because books like this don't come along very often. ...more "

progress:

(page 593 of 1030)
"So I’ve read part 2 which is just shy of 600 pages as I’m doing a reread according to timeline. part one is the smallest part and I think it’ll be the most painful considering it’s the part of the novel where Helena hasn’t got her memories.

Not sure yet if I’ll have a break and read something else or if I’ll go straight into part 1." — Nov 07, 2026 04:56PM

Sep 24, 2025 02:23AM · see review

Sian is currently reading

The Last King of Faerie (The Wicked Powers, #1)

by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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progress:

(65%)
— Nov 08, 2026 11:44AM

Nov 05, 2026 12:05PM

Sian is currently reading

The Wolves of War (The Wolfheart Chronicles, #1)

by John Gwynne (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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progress:

(17%)
— Nov 05, 2026 12:05PM

Nov 04, 2026 05:22AM

See all 4 books that Sian is reading…

Sian’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

1 highlight

The poor are sad they’re poor, Adam had once mused, and turns out the rich are sad they’re rich. And Ronan had said, Hey, I’m rich, and it doesn’t bother me.

Sara and 12 other people liked this