Infinity Alchemist

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really well developed. I felt very connected to them. The story did drag a little at times. The only thing that was annoying was the amount of times the author uses the word Source like people would use the work God in their conversation. (Ex: "Source, what is going on? " "Source I don't know why you are telling me that." "Source I can't help how I feel.") It was redundant.

I. AM. SO. TIRED. OF. TRANSGENDERISM. BEING. SHOVED. IN. OUR. FACES. I didn’t finish this book and will not read anything else by this “author”.

I loved the incorporation of being trans and/or genderfluid into multiple characters in the story, and the openness and breadth of our capability to love multiple people reflected in them as well. The plot and storyline were great, but the big climax felt a little rushed. Excited to see where we go in the next book with the characters' lives and the future of this world.

Loved the story up until it described being gender fluid as an alchemy achievement of the highest level. Just not my jam.

I almost didn't pick up this gem but I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone who is open to reading about different lifestyles. If you happen to be Poly or part of the LGBTQ+ community you might really fall in love with this story. The character development is so good. I'm almost done with this one and excited to read the next book. It keeps me wanting to read which is always a good thing.

I loved the exploration of magic as simultaneously physics, religion, and myth. The way that gender is understood in this book is fantastically interesting as well. For a full 5/5 stars, I would have liked to be a bit more grounded in the world. My understanding of the Houses and the landscape is a bit amorphous, but perhaps I’ll get my curiosity satiated in Book 2 :)

In the land of New Anglia, the divide between those with power and influence and those without is sharp and deep. And even though eighteen-year-old Ash has skills in alchemy, his background makes it impossible to legally practice and improve his abilities. So, instead of becoming a student at Lancaster College, Ash gets a job as a groundskeeper, scrounging what information he can as he cares for the sprawling grounds. But when the infamous Ramsay Thorne discovers the immensity of Ash’s alchemical prowess, the two form a tenuous agreement to secretly work together to find the fabled Book of Source. They are not the only people in search of the Book, however, and as the stakes are raised, they must learn how much they need to trust each other in order to survive.This gripping young adult fantasy features a broad assortment of diverse characters. Told from multiple points of view, the narrative includes several characters of color, coupled with a variety of gender identities and romantic persuasions, as well. These inclusions enrich the storytelling, especially as they add greater complexity to the relationships and interactions taking place throughout the novel. As readers get to know the characters, empathy grows for them and their unique and complicated situations within the starkly divided world in which they reside.As a fantasy story, this novel spends a good amount of time on the world-building component, immersing readers in an unfamiliar society that nonetheless shares multiple similarities with reality. A map and other pre-matter help provide reference points for readers, and the narrative itself draws readers in through well-crafted language and an excellent delivery overall. It is refreshing to observe characters who see the faults in their world amass the bravery required to disrupt those flaws, and readers will be cheering for each character’s success throughout the novel. The book is best suited to mature young adult and older readers due to the use of occasional strong language and intense subject matter. Filled with heart, conviction, and riveting storytelling, this young adult fantasy adventure is not to be missed.

Ash Woods thinks it’s all over when he’s caught studying and learning alchemy illegally by Ramsay Thorne. But Ramsay instead turns to blackmail: Ash helps her find a legendary book and she won’t turn him in to the police. As the pair continue working together, feelings develop, danger arises, and their respective pasts reemerge causing them to reevaluate what they’re willing to do in order to accomplish their goals.One of the most important elements of a fantasy story is the world-building and the world-building in this one is a lot to take in at times but never feels too overwhelming. It’s easy to follow along and understand exactly how the world, the hierarchy, and the magic works.The characters are impulsive, often making rash decisions based of heightened emotions, and it can get frustrating at times, but that’s exactly how they should be! They are teenagers living in a world that it becomes increasingly clear is dangerous for them to live in and they react exactly as I’d expect teenagers to react. There are also moments where I wanted to scream “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER” at them and that is probably the thing that made them the most real—because how many teenagers do you know who are constantly open and honest about their feelings?As I’ve come to expect from Kacen’s writing, there is diverse cast of characters and even the evilest among them won’t stoop so low as to misgender someone. Murder? Sure. Misgendering? Absolutely the eff not. Even in a made up fantasy world, that’s something that is one of the most fantastical elements of the story because our world is so not like that. It makes the escape that I hope for in reading fiction (even when surrounded by dangerous situations) that much sweeter.From the privileges prevalent in academia to overly religious organizations trying to push their ideals on to any and everyone, Kacen seamlessly incorporates elements from the real world into their story that allows the fantasy to feel completed grounded.Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

In Ash's world, alchemy is a crime if one does not have a license. In a world where alchemy is truly a part of one's life force and very existence, some may even display acts of alchemy without even realizing it. Rejected by the college of his alchemic dreams, Ash turns to teaching himself, listening in on lessons where he can, as he lands a job as the school groundskeeper.Fate brings Ash together with Ramsay, a top tier student at the college. Instead of ratting Ash out to the guards, Ramsay makes him a deal: to help them (Ramsay is gender fluid) find the legendary Book of Source, a tome said to contain the greatest of alchemical secrets, power that can change the world as they know it.In their exploration of alchemy and its deeper secrets, Ash and Ramsay become much closer, a considerable couple. After being left behind in an attack, Ash encounters Ramsay's ex, Callum, by happenstance. As Ash learns more about Callum and his place in society, as well as his goals, Ash thinks a new ally is in his midst. And maybe even more romance?And when the three must work together...oh boy! Sparks fly, a blend of hatred, regret, sadness, and passion.I absolutely love the LGBTQ representation in this novel. Ash is transgender, Ramsay is gender fluid, and the characters seem to represent an array of orientation preferences. The ethnic diversity is nice to see as well. This novel is fast-paced and fun. The way alchemy is approached has an air of magic realism to it that really makes the plot and characters standout.I especially loved listening to the audiobook version of this novel. Haas' voice acting is exquisite, and I was engaged in a way that I feel like would not have been the same just reading the novel. Just an absolutely flawless performance for an excellent novel that fits right up my alley. Perfect for fantasy lovers and those intrigues by alchemy and the legendary powers it can harbor.

This book pushed me way way out of my comfort zone. Seeing new perspectives in a poly sexual world. All while an incredibly well written fantasy novel is unfolding. A new and different look at a spiritual universe and the importance of love!

Thank you to NetGally and to Tor (Teen) Publishing for the ARC, and the chance to review this YA fantasy book honestly. I enjoyed this book, as I love the aspect of talking about the fact that "we are all made of energy." That had me drawn in. There is definitely the aspect of the haves and the have not's, the unfairness of how it is set up, and how you are treated differently based on where you stood in all of that. I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation of trans and genderfluid. Also addressing a poly relationship.Ash is on the have-not end of the scale, but has a gift with the skill of Alchemy. It is completely illegal for his to use it, however. While he cannot get accepted to the fancy school for Alchemy, he was able to get a job on the grounds. While watering plants, he has to deal with the wealthy or high status students mocking him. Then, he gets caught after snooping in Ramsay.'s. Ramsay has a reputation. After all, how could you not have a scary reputation with parents as serial killers, and you are a bit eclectic? Ramsey could have Ash arrested...or maybe he could help with a little project they have been working on (they will switch pronouns between he and she, as they are genderfluid, so I am using they to not confuse it too much). They are looking for the very book that their parents killed for, and Ash might just be the person to help find it.It is a lot of back and forth, and it does get confusing trying to figure out if Ramsay has any real intention of helping Ash, and you can feel Ash's frustration of feeling like he is the one vulnerable on each of the "outings". While we did get snippets of the lives of each of them, it did feel disjointed. The book was difficult to completely get through for me. I wanted to love this book with everything in me with the magic/energy alchemy and queerness so openly addressed and accepted. It was just a clunky storyline for me, and I struggled with giving 3 stars, but it didn't quite reach 4 stars for me.I still 100% encourage you to give it a read. We all have different parts that stick with us. So, if you love fantasy, open queerness that isn't judged or discriminated against, and a little bit of mind bending, add it to your TBR pile.

Three young alchemist, a quest for a magical book, killers after them, and romance blooming between all three. Ash Woods knows that practicing magic without a license is a crime, but he wants more than anything to be able to do magic. Ash was rejected from Lancaster College of Alchemic Science but did get hired as the groundskeeper's assistant... using his access to secretly practice magic. Ash also has a secret... he's one of the famous professor's bastard son... When Ash is discovered practicing magic by Ramsay Thorne, an assistant prof, Ramsay makes an exchange, if Ash helps Ramsay find the legendary Book of Source, a book said to give it's reader extraordinary power, Ramsay will teach Ash proper magic and keep Ash's secret. The more time Ash and Ramsay spend together the more their feelings begin to grow... but then there is Callum, Ramsay's ex who betrayed them for their family and is someone they'll need on their side if they are to go up against a lot of other dangerous alchemists who want the book... including Ash's father. The journey for the book will test them all but it will also open up a door for a romance that all three of them never expected. Let me start off by saying first off: hooray for queer polyamorous character representation in this book. I love a book with representation and a fantasy one that has a relationship that features good communication. The relationship aspect of this romance was sweet and really cute. However my gripes with the book came from the overall story and the structure of it. The story itself felt underwhelming and a bit boring. I was hoping for a bit more, as for the romance part, it kind of was just there and I was really hoping for it to be better developed and fleshed out. The overall ending and wrapping up of the major villain just felt bland and like nothing much exactly happened or paid off really well. Overall it was a sweet book and I give it extra points for having great representation.

Ash Woods has waited all his life to be an alchemist, but when he's rejected by the prestigious Lancaster Mage's College, he's forced to practice alchemy in secret.INFINITY ALCHEMIST by Kacen Callender gives us Ash's story that at points will have you on the edge of your seat!It's dangerous business, because alchemy is illegal in New Anglia, but to Ash it's worth the risk. He accepts the job as assistant groundskeeper at Lancaster, and perfects his craft in the shadows, eavesdropping on classes and practicing in secret. That is, until he's caught by Ramsay. Ramsay is the heir to the once-great Thorne family, fallen from grace when his parents committed the mass-murder of hundreds of people in pursuit of the famed Book of Source, which grants its reader unlimited and extraordinary power. Rather than turning Ash into the Reds, Ramsay offers him an alternative: he can help Ramsay find the Book of Source to clear his family's name and Ramsay will teach him alchemy in secret.The problem is, there are some pretty powerful players who also want the Book of Source, and for far more nefarious reasons.This was a stunning fantasy debut. The world building was heavy but also easy to follow along with, and you're totally immersed in the spirit of New Anglia and the fear and mistrust of alchemists. There are so many parallels to real life that, especially in the connection between House Loon and religious zealots that we've all likely encountered in our world. There's a lot of angst, and a lot of frustrating teenagers, but I think that all readers should keep in mind that these are teenagers. They're impulsive and frustrating and will absolutely drive you insane because they are actual children in a pretty freaking scary situation. They all have some pretty fickle feelings, especially in terms of relationships, but to me, that made it all the more realistic. I was all over the place as a teenager, so it tracks that teenaged characters would be, too! I also always love how, in all of the Kacen Callender books I've read so far, the villains are awful, but they're NEVER going to intentionally mis-gender someone, or be homophobic. They'll kill you, happily, but they're not going to stoop that low, which is such a lovely world that I wish would bleed over into our world. Respecting who someone is, even if they're your enemy, is just so, so, soooo inspiring to read. That's to say nothing of the diverse cast of LGBTQIA+, polyamorous, and people of color representation, which we know to expect and fall in love with in any book Kacen writes!Kacen does a fantastic job of pace on this book--so much so that while listening to the audiobook, I couldn't have told you how long had passed, I was so invested in what was going to happen next that the book kind of flew by, even as it took me a few days because, ya know, life. I could've used some of Ash and Co's alchemic skills to take care of all of those, am I right?Trust and believe, INFINITY ALCHEMIST will work its magic on you.NOTE: I read an advanced copy of this book via audiobook, and any misspellings are unintentional. I did not, at the time of writing this review, have a text to reference. In addition, Ramsay Thorne is gender-fluid, and his pronouns change throughout the book. The pronouns in my review shift to fit my memory of Ramsay during the scenes I'm referencing. When asked which pronoun to use, Ramsay said something along the lines of, "however you last saw me." My changing of Ramsay's pronouns in this review is my attempt to respect those wishes and use the pronouns that were used in the scene as they happened.

Ash taught himself alchemy, but must keep it a secret due to laws restricting anyone from using alchemy except for those qualified, such as those who get into college. Ash applied to college, but was not accepted and instead got a job as a groundskeeper’s assistant. One day, he enters Professor Ramsay Thorne’s office to water the professor’s plants when he finds some interesting material to read that causes Ash to perform alchemy, which is where Ramsay finds him and catches him performing alchemy and considers turning Ash in until Ramsay sees what Ash created, and instead tells Ash that Ramsay believes Ash is the assistance that Ramsay has needed. Ramsay offers to teach Ash alchemy, if he in turn is willing to help Ramsay with a very secret and personal project. Ash eager to learn, of course, agrees.This was an enjoyable read! I really liked the enemies to lovers dynamic in this book. These two are so different from each other and yet need each other and so begrudgingly help each other and slowly start to really learn about the other which causes feelings to bloom.The magic and world is unique. It gave me a sort of not a medieval vibe, but like an older century towne vibe, but with magic and colleges, etc.I also enjoyed the random POVs that would pop up throughout the story to help you see what was going on in another part of the story or a particular scene. I do wish the chapters clarified whose POV rather than read and see whose perspective we’re reading from, but that’s just a small thing that bothered me and is really not a huge deal!This is definitely a unique read, and if you enjoy books with magical schools, unique magic and alchemy, and an enemies to lovers romance, then check this one out!!!

3.5/5 starsThis was such a weird book for me. There were points where I actually didn't want to keep reading this book. On the positive end: the writing itself is great and the discussions of gender, power, love vs control, surface level motivations vs. the connection to ultimate knowledge - all of that was really thought provoking. It is objectively good in many ways. At the same time, subjectively, I didn't really like the story or the characters. The mission, the motivations, the timeline, all of it just didn't click for me. Mild spoilers beyond this point. I didn't understand Ash's motivation or why he was so pulled in by Ramsey so quickly. A person tells you they are blackmailing you to save the world and you just believe them?  No hmmm, maybe this person using coersion is not telling the truth to me right now?  Yet, instead of really questioning it all, he made active decisions to chose his connection with Ramsey over anything he cared about before he met Ramsey. I liked the Ash/Callum connection a bit better... I connected with Callum better than the other two - I got his motivation of his long-term feelings for Ramsey, why he was open to loving Ash now, and how terrible it was to be living a lie and use power you don't want against other people. Ash had access to Ramsey's loving memories of Callum and was faced with someone trying to help him, not trying to use him. Ramsey was part of all that of course I just didn't get how coercion turned into this universe saving love. The character connections were more interesting than the plot which was high stakes yet I didn't really care about somehow... I don't know there was just a disconnect.

Ash is caught practicing magic without a license by brilliant apprentice Ramsay. Instead of turning Ash in, Ramsay surprises him by making him an offer. If he helps them find the Book of Source, then they’ll teach him magic.As they work together their feelings grow but Ash learns the mission is riskier than he thought. When they’re pitted against influential and powerful alchemists, he is forced to discover his own definition of power and how far he’ll go to seize it.This was such an amazing read! I loved it. It was such a unique experience that I am glad I got to experience. I enjoyed being engrossed in this world of magic and intrigue for a little while with these characters. I love a book with magic, especially when it is explained well, and that is exactly what happened here.One part of this book that I particularly enjoyed reading about was gender fluidity. The author seamlessly wove the characters gender into the story, and I wasn’t confused at all despite the gender switching often. Ash, the main character, was also diverse in that they were a trans character. Again, the author did a fantastic job writing this into the story, so it was flawlessly carried out and implemented. In the characters’ world, all of the characters were accepted no matter their orientation, and it was honestly quite refreshing to read, if only that was the world we lived in. It was really interesting for me to read how this part of the story worked because it is an area that I am working on learning more about, so I can be more cognizant and aware.Even though this was fantasy, this wasn’t high fantasy, so the world wasn’t too abruptly different from our own, which made it easy for me to grasp. I often struggle with fantasy due to complex world building, and that was not the case here, I rather enjoyed it. I loved how the magic had a system and the system was laid out and explained nicely so I could understand it. It wasn’t all thrown at me right at the start either, so I had time to warm up to what was happening.I was sucked into this book from the start, and I didn’t come up for air, I loved it so much. The pacing was quick, and the ending was just as quick. While this was a five star read for me, I do wish a little more care would have been taken on the ending to explain things. However, it was a satisfying ending, and I loved this book so much.A copy of this review will be featured on my blog on or around publication day. speedreadstagram.com

Infinity Alchemist is a YA fantasy novel featuring queer and trans characters caught up in a polyamorous love affair while hunting down a magical book that could bring down the end of their world as they know it.Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have read several other books by this author and was delighted to hear that they were venturing into fantasy.This world has an intriguing magical system and three very likable main character. While I didn’t necessarily care about the actual “we need to stop this person, we need to find this book, save the world” portion of the book, I did enjoy it and I’m giving it 3.5⭐️/5.The pacing of this book felt a bit off at times and by the time the big battle ending came about I didn’t have much invested into it. Where this book excelled was in the character development of the three leads. Ash, Ramsey and Callum were my favorite parts of this book and the relationships they shared/ love they all felt for each other while simultaneously not trusting each other. The conclusion was a bit rushed but ultimately satisfactory and I would have liked to see more of their life together at the end. I will definitely be featuring this book on my social media closer to its release date.

For a book that was 13 hours long... nothing really happened. This is a book that didn't know what it wanted to be - it had such promise but it did not live up to it (in my opinion).Let's start with the good:- Great representation all across the board: we have a trans main character, a genderfluid main character, and a pansexual main character, which is great to see in a YA book.- The potential plot line was so interesting - Full Metal Alchemist is one of my favorite series of all time, so I am a sucker for a good alchemist book.- THE COVER! IT'S SO PRETTY!- Callum - an angel sweetheart baby (I have a soft spot for characters who are outwardly nice to others and easy-going. The rest of you can keep all your morally grey characters)Now the not so good:- For being a YA book that is written in a tone meant for younger grades (think more middle-school voice), there is a lot of romance and sex in this book. Nothing super spicy, and I don't think anything explicit on page? But still... it felt weird that the overall tone of this book felt very young but there were a lot of more adult plotlines involved and it just didn't work for me.- I loved that we have a genderfluid main character, but this did not translate well on page/via audio. There would be chapters where we would switch from he/him pronouns to she/her without batting an eye, which was confusing enough (but easy enough to manage). But then when it would randomly switch to he/him, when our other two main characters are males that use he/him pronouns, it got really hard to decipher who was talking to who. I just think that this could have been done a bit better - not a problem, just an editing issue.- We're not given enough backstory to care about any of this. This is supposedly the first in a series, so this could have been used to have more set up. Each book in a series should be able to hold it's own, but this one packs so much unnecessary information in it that while it can hold up, it doesn't give us anything to really care about or understand what is going on. The final "battle" scene... I'm still confused as to what happened. We lost all plot for the romance aspect towards the end.- Why was Ash so infuriating? He was just always mad at one thing or another. In his defense, he is rightfully angry at the world for hating alchemists and for basically ensuring the poor will always be poor. But he acts as though his way is the only correct way and then gets mad at Ramsey/Callum for things that happened in their past or things they did based on the circumstances around them. I don't know, he was just irritating to listen to because he was always complaining.Overall... unfortunately a 2.5/5 rounded down to 2. I wanted to like this one, but the pacing was all over the place and the characters' personalities were getting on my last nerve at times.

Infinity Alchemist is the start of a YA fantasy series that was an entertaining read with some of the best LBGTQ and polyamory rep that I have read in a long time. There are dystopian elements with a system of houses that control all aspects of society with those at the top able to access and use alchemy freely while others are prevented from attending the academy that teaches and licenses alchemists. There is conflict between some houses that wish to halt all use of alchemy while others secretly search for an all-powerful book so they can order society how they wish. While the characters are at school for part of the story the story quickly expands beyond the school setting.I really enjoyed the world of the houses and how each person had different affinities for different types of alchemy and how it is used. Ash, Ramsay and Callum come from different strata of society but find that they have much in common and I enjoyed the growth of their relationships. There are a few uneven sections of pacing although overall the pacing is quick and I never felt bogged down in the story. As a young protagonist Ash does wallow a bit in his disadvantages but as the action ramped up that lessened. I liked how love story grew throughout and it will be interesting to see what challenges and changes are in store for them in the next book. Recommend this for YA fantasy fans who want romance woven in with all the terrific magic.