Infinity Alchemist

Prepare to be immersed in the captivating journey of three young alchemists as they navigate the realms of love and power beyond their wildest imaginations.Meet Ash, a passionate lover of books, particularly those on magic. Though the term "magic" is now considered outdated, Ash's fascination remains unchanged. Being self-taught in the art of alchemy, Ash conceals his true abilities, fearing the consequences should anyone discover his secret. Enter Ramsay Thorne, a condescending figure, an alchemy professor, who catches Ash off guard. Instead of turning him over to authorities, Ramsay offers Ash a proposition: aid her in the search for the legendary Book of Source, and she will teach and safeguard his secret. This sacred text holds unimaginable power for its reader, and as Ash and Ramsay grow closer in collaboration, their connection takes an unexpected turn."The universe is a woven tapestry made of threads of energy streams that we think of as life. With Source, we are aware of each and every single string."Amid their shared mission, Ash uncovers the true peril that lies ahead, putting them up against influential and formidable alchemists, including Ash's own estranged father. Ash's journey stretches across the vast landscapes of New Anglia, encompassing both bustling cities and untamed wilderness. Throughout this adventure, Ash must redefine his understanding of true power and confront the lengths to which alchemists will go to claim it.In this remarkable YA fantasy debut by bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callender, the pages are ablaze with passion. It stands in stark contrast to traditional fantasy fare, breathing new life into the genre. The characters feel authentic, embarking on transformative journeys that captivated my imagination. Witnessing their mistakes, growth, and learning was a delight that had me teetering on the edge of my seat, hoping for their success.Prior to reading this book, I had never experienced Kacen Callender's writing. Suffice to say, I was enthralled by their unique style. The representation of diverse identities is skillfully woven into the narrative, and the world-building is executed with precision. The story maintains an ideal pacing, I definitely felt carried along on an exhilarating adventure.There is so much to adore about this book. From the intricate workings of magic and alchemy to the exploration of queer and gender fluid identities, as well as the importance of staying true to ourselves and the intricacies of polyamorous relationships, Infinity Alchemist offers a tapestry of themes to captivate many readers. While it may not be flawless, there is undeniable power in crafting a tale that is both enchanting and adventurous.

The actual fantasy about a special book that can give the reader power plays a background role as do the more fascinating elements that I would have liked to read about- the world and society Ash lives in, the houses, and the Alchemy.There are some unique features of this Alchemy and society which are touched upon such as Ramsey is truly gender fluid as a result of their connection to the source but never in great detail.I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.The romance between Ash and Ramsay dominates the first third of the book, the romance between Ash and a character introduced in the second third dominates the story and then for the last third, the story focuses on the romance between all three of them in a sweet polyamorous love storyThe problem I had is the secondary characters are so much more nuanced and interesting than Ash and I was more invested in their stories than Ash’s- Ramsay, the gifted Alchemist living under the shadow of their parents’ heinous crime, Callum, Ramsay’s ex who is desperate for a different life but to scared to live it and Marlowe, the assassin working for Ash’s father. In fact, I would have loved to spend more time with Ash’s parents.This book has a diverse range of characters and any inequalities in this society are based more on class and alchemy rather than race and sexuality.

A YA fantasy you need on your TBR!From previous reviews you know I love anything that involves magic in it and although I was drawn to this book because of its gorgeous cover the author blew me away with the story inside. A fun and interesting mystery that will keep you on your toes, this book has it all from diverse characters to unique magic laws.Callender does an amazing job of creating characters you cant help but love, the range of POVs you get to read from really helps you get to know the MCs along with building great tension through out the read. This is YA but there's still an interesting romance plot line that runs through out the book along with a fun adventure you get to embark on along side the characters. I enjoyed how this book was paced its not super fast, so it gives you time to learn the characters around you as well as the new world you will find yourself in, it does pick up pace towards the end once you start putting all the pieces to the mystery.Overall this was an easy read I devoured within hours and would definitely recommend to all my YA fantasy lovers who want a book that has interesting characters that are out there and unique along with a plot line that will keep you intrigued from page one.

I honestly haven't read a fantasy book in way too long and I absolutely LOVED this. I'm not a high fantasy girly so this was perfect for me. And it was also perfect for me because we had a lot of great representation in this, including my favourite, polyamory.It was really accessible and easy to read and I can't help but think it's because the Author doesn't usually write fantasy and was able to transfer their skill as a queer young adult writer so effortlessly. If you haven't read fantasy before then you could easily start with this one; the magic system made sense 🙌This book did take me three weeks to read due to my life at the moment but it really wasn't a criticism of Kacen's work and I wish I'd been able to read it a lot quicker. But the great thing was that the story and characters were easy to remember so I didn't feel lost at any point. My first 5⭐️ of the year!(It was spicy too 👌)

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!