In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review
The BookBrowse Review
Published January 24, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
The BookBrowse Review
Published January 24, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
Contents
Highlighting indicates debut books
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Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Short Stories
Essays
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Mysteries
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Biography/Memoir
History, Current Affairs and Religion
Science, Health and the Environment
Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Biography/Memoir
| Critics: |
Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding fantasy novel about a quest that leads three young alchemists toward dangerous truth, legendary love, and extraordinary power.
For Ash Woods, practicing alchemy is a crime.
Only an elite few are legally permitted to study the science of magic—so when Ash is rejected by Lancaster College of Alchemic Science, he takes a job as the school's groundskeeper instead, forced to learn alchemy in secret.
When he's discovered by the condescending and brilliant apprentice Ramsay Thorne, Ash is sure he's about to be arrested—but instead of calling the reds, Ramsay surprises Ash by making him an offer: Ramsay will keep Ash's secret if he helps her find the legendary Book of Source, a sacred text that gives its reader extraordinary power.
As Ash and Ramsay work together and their feelings for each other grow, Ash discovers their mission is more dangerous than he imagined, pitting them against influential and powerful alchemists—Ash's estranged father included. Ash's journey takes him through the cities and wilds across New Anglia, forcing him to discover his own definition of true power and how far he and other alchemists will go to seize it.
Featuring trans, queer, and polyamorous characters of color, Infinity Alchemist is the hugely anticipated young adult fantasy debut from the extraordinary author of Felix Ever After, King and the Dragonflies, Queen of the Conquered and more.
"Richly built. This is magical." ―Booklist (starred review)
"Callender builds a rich environment that echoes real-world injustices...political intrigue, a fascinating magic system, and heart-pounding action propel the plot and, combined with Ash's unfurling relationships with Ramsay and the rest of the supporting cast, result in a refreshingly affirming and tender standout fantasy." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Featuring a cast of queer and trans characters entangled in a gorgeous romance, Infinity Alchemist is a thrilling, expansive adventure and a bold exploration of family lost and found." ―Elana K. Arnold, author of Damsel
"Kacen Callender has story alchemy unlike any other. Central relationships twine with deeply felt magic to transmute expectations and expand the possibilities of YA fantasy. This novel introduces a world of grounded conflicts that never loses touch with our own―and boundless power that brims with possibility." ―A. R. Capetta, Lambda-winning author of The Brilliant Death series
"Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding, fast-paced and deeply romantic fantasy that thoughtfully explores the meaning of power, who is worthy of it, and what people are willing to do in its pursuit. Kacen Callender's diverse cast of queer and polyamorous characters provides some much-needed representation to the YA fantasy genre." ―Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of The Sunbearer Trials
Kacen Callender is the bestselling and award-winning author of multiple novels for children, teens, and adults, including the Stonewall Honor Book Felix Ever After and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature winner King and the Dragonflies. Their adult fantasy, Queen of the Conquered, was a World Fantasy Award 2020 winner for Best Novel, named one of the 100 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time by Time Magazine and one of the 50 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time by Esquire.
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