I don't often read this genre, fantasy or romance. So it took me a while to process and appreciate this book, but as I continued I grew to really understand the effort put into the world SenLiYu has created.Before the release- I had not heard of their previous projects or fan fiction. This was a new experience for me and I loved it, the detail creates such imagery, that I was able to feel so immersed in this book.

I honestly don't know what to say right now! May need some time to sit and really think about what I just read over the course of a week! Not a very helpful review I know but just tapping in to say absolutely read this book! Thank you to the publishers for sending me an early copy :)

The war is over, the Eternal Flame has fallen, and Necromancers rule. Helena Marino, a healer, is captured and imprisoned. Her memories up to this point have been lost or shielded, which leads the new rulers of Paladia to consider just what she knew of the resistance. Helena is handed over to the ruthless High Reeve, who is tasked with regaining her memories and discovering just what Resistance secrets she might be hiding… Alchemised is a book of two parts. The first set at the end of the war, when all is lost, and the necromancers have won. And the second part is a flash back, where we enter into the war years and all Helena did for the Eternal Flame. Alchemised is 900 pages of heartbreak and trauma that made me sob and yet I loved it. With heavy themes of war and politics, it is all about the lengths people are willing to go to save the ones they love. And for Helena, no length is too far. The last line well and truly broke me. A devastatingly and incredibly written fantasy novel. Dark fantasy - this is NOT a romantasy. It is a traumatic dark fantasy which has elements of romance but the main plot is focussed on war. Please check trigger warnings before going in.

Having just put down this book and reflecting upon it, all I can think of is Woah! This book absolutely captivated my attention during the duration of reading it. Admittedly I wasn’t sure what I was getting into before reading it but this is an incredibly well written novel. SenLinYu has created a gripping world word full of characters written with such depth and a well thought world building system. Though having a backdrop of fantasy, it really is a story of the impact of war, sacrifice, resistance and the lengths individuals will go to for those they love. The book does touch upon some very heavy themes, just as a word of caution. I am so glad to have read this book, though it at times left me feeling broken and crushed. Many thanks to the publisher for my ARC. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own and reflective of me reading the book.