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dreaming_ace's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and quick read about free will vs elemental balance.
malglories's review against another edition
5.0
What to say? The Alchemists' Council is unlike any book I've ever read. It's strange and complicated and incredibly odd, but lovely.
First, to describe the premise a bit more in detail: Imagine that all life and existence stems from a powerful stone thing called the Lapis. In another dimension, the Alchemists' Council interprets this Lapis and thus affects the real world via the manuscripts they create. Those manuscripts and the words on them (written in ink created from the Lapis) can control the world! However, there is a Flaw in the Lapis, one that restricts Council control and gives the outside world free will. That Flaw is also the domain and purpose of the rebels, who seek to not only preserve it but to expand it. The plot begins when bees begin to disappear from the manuscripts and from the world, leading the Council to suspect rebel activity. There are several viewpoint characters, but Jaden - a new Initiate into the Council - is the most important, as she strives to unravel the mysteries of the Council, the rebels, and the Lapis.
In short, The Alchemists' Council is about words, academia, bees, free will, ethics, theory, and so much more. It's just so cool. (I forgot to add, the book is also so diverse! Love it.)
The worldbuilding is complicated as hell, as evidenced by that long paragraph explaining only a fraction of the premise and all its plots and problems. The world of the Council is so intricate and rich and immersive, unlike anything I've ever read before. The only quibbles I had with the novel are that there is so much information it sometimes becomes overwhelming (there are info-dumps that could be much more elegant), and that the plot and the world are so complex that I still don't understand some of it, or I'm not entirely convinced of some of it. I'm not sure whether it's one or the other or both at the moment.
Additionally, this is not a book for everyone. It's dense and slow and quiet - there are no huge events until the second half of the novel. It is more focused on the unraveling of secrets and relationships and pasts than it is advancing the plot in conventional, exciting ways. While I like this - I generally like slow books, and books about studying, lmao - I know many people won't.
Nevertheless, The Alchemists' Council left me reeling and disoriented but also awestruck and fascinated, and I really enjoyed it. If any of the above intrigues you, give it a try.
First, to describe the premise a bit more in detail: Imagine that all life and existence stems from a powerful stone thing called the Lapis. In another dimension, the Alchemists' Council interprets this Lapis and thus affects the real world via the manuscripts they create. Those manuscripts and the words on them (written in ink created from the Lapis) can control the world! However, there is a Flaw in the Lapis, one that restricts Council control and gives the outside world free will. That Flaw is also the domain and purpose of the rebels, who seek to not only preserve it but to expand it. The plot begins when bees begin to disappear from the manuscripts and from the world, leading the Council to suspect rebel activity. There are several viewpoint characters, but Jaden - a new Initiate into the Council - is the most important, as she strives to unravel the mysteries of the Council, the rebels, and the Lapis.
In short, The Alchemists' Council is about words, academia, bees, free will, ethics, theory, and so much more. It's just so cool. (I forgot to add, the book is also so diverse! Love it.)
The worldbuilding is complicated as hell, as evidenced by that long paragraph explaining only a fraction of the premise and all its plots and problems. The world of the Council is so intricate and rich and immersive, unlike anything I've ever read before. The only quibbles I had with the novel are that there is so much information it sometimes becomes overwhelming (there are info-dumps that could be much more elegant), and that the plot and the world are so complex that I still don't understand some of it, or I'm not entirely convinced of some of it. I'm not sure whether it's one or the other or both at the moment.
Additionally, this is not a book for everyone. It's dense and slow and quiet - there are no huge events until the second half of the novel. It is more focused on the unraveling of secrets and relationships and pasts than it is advancing the plot in conventional, exciting ways. While I like this - I generally like slow books, and books about studying, lmao - I know many people won't.
Nevertheless, The Alchemists' Council left me reeling and disoriented but also awestruck and fascinated, and I really enjoyed it. If any of the above intrigues you, give it a try.
madelyn91's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun & entertaining read. I finished in it one sitting now I have to wait for the sequel. If you are looking for a weekend fantasy read with great characters & fast writing this the the book for you!
becraynor's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a bit biased as Cynthea was one of my professors at VIU. Nevertheless, I must give credit where it's due, and Cynthea has definitely written one of the most original fantasy works I've read in awhile.
The world and magic is really well done, and the use of alchemy is refreshing rather than overused. It took me a few chapters to understand the hierarchy within the council, and there were many characters to learn quite quickly, but Cynthea made each of them memorable.
Cynthea will be giving a public lecture and discussing her novel at VIU in Nanaimo, BC on Friday September 30 at 10am. I'm looking forward to hearing her then!
The world and magic is really well done, and the use of alchemy is refreshing rather than overused. It took me a few chapters to understand the hierarchy within the council, and there were many characters to learn quite quickly, but Cynthea made each of them memorable.
Cynthea will be giving a public lecture and discussing her novel at VIU in Nanaimo, BC on Friday September 30 at 10am. I'm looking forward to hearing her then!
janlo26's review against another edition
3.0
The characters in this novel are engaging and believable and kept me reading despite the lack of description of the environment in which the novel takes place. A few interesting details is all we're given to create a believable world for the characters to live in. That said, since a series is indicated, I look forward to finding out what happens to the main character and those around her.
ken_bookhermit's review against another edition
tried to read it and get into it, i swear, because the premise sounded promising but I was only put off by the fact that there was an entire explanation of the world that didn't help with intrigue. so i skipped it. but then when i started reading at the actual start i couldn't help but hesitate because, maybe i should have actually read the prologue? anyway, so i gave up on it.
jasonhenry42's review against another edition
5.0
I grabbed this book almost at random from the store because I liked what the title seemed to imply (politics and a richly developed magic system) and I was not disappointed! I was so impressed with the author's mix of existing alchemical lore and her own creations to craft the world of Council Dimension, and she portrayed everything so convincingly that I was shocked not to find a Wikipedia page for "Novillian Scribe" or "Azoth Magen" I also loved how the cosmology of the book magnified the effects of personal choices, making the stakes colossally high while still remaining intensely personal for the characters. Good stuff.
jessicamcavalli's review against another edition
4.0
ACTUAL RATING: 4.3/5
MAGIC SYSTEM: I picked up this book on the intrigue of a potentially unique alchemical system; it satisfied, if not surpassed my expectations. Some books make empty promises of vivid a magic system, but this was not the case in The Alchemists' Council. The magic system that was the council was rich and complex with myriad rituals, traditions and world building. There was a fluidity between the different aspects that allowed the alchemical system to make sense. I liked how the rank and status within the council was built upon one's merit; there's not that one main character who is, for reasons unexplained, born with all-powerful magical gifts.
PLOT: The plot was not overly complex or too predictable. Where the plot may seem unoriginal when simply put- a young girl gone to a a secret magical school faced with the an ethical choice that could save, or destroy, the world- it was unique in its own way and the plot surprised me many times.
WHERE IT LACKED: What made me give it four stars was an overall sense of being too one-dimensional. Where there was some mythology and history introduced, I would have enjoyed more historical background to enhance the world building. None of the characters particularly stood out to me as being unique people I could feel attached to. There seemed to be too many instances of information dumping.
OVERALL: Intriguing and unique alchemical system, complex plot, good world building, somewhat flat, but not overly stereotypical characters and a highly recommended read!
MAGIC SYSTEM: I picked up this book on the intrigue of a potentially unique alchemical system; it satisfied, if not surpassed my expectations. Some books make empty promises of vivid a magic system, but this was not the case in The Alchemists' Council. The magic system that was the council was rich and complex with myriad rituals, traditions and world building. There was a fluidity between the different aspects that allowed the alchemical system to make sense. I liked how the rank and status within the council was built upon one's merit; there's not that one main character who is, for reasons unexplained, born with all-powerful magical gifts.
PLOT: The plot was not overly complex or too predictable. Where the plot may seem unoriginal when simply put- a young girl gone to a a secret magical school faced with the an ethical choice that could save, or destroy, the world- it was unique in its own way and the plot surprised me many times.
WHERE IT LACKED: What made me give it four stars was an overall sense of being too one-dimensional. Where there was some mythology and history introduced, I would have enjoyed more historical background to enhance the world building. None of the characters particularly stood out to me as being unique people I could feel attached to. There seemed to be too many instances of information dumping.
OVERALL: Intriguing and unique alchemical system, complex plot, good world building, somewhat flat, but not overly stereotypical characters and a highly recommended read!
moriaine's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vezak's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, but its clearly a cerebral fantasy novel. Canadian author though, didn't see that coming. Listening to the book I was both intrigued and bored. I still look forward to the other 2 books in the series (all 3 books are free with an audible subscription)