I read Manacled by SenLinYou at the beginning of 2024. I’m not a big Harry Potter fan but I fell in LOVE with that Dramione meets Handmaid’s Tale fanfiction. When it was announced that SenLinYu was rewriting Manacled to be a unique, traditionally published work, I could not contain my excitement. Alchemised was my most anticipated release of the year and while I did greatly enjoy it, I do have some issues. This review will be spoiler free.
I like to give a heat level rating for all books with romance. If you’re curious about my rating system, you can check it out here.
Synopsis:
In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy—and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past.
“What is it you think you’re protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There’s no one left for you to save.”
Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner—of war and of her own mind. Her Resistance friends and allies have been brutally murdered, her abilities suppressed, and the world she knew destroyed.
In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers, whose vile undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive.
According to Resistance records, she was a healer of little importance within their ranks. But Helena has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading up to her capture, making her enemies wonder: Is she truly as insignificant as she appears, or are her lost memories hiding some vital piece of the Resistance’s final gambit?
To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world. Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight—to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self—is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own . . . secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.
My Thoughts:
- Rating-
- Heat Level-
I can sum up my thoughts for Alchemised in one picture…
I loved Manacled so I love Alchemised… because it’s literally the same story. The names, setting and magic system have been changed but not much else. Even the descriptions for Helena and the High Reeve are identical to Hermione and Draco. It’s a good story but I didn’t want to read Manacled again. I wanted this to be something new and unique. I even have the same issues with Alchemised that I did with Manacled; the overly long flashback scene and slightly meh ending.
If I hadn’t read Manacled, this book would have been an emotional journey. Unfortunately, I knew every twist and surprise. I even think that some of the darker elements were toned down and I can only assume that’s because it’s traditionally published. Overall, this is NOT a bad book. I’m giving it four stars, just like I did Manacled, because it’s the same story. I am personally disappointed, though.
Final Thoughts:
If you’d like my full, spoiler filled thoughts, just go read my review for Manacled here. If you haven’t read Manacled, I highly recommend reading Alchemised. I think most people will adore it and find it to be a very emotional, gripping read. However, if you have read/own Manacled, I don’t think it’s necessary to read this version of it. As always, though, please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!
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