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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD • 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.
This stunning hardcover edition features a deluxe jacket with gold foil on the front and a full-color illustration on the reverse, gorgeous designed endpapers, a gold foil case stamp, and, from acclaimed artist Avendell, a black-and-white interior illustration.
A SHE READS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
“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.
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Overall rating: 4.540741 / 5 from 135 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Alchemised, a riveting dark fantasy, captivates readers with its stunning world-building, beautifully written prose, and enthralling story. The book's deluxe cover and engaging characters make it a standout choice for fantasy enthusiasts.
"This books is absolutely stunning, when I received it I started reading it immediately and so far the story is amazing." — Kayla
"A wonderfully original story, I love supporting upcoming authors." — Estela
"Amazing world building and fabulous character development!" — Shan W.
Reviews
Caught the attention of a non Harry Porter Fan!
"When I first heard about this book being a fan fiction of Harry Potter, was like really! But I also understood that the author wanted this book to reach beyond the fans - which caught my attention to begin reading and must tell, loved the book! Wish it could be developed into an anime, would love to see how that adaption will look like. Coming to the plot, I like the way certain realistic scenarios about war, loss, sacrificial stories gone missing during wars, highlighting the good and bad of science experiments and lastly the love and friendships - all depicted well through this fiction novel!"
— KM (5/5)
6 Stars
"The best book I've ever read, period"
— Jennifer B. (5/5)
Top 5 of all time
"most amazing thing i’ve read, i’m obsessed. keep your tissues nearby and say good bye to your soul, cause it’s about to be shattered."
— Tiffany B. (5/5)
5/5 Stars
"Alchemised by SenLinYu felt raw, heavy, and incredibly real, like I wasn’t just reading a story, but watching people make impossible choices and live with the consequences. The characters are flawed and human, the emotions are everywhere and real, and the darkness serves a real purpose rather than shock value, maybe a bit of both ;). The slow burn tension, moral grey areas, and sense of sacrifice truly stuck with me even after I put the book down, making this a deeply immersive and emotionally satisfying read. 5 Stars."
— Shareena (5/5)
Great read
"Wonderfully written. Started reading it because someone told me it’s the idea of if Hermione and Draco got together, and Voldemort had won the war and stayed because the story was also just so strong on its own even if you didn’t know that. The world was so well built and contained so much content and in my opinion wrapped up the story so nicely. I really love that it seems to be a standalone because it’s been so long since there has been a good one. There is some trigger warning topics but you go into this book knowing it’s a dark fantasy style book. I wouldn’t call it a romance book more that there was a love story in the book but it wasn’t the main focus"
— Mercy (5/5)
Alchemized review
"Honestly Alchemised really suprised me. I picked it up not really knowing what to expect and I ended up getting pretty hooked. The story is easy to follow and the characters feel real and there were a few parts that actually made me stop and think. It’s got a cool mix of magic drama and personal growth without trying too hard. A couple spots were a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed it. If you like fantasy with good vibes and a bit of emotion it’s definitely worth reading."
— Shelby (5/5)
Alchemised
"Alchemised completely consumed me. From the first page, I was hooked, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The story is beautifully written, emotionally rich, and relentlessly gripping in a way that makes you forget everything else around you. What truly surprised me was how deeply it made me feel. This book made me cry — not just once — and that emotional impact lingered long after I turned the final page. The characters felt real, flawed, and achingly human, and their journeys stayed with me in the best possible way. Alchemised is without question one of my favourite reads of the year. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading: immersive, moving, and impossible to forget. I already know this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Highly recommend."
— Sharon Z. (5/5)
Excited to dive into this beauty
"This books is absolutely stunning, when I received it I started reading it immediately and so far the story is amazing. I am excited to see where else this story will take me."
— Kayla (5/5)
Where magic leaves its mark
"Alchemised is a work of art. Dark, immersive, and beautifully written. It is not a light read, but for those who love heavy fantasy with a unique and thoughtfully crafted magic system, this story is a true standout. Helena and Kaine are the kind of characters who settle quietly into your mind, lingering long after the final page is turned."
— Liz07 (5/5)
Beautiful Cover, Beautiful Story!
"THIS IS A MUST-READ, so deeply complex and heartwrenchingly beautiful. Fell in love with the world, the characters, the relationships - every word said had its purpose and somehow, unexplainably, worms its way so deep into into your soul. Forever unchanged and broken apart by this book."
— Jasmine (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Sep 23, 2025
Language: English
No. of Pages: 1040
Publisher: Random House Worlds
ISBN: 9780593972700
Dimensions:
6.44" W x
1.86" L x
9.56" H
“A sweeping tale set in an uncharted dark fantasy world. It encompasses the realities of war and a romance that fights for survival.”—People
“SenLinYu’s debut is a doorstopper of a fantasy. . . . The superb worldbuilding and intricate plotline make this a must-read.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In this high fantasy with very dark themes, SenLinYu weaves a tale of political intrigue with centuries of depth and nuance. Many readers will be . . . drawn into the complex morality of two broken people finding love during a war.”—Booklist
“SenLinYu has created a vivid new universe. Alchemised made me remember what makes reading good fantasy so enjoyable.”—The Atlantic
“A book that digs its teeth in like a starving wolf. It unsettles, it gnaws, and yet by the final page, I wanted to thank it for what it put me through. . . . In a genre often dominated by safe formulas, SenLinYu’s debut is a reminder that speculative fiction still has teeth and knows how to bite.”—Grimdark Magazine
SenLinYu grew up in the Pacific Northwest and studied classical liberal arts and culture. They started writing in the Notes app of their phone during their baby’s nap time. Their collected online works have garnered more than twenty million individual downloads and have been translated into twenty-three languages. They live in Portland, Oregon, with their family. Alchemised is their first novel.
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