The Scarlet Alchemist
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker is a young adult fantasy novel published by Inkyard Press in 2023. This original edition spans 432 pages and is presented in English. Set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, the story follows Zilan, a biracial girl with the unique ability to raise the dead, as she navigates the treacherous political landscape of the royal family while striving to become a royal alchemist.
Readers will find Zilan’s journey filled with challenges as she competes in the imperial exams, facing formidable opponents and the weight of her past. The narrative explores themes of family, diversity, and the complexities of grief, all while delving into the darker aspects of alchemy and power. As Zilan’s reputation grows, she becomes entangled in dangerous political games, revealing the hidden monsters within the palace and the secrets that threaten her future.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A dark and glittering jewel of a book.” –Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison
“Visceral to the core.” –Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
New from the author of The Keeper of Night comes a YA fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, where a poor biracial girl with the ability to raise the dead gets caught up in the dangerous political games of the royal family.
Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. But for now, she’s trapped in her impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table–resurrecting the dead, for a price.
When Zilan finally has the chance to complete her imperial exams, she ventures to the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country in tasks she’ll be lucky to survive, let alone pass. On top of that, her reputation for raising the dead has followed her to the capital, and the Crown Prince himself seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt.
The more Zilan succeeds in her alchemy, the more she gets caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family. There are monsters lurking within the palace walls, and it’s only a matter of time before they–and secrets of Zilan’s past–catch up with her.
Don’t miss the Keeper of Night duology!
The Keeper of Night
The Empress of Time
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