Book: This Wretched Alchemy by Tina Mars
Reviewed by Lindsay A
Rating: 5/5
You know those books that make you pause, close the cover, take a deep breath and brace yourself before you continue because you just know sh*t’s going to go down? This book right here, so many times. This has been one of my most anticipated since it was first announced and it does not disappoint 🙌🏻
This book scratched every itch in my romantasy trope loving brain, I feel like it had it all - enemies to lovers (to 👀 ), badass FMC, female rage, forced proximity, chefs kiss banter, tension for dayyssss, morally grey characters, touch her and die MMC. SO. GOOD.
Revel very quickly became one of my top fav FMCs - this girl has been through it and still manages to be one of the sassiest, F You attitude FMC’s I’ve read and I love it so much. Axus was an immediate win as the mysterious, tortured, emotionless but down bad for our girl MMC. I had a hunch about his plot twist and I’m so glad I was right because the chemistry all around had me questioning how things would pan out. And the chemistry 🔥 tension so thick you could cut it with a knife and the banter had me absolutely cackling. I loved (and cried) watching their relationship evolve and how they each changed as a character. I am sooo freaking excited to see their dynamic in book 2 because their status when this book ends promises absolute enemies to lovers perfection 👌🏻
The alchemy magic system was so neat to read, and Mars goes into so much detail on all aspects of it, from the manifestation to the mental process and everything in between. The world building was 10/10, and even though the plot spans multiple areas and terrains, the detail was all there and I was able to picture all of it. The cultural aspects added so much depth to the story, I was familiar with a few and found myself googling others so I knew who/what they were and how to properly picture them.
Easily a top read for me this year!! I absolutely recommend you add this book to your immediate TBR. I’m so thankful for the chance to early read, thank you so much Tina and Saturday Books for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own 🫶🏻