Friday, January 06, 2012

Review: The Alchemy of Forever

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The Alchemy of Forever
Avery Williams
Release date: January 3rd, 2012
by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

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After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting–and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s him again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

*A copy was provided by Simon & Schuster for review purposes*
Reincarnation has always been an iffy subject for me. I’m not easily interested or impressed with it. I can happily say that the Alchemy of Forever is by far the best reincarnation story I have ever read (though I haven’t read that many – but still it was awesome!). In The Alchemy of Forever, when Seraphina dies next to Cyrus, the man who was to take her hand, he gives her a drop of Alchemy potion he’s discovered, that allows Seraphina to attach her soul to another body. She can now live forever jumping from body to body. How cool is that?

What would you do if one day, you were suddenly in someone else’s body? Living someone else’s life. Someone you have never met, with a family and friends, classes and hobbies. Well… fake it ’til you make it! And that’s exactly what Sera did! This premise, to me, is extremely fascinating. We’ve all wondered what it would be like to live someone else’s life at one point or another. It was very interesting, and often amusing, to watch Sera go through this. The girl has never even gone to school! And now she’s supposed to act like a normal 16 year old!? It was great! I was completely engrossed in it from the very first page. Sera is a fabulous protagonist who is extremely brave. I loved everything about her: her personality, her voice, even her name – Seraphina – it’s so chic, isn’t it?

Trying to get Seraphina back, Cyrus will go to great lengths. He’s the ultimate villain with the ultimate weapon: immortality. How can you escape someone who can not only live forever, but can LOOK like ANYONE? He can take any body he chooses. And he’s the type who will do anything to get what he wants. He kills mercilessly, and forgives no one. No wonder Sera escaped him! But, as you can surely guess, she sees him again.

The writing is excellent, the pacing is perfect, the romance is wonderful, and the end is heartbreaking. There is nothing I disliked about this book. Even the killer cliffhanger is extremely interesting (and what’s funny is I sort of expected it, but it still shocked me!). With most books you can often guess where the story is going to go after a cliffhanger, but this time I have absolutely no clue what Avery is planning for us. I’m positive that it will be gripping and surely full of emotions. However, I may not get to read it, because I may die waiting.


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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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32 Responses to “Review: The Alchemy of Forever”

  1. Amy

    I am so glad that you loved this book. I just ordered it and can’t wait for it to come in! With a review like that I am sure it has to be amazing!

  2. Rebecca

    Omg, I love the sound of this one! I’ve always been fascinated with reincarnation though, but haven’t actually read any. It would definitely be creepy with a bad guy like that too… awesome review. Time to add it to the to-read pile!

  4. Jessi

    I’m really excited that you liked this one so much! I bought it on a whim at B&N (compulsive habit when they put things out before the release date, lol). But, oh, killer cliffhanger?! I have to be in the right mood to enjoy one of those. 🙂

    Great review!
    ~Jessi @ Reading in the Corner

  7. Nina Reed

    Ooh, this looks great! I haven’t read many reincarnation stories, but you really should read Incarnate by Jodi Meadows! That was sooo good!:)

  10. YA Book Lover

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Definitely read the Hunger series. I haven’t read past the second book yet but as soon as I can get the third and fourth one from another branch of my library I will.
    I just saw this book in Walmart today and thought the cover was beautiful. I had never heard of it until today but it sounds great. I will have to add it to my reading list.

  13. Kathy Ann Coleman

    I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this. I am still kinda unsure whether this one is for me or not, which is strange since I love reincarnation books. I may have to give it a go considering how much you liked it. I suppose I can tolerate a “heartbreaking” ending if a book isn’t standalone? Hmm…

  19. Mary @ BookSwarm

    I love that you read such an eclectic mix of YA genres. I’m always finding great books in your review pile. This one sounds very intriguing–I’ll have to check it out!

  20. Lalaine

    I hear you with the Reincarnation thing, im also iffy nowadays reading that kind of stuff.

    Ive been wanting to read this book and the good thing is most readers have said good stuff about it and its making me more excited, esp your review. Great one Giselle x

    ✿FICBOOKREVIEWS✿

  21. Giselle

    Thanks guys!

    @A. Knight: I don’t want to say too much about it without giving some spoilers. But it’s a really great romance, no insta-love and awesome chemistry! That’s all I’m saying! 😉

    @Mary @ BookSwarm: Yeah I read pretty much anything. I have my preferences but if a book sounds original (or if it has a great cover because i’m a total cover whore) I’ll read it. Glad I can expand your TBR shelf! xD

    Can’t wait to hear what you all think! I’m surprised I haven’t read many reviews on it yet.

  22. kimba88

    I am so glad you liked this! I pre-ordered it and hope to read it this month:) Great review..you’ve got me excited to read my copy.

  30. Natalia Belikov @ Dazzling Reads

    OMG my dear! I was just checking out the author website and I was wondering why I haventt seen many reivews of this book. Then I come here and I see it in your flash-thing!! wooohooo! I totally want this book asap! holy cow, January is full of so many awesome books that I am totally get broken by the end of the month sniff!! Holy shit!! I need to sell a kidney to get all the books I want this month!! kyaaaaaa!!

    thanks for the terrific review my dear! Im jumping up and down with your enthusiasm!! cant wait to read it! (please, plase, please, I hope is no more than 11$ in BD!) aaaaaaaaah!!

  31. Giselle

    @Natalia: EEEK I can’t wait to see what you think of this Natalia! It’s such an awesome book and you’re right I barely seen any reviews on it!

  32. Sarah (saz101)

    WOWOWOWOW! I’ve had my eye on this one for a while, but now I’m desperate! It sounds AMAZING! Fabulous review! Sera sounds fascinating, and Cyrus sounds EVIL! Want!