Posted 10/31/2025 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Alchemy of Secrets by
Stephanie GarberStar Rating: 
Spice Level: 
All-Time FavoritePublished by Flatiron Books on 10/07/2025
Genres: Fiction,
Fantasy,
Magical Realism,
Romance,
Romantasy,
Thriller & Suspense,
Paranormal MysteryFormat: Kindle (328 Pages) đź“–
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Barnes & NobleWhat if the urban legends you've always heard about were real?
It starts with a class in an old movie theater.
Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.
With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.
Tags: Actors, Banter, College, Competent Heroine, Dangerous Hero/Heroine, Death/Grief, Famous Hero/Heroine, Forced Proximity, Gifted/Super Hero/Heroine, Grumpy/Cold Hero/Heroine, Grumpy/Shunshine, Independent Heroine, Magic, Sassy Heroine, Slow Burn, Sunny/Happy Hero/Heroine, Time Travel, Tortured Hero/Heroine
Star Rating: 
Spice Level: 
Series: The Silvercloak Saga #1 Published by Del Rey on 07/29/2025
Format: Kindle (464 Pages) đź“–
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Star Rating: 
Spice Level: 
Published by Darwin House on 02/04/2024
Format: DRC (245 Pages) đź“–
NetGalleyAdd to GoodreadsBuy on AmazonI have to say, I was immediately attracted to the cover of this book. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would hang that sucker on my wall in a heartbeat and call it art. 10/10 cover. Then I read the synopsis, and it sucked me in further. Totally sealed the deal. Time travel, romance, mystery, fantasy & memory loss? Sign. Me. Up. I was excited to dig in. Overall, I enjoyed the characters, and the story, but as I read two things became glaringly obvious: 1) Most of the time I had no idea what was going on; and […]
Star Rating: Spice Level: All-Time FavoriteSeries: Caraval #3 Published by Flatiron Books on 05/07/2019
Format: Kindle (416 Pages) đź“–
PurchasedAdd to GoodreadsBuy on AmazonIt’s over & I want more. Stephanie Garber is a master of descriptive writing. I was constantly blown away by how real everything was in my mind. I always had vivid pictures in my mind of how the fabric of the dresses felt, how the city of Valenda looked, & even how the character’s signature scents smelled. Reading one of her books is a fully immersive experience, & I LOVE IT. Finale was less magical game where you can’t tell the difference between illusion & reality, & more rounding out of the character’s storylines. Every single one of […]
