Dark Alchemy by Laura Bickle
Published by Harper Voyager Impulse
Published on: March 24 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 271
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming looking for clues to her father's disappearance years before. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying Western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the town's dust and quiet, an old power is shifting. When bodies start turning up - desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain - her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill. Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast, or die next.
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Temperence, Wyoming is an odd place . . .
That’s odd as in seriously creepy, not odd as in . . . a little bit different.
There’s meth cooker called “The Alchemist,” not to be confused with Lascaris, the alchemist whose “discoveries” of gold were the foundation of the town back in the Gold Rush . . .
It’s strongly implied that the “discoveries” were alchemical successes that none have been able to replicate—not for lack of trying—in the 100s of years since Lascaris’ untimely death in a fire that destroyed all of his belongings and research materials . . .
That’s either highly convenient or highly inconvenient, depending on your perspective.
Enter Petra Dee, a geologist searching for her father who happened to disappear 20(ish) years ago, last seen in Temperence, where she’s just accepted a new job.
Would you believe that Papa Dee had an interest in alchemy as well?
SMALL world.
Another strange coincidence would be the curiously familiar profile inside a mourning brooch Petra stumbles across in the town Pawn Shop/Historical Society to the tune of:
“Say . . . that looks like weird dude with the blood that glows who I watched get beat the hell up, but who had nary a scratch on him the very next day . . . ”
Like I said . . . ODD.
So the plot was interesting. But I had a few quibbles:
I picked this up b/c being set in the Midwest and having a bunch of crows on the cover, I figured there’s be a Native American angle, and there was, but alchemy was the bigger focus, which has never been a point of interest for me. YES, I know “alchemy” is in the title, but I was hoping there’d be more to it. There was . . . just not enough . . . for ME.
The Park Ranger is as overbearing as he’s supposed to be, but I’ve never understood the point of having faux love interests—if he’d been an old geezer, the role could have been filled just as well and without the awkwardness.
The message-from-beyond via Bobby Darin song was straight out of LOST.
Overall, better than meh, especially if you like the creepy side of Urban Fantasy. Dark Alchemy has creepy in spades (HA!). Between the aforementioned Alchemist who seems to ooze Mercury, the growing number of highly calcified and deformed almost corpses, and the ranch hands of the local BMOC who dangle underground from the roots of the “Hanging Tree” . . . Like I said . . . creeptastic.
Minus 0.5 stars for referring to a gun as a “toy.” <------not cool, not EVER.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
Yeah, I didn’t call him out in my review, but the Park Ranger was the typical, overbearing, all-too-obvious love interest. Fortunately, I was able to look past him (he wasn’t that interesting) and enjoy the story.
Bob ( recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: A Long Time Until Now by Michael Z. Williamson
I’m still excited for the creeptastic parts. Plus, Laura Bickle will be taking us on a Paranormal Road Trip to Temperance, Wyoming on my blog Monday, May 11th. Should I be terrified? And is it weird that I’m hoping she’ll tell us more about that Hanging Tree? Great review.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Paranormal Road Trip: Destination Sonoma County with Sharon Hamilton
This sounds a bit like an UF meets Cozy Mystery—puts me in mind of Ann Charles. I probably couldn’t get over some of the issues you had though.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger recently posted…Review: Four Nights With the Duke by Eloisa James
I kind of like that this was a mixed genre of sorts. I still can’t believe I had no idea she came out with something new! I have to admit though, I so don’t love the cover.
Great review Jessica! This will definitely be one I need to read.
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week
I LOVED Bickle’s The Hallowed Ones duology and want to give this one a try because I really like creepy!
I have to admit, I wasn’t sold on this book by the cover but your review makes me want to check it out! I like a creepy factor in my urban fantasy…so this is going on my TBR out of curiosity, thanks for sharing Jessica!
Lori recently posted…{Blog Tour} Review: SILK by Chris Karlsen + Giveaway
I finished this last night and I just know how I feel about it. It felt like it was just getting going when it ended and it felt all jumbled up and confusing in some aspects. I wanted so much more.
Heidi recently posted…Review: The Cemetery Boys by Heather Brewer
OOoh interesting! I had my eye on this one! I enjoyed her Alayna Williams books and still need to read her first duology as Laura Bickle. Basically, this author is on my radar, but I haven’t read everything by her! This one sounded interesting, but I was hesitant. I guess the western setting and then the alchemy–I suck at science! I know the alchemy is part magic as well, but I felt like it gets a little sciencey too. At least in past books I’ve read with alchemy in it.
I will just have to keep this one on my radar for someday! Great review though!
Jessica recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday
I want to read it, but ebook only? I can’t buy those
blodeuedd recently posted…Twice Tempted by a Rogue – Tessa Dare
I do like a little creepy now and again. I have one of her others on my shelf somewhere. I need to organize them again something fierce!
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…#AtoZChallenge–Anna. Yups. That’s me!
I’m a bit opposite of you. I actually become leery when I suspect a Native American aspect to a story. However, it doesn’t sound disrespectful here. I do love a good creeptastic book so I think I will have to add this one to my wishlist.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Rachel’s Deception by Karen Ann Hopkins
Referring to a gun as a toy is never cool. Nope nope nope! That is just wrong on so many levels.
It sounds like the world building in this one wasn’t on par with what it was saying it would be and that’s disappointing, Alchemy is cool and all but you know, cannot have too many conveniences!
I do like that it’s on the creepy side of UF though and I don’t see nearly enough of that!
Lovely review, hon! 🙂
Rashika recently posted…ARC Review: The Diamond Conspiracy by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
I didn’t have much luck with her zombies series, so this book was not even in my radar. Never been a fan of westerns either, so that’s another point off for me. Alchemy? I’m at a loss. Lol.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Fool for Books Giveaway Hop
Creeptastic. Like the vibe of this one. Plus I love weird west stuff. Not a fan of obvious love interests, but can’t win them all.
Nathan ( recently posted…Fantasy Review: ‘Thief of Time’ by Terry Pratchett
I’ve been wondering about this one, but after reading your review I think it’s not for me.
BookaholicCat recently posted…CATS-ilicious Thursdays
I have this one in my Kindle, and I hope to get reading it soon, but during the day, given the creeptastic factor in it!
Great review Jessica!
Pili recently posted…Anniversary Nerd Bast for Summer On The Short Bus by Bethany Crandell!!
Bummer!! I have this one my list already, I really thought it would be something I’d enjoy, but now I’m having doubts…I guess it will do me good to lower my expectations. I do LOVE creepy!
Thank you Jessica.
Lupdilup recently posted…The Shadows Audiobook by J. R. Ward (Review)
Alchemy doesn’t appeal to me really, but I’m very curious about this book. Yours is the second review I’ve read and after hearing twice how weird it is, I’m just so darn curious. Curiosity just might get the better of me on this one.
Berls recently posted…Pinching Pennies | March 2015 Book Budget
I don’t think I had ever read a book like that and I confess that I didn’t know what to do at the end of the book. It was so strange but I liked it. I think I would like more development but maybe we’ll have later. Thanks for the review!
I’m reading this one right now (about 3/4 of the way done) and I agree with the creepiness factor, for sure. I was also kinda weirded out about the treatment guns, but I thought that was just a Canadian thing…good to know it wasn’t just me! I get that it’s going a Western vibe, but still. Big fan of Frankie and Maria, hopefully there’s a sequel that explores the Native American spirituality/shamanism more!
Danya recently posted…Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
Hmmm, although I love Bickle, I think I’ll pass on this one. Great review, Jessica!
kara-karina recently posted…The Postman Knock #118
Hmm, this sounds…interesting?? 😉 I think maybe I could get past the fact that there isn’t enough Native American lore because I like alchemy – although I do enjoy Native American lore in a story and get rather pissy when I’m expecting it and the story doesn’t deliver enough. *sigh* And creepy can be good, too. Yeah, I’ll maybe read it someday. LOL Great review, Jessica! 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Eire’s Devil King ~ Sandi Layne