☀️🗡 "Lila had been considered a once-in-a-lifetime talent as a combat alchemist. She'd joined the crusades of the Eternal Flame at fifteen, travelling the continent, investigating rumours of necromancy. Her life had revolved around becoming a paladin and serving the Principate. People used to call Lila the embodiment of Lumithia, the warrior goddess of alchemy." 🗡☀️

Lila Bayard from Alchemised written by @senlinyu @senlinyuwrites

I didn’t feel that the book makes light of its events. At no point do the characters describe the events of what occurred as anything other than what they are (I.e assault) . And there are lasting consequences that impact both leading characters well into the final chapters and (inferably) beyond.

The Nazi symbolism is, as far as I can see, intentional, it’s not romanticising it just because it’s depicted, the story (I feel) does a good job of showing the ugliness of regimes. The Axis did terrible things and so did the Allies, this books sides are no different. The values of the Faith are not portrayed as good things, the people who hold the faith above all are not portrayed as good, Penny who is one of the main supporters who isn’t outright antagonistic towards Helena is very much an example of religious indoctrination and wasn’t depicted in a good light. The society of the setting is extremely patriarchal and misogynistic, again, I don’t feel this is portrayed as a good thing, it’s very clear, from both Helena’s treatment and the way we see Lila treated that Sen wasn’t trying to make readers think it was a good thing.

There is a lack of any major LGBTQ elements I could recall, but there is plenty of in world context as to why (societally) that would be the case and as the main pairing is a straight couple (and never marketed as anything but) it’s not exactly something I was looking for when I picked up this book. I am hoping someone trad publishes a 1000 page Drarry fanfic though so we can compare.

Ferron I think had a few too many murders to be characterised as fully good, but at the same time I don’t think Sen tried to do so, he is flawed. Intrinsically so, with in world reasons as to why. Not an excuse but this is a fantasy novel and I think Sen does well with his character.

The highlight for me however was Helena, her story, internal dialogue and experiences were so moving to me that it’s what made up most of my enjoyment. She is a uniquely excellent character that I loved being in the brain of for 1000 or so pages.

The book also brings into focus an incredibly important topic about humane death, the difference between being forced to suffer and choosing a quick clean exit. These are topics we struggle with in reality and Sen does a wonderful job of replicating these kind of thought provoking questions within Alchemised.

AS. IF. UNSTEADY. ON. HIS. FEET.

HE WAS SCARED AS SHIT WHEN AURELIA TRIED POPPING HELENA’S EYE OUT OF HER EYE SOCKETS. HE WAS SHAKING. HE WAS STUTTERING.

HE WASN’T FUCKING OKAY

After reading Manacled, I’m now reading Alchemised and oh it got toned down but what the FUCK IT’S STILL DISTURBING AS IT HAS EVER BEEN

But she is not the prey. She is the wounded predator. They have legitimate reasons to want her suffering, considering what she did to them in Part 2, and it shines light on Helena from a different angle.