I wanted to like this book so badly! Let me start off this review with the things that I did like. I loved the queer and trans representation and portrayal, especially the delicacy that Ash's gender identity intersecting with his romantic involvement was handled with. I also loved the overarching and continual questioning of what power is/means. I also really liked how each of the three main characters had their own backgrounds, struggles, and experiences behind them and they varied greatly.
With this said, there are several things I couldn't get behind that made my reading experience negative. First, the magic system is never really given limits/foundations. "Source" is the magic and is everything everywhere but the alchemists still have personal limits to their talents and how much magic they are able to produce at a time. I feel like we never get any sort of guidelines of the kind of magic each person can perform which made all of the action/battle scenes messy for me because I never really knew what was going on or what to expect. Next, I feel like this was way too much plot way too quickly for one book. We have all of Ash's life and backstory, all of Ramsay's, all of Callum's, an entire new magic system, a magic licensing and political system, a house/family hierarchical structure, the introduction of this all powerful magic source, multiple enemies, three separate romances, and an epic battle for the fate of society at the end. All of this felt rushed and not as deep or fleshed out as it could/should have been.

-SPOILERS below-

Lastly I didn't love the romances! I really enjoyed each of the characters and it makes sense for them that they ended up in a throuple, which is not the problem, but the author lays out Ash's relationship with both Callum and Ramsay as this tense, enemies-to-lovers situation yet they are madly in love and dedicated to one another in what feels like the next chapter. I feel like they hyped up all this angst and tension between the characters but then didn't give us any of that. It just felt too insta-lovey to me, especially considering the intricacies of each of the characters pasts and interconnectedness. There would have been more tension and adjustment and I think by not showing that, we missed out on a huge opportunity for character growth.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for giving me an advanced digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant, queer normative world, with a black character front and center in fantasy. Ash is brash, impulsive, and spirited, but behind all those walls he is also empathic, grieving, ambitious, and full of love. I adored his pov, even when I knew he was making the wrong choices, and fell in love with Ramsay and Callum too.

I don't feel like there is a lot of polyam representation out there, and even less of it done well. Kacen really manages to normalize the option, showing the possibilities of multiple loves in a positive, relationship forward way. Sex is not the central focus, jealousy does exist but is worked through, and communication between the thruple is celebrated.

I've liked some of Kacen's past work, but I think their debut into fantasy is my absolute favorite. So much imagination and atmosphere in Infinity Alchemist. This was a fresh take on romantasy, with incredible world building, deep, interesting characters, and more (hopefully) yet to come.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding fantasy novel about a quest that leads three young alchemists toward dangerous truth, legendary love, and extraordinary power..
For Ash Woods, practicing alchemy is a crime.
_
This was not what I was expecting but was pleasantly surprised with a ya poly throuple in a land of alchemical magic and political upheaval. Loved the gender fluidity of one of the characters. The other was trans and the more sensitive youngest son of the hired murderers or executioners, same diff they didn't have clear rules. Similar to our world these things weren't exactly accepted but it didn't stop them from falling in love and finding themselves.
Enjoyed the journey and the emotions and it really showed what conflict resolution and boundaries look like. To stand up for yourself and always put your values first even in the face of extreme pressure.
Spice : chpt 15, 33 (suggested, little detail)

I received a review copy from Tor Teen, I am leaving this review voluntarily. My physical copy is on it's way.

This book was an amazing blending of gaslamp fantasy, dark academia, and a queer reality with an intricate magical system and social structure. The characters are unique with fascinating backgrounds and their development doesn't follow the path that you think they will. This has trans, gender fluid and polyamory representation, along with racial representation.

I can't even begin to enumerate why you should read this book, but oh my god, Kacen knocked it out of the park with this book. I can't wait to see where the series goes. (It doesn't end on a cliffhanger)

4.5 out of 5 stars. This is a YA book with older teens, there is sex discussed, but everything outside of some kissing and emotional feelings is off page.

So, I really did like this but at the same time I didn't. It's a love/hate thing for me going on. I kind of enjoyed the main characters but I felt they had a bit of an ego problem, I get the change and their character development was good. However, I just didn't connect with the main characters. I loved the concept of the magic and the complexity of it but over time it got very repetitive at least in my opinion. I might re-read this again and my ratings may change but for now I think i'll keep it. .

This is just my opinion, and I really appreciate receiving this review copy from Netgalley and the publisher.

Unfortunately this was a DNF. The world building was a little slow for me. Also, It was hard to connect with the characters so I could not care about the story. Hopefully I can pick this back up again.


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. I have enjoyed every book by this author that I have read before so I knew I would probably enjoy Infinity Alchemist and I was right!

This book is fast-paced, filled with all the dark academia and young adult romantasy vibes that I needed. The magic system and social system was so interesting and I loved how Callender talked about power; who should have it, who deserves it, and what people would be willing to do to get more power.

The rep is this author's books is always top tier! There is trans rep, queer rep, characters of color, and a beautiful polyamorous relationship at the center! It was fantastic.

Overall, I had a fantastic time and I hope we get more books in this world in the future!

I absolutely love all of the Kacen Callender books I have read so far, so I was very excited to get to this one. I loved the characters and the representation. I was really interested in the magic and world building, but found myself wanting a little more throughout the book. The pacing was a little off, and it was difficult to get into at first, but overall, I really enjoyed this book!

Ash Woods is a trans man living in a world where alchemic magic exists. He originally started learning to focus his alchemy to help him rework his body, but that never panned out. All his life, Ash has wanted to make his father notice him, especially since his mage father abandoned him and his mother before his birth. Ash lives in a slum, and, because he has no title or fortune, he has no chance of acceptance at Lancaster’s Mage College, despite his raw alchemic power. He is hired as a groundskeeper’s assistant at the college, however. Ash illegally self trains, picking up discarded books from the wealthy and spoiled students. Only licensed mages can practice alchemy, so he’s in big trouble when one of the tutors, Ramsey Thorne, discovers Ash capable of high-level alchemy.

While Ramsey could turn in Ash to the Kendrick Reds (the police force) for hanging, they decide to offer Ash lessons in exchange for his help in locating the Book of Source. This mythical Book supposedly enables a power conduit that could unleash all alchemists from their societal shackles. Ramsey wants this book to restore their family name to one of respect, since their parents were executed after demolishing an entire town’s inhabitants with dark alchemy. Ramsey believes harnessing Ash’s alchemy will foster a synergy that will power their search for the Book. However, Ash’s father is also hot on the trail of the Book, and he’s willing to kill others to get it. Ash’s father has made quite a habit of recruiting assassins from the House that is most opposed to alchemy.

The more Ash and Ramsey interact and synergize, the more they experience attraction for each other. Also, the more dangerous this alliance becomes. Their connection grows to the point they become intimate, which powers their vision-questing for the Book. However, the assassin grows nearer, inadvertently blowing up Ash’s life and marking both of them criminal fugitives. Ash is desperate to reconnect with Ramsey, leaning heavily on the help of Ramsey’s despised former lover, Callum Kendrick, to escape certain death. And, Callum and Ash also develop some feelings through their ordeals.

Escaping without injury is challenging, but the journey to obtain the Book is even more difficult. Ramsey must swallow their pride, Callum must give up his name and its rights, and Ash must bridge the crevasse between them to help find the Book before Ash’s sociopathic father can absorb its mysteries and power–and destroy their worlds.

This is an intricate and consuming epic adventure, with many POVs alternating with different insights. Ash carries most of the story, but Ramsey, Callum, Ash’s father, and a few other characters have their thoughts on the page. That made it a little more challenging to keep track of the plot, especially as Ramsey’s gender switches regularly. There’s so much alchemy, I was thrilled. Often, I find epic fantasy is too grounded in reality, with only the smallest nods to magic, but here we have alchemy practiced all the time, and in ways that made sense. The polyamorous intimacy is not the objective of this story, but develops with the closeness that’s imperative to make their quest possible. I really liked that the characters were mindful of their emotions and had conversations that helped resolve their conflict, rather than stew and suffer.

The end is a sound resolution, but leaves the door open for a sequel. And, their world is certainly in need of alchemic assistance to overcome the terror that finding the Book unleashes.

I have previously read one of Callender’s YA contemporary fiction novels, which I really did love. Therefore, I was very intrigued to see how Callender’s writing translates into fantasy. I understand that Callender has previously written adult fantasy, but this is my first introduction into his fantasy works.

First and foremost, my overall opinion is that this book, the story and plot itself, is an okay read. There is not much I didn’t like about this book, there is much stuff to like, but the execution left me feeling unsatisfied.

Things I Liked:

I want to start off by saying that the strongest element of this novel is the LGBTQ+ representation. There is trans, gender fluidity, bisexual, and polyamorous relationships involved throughout. This is mainly the key selling feature of this book, so if you’re looking for something to be seen in, I would recommend this one.

The science based magic system, AKA alchemy. I think alchemy, while not new, has been recently overlooked as a magic system in the genre. For newer readers this can be refreshing to read about, and for long time readers this can be almost nostalgic. But I do have some points to make about the magic system later.

Things that were more so meh:
I recognize that this is not a standalone, however it definitely reads as one. And for that reason, there is a lot left to be desired from the magic and character development. From the magic we learn a lot about the philosophy of alchemy, but never really the practice of it. We do see it occur, but the way the plot is paced we often rush through it.

I think the stakes were never high enough for me to truly care and the conclusion was rushed through so quickly it didn’t fully feel resolved. Which may be why there is a book 2 but it doesn’t lead into any hints for the plot of the next book. The setting changed so often that you’re never fully understanding the stakes and conditions of the plot. Overall, it felt like it had the foundation for a good story but weak support.

3.5/5 stars

This was such a weird book for me. There were points where I actually didn't want to keep reading this book. On the positive end: the writing itself is great and the discussions of gender, power, love vs control, surface level motivations vs. the connection to ultimate knowledge - all of that was really thought provoking. It is objectively good in many ways. At the same time, subjectively, I didn't really like the story or the characters. The mission, the motivations, the timeline, all of it just didn't click for me. 

I didn't understand Ash's motivation or why he was so pulled in by Ramsey so quickly. A person tells you they are blackmailing you to save the world and you just believe them?  No hmmm, maybe this person using coercion is not telling the truth to me right now?  Yet, instead of really questioning it all, he made active decisions to chose his connection with Ramsey over anything he cared about before he met Ramsey. I liked the Ash/Callum connection a bit better... I connected with Callum better than the other two - I got his motivation of his long-term feelings for Ramsey, why he was open to loving Ash now, and how terrible it was to be living a lie and use power you don't want against other people. Ash had access to Ramsey's loving memories of Callum and was faced with someone trying to help him, not trying to use him. Ramsey was part of all that of course I just didn't get how coersion turned into this universe saving love. The character connections were more interesting than the plot which was high stakes yet I didn't really care about somehow... I don't know there was just a disconnect.

Infinity Alchemist
by Kacen Callender
Infinity Alchemist #1
Fantasy YA
NetGalley ARC
Tor Publishing
Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
Ages: 16+


Ash dreams of practicing alchemy. He has a lot of power, but for him, practicing his gift is illegal without a license, and only the elite are permitted to study the science to get a license. When he is denied entry into Lancaster Mage's College, he gets a job there instead and secretly learns all he can, knowing if he got caught, he'd be executed.

Ramsey Throne catches him, but instead of having him arrested, Ramsay makes him an offer, he will keep his secret and teach him a few things if he will help him find the Book of Source, a sacred text that many Alchmist want for the power it will give them.

Good magic, good world, but the story lacks descriptions and depth. Everything seemed skimmed over except for the characters' traits. I get that they were important for various reasons, but if an equal amount of time was spent on the plot, magic, and world, including backstories and details, this would have been a much better book. One that would have kept me from falling asleep while reading.

Plus, there were only a few good characters, and they were minor ones.

Maybe because I'm from that mindset that professors at a college are older people, men and women, so when Ramsey Throne was in their male body, I could not get out of my head an old, overweight, balding man, but what made it creepy was because throughout the story I only saw Ash as a 16ish boy who looked even younger. But when Ramsey was in their female body, I pictured a girl in her twenties. The other characters I was able to picture closer to their intended ages. Maybe a different way of introducing Ramsey would have kept the 'old man' image out of my head. One can't just start off by saying a man is a professor.

Even though it ended with closure, I guess this is the start of a series, but I very much doubt I'll look for the next book.


2 Stars

I could not get into this book. The manner in which relationships were treated did not appeal to me and since it seemed to be a major theme in the book I could not read around it to follow the plot.

I really wanted to love this book, the cover drew me in almost instantly. I had such a hard time getting into the story line. I do however want to say the LGBTQ+ representation was so well written.


Thank you NetGalley for an arc.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book. However, I absolutely loved EVERY second of it! The fact that there was not only trans representation, BUT polyamory too? I loved that this book seemed to be a giant message about personal identity and being yourself. Definitely a book thats fun and honestly had me screaming at the characters in a good way.

I really enjoyed this! I thought the world of alchemy was so interesting and I really enjoyed the characters especially Ash. There was such fantastic representation and I felt like it was quite the unique story. I will say the pacing was a bit off for me as it took me a little while to really get into the story. Still enjoyed though and will be adding to our library!

Infinity Alchemist is a riveting young adult fantasy that immerses readers in a world where alchemy is forbidden for many. Ash, an untrained alchemist, crosses paths with Ramsay, a prodigious practitioner, sparking a journey to find the legendary Book of Source. Along the way, they navigate personal struggles and romantic entanglements, exploring themes of identity and acceptance. While I found the LGBTQIA+ representation and premise engaging, I felt the pacing was uneven at times, and certain plot elements were underdeveloped.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

I'm such a huge Karen Callender fan, so hearing that they were writing a fantasy book had me ecstatic. Everything about Infinity Alchemist should have been right up my alley - poly rep, nonbinary rep, trans rep, unique magical society, queer-normative world... It was like it was written for me in mind. Sadly, it just didn't live up to its potential.

Ash is an untrained, unregistered alchemist. Only the most rich and elite are eligible to study magic, so after Ash is rejected from the Lancaster College of Alchemic Science, he takes whatever chance he can get to get as close as possible to alchemy by accepting a job on the property as a groundskeeper while he studies in secret. But then, he's discovered training by the young prodigy Ramsay Thorne - and instead of having him arrested, she makes him an offer: work with her to find the mysterious and legendary Book of Source, and she'll teach him alchemy. But a lot of strong alchemists will do whatever it takes to get their hands on the Book, and Ash is way out of his depth as feelings develop between himself and Ash, who has secrets of their own.

This story had so much potential. I just... couldn't vibe with it. I'm not sure this book knew quite what it wanted to be. Romantasy? A lot of the story focused on the romance to the detriment of everything else. Middle grade? Ash's actions are very... young. Illogical and childish to the point of being frustrating. Young adult? The plot felt like a solid YA plot, just sadly not fleshed out enough. New adult? Things got a little... spicy at times, which was oddly out of place compared to the behaviors of our lead. And the narrators were oddly chosen - while Ash was our lead character, we had weird moments of glimpses of other characters that seemed almost at random. Long periods of little action were followed by short bursts of plot that would devolve into nothing. And yet none of the major plot points were ever fully explained to satisfactory detail. For a mostly character-driven story, the characters' actions were... baffling. We watched Ash fall in love with first Ramsay (who treated him terribly) within the span of about two weeks, and then with another character (who was his captor and also untrustworthy) within another two weeks. And the plot itself took a backseat to the romance and love triange/poly love story that was taking place to the point that the ending was too hastily wrapped up and gave me whiplash.

It had so much potential, and I think it still does. It just didn't quite get there.

The author and the cover captivated me with Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender. I liked the LGBTQ representation in the book. The plot didn’t hold my attention and the pacing felt off. Thanks to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a great fantasy novel with amazing representation of LGBTQIA+ community.

It gave clarity to how teenagers and young adults sometimes have to work through their feelings to figure out what they want most in life. Ash, the main character, is different. You can see that, he talks about how he feels different, and he just wants to be acknowledged by a father who wasn't present and find family that will actually listen and support him.

Thorne, also looking for family, switches their gender back and forth, because they feel comfortable in both gender bodies, and trying to prove themselves due to their upbringing, with parents who committed the most heinous crimes, and ruining their name. No one wants to associate with a Thorne. But with determination, and showing that you can atone for your loved ones, no matter the time between the crime and atonement, you'll also learn that you can find yourself at the same time.