This book was one of the most important ones I have read this year. A profound, well written tale that explores some of the most pressing issues facing our world, in a beautiful way. Karen Callender is supremely talented, and has a voice that resonates beyond the page, echoing into real life that we can carry with us. Not a single character on the page was flawless and it was so refreshing to see how deeply scarred each of them was, and how they overcame their faults to move forward. I cannot wait for their next book!

I was pleasently surprised by this book. I really enjoyed the world-building and the lore behind magic/alchemy in this book. The protagonist was not my favorite, but they slowly grew on me as the novel progressed. I really enjoyed the representations of queer characters in this novel and the way that gender is represented by the characters in this novel. Overall, I am excited to read the next book and will recommend this to others!

Unfortunately, this one didn't quite work for me, it felt a little too young for me, and the main character drove me a bit crazy. Bummed since this one was highly anticipated for me!

I really enjoyed reading Infinity Alchemist, and it made me realize how much I still like young adult fantasy. The primary source of the magic in this world, known as alchemy, is drawn from the energy of the body and is divided into tiers. Ash, the primary character, is dispatched on a mission to locate a mystical book with great power. A few supporting characters are also quite important, namely Marlowe, Callum, and Ramsay. I thought the romance in this was great because it was the cutest thing ever, and I valued the open communication.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Loved the gender identity/representation! As for the story itself.. I struggled with the pacing but I love how diverse it is. Hope to see a sequel!

I've enjoyed everything I've read by Kacen Callender, and while Infinity Alchemist stands out as different from the others, it was definitely no less enjoyable.

The world that Callender creates in this novel is intriguing, quite easy to follow, and while otherworldly, is largely based in real-world issues. They are an auto-buy author for me and I cannot wait to see what they write next.

Infinity Alchemist has great character diversity and a nicely moving plot, but the world-building could've been stronger and the character development was not at the level you usually see from Kacen Callender. I think this was a good foundation, and the characters and world-building will just get stronger if the series moves forward.

I really wanted to love Infinity Alchemist. I enjoyed the concepts of energy/dimensions/magic/creation, but the pacing felt off. There were a few times that I wanted to DNF based on not feeling the main plot. I stayed for the queer rep in a YA fantasy, which I haven't seen much of. I think it would have been 4-4.5 stars with another round of developmental editing.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for digital audiobook access in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Tor Teen, Kacen Callender, and Wes Haas (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Infinity Alchemist in exchange for an honest review.

In Ash's world, alchemy is a crime if one does not have a license. In a world where alchemy is truly a part of one's life force and very existence, some may even display acts of alchemy without even realizing it.  Rejected by the college of his alchemic dreams, Ash turns to teaching himself, listening in on lessons where he can, as he lands a job as the school groundskeeper. 

Fate brings Ash together with Ramsay, a top tier student at the college. Instead of ratting Ash out to the guards, Ramsay makes him a deal: to help them (Ramsay is gender fluid) find the legendary Book of Source, a tome said to contain the greatest of alchemical secrets, power that can change the world as they know it.

In their exploration of alchemy and its deeper secrets, Ash and Ramsay become much closer, a considerable couple. After being left behind in an attack, Ash encounters Ramsay's ex, Callum, by happenstance. As Ash learns more about Callum and his place in society, as well as his goals, Ash thinks a new ally is in his midst. And maybe even more romance?

And when the three must work together...oh boy! Sparks fly, a blend of hatred, regret, sadness, and passion.

I absolutely love the LGBTQ representation in this novel. Ash is transgender, Ramsay is gender fluid, and the characters seem to represent an array of orientation preferences. The ethnic diversity is nice to see as well. This novel is fast-paced and fun. The way alchemy is approached has an air of magic realism to it that really makes the plot and characters standout.

I especially loved listening to the audiobook version of this novel. Haas' voice acting is exquisite, and I was engaged in a way that I feel like would not have been the same just reading the novel. Just an absolutely flawless performance for an excellent novel that fits right up my alley. Perfect for fantasy lovers and those intrigues by alchemy and the legendary powers it can harbor.

Wow, this book was fantastic! I have found Callender's books to be a bit hit or miss for me, but when they hit, THEY HIT.

This is a YA fantasy, which is not my usual read. I liked the system of magic used and that everyone's magic, while in broadly similar categories, is unique to each individual. Our MC Ash is a trans boy who, due to his class, is excluded from the magical world. In this world you are only allowed to do magic if you've been trained, but the universities are all very elitist. There are various guilds, some that are magical, some that are actively policing the use of magic, some that are just trash, but like with any political system, nothing is quite as clear cut as it seems.

Ash teams up with Ramsey Thorne, whose magic allows her to change genders at will, which is a really neat idea. They become very close, as their mission requires them to share magic to reach higher plains in order to get answers that will help them on their quest.

But, but... Ash has been practicing magic illegally, and is caught and jailed. Where he ends up being a servant (aid?) to Callum, who is Ramsey's ex. But wait! Ash and Callum come to know each other well and form a relationship, while Ramsey is out of the picture. There are a lot of discussions about this and how to navigate things should Ash be free and able to see Ramsey again.

An absolutely fabulous read, with great queer rep (trans, gender fluid, bi/pan), great diversity of our characters. Just all around fantastic!

Good worldbuilding, fun magic system, dynamic characters, entertaining, and with Kacen’s usual powerful, beautifully written prose

Love Kacen Callender. I will read ANYTHING written by them! I really hope this turns into a fantasy series. How can you not love queer characters and magic?!? Besides being so well written, it has a lot of little twists to keep you completely entranced the whole time.

My students and I greatly enjoy books about alchemy, magic, etc. so was looking forward to this audiobook. Unfortunately, it was difficult to listen to from early on. The narrator used so many strange English dialects that did not remain consistent throughout the reading. At the beginning of the book, the narrator’s rate of speech was hurried as though there was rising action during times of calm in the text. The text itself has little to no description so my students would have major difficulties trying to picture each scene. From an educational perspective, the number of sex scenes in the text would make me very uncomfortable recommending this text as well. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.

✨ Review ✨ Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender; Narrated by: Wes Haas

Thanks to Tor, Macmillan Audio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

If you're looking for a queer YA fantasy this is a GREAT place to start!

With a cast of queer, trans, and polyamorous characters this was really refreshing to read. Callender creates such a loving and tender relationship between the main characters, all of whom have lost or been abandoned by their families in some ways. Ramsey's gender-bending shifting, transforming between male and female bodies from day-to-day based on his/her state of mind, I thought this was a cool use of magic intersecting with queerness to make those feeligns real.

The story is hard to recount but begins with Ash, who's rejected from the Lancaster school for alchemy and works instead as an assistant groundskeeper there. Eventually, he meets Ramsey, a sort of graduate student / TA who begins training him in alchemy for help achieving a quest of his/her own. They're not the only ones looking for the mysterious Book of Source and danger ensues, launching a quest for our characters.

The worldbuilding was good and so was the plot though they didn't stand out as original as much as the really fabulous portrayal of queerness. Kudos to Callender on another great book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: LGBTQIAP+ | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
Setting: fantasy world
Pub Date: February 6, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ queer YA fantasy
⭕️ magical schools and worlds
⭕️ trans and polyamorous rep in YA lit
⭕️ explosions and magic and chaos galore

I really struggled to get into this, unfortunately. I did love the representation in this story and the premise, but they didn't outweigh where I struggled. It read as predictable, immature characters (despite being 18, they read more as 13/14 with how they acted), and lack of surprises.

4/5 stars-


Initially, I rated this book five stars. I waited to review, letting my thoughts gather as I looked over my pages of notes and my scrawled annotations. But as I’ve sat with the story and my thoughts have grown with it, so did my frustration with one part.

I’ll start with what I loved because there is a TON that was done well, and maybe this will outweigh what I didn’t like for others. I LOVED Ramsay and Callum. Kacen Callender does an excellent job of creating three equally full and different characters in Ash, Ramsay, and Callum. Callum is sweet and thoughtful. Ramsay is intelligent and practical, and Ash is... well, he is single-handedly one of the most frustrating MCs I’ve ever read, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

!!!Snaps and claps for the queer rep!!!! I love that it was so integrated into the world-building AND the magic system--none of the characters were shamed, and it was just the norm of the world that they love who they love and are who they are. Ramsay Thorne--our genderfluid MC--for example, shifts genders chapter to chapter, and it is just known that this is the way of life. It’s noted that Ramsay can physically change genders so regularly and easily because of the source in the Thorne bloodline. I thought this was really cool. Ash, our trans MMC doesn’t question this other than to clarify Ramsay’s preferred pronouns. And finally, our ¿pan/bi? MMC, Callum, never questions his attraction and feelings for Ramsay or Ash because of their pronouns and/or identities.

The world-building and magic system, too, were incredible delights to learn and read. The world felt actualized without cause for an incredible info dump. The magic system, utilizing energy as its source--or, Source, rather--was a lovely take. Managing to feel new and fresh even though it’s been done before. The writing style is captivating, and I had difficulty putting this book down once I started. I found the way the author strings words together, offering us passages, notable enough that most of my physical copy is covered in highlighter.

I’m a person who reads a TON of YA, and I think that this book distinctly fits into the YA space. Though there are more mature themes and scenes, they’re done tastefully for the age rating IMO (meaning a lot more emotional than physical feelings and fade to black). ***I should note that I hold the belief that this should be normalized when done appropriately in YA literature, as the stigmas surrounding sex cause an unhealthy relationship with it. If you’re not comfortable reading it, this book may not be for you, AND THATS OKAY TOO.***

As for what I disliked:
Ash.

Sweet mother of--I cannot stand this boy.
Given the content's maturity, and our MAIN main character is 18, I would have thought he would feel more mature. At several points in the book, I have noted Ash’s growth, only to feel a few pages later that he regresses back to his irrational, stubborn, angry, contrarian self. Often because of this, Ash reads like he’s no more than thirteen, picking arguments with other characters in a way that climbed under my skin and stayed there--apparently. He is so insufferable that he soured my taste of the book as he takes up a great deal of page space. Genuinely, at times, I almost quit reading because he would open his mouth again to spew nonsense. If it hadn’t been for Ramsay and Callum, idk if I would have finished it.

What a fun listen!! This is a young adult fantasy that follows the journey of Ash Woods, an outlaw alchemist, and Ramsay Thorne as they embark on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Book of Source. The captivating narrative explores the complexities of power, love, and identity in a world where alchemy is both forbidden and coveted. Wes Haas' dynamic narration brings depth to the characters and enhances the enchanting storytelling. Wes used a variety of tones and inflections to
to portray Ash and Ramsey.
This audiobook offers a memorable and magical experience for fans of queer representation, character-driven plots, and magical elements.

This book falls in the middle for me. There are parts that I liked and parts that I didn’t like. I am finding it difficult to consolidate my thoughts, but I will try.
The plot - searching out the book of Source - was quite clear at the beginning, but then I felt like it got a little muddled. How were there not more people looking for this super important magical artefact? While there were obstacles in the way to obtaining the book, they were fewer than I would have expected for something so important.
The main character, Ash, was annoying. He carried himself as more of a preteen than the young adult he was supposed to be. I found him a bit whiny, indecisive and judgemental. His character does evolve, but not enough for my liking. Thankfully, the other characters pick up the slack that he leaves in the character department. Callum is wonderful and Ramsey is interesting and multi-faceted. My favourite character has to be Marlow. She is the most compelling character in the book. I really hope that any future books include more of her. It would also be nice to get some more detail of the time between her being picked up at the orphanage and doing Haine’s bidding (listened to the audio, so I apologize for spelling errors).
The LGBT+ representation in here is quite good. I liked that there was no particular attention drawn to sexual preference and that it was very natural for people to love who they love. I must admit though that I was not a fan of the polyamourous relationship. This is probably because the complexities of such a relationship are not addressed, therefore, it did not feel natural to me. However, Ash’s thoughts on love and energy make it make sense to love mulitple people. There are other interesting philosophical things that come up in the book that would be enjoyable to the reader.
Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an audio-arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

3.5 Stars for Infinity Alchemist

I think this book had a lot of really strong an interesting ideas. The world of alchemy, the representation and so much more was awesomely on point and I really enjoyed those aspects of this story. I think the general plot flowed well but it definitely got lost underneath the romance of the story. I do really enjoy the poly-built relationship in this one but I think there wasnt enough balance between plot driving conversations and actions versus romance troubles and intimate scenes. I would like to see more alchemy action in the next installment of this one as Callender has really built something unique.

This book was good considering it was Callender's first delve into YA fantasy. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary character exposition and that the action was very light compared to most books in the genre. I did like the story and can see the appeal of having a trans main character in fantasy, but there were so many references to the binder for Ash that it was overdone just a bit. I do think that the story was interesting and having a polyamorous main cast representing the rainbow is unique for YA. This was not my favorite book by the author and certainly not in my top 20 for the year.