This book follows book two nicely in a linear fashion expounding on the relationship of Robinson and McKenna with all its obstacles from the strannik and others. What I loved was the inclusion of the past of Isaac Berrow through chapters and not just the introductory letters that make Jeff Wheeler's work what we love and come to expect. Astute readers will catch on to clues early on as to why there are Isaac Berrow chapters, and our predictions will be accurate. Another clue will prove to be true, although it's not one wanted to be so. No spoilers, the careful reader will feel it and find it! Book four is going to take another turn for sure!

The Alchemy of Fate is the kind of third installment that makes a series feel worthwhile—layered, confident, and deeply rewarding for readers who’ve followed from the beginning. Jeff Wheeler returns to the mysterious halls of the Invisible College with more revelations, more questions, and a sense that we are finally seeing the bigger picture come into focus.

Picking up right after the chaos of The Violence of Sound, the book opens in the aftermath of upheaval and gradually steers toward a new order—though never for long. Wheeler continues his trademark structure of weaving the past and present through multiple points of view, balancing the perspectives of Hawksley and McKenna with those of the enigmatic founder, Isaac Berrow. These narrative shifts not only broaden the scope of the story, but add weight to the unfolding history of the Invisible College itself.

What I found most impressive in this entry was how seamlessly the world continues to expand. The groundwork from the previous books feels fully realized here, and yet Wheeler still finds space to build deeper layers of lore, history, and magic without ever slowing the pace. The alchemy isn’t just in the title—it’s in the storytelling. Each twist feels carefully measured and placed, making for a narrative that surprises without straying too far from its core logic.

That said, there is a certain predictability to the shape of the plot—moments where you can see the machinery working behind the scenes. But that doesn’t diminish the enjoyment. If anything, Wheeler uses that predictability to his advantage, subverting expectations just when it matters most. There’s one twist in particular that cast a whole new light on events across all three books.

The emotional threads also deepen here. McKenna continues to be a standout character, especially as her personal choices begin to ripple outward in unexpected ways. And Isaac Berrow’s chapters add a layer of mythic gravity to the narrative, like reading a legend in the making.

For readers who like:
-Multi-POV narratives
-Alternate histories
-Secret societies

Final Verdict
The Alchemy of Fate enriches the Invisible College series with intrigue, tension, and a steadily rising sense of destiny. If you’ve been waiting for the moment when all the threads begin to tighten—this is it. Wheeler knows how to craft a world that breathes, and this book proves that he’s not just building a story—he’s preparing us for something big.

Grateful to NetGalley, 47North and Jeff Wheeler for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

We return once again to the Invisible College for some twists of magic and fate. Picking up where the Violence of Sound left us after its climactic ending, we start in tumult but some order returns before too long. As with the previous two books, we have multiple points of view from Hawksley, McKenna, and from the past, the founder of the Invisible College, Isaac Berrow. There is some predictability in the flow of this story and a very enlightening twist. I had been wondering where this story is going for the first two books and by the end of this one, I have seen much (but not all) revealed. Having enjoyed the characters, world-building, and writing style of the first two books, I really appreciated this one and am now looking forward to the conclusion of the series in Master of the Royal Secret.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, 47North) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Well this book was so good I finished it in a day! Here are a couple things that I loved.

First of all, book two left us on quite the cliff hanger but I appreciate that book three takes care of that quickly and the issue is resolved and not dragged out.

I really enjoyed the flashbacks of Isaac Berrow. I feel like it very appropriately gives us more insight into the lore of the world without feeling overwhelming.

I love how much world building is done so naturally in this book. I feel like the world was very well established in the other two books but it is built upon in this books and by the end you can’t wait to see how it all resolves.

This book is full of twist and turns that fell in so beautifully. It never felt predictable but also never felt out of place. It was all just reviled very well.

So basically if you enjoyed the first two books I think you will enjoy this one even more. I know I did and I can’t wait to start the last book and see how it all turns out!!!