The Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova Series: Loom Saga #1
Published by Keymaster Press on January 10th 2017
Pages: 380
Her vengeance. His vision.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.
He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.
So, you guys know how much I loved the Air Awakens series, right? Loved. So of course I had to read Elise’s next series, no question! Add to it that I was beyond honored and excited when Elise asked if I wanted to be a Vicar in her upcoming Guild Games in anticipation for The Alchemists of Loom. So, I received a copy early, which I read wayyy back in July or some such nonsense. To make sure that I actually, you know, liked the book before committing to being involved with it! (Which, if you remember from this post, I did haha.)
I won’t lie, I was nervous. Because I held Elise’s previous works in such high regard (and was still kind of hung up on my Vhalla and Aldrik feels, let’s be real), I didn’t know how I’d take to a whole new world. And it is new, guys. This isn’t like anything I have ever read before. Ever. The amount of imagination and world building in this book is incredible.
And at first, it scared me and even overwhelmed me. This world is complex. These characters are complex. It is a world unto itself, not our human world, not even close. And my imagination is… well, it’s certainly not great. So I think it took me some time to acclimate to everything that was going on. I think this won’t even be a problem for a lot of fantasy readers, but it is absolutely very high fantasy, so be prepared going in.
But eventually, as I started to familiarize myself with the world and the different aspects of the characters lives, I became quite invested. The characters… well, they are not the warm fuzzy type. They are looking out for their own agendas, and they all have shady background stories- and frankly, spend quite a bit of time in the present engaging in underhanded activities. Ari, Cvareh, and Florence are all quite different in personality, and I enjoyed the way they interacted with each other, and I certainly loved watching their characters develop. While in the beginning I had a bit of difficulty connecting to them (except Florence, I kind of adored her from the start), I did eventually grow to care for them all- and care for what would befall them on their journey, too.
I also liked that as the book went on, I began to feel more comfortable in the world, and started to get a better picture and understanding of it. There are still lots of secrets to be revealed, I am sure, but by the end I felt more at home in this masterfully created setting. I also felt quite happy that it was fictional, because I don’t think I would last two seconds in this world. It is cutthroat and not a happy or peaceful place. But the author does such a remarkable job of setting up the atmosphere, that it works perfectly. You can feel the sense of unease in this world, and why the characters will go to the lengths they do.
Bottom Line: I won’t go into much more detail (because you should probably just read the plot yourself hah) but it was definitely a fast paced book with lots of action, and an abundance of imaginative settings and characters. While I did have a bit of trouble at the start wrapping my head around the complex world and rules, it was still most certainly worth it!
Will I read the next book: Of course! Though July seems way too far away! (I also need to see the cover. I’m dying over here!)
Oh my, I do not know this author and this series, but your review has me curious! Shall look them up!
This is the start of a whole new series, so if you like fantasy, this could be a good starting point! 😀
I’m glad you hear you enjoyed this one. It’s on my list to read for January and I’ve not read anything by this author yet. Great review!
Aw yay, I hope you love it!! Thanks so much!!
Oh, this does sound like something I’d enjoy as I love high fantasy! Though I am determined to first start with the Air Awakens series. Thanks for the review though, definitely adding it to my TBR 🙂
Ohh yes, I think you would enjoy it for sure! I definitely loved Air Awakens too, so I hope you do too! Thanks so much 😀
I love Fantasy but I find that I always need to be in a specific mood to read High Fantasy. It doesn’t always work for me. But I am curious about this one. I haven’t read any of the author’s books for that matter. I should probably change that.
I was anticipating this review! I am glad you were able to enjoy the book and the world especially. It’s SO intricate, right? And detailed. I loved it. And I am glad you were able to like the character Flor so much. She definitely grew the most in this story (I know, you’re not mentioning that in the review but you did mention it on my blog, so I’m bringing it up here… :P)
I love complex worlds! I’m reading Age of Myth right now. It’s surprisingly funny, and perhaps not as complex as I had expected and hoped. On the other hand, it takes more talent to make things look seamless, than to make them look intricate.
First of all that’s a wicked cover. and “notoriously unscrupuous morals”? That made me laugh- I’m in, the rest of the synopsis doesn’t matter. lol I know grimdark’s all the rage but this sounds like a high fantasy/grimdark, in a way. such a dangerous world… and clockwork machinery. I may have to get this. I’ve seen it around a few times but this is the first review and close up I’ve seen!
Nice review Shannon.
Ohhhh books. I used to review over at i swim for oceans once upon a time, and high fantasy was a big favorite of mine. I haven’t heard of this one, but it sounds amazing! What a lovely review 😉
This is on my list as well! I actually really love epic and high fantasy, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be enjoying this more than you did. I DO REALLY LOVE THE COVERS. Elise always has amazing covers for her books!
Woww! Your blog looks so different from the last time I was here, it’s been like a year LOL love the new layout though 🙂 I haven’t heard about this book, but the cover is so pretty.. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This book has such a pretty cover! And it sounds like a good one too. I love it when authors can create a totally new world, so I love the sound of that. Although it sure can take some time to get sued to it. I had a scifi read like that earlier this year, it was overwhelming at first as you know nothing of the world, but once you get a grip on it, it’s great. Oh btw I recently got Air awakens, so i hope I’ll enjoy it. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one!
I really, really enjoyed this book -but I do love me some high fantasy. I’ve only read Air Awakens from her other books, but I actually liked this one more than I did Air Awakens. The world, the Dragons, the Wraith, the steampunk elements… Yes please! I can’t wait for the next book 😀
Great review!
Oooh I happen to LOVE high fantasy and complex worlds! Especially the ones with so so many characters and so so many places or cities or what not. For some reason I enjoy just like the whole complexity of it all. I have yet to read the Air Awakens series (I have the first book on my TBR) and I’m hoping to get into this series as well. 🙂
This material of yours is actually worth the time I’ve spent reading it.
The previous time I have seen something as good was https://www.facebook.com/pg/essayservicecom/reviews/. I want to thank you for a job well done.
Keep writing, you are great in it!