Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read an e-ARC of The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker! This book releases on October 22, 2024, so you have no excuse not to pick up the first book in this duology, The Scarlet Alchemist, before its release. I promise these books are so fast-paced, that you’ll devour the first one right in time for the second book to release!

We pick right up where we left off as Zilan and her cousin, Wenshu, are on the hunt for a way to get to Penglai Island. This knowledge has been lost to history, but thanks to her father’s research, they have a lead to one of the most talented alchemists of history: the Sandstone alchemist. It will come as no surprise that they barely survive this encounter with their lives, but they also manage to make it out with an ancient scroll containing a transformation that means nothing to them. Little do they know, this scroll paves the path before them and sets them on the journey toward understanding alchemy more deeply than they ever could’ve imagined. With the most unlikely companion (and Durian the duck), this eventual party of three encounters endless obstacles, powerful, ancient alchemists, and some characters who just can’t seem to stay dead. Will all of their efforts be enough to resurrect the lives of those they lost and help ensure Li Hong’s reign as Emperor? Only time will tell.

If you love fast-paced fantasy, really REALLY cool magic systems, and an historic backdrop in China, this duology might just be for you! There’s a lot of character development, but it’s mostly plot-driven; it has the barest dash of romance (a subplot, really); and every plot twist makes the book that much more un-put-downable! I can’t wait to read more by Kylie Lee Baker, now. Check it out, and share your thoughts with me when you’re done. I’m dying to talk about this series with more people!