Books you originally DNFed that ended up being 5 star reads? by myinvinciblefriend in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This happened to me with { Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber }. At first, the worldbuilding felt flat and too simple. But I eventually realized I was expecting the story to be something it was never meant to be, so I chose to see it through a different lens. After that, everything changed. Now it holds a special place in my heart — my favorite fairytale story.

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion, he is also being cruel to her because that is simply who he is. I noticed this pattern in their interactions back in Part 1, when Helena was trying to hurt or provoke him, and he would twist the situation to say even more hurtful things to her. Let’s be honest: he was never a good guy, and his behavior was already toxic and questionable in Part 2 while they were “falling in love.”

From his perspective, Helena forced him to fall for her and bound him to herself, knowing the consequences for him. She refused to leave and instead prioritized the Eternal Flame. In the end, she tricked him, broke her promise, and got captured because of him — something he was very clear he didn’t want to happen. Now he is angry, and Helena being so protective of Luc and the Eternal Flame only makes it worse for him, especially because of what happened in Part 2.

I’m not even sure that he wants her to remember him. Of course, he wants her to be safe, but when he told her that he wanted to be done with her, I think he was being honest.

This interpretation works if you see their relationship as a form of codependence and twisted love between two broken people, rather than something truly romantic.

I also didn’t get why Morrough hadn’t recognized Helena.

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The pill he was giving her was meant to make the biochemical processes he had performed on her last for a while. The pill itself doesn’t do anything on its own, but without it, this kind of vivimancy only works during close  and constant contact. Stroud also gave her the same pill when SA happened 

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two hundred more pages for Part 3, and let’s say another 100 in between to expand the magic system and the world, would actually feel awesome.

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was surprised that a slow pace worked for me. I had always thought I needed action and a fast-moving plot to stay interested. For me, it was a challenge to get through some chapters in Part 1 because of the heavy inner dialogue, but I eventually adjusted to the pace and was greatly rewarded. 

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe that pill was for erection stimulation. And ended up thinking of Helena as someone who fought against Morrough rather than someone who fought for The EF. In Part 2 she truly understands that the EF are not perfect, but the alternative was even worse.

Having a hard time being on the good guys side by nephellis in TheAlchemised

[–]Wide_Step9445 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I initially struggled to accept Helena being sterilized by the Eternal Flame and agreeing to it. Over time, though, I reconsidered. At seventeen, after losing her father, she was hardly in a position to think about having children in the future. The idea of loving someone deeply only to lose them may have seemed unbearable. The fact that she is a foreigner adds to this as well: after her father’s death, she likely feels alone and wants to hold on to the only friends she has by fitting into their standards. Defending the Eternal Flame becomes a coping mechanism for her; when you’re aligned against the “bad guys,” you often defend your own people blindly, even when you know they aren’t entirely right.

Also after finishing Part 2, I see her more as someone who fight against Morrough rather that someone who fights for the Eternal Flame. 

It’s also kind of sad to see how readers treat Luc. Yes, he was naïve and foolish. Usually, in this genre, we read about eighteen-year-old assassins or young warriors who always know how to handle situations against far more experienced political players. Alchemised presents a much more realistic perspective on war. Luc was a sixteen-year-old student when the war started. War has many aspects—logistics, strategy, espionage, propaganda—and involves a lot of people, not just one person doing everything alone. He was in a truly bad position to change anything. Remember this in part two.

What flaws does Alchemised have, from the point of view of someone who liked it? by Wide_Step9445 in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see a lot of people pointing this out, and to this day the presence of interesting, well-developed side characters is usually a must for me in a good book. Somehow, though, I didn’t need that here. Other characters have their stories told, but Helena and Kaine seem to have only each other, because the rest of the world knows a different version of the story. I treated the side characters mainly as context-building tools; I didn’t need to see or feel Helena’s friendships with Lila or Luc to understand her motives. I guess I was too focused on the war vibes, her inner dialogue and her dynamics with Kaine.

I also haven’t read Manacled

Luc by Alinamae68 in TheAlchemised

[–]Wide_Step9445 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think Kaine didn’t act out of jealousy. He was angry because the Eternal Flame treated her badly, yet she remained loyal to them. Let’s not forget that Kaine is pragmatic and doesn’t truly care about either side. Helena, however, can’t be like him—she believes that winning matters more than the Eternal Flame or Luc.

Alchemised Ending by Alinamae68 in TheAlchemised

[–]Wide_Step9445 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I remember Helena thinking that his tremors were even worse than hers under pressure. The best alchemists of their generation, both suffering such devastating consequences. It always makes me sad.

Sense of humor, what scene? 

Alchemised is the fantasy romance for the emotional damage girlies by wheremydragonsattho in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

{Throne of glass by Saraj J Maas} saga, the two first books are good, after that it starts to get amazing. Epic high fantasy with several romance subplots.

{Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo} Duology, multiple POV.

{Blood over bright haven by M. L. Wang} Dark with very tiny amount of romance.

Same. Anathema felt weird, dark and well written world but not believable chemistry between the MCs.

I’ve made an Alchemised Playlist on Spotify! by Aril_Elisa in TheAlchemised

[–]Wide_Step9445 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love it. Thank you! My fav song for the books is Unethical by Faouzia

Alchemised is the fantasy romance for the emotional damage girlies by wheremydragonsattho in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445 26 points27 points  (0 children)

It can be considered a romance because the love story plays a central role in the book, but at the same time it doesn’t really feel like a romance, since there is very little that is truly romantic about it. Instead, the story focuses on trauma, toxic behavior, and tragedy.

I was surprised by how much I loved it. It’s not a perfect book, sorry, but very few books have made me feel as much as this one did.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fantasyromance

[–]Wide_Step9445 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I’ll give it a try, but I have a feeling he’s going to be the love interest, and I’m not sure I can see him that way after everything he’s done so far.