Review: The Alchemist’s Flame (The Final Formula #3) by Becca Andre

4 stars for The Alchemist’s Flame (The Final Formula book 3) by Becca Andre.

Thus far, the author has done a remarkable job on the opening paragraph of each instalment in the series that makes me eager to keep the pages turning.

Here goes for the current book..

"A practicing alchemist doesn’t spend all her time indoors. The profession offers many opportunities to escape the confines of the lab. There are ingredients to be gathered, potions to be delivered, and as was the case today, necromancers to spy on. Purists may not lump the last into an alchemist’s job description, but I found myself in this position so frequently that I had begun to think of it as part of the job."

Well, there is certainly a lot more to alchemy than just mixing potions. In this book, not only does the alchemical world continues to build upon itself, I notice an increase in the use of subtle humor that serves to lighten and yet heighten the dynamics between the protagonist, Addie and the rest of the characters. Great work there!

Third book to date and still my favourite character remains unchanged. I swoon over Addie's lab partner and ride, the most cool and clear headed character with old world etiquette who is, fortunately or unfortunately, an all-in-one - undead necromancer, alchemist and Lich King.

Review: The Blood Alchemist (The Final Formula #2) by Becca Andre

4 stars for The Blood Alchemist (The Final Formula book 2) by Becca Andre.

How do you right a wrong? To Addie, the most brilliant alchemical mind of our time, the answer lies with The Final Formula. With that, much of this story still revolves around The Final formula and its unique properties.

I will not say that I enjoy this book through and through seeing that certain characters that get on my nerves - such as the three Huntsman brothers - keep making their appearances, so much so that I am prepared to down my rating of this book to 3 stars.

However, in the end, the Lich King, Ian, convinces me to change my mind. Yes, I like the character of Ian Mallory much more than that of the Flame Lord, Rowan. There is absolutely no doubt about it. For this reason, I am really pleased to find, at the end of The Blood Alchemist, an entire short story dedicated to Ian and Addie.

In fact, this book is a steal because it comes with not one but two bonus short story, The Lich's Lab and A Christmas Formula, both of which are very well written and leave me wanting for more at the end of it all.

Review: The Element of Death (The Final Formula #1.5) by Becca Andre

3 stars for The Element of Death (The Final Formula book 1.5) by Becca Andre.

This novella is cleverly written to spin off a story from where James and Rowan wander off towards the end of book 1 The Final Formula. The story focuses on James and provides a good introduction to the start of an unique relationship between him and Rowan.

To tell the truth, I am somewhat disappointed that this short story is not about our little alchemist, Addie, but all about James and a little walk down memory lane. But I suppose, as Addie's sidekick, James does deserves some attention too.

Overall, an okay read for me.

Review: The Final Formula (The Final Formula #1) by Becca Andre

5 stars for The Final Formula (The Final Formula book 1) by Becca Andre.

I have been reading at a snail's pace of late. It has nothing to do with the writing of the book on hand but everything to do with - for lack of a better word - distractions. For a start, there is the beta reading, then ten days of vacationing in Hokkaido, Japan and finally, my watching of the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches.

I have always wanted to read this book but somehow or other, I never get down to it until my recent flight to Hokkaido. Even then, I did not achieve much reading of this urban fantasy novel in the air as my focus is on completing the beta read.

Come to think of it, I should really have made the effort to read this book earlier. It is good. Very good in fact. It has a beginning that appeals to me, an ending that tugs at my heartstrings, and in between these two, there is alchemy, necromancy, magic and elementary forces (fire, air, water, earth), all of which serve to bring out the best mix of science, fantasy, romance, mystery, suspense, and action to produce the very formula in The Final Formula.

So, what is this Final Formula exactly? Well, go grab a copy of this e-book now while it is still available for free download, and unravel the greatest mystery of all time.