Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful book! I was hooked by the description, and it did not disappoint. The main character, Thea, is interesting and I wanted to know more about her from the first page. The plot is full of twists and turns, madness and mayhem, and some beautifully poignant moments as well. I loved the relationship building between Thea and all the other characters, especially her father, and I loved the world-building as well. It was easy to imagine myself there in late 18th century Britain and France, following right along with Thea and her friends and enemies. The magical elements fit in well with the non-magical elements, and I loved reading about Thea's attempts at alchemy and where they led her. Overall, a wonderful book, and I would definitely recommend it to fans of historical fantasy or anyone who wants to read a good story!

I received this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel and found myself unable to stop thinking about what might happen next when life beckoned me to put the book down.

A Golden Fury didn't resemble anything I had ever read before... That is until I read a review relating it to LOTR and the obsession of the ring. Regardless, that's the only moment.

I would completely recommend this debut novel by Samantha Cohoe to any of my friends. Five stars from me!

I received a free eARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

My rating: 3.5/5

This book took me a long time to read as the plot is a bit on the slower side. We start in France with the main character, Thea, assisting her mother in creating the Philosopher’s Stone. Things go badly and she has to flee to England to find her father who is also trying to make it. Basically this book consists of Thea having to keep fleeing places where people want to make the stone. Toss in some betrayal and madness and you have the book.

It’s an okay book, not amazing. It held my attention while I was reading it but I never felt super drawn to pick it back up which is why it took me so long to read. The ending was a little lackluster and the climax felt a little meh, it was not an adventure but a slow and interesting journey, if that makes sense.

The characters were okay, they weren’t flat but they were barely 3-dimensional, lacking reason. Sometimes it felt like they were doing things to move the plot rather than actually furthering their character growth or doing things that felt like choices right for their character.

I did like the lack of romance in this book, I kept expecting it but all romance happened in the past and wasn’t used again. Thank goodness.
I was left with some questions that I felt could have been explained though this book is and should stay a standalone. I just think more description and background info could’ve been given. Overall it was enjoyable but not something I’d reread anytime soon. I am however getting a copy of this in my LitJoy Crate and I will be keeping it.

A very strong debut novel, with some interesting world-building and the slight feel of a Joan Aiken novel. It's well-written and the protagonist is strong but emotionally vulnerable. I liked the relationships. I also liked that it is a stand-alone! Unusual in this day and age.

First things first...I was interested in this book at first sight. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover but when it's so appealing I can't help but assume it's good. Secondly, the synopsis had me mighty intrigued off of alchemy and the mention of philosophers stone because hi, Harry Potter!? I know, I know a huge reach there but it got me anyways.

The book starts off with a good leap, pulls you in and keeps you interested and wondering "what's going to happen next?". The characters could use some more development to keep you cheering for them but the story moves along well enough to make up for that.

I'm not much for historical type reads, unless highlanders are involved, but this holds its own. I enjoyed it for what it was and would be willing to reread it.

CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 6
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 7

This was a very refreshing read. I loved all the alchemy aspects. There were definitely some Stalking Jack the Ripper vibes to this book so if you enjoyed that one I would definitely have this on your radar. I did however appreciate that there was little to no romance in this book. Fantasy books lately always have romance and sometimes I just want the plot and the story no side romance also going on.

This book isn't bad. It's just not really original to me.

It very much reads like the Stalking Jack the reaper book.

You follow a headstrong woman in a "man's" world trying to do the unthinkable all while having a mom that is just awful and only really cares about alchemy and being the first to create the philosopher's stone that can curse any sickness, turn metals to gold and grant everlasting life but at the cost of your sanity.

While having a little of a twist for the item trying to be created..... Everything else is kind of predictable.
Everyone in her life is pretty much using her and she is willing to do it.

She's willing to Loose her mind for someone she thinks she loves and a boy she's know like 5 days, and then her mother as well, the build up to the end was also kind of a let down. I wanted to see the possibilities the POWER.

Just too much is left open. It's like yeah we got an ending but just felt like a safe ending that I wasn't particular impressed with.

What a great face paced story. I enjoyed this thrilling ride and the main character he such a great arc that made me want to keep reading not wanting to put down the book. I also loved that it was a stand alone and gave me such a great closing to the story. Though I totally see how it could be continued and I would totally support that!

Thea is a young lady (16 years old) who aspires to become a great alchemist like her mother. Only her mother has banned her from the lab in what Thea takes as a power grab to have the claim to fame as the alchemist who forms the Philosopher's Stone.

But, she soon learns that her mother has gone quite mad, to the point of violence, from the quest. Thea is then sent to the father who doesn't even know she exists.

Taking with her some of her mother's notes on the process, she soon discovers that the quest is one that will rob you of your life.

While I find the idea of alchemy interesting (and have training in chemistry), I must admit there were times I really did not like the main character. Yes, she is naive. But, her attitude towards others grated me the wrong way. This meant it took me a lot longer to finish the title than planned as I had to trudge through it.

The ending was good. But, getting there was sometimes torturous.

This book was extremely refreshing in my opinion. I haven't read anything quite like it, and I haven't read much about alchemists so that may be why! Let me begin with saying Cohoe is a good writer, a spectacular writer even, in the technical sense. There's a way about her writing that flows so easily and her descriptions completely immersed me in the world (and made me want to go visit France and go back to England). Secondly, Thea was a solid main character. She had the perfect amount of independence while still being a person with emotional and mental needs that made her feel like a well rounded person. It was easy to read from her point of view and I rooted for her from the beginning. I didn't like the other characters quite as much however, but I don't think it was a problem with their characterization but rather the amount of time spent with them. For example, I loved the idea of Dominic, he was kind, and thoughtful, and just the type of male character I like but I felt like Cohoe didn't quite utilize him as a character quite enough.

The story itself was well paced for the most part until the ending where I found it a bit rushed. I did, however, enjoy the plot and wasn't bored at all. I found myself eagerly flipping through the pages and didn't want to put it down.

Overall, while it didn't invoke the emotional impact I look for when I rate books 5/5 stars, I really enjoyed this debut novel and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more by Cohoe.