Not a bad read. It's fast paced and had little character development. I couldn't connect with Thea, but she has a strong will and cares deeply for others, even if they don't treat her in kind. There wasn't much background on the alchemist profession other than trying to make the Philosopher's Stone, which that knowledge and attempting to make it caused people to go mad. I'm indifferent about the book. I liked the writing but the story was lacking.