It is perhaps finally time for me to talk about this book. It’s been almost everywhere on bookstagram and booktok and for the first time in ages; I decided to actually try a trending book. And although I wasn’t really disappointed, there were some cringe scenes I don’t and didn’t approve of. I am not into the idea of comparing books and authors or genres. Each individual has a style that suits and resonates with them so I’m going to shove that comment up my ass and continue with what I think of this book.
And yes, hello everyone. I am sure you all have missed me the way I did too. I am here, back and breathing.
Oh and I haven’t mentioned that it’s a Fae book. Like you know, those creatures with pointed ears and in most or some cases; elongated canines. Yes, faes and…alchemist. Alchemy. It was really strange having to read everything to sync together since I’ve never really thought about that kind of mix in literature. Although, the animated series; The legend of Vox machina kind of reminds me of this book, Quicksilver. One thing for sure is I loved the author’s writing style, it was precise, just right in description but I felt the book was a bit rushed.
Alright, before I get into my little bit of critics; let me give a brief something about the plot of the book. The story follows a dark haired girl that lives in the Third, Saeris Fane with her brother Hayden. It begins with her struggling against the hold of a guardian that belongs to Madra, the undying queen that ruled over Zilvaren. The third were a neglected part of Zilvaren that got quarantined and made to survive in very harsh environments; with things like not enough food, water rations and not one, but teo hot scorching suns. There was never day or night in Zilvaren, the atmosphere was always hot, leading to low cultivation and germination of crops, not enough water to go by and suffering. So much suffering in the third.
People who lived beyond the walls and in the city of Zilvaren were privileged as they didn’t have to experience what those in the third did. Saeris Fane struggled to provide for her and her brother, Hayden but everything turns around when she decides to steal a gauntlet from a guardian. It was a sick but desperate move. Sick in the fact that she would be killed if caught, but she didn’t think of the consequences when she sprang forward and grabbed the gauntlet that belonged to the guardian and ran. No, she only thought about her family, Hayden and how they would get a better life if she could sell the metal of the gauntlet. A roof over their head, food, education for Hayden. Those were the only things swirling in her head.
Further down the story: she is taken as prisoner and left near death, when a mysterious portal of a sort opens and a man walks in. Not quite a man but a fae male, Kingfisher. Kingfisher saves her from death and brings her into a different realm, a fae realm. There she discovers so many strange things. She finds out there is day and night, she learns about a moon. She realizes there’s enough water and more in the fae lands and she also discovers she’s an alchemist. When Saeris was younger, she always had the ability to move metals. She could feel the energy in them and make them move. She discovers that that energy she thought was energy in the metal was actually Quicksilver. An important element round the entire realms.
Kingfisher and Saeris begin as enemies and then it blossoms to love love love and has me kicking my feet around 2am in the morning. There’s more to it though, so much more.
Now, like I was saying; This is a good book, I am not going to deny that but I am yet to read a book that blows my mind the way Jennifer does. And anyway, I’ll be starting the next book in the series soon and give a review about that too.
Thanks for reading;)