Release Date: April 26th 2012
Author: Avery Williams
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads
My review:Summary from Goodreads:After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.
Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's his again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love?
Cover:
I don't really like the UK cover. The girl standing on the edge of the bridge, stretching her hands out looks very creepy to me. Although, the cover does portray a scene in the book very well!
Story:
Eternity is only the beginning...
I received this book a couple of months ago but never actually got into the book until now. I really liked the premise of the book and was glad that I ended up really enjoying the story! The Alchemy of Forever, written from Seraphina's POV tells the story of her life as an immortal who has lived 600 years, transferring her soul to different bodies every time her current body starts to decay in order to continuing living in this world. She becomes immortal after Cyrus, an Alchemist's son gives her the elixir when she is about die 600 years ago. Now, Sera is tired of taking over other people's body, killing the soul inside of them all the time and is prepared to die. She no longer feels any love for Cyrus but the only problem is, Cyrus is very possessive of her and she is not sure she can ever escape him.
Despite the fact that the book is not too long, only about 260 pages, the book is not rushed and flows at a very steady pace. It begins with a prologue back in the 1400s when Cyrus makes Sera immortal and continues in the present story as Sera tries to basically die. I really enjoyed reading about how Sera decides to still stay in this world after transferring her soul to Kaylie's body and how she falls in love with Noah. The concept of incarnation in this book is quite interesting such as how the soul stays immortal but not the body itself. The book ended in a cliffhanger although I definitely saw that coming but it still makes me excited for the sequel!
Characters:
I really like Sera as a character. She feels very conflicted throughout the book. In the beginning, she feels conflicted because she wants to die but then she takes Kaylie's body when she nearly died and transfers her soul to Kaylie's body. After living Kaylie's life, Sera finally decides that she does not want to die just yet. She loves Kaylie's life and also falls in love with Noah. Sera wants to avoid Cyrus at all cost but Cyrus is able to track her down. Noah is a sweet and nice guy, basically the good guy and I can definitely see how Sera is attracted to him. Kaylie's bestfriends are also cool and great! I actually really like Cyrus too. Even though he might be over-possessive and selfish, he really cares for Sera. I fell for Cyrus in the prologue and am really looking forward to read more about him in the book although he is not constantly in the book. I hope there is more appearance of him in the next book!
Overall:
Would you jump at the chance to live forever? The Alchemy of Forever will make you think that perhaps being an immortal is not a very good thing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this riveting book and absolutely can't wait to read the sequel!
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| 4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for The Alchemy of Forever! |
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!
Check out the book trailer!
EEp glad you enjoyed this book, I loved Fated, Im dying for the second book! And I liked Sera too. And yes immortals is a great one, but whats the point if you arent happy with it? Great review Celine. xoxox
ReplyDeleteƸ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ
I really like the sound of this book too! It reminds me a bit of The Host as souls are taking over bodies, I really enjoyed The Host, so I'm hoping I will enjoy this just as much! I actually also like the cover too, it so gives the creepy look going on! Great review Celine and thanks bringing this book to my attention :)
ReplyDeleteHi Celine.
ReplyDeleteThe US cover is more beautiful but this cover matches the story remarkably well!
I'm so happy you enjoyed this book too. I really liked feeling Sera conflicting feelings and experiencing her jorney too.
I also hope Cyrus shows up in the next book more.
I LOVE the sound of this series! It's very interesting that immortality is in reference to the soul alone in this series and Cyrus sounds v. Intriguing!! The UK cover is very creepy though :0 makes me wonder what happens in that particular scene in the book! Awesome review, Celine :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER! Unlike you, I sadly found this to be a bit rushed, but nonetheless I can't wait to find out how Sera's story will continue - especially after the very mean ending. :D
ReplyDeleteCarina
Fictional Distraction
Gosh, ever since I read The Alchemy of Forever's description I knew I had to read it. But I still haven't! I think that's because I read some mixed reviews about it, but I don't think I'll resist much longer.
ReplyDeleteAll that immortality thin seems really interesting. Sera sounds like a protagonist I'll easily click with, and Noah seems so sweet :) Great review, Celine <3
The characters sounds like a great bunch to read about and I'm glad to hear, despite being fairly short, this book is still easy to enjoy. Great review, Celine!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely jump at the chance to live forever but I wouldn't want to have to kill people every ten years to take their bodies. I loved this one! Sera and Noah were really sweet. Cyrus was super creepy but like you said I did like him in the prologue. I hope in the next book they have some flash backs to show more of how their relationship deteriorated. I'm dying to know what will happen after that cliffhanger.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I enjoyed this book although it didn't particularly wow me. I did have a problem with the short length, but I guess there will be more awesome to come in book 2 ;) What a cliffy! Should be interesting!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it! I've heard a few meh-reviews lately, so that's definitely promising :) I just got it recently myself and seriously cannot wait to read it! I think it sounds fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteI actually kind of like the cover, but I definitely understand why it creeps you out! It suggests horror books inside LOL! x) This book sounds very interesting, I like the idea of living forever. Though the consequence is very sad.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing review, Celine! I really need to check out this book! ♥
I like the other cover more, but this one still catches my eyes :) I would pick it up in a book store, so it does his job. I like the idea and the concept. Thanks for the awesome review ^^
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this, Celine! I felt similarly. Although I have to disagree with you about Cyrus - I did NOT like that possessive creeper one little bit :P And ahhhh the cliffhanger! I suspected it too, but it didn't lessen my need to see what happens next!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, you beautiful thing, you! <3