The Alchemists of Loom is a promising debut
The Alchemists of Loom
by Elise Kova
Price World Publishing
Keymaster Press
Sci Fi & Fantasy, General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 10 Jan 2017
Review
The Alchemists of Loom makes for a promising debut to Elise Kova’s new fantasy series. The novel blends steampunk and fantasy to create a rich and varied world divided between Dragons and humans (called Fenthri). Ari is the White Wraith, an expert thief for hire and militant enemy of the Dragons. When a chance meeting with a Dragon offers her the chance to realize her dreams of revenge, Ari decides to risk everything and help him. Along with her apprentice Sophie, Ari and Cvareh embark on a deadly race against time, evading the Dragon Riders in pursuit.
There are many detailed, cinematic action sequences. The characters on the whole are complex. But somehow I wasn’t as immersed in the story as I would have liked. I think a bit more detail is needed. By the end, however, I was looking forward to seeing what the next installment holds. The Alchemists of Loom is a solid steampunk fantasy that is definitely worth reading.
4/5
I received a copy of The Alchemists of Loom from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Description
Her vengeance. His vision.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds' resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn't a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer-turned-thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family's house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons' society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King's assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.
He offers her the one thing Ari can't refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.
