Enemies to lovers. Morally gray magic. A heroine who rewrites her own story.
I haven’t done a book review in a while, but this one pulled me right back into my fantasy era. Alchemised is a Dark Academia, slow-burn, forced-proximity romantasy — and it’s as addictive as it sounds.
Here’s the wild part: I actually started reading this story years ago, when it was floating around online as Harry Potter fan fiction. One of those secret little gems tucked in the corners of the internet — pure guilty pleasure. But since then, it’s been taken down, rebuilt, and reborn into its own original world. And honestly? It’s nothing like the fanfic it once was. The author created an entirely new mythology, fresh characters, and a magic system that feels rich, dark, and completely hers.
If you ever loved fanfic for its emotional punch and slow-burn angst, this is what happens when one of those writers levels up.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT (NO SPOILERS)
We meet our heroine in a world where alchemy is more than potions and metals — it’s life, death, memory, and transformation. She’s brilliant but broken, haunted by a past she can’t quite piece together and a power she doesn’t understand.
There’s a mysterious academy, rival factions of alchemists, and a teacher-slash-enemy-slash-possible-love-interest who makes every page crackle. It’s got that classic dark academia energy — candlelit libraries, forbidden experiments, dangerous knowledge — but with more heart and humanity than I expected.
And while there are faint echoes of where it began (the mentor dynamic, the slow burn, the clever heroine finding her power), it’s fully its own story now. You could hand this to someone who’s never touched fanfic and they’d have no idea where it came from.
WHAT HOOKED ME
The World-Building: Alchemy as both science and spirituality. It’s not just “magic” — it’s transformation as a metaphor for healing. I love when fantasy makes you feel smarter while it breaks your heart.
The Heroine: She’s not “the chosen one.” She’s the one who chooses herself. Sharp, flawed, and strong without losing her empathy.
The Love Interest: The definition of enemies-to-lovers slow burn. Infuriatingly logical. Devastatingly protective. Every conversation feels like a duel. Broody, mean, and—of course—for a good reason.
The Writing: Lyrical but modern. It never drowns in purple prose — it just flows. You can tell this came from a writer who’s been quietly building worlds for years and finally opened the gates.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Alchemised gave me everything I want from a fantasy romance: complex magic, flawed characters, tension you could bottle, and writing that feels intimate and alive. It’s got mystery, momentum, and a tone that feels both ancient and new.
If you’re into:
- Enemies to lovers (with brainy tension)
- Secret societies and academic rivalries
- Moral grayness and redemption arcs
- Beautiful, immersive world-building
- Slow-burn romance with real emotional stakes
WHAT SURPRISED ME
I expected nostalgia. What I got was catharsis.
The book isn’t about the same characters — it’s about letting go of who you were and creating something new from the ashes. (Which, when you think about it, is kind of the definition of alchemy.)
It made me weirdly emotional, seeing something that began in a fan community evolve into a published, beautiful novel that stands completely on its own. Like watching someone grow up and go out into the world. It’s honestly inspiring for those of us who dream of doing the same one day.
I’ve always imagined my own spin being more of a modern retelling of classic lit and fairy tales — something between Wuthering Heights and Snow White & Rose Red. (That’s off the top of my head, but you get the vibe.)
Spice Check
There’s tension, heat, and plenty of chemistry — but it’s a simmer, not a scorch. Think PG-13 with emotional intimacy front and center. The focus is transformation, not just temptation — and somehow, that makes it even hotter.
Grab it on Kindle → Alchemised
