Oric and the Alchemist's Key

40 reviews for this book, all Amazon approved: Have put 5 below

This is a wonderful YA adventure set in medieval times, full of colorful characters, its hero roughly fifteen years of age. The story is very much as the blurb advertises; the tale is chock full of adventures, some comical, others more harrowing. So the story is brisk and a lot of fun.

The chief nemesis, a Scrooge-like money-lender determined to deprive townsfolk of their money and enrich himself at their expense by whatever unscrupulous money-lending scheme he can divine, is as picaresque a character as he is unsavory. The depth and nuance of his evil anchors the story and provides no shortage of great challenges for our hero and his sidekicks to push against.

Unlike with a lot of YA stories, elders are integrated into the tale, as opposed to existing clueless off to the sidelines and not really being germane to the story. Hence Oric and The Alchemist’s Key is a bit like the Harry Potter stories in this regard, in that elders are venerated and contribute meaningfully to the lives of the younger generations, particularly our young apprentice hero to the apothecary, Ichtheus. 4*

I enjoyed this story and I know young readers will enjoy it too. The story is very imaginative with action, and humor throughout. The author’s main character, Oric, is your typical YA, who is given the pathway to his future in the form of an alchemist's key from his dying master.

I like the way the author’s vivid creations brought the entire story to life, while showing the reader that there’s good and bad in the world and the choices one makes determines the outcome… to every action there’s a consequence. Great storytelling!4*

I've been reading a few different books recently including YA. When I saw this one being recommended I thought I would give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can honestly say I am looking forward to the next one in the series. Oric is an apothecary's apprentice and he is learning about the puzzle of a key he is given. This is the basic premise for a very enjoyable and well written story. Wilson is a skilled writer and uses words to good effect. The setting and the language are spot on one this gave the story a real sense of place and time. I really felt I was there. The book kept me reading way past any sensible bedtime as it had me engrossed. A rattling tale which pulls you in to the story and I would highly recommend.5*

I absolutely loved this book. I fell in love with Lesley's characters. Some were gritty and detestable, others adorably honest and upright. Even her animal familiars were full of character and life. I more than saw her settings, I was in them. Even her descriptions of swilling beer in the local tavern were wonderful. The language she used took me into the medieval world too. From the collection, description, and use of herbs with which to make 'medicament's', to the malodorous stench', of the hag at the village market, and back into the inglenook fireplace at Bayersby Manor to get warm, Lesley took my hand and led me on a journey of the senses; sometimes foul, sometimes lovely. All in all it was a most delightful adventure into a time long forgotten, thanks to modern technology. I felt like I'd had a holiday when I finished.5*

I have to say the idea of someone wanting laxatives to flush out his wife's temper is ingenious and kept me laughing. I love the alchemy in this book, it is sensational!

Oric finds himself in possession of a key that could lead to great wealth or terrible danger! Schemes start forming to take the key from his possession.

This is a fantastic young adult fantasy full of exciting characters with some of the most unusual names.5*