What frightened her the most were the monsters living in her head....

Short, but nothing less than utterly fantastical.
Tamara Price has made a beautifully complex, expertly crafted world full of possibilities, full of possible stories, and breathing a beautiful source of new life into the genre of young-adult fantasy.
Welcome to the mythical world of Tellus.
Pax Silva awaits her Ortus day, the day where she will discover her true capabilities, her powers. At the same time, she is shunned by her village because she is too unpredictable, too much of a liability... her mood too wild and uncontrollable....
As such, Pax longs for a life of adventure outside of her home, to know what the world is like without the harsh judgements of her fellow villagers.... to experience freedom and the beauty of the world in her own eyes.
Until her village is attacked, and her Alchemist mother and father are taken...
Pax and her friends set off on a journey of epic proportion filled with friendship, unexpected twists, and discovering oneself...
Tamara will leave you with a story that will be in the back of your mind lurking until the next book comes... eager for another visit to this amazing world...and I am looking forward to her future releases.

Who knew adventure and fantasy together could make me crumble this easily?

"Many Gen say that the birth of the alchemist's daughter was so violent it can only be likened to a death."

Pax Silva's story follows her quest to find her parents after a suspicious attack on their village, Viridis. With a tangled journey, playful riddles, and ancient prophecies, young Pax is swept into a world of chaos threatening to take away all that she holds dear.

This fast-paced YA fantasy revives the adventurous spirit of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

The impeccable writing style breathes life into earnest descriptions, trapping the reader within the book's tangled webs. The subtle depiction of the characters' moral portrait made them all the more relatable and unforgettable. The world-building was original and captivating, with everything blending together in perfect harmony (and personally, it was a delight to venture into it, more than I'd originally expected).

One thing I'd like to mention about the story, though, is that I wished the final battle would have been more impactful; it felt somewhat underwhelming, but that does not take away the book's overall shine.

Needless to say, I recommend this story to anyone whose heart yearns for a true adventure novel. With a love for riddles and hidden symbolism similar to Tolkien's, Tamara Price easily ignited nostalgic memories, of lands I've never traveled and quests I've yet to experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner for the ARC, and thank you, Tamara, for making me feel so deeply with every page turned.

Wow!!! What a book! This book had me gripped and only took me so long to read as I have a 3 month old baby! This helped me out of an 11 month reading slump too! giving adventure, witches, warriors, magic and much more! With an Amazing conclusion that didn’t feel rushed like most books!! Highly recommend 😍

Cozy, magical, and beautifully diverse!
The Alchemist’s Daughter by Tamara Price completely swept me away. Even though it’s a short read, it’s so immersive, the kind of story you sink into and don’t want to leave. The worldbuilding is rich, full of creativity and heart, and every stop along Pax’s journey feels alive with its own magic.
I loved how unique the cast is. We meet neurodivergent, non-binary, disabled, and older characters, all of whom are woven naturally into the story. The found-family trope shines here, giving cosy, feel-good vibes amid the adventure. Pax herself is such a wonderful protagonist; kind, brave, and genuinely good. Watching her make friends along her journey made me smile the whole way through.
The magic system feels fresh and fascinating, the world gives Shannara Chronicles energy, and the whole thing feels like a warm, heartfelt YA fantasy escape. For a debut, it’s incredibly well done and highly recommended for those who love adventure, friendship, and stories that celebrate difference and belonging. It's a must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Rick Riordan who enjoy stories about belonging, bravery, and self-discovery. 💫

This book was a brilliant adventure, full of magic, witches and mythical creatures. It had the found family trope too - my favourite - and I ate it all up. The pacing was smooth, the world was easy to fall in love with and feel a connection to, and the story flowed really well.

The characters were all very complex, with their own flaws and moral dubiousness. Together, they complemented each other perfectly. They just fit together like a puzzle, with such a natural and fun dynamic. It felt like playing D&D without the dice.

The plot twist was so unexpected and left me reeling. I can't wait to read whatever comes next!

This is for anyone who loves whimsy, heartwarming fantasy novels that leave you feeling happy. I'd personally recommend it to any fellow Percy Jackson fans. An easy five stars from me!

Thank you to Cranthorpe Milner Publishers for the ARC.