Beautiful photo by @old.enough.for.fairy.tales!
Hi fairies!
Happy Wednesday and welcome to day 3 of our readalong of The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you all love it!
But before we start reading, we have our secret giveaway! What’s that? Oh, just a chance to get your next FairyLoot for free as a reward for reading! Doesn’t really get better than that! And your chances are so good too! We don’t really announce this anywhere else as we truly want the person from the readalong to win! If you’d like to try your luck, all you need to do is follow these steps!
- Take a photo of our edition of The Scarlet Alchemist.
- Include the hashtag #ScarletFairy
- Do all of this by the end of January 5th.
- Mention down below in your comment that you have entered and include your Instagram handle (also super important!)
Good luck!
I hope you’re all having a fun time reading so far!
Today we’re reading from chapter 15 to the end of chapter 20. Let’s do this!
When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker from Chapter 15 to Chapter 20. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
!SPOILERS!
Starting today’s reading off with the crown prince outside Zilan’s door in the middle of the night, in his night robes is not what I thought would happen…
Not him on his hands and knees bowing down to her!!! 🤭
“You can eat one of my ducks.”
“Is that a euphemism?”
The cackle that just escaped me at that dialogue. Oh, I am living for this book.
The prince’s two sisters have been taken to the royal dungeons and he needs Zilan’s help to rescue them to which she agrees.
Zilan notices three long scratches on his collarbone – could this be a coincidence or something related to the hulijing?
Oh, I do love forced proximity even if it is something as simple as the prince sheltering her body with his against the wall whilst hiding from the guards. The author is giving us crumbs and I am happily taking them!
After creating a diversion they get inside the dungeons but Zilan notices a prisoner with light brown eyes with flecks of green just like her own. And not only that, this man claims to also be an alchemist. Tell me why my immediate thought is that this is her father?!
However, things get a tad creepy when the man tells her that they “don’t want your alchemy. They want your soul.” That sure took a sinister turn but could there be some truth to it?
They manage to rescue the sisters and help them escape through some tunnels. Why were they in the dungeons in the first place?
The plot thickens once more when the prince reveals that he believes the empress is responsible as he remembers things he isn’t supposed to like – like the fact that it was the empress who murdered her daughter and framed his father’s concubine. Doing this so that she would be imprisoned and herself made empress.
It’s also revealed that the empress has begged his father to change the line of succession so that if he dies, the empire belongs to her and not the prince.
I love a bit of political intrigue but I did not expect the empress to be a villain. And not only that, members of the prince’s family throughout China have been showing up dead along with various attacks on him.
Zilan completes the third and final trial with the empress in attendance – she had to create life to be allowed to become a royal alchemist otherwise face death. She created a duck – low-key obsessed with the fact it was a duck and I find it kind of hilarious. The empress gives her a new name ‘The Scarlet Alchemist.’
It is also revealed that there are monsters in the palace such as the one Zilan had seen eating the pig previously. And not only that, these monsters are her mother’s experiments created by the royal alchemists and used to kill members of her family and anyone she dislikes.
In a desperate attempt to save Zilan from being executed due to touching him, the prince names her concubine meaning she will now live at the palace as not only a royal alchemist but also his concubine.
The Moon Alchemist is now Zilan’s teacher and I hope we get to learn more about her character!
And to wrap up today’s reading we end with Zilan and the prince being summoned for dinner with the empress. I have a very bad feeling about this, they are certainly playing a deadly game.
Every chapter is getting more and more tense! I loved all the action, political conspiracies and new development between the prince and Zilan. I can’t wait for tomorrows chapters!
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
I’m so excited to see what will happen in tomorrow’s chapters, see you there fairies!
Love,
Jodie
I finished The Scarlet Alchemist before I even paid for the box and it was one of my favorites of the year! Kylie Lee Baker is a gem. I’m enjoying your summaries as well!
I am entering the Instagram contest with @mellas.reading.habits! Thank you.
I’m entering the giveaway under @thatbookishbeachgirl on IG.
Okay, so yesterday I said that the duck thing would come back up jokingly and turns out I was right 😂 I laughed so hard at that part. Of all things, she created a duck. I love it!
I’m living for the forced proximity. It’s going to happen, they are going to fall for each other. I already think our prince IS falling…. And now she’s his concubine. Yep it’s going to happen.
As far as that prisoner. I’m just about 100% sure he is linked to Zilan somehow. My first thought is father, but maybe it’s a lost brother or some sort of relative. Although, I can’t remember if his age was described.
And for her visions, I think they are definitely important to the story. I’m not quite sure how she’s having these or if it’s a side effect to the alchemy, but I feel rather certain this is connected to her past in someway or maybe even her future. Maybe a relative link?? I truly do not know but I’m excited to read more and find out.
I also think our empress is now our main antagonist. Anyone else have a theory on that?
I love the whole duck thing too it’s so funny! 😂
I am entering the giveaway as @miraclesapphire !
I am a bit ahead of the reading since I read the whole thing the same day😅
But I thoroughly enjoyed it! It kept me fully enthralled and I hope everyone else is loving it!
I’ve entered the giveaway! My IG is @pages.in.a.snowglobe
I agree, the dialogue in this book is everything!
I didn’t expect the empress to be the villain, I was expecting one of the court alchemists to be the big bad (maybe the Moon Alchemist herself?) and for them to try to kill the empress, Emperor’s New Groove-style. The pearl creatures are extremely creepy, I imagine them sort of like the Pale Man from Pan’s Labyrinth, which probably turns the creepiness up to 11.
I love to see the prince get more character developement. Yesterday I commented that he appears to be a bit naive because of his sheltered court upbringing, but it seems that he had to fight against his mother for a long time. His interactions with Zilan are so soft yet so sad, I definitely want to see a romance between them. The impropmtu rescue mission with Zilan and the Prince was the highlight of this chapter, I’m 99% the strange man in the dungeon is Zilan’s father. They have the same eyes, and he’s also an alchemist.
Zilan being titled the Scarlet Alchemist was the best scene in the whole book so far ( I love a good title drop) and the ducky is so cute. I’m curious what her life as a court alchemist will be now that we know the court alchemists are corrupt and the empress is a bad guy.
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
Yes I think he is her father – I always thought he didn’t just abandon her and something must of happened so I guess he he’s been in prison all this time but what did he do to be there?
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I’m still leaning towards childhood memories / blocked memories – can alchemy block / remove someone’s memory?? Perhaps Zilan was created not born? I’m just speculating still 😂
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
Aah the one bed trope 🥰 I’m hoping on a romance and think it will blossom as they begin to understand each other more.
There was a lot that happened in this section!
Honestly, I think it would have been a little too obvious for that prisoner to have been Zilan’s father. I envision Zilan’s father in a foreign country doing mysterious alchemist things.
I still don’t have any theories about Zilan’s visions other than that she’s a resurrected being who will terrorize the Empress. Wish I really hope happens since who keeps a person’s skin hanging in their bone display?!?!
I love that Hong has been keeping the duck that Zilan created. Every time the duck appears it makes me so happy.
I am entering the giveaway! @rygurl on IG
I’m entering the giveaway on IG under @helle.anne
This book is so good! I love the pacing and that the suspense gets higher for each chapter.
My first thought when we got introduced to the alchemist in the dungeon was that it had to be her father. The fact that she never sees him clearly seems too suspicious.
I’m leaning towards her visions being sideaffects from her alchemy. Is her soul splitting from her body perhaps? Are the visions glimpses into the other side?🤔
The forced proximity is sooo good! A little goes a long way, and I love the crumbs the author gives us. I have a feeling the prince is already falling for our feisty FMC. She probably is too, but she is too stubborn to admit it to herself, least of all to anyone else.
This book just gets better and better!
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
I reckon they could be Zilan’s father, but part of me also wonders if that’s too obvious?
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I still have no idea! I think it’s definitely related to alchemy and maybe souls or source of life?
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
I hope so! It’ll be the type of slowburn romance I love
And I forgot to add in my original comment (and it won’t let me reply until it’s approved) that I did enter the giveaway! My booksta username is @booktineus
I’m a bit behind on the readalong but will catch up soon! In the meantime I’m entering the giveaway!
My handle is @gracefullywise
I also loved the fact she made a duck😂 obviously been thinking about the prince 😉
The prisoner I straight away thought was her dad as well. Also when they recognised her second name as if they know what happened to her dad made me think this as well.
Her visions seem like some sort of memory to me that’s trying to tell her something.
Yes I think we’ll get a romance it’s slowly hinting at that between Zilan and the prince – can’t wait.
Entered with Instagram @minnie_reads_
I’m entering the giveaway and my IG is @tomi.library thank you 🙂
Oh wooow, what a story.
– I was thinking that alchemist prisoner is either her father or has something to do with him.
– I am still confused about her visions. I was thinking it is either warning visions or memories of people she resurrected.
– I really hope there will be romance between them. It would be so cute, even he can be naive sometimes.
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
Honestly, I didn’t really think about it. I mean, maybe they are related. But I can see Zilan just returning to their conversation because it was so strange for her. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had a connection though. Authors tend to love doing that sort of thing. Especially YA authors. (I mean that with love all).
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I truly have no idea other than the result of life alchemy. There has been no hints of like “chosen one” powers throughout the book and I would hate it if that was the conclusion. It just wouldn’t seem to fit.
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
Maybe eventually. Like in the next book or so. I think the prince still needs to develop a little more. We are slowly learning about him.
On another note: I also loved the third exam scene with the naming of the scarlet alchemist.
I also entered the giveaway. My instagram handle is @stardancer2014
I will be joining the Instagram giveaway with @emilysreadingbooks
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
I don’t think that he’s linked, but I do think that what he said will be true and come up later.
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I think that they’re a past life, but it’s also possible they’re the future, or maybe even other (past and future) lives.
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
I think we will! You can’t have the kind of tension they have and not go anywhere with it! And making her a concubine! The forced proximity! I can’t wait
1) I hadn’t really thought about it but now you make me wonder…esp with the Moon Alchemists reaction to Zilan’s name.
2) No theories but I can’t wait to find out!
3) I hope so!
I’ll be entering the giveaway as @team_duck- I mean, as @sonata_ix XD
I am entering the giveaway under @abookworldofmyown on IG.
Wow another great read, the story gets more and more interesting.
The alchemist prisoner immediately made me think of her father, he might not be but he was definitely introduced for an important reason.
As for her visions I wonder if they aren’t just memories, or if she brings people back can she connect to them? Get some of their memories?
I am probably far from it, but I enjoy speculating and cannot wait to read more.
Everyday this book gets better and better.
I am already all for the prince and Zilan. The dynamic is so cute and the prince is so wholesome, though I do think there is more to him than he originally lets on. The duck is such a cute addition to their dynamic too!! I love that that’s what she made. That whole scene with her creating the duck was so cool but I am so concerned about the price she will eventually pay….
Love all the new alchemists too, really excited to see more of them!
As for the prisoner, originally I thought it might be her dad but I feel like he maybe would’ve been dead by now? Especially knowing that the Royal alchemists are often from other places, I’m not sure what to make of him.
This book is such a great ride! I have no idea where it’s going but I love it!!
1. Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
Yes haha
2. What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I’m leaning more towards memories somehow
3. Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
I HOPE SO!
Entered via my account @lisashelves
I am entering the giveaway under @abookworldofmyown on IG.
Wow another great read, the story gets more and more interesting.
The alchemist prisoner immediately made me think of her father, he might not be but he was definitely introduced for an important reason.
As for her visions I wonder if they aren’t just memories, or if she brings people back can she connect to them? Get some of their memories?
I am probably far from it, but I enjoy speculating and cannot wait to read more.
I posted my edition @dzsuud on IG! You can also see a peak of my ragdoll there (my forever reading pal, Mochi). 😀
Is that man in the dungeon Zilan’s father? Is that possible? I might need to read back to piece everything together.
I think I still go with my theory that Zilan’s visions are due to the fact that her soul is linked with someone else’s (I’m still thinking it’s her mom) and maybe she’s trying to tell her something this way?
Also, the pearl monsters got 100% scarier and I’m not sure where to put them… the Empress is very intimidating for sure.
I knew the prince was head over heels over Z! He even offered her to eat one of his ducks hahaha. But the solution of saying she is his concubine… well, I feel like that will be very interesting going forward!
I am entering the competition and my handle is db.lovesbooks
And we got her alchemist name Scarlet yaay for Zilan but did not guess that the Empress was behind the competition was not fair for her interesting
I loved the duck scene to hehe of all the animals it is fate I say
We will see if love will bloom maybe just maybe she is warming up to him just a little bit
I love how she is starting to feel at home with the alchemists it would nake sance since they are of similar background as her soo happy for her
The Empress really is a tool kiling her famili
I’m still quite a bit behind with this readalong but I will be joining the Instagram giveaway with @coleslitjourney
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
100%! I had the same feeling as you, I think it is her father and that is why he never came back. He may be redeemed in the near future.
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
Not sure about this one, I am curious if she is being pulled into the other world somehow.
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
YES!
I completed the contest and my instagram is @lost_in_a_view
I don’t really see any hints that the alchemist prisoner is linked to Zilan aside from the fact that they’re both alchemists.
I think Zilan’s visions are memories of a previous life, either through reincarnation or resurrection. Given the life alchemy that has been going on through the book so far, it’s possible she’s died before and those visions are of her death?
The prince and Zilan definitely have something going on, and I’m sure they’ll continue to develop feelings, but whether or not that’ll pan out in this book… :’) in my experience YA series do not resolve romances in the first book…
I’m entering the giveaway under @valcellara!
I’m entering the giveaway!🌟 My IG handle is @feedmefairytales
I actually flew through this book! I’ve already finished it and very much enjoyed it. Happy reading to everyone 😊
So this section started really strong, with the rescue of the prince’s sisters. We find out that their mother was not a traitor, but that the empress herself killed her daughter to gain position. That’s just abominable! And now, after his relatives are all mysteriously dead, she is coming after her own son! Just to retain her position of power… this is a major villain and I’m loving it, she is so scary!
The third exam just proves that, you either succeed or get killed.
The ducks! The love the prince has for his ducks is so sweet and innocent, and for Zilan to produce a duck in her exam was just perfect.
I also thought that the imprisoned alchemist might be her father, and the Moon alchemist seemed to recognise her family name, so at least he must have been in court.
I still have no idea what her dreams mean, but since she is now a concubine I hope she and the prince move forward with their relationship, with lots of banter in it.
I will be participating in the giveaway with my IG account @susanalima184
I get more shocked by this read everyday! Its turning out to be such a good one, super fast paced I love it! My instagram for the giveaway is cosy_daze
Do you think the alchemist prisoner could be linked to Zilan somehow?
I feel like it could be her father, or someone who is definitely linked. It feels like too much of a coincidence otherwise…
What do you think Zilan’s ‘visions’ are? Any theories?
I feel like its something to do with the people she has resurrected in the past. Maybe their memories, tbh at this point I feel like it could go any way and I wouldn’t be surprised.
Do you think we will get a romance between the prince and Zilan?
YES!! I feel like there’s about to be a whole lot of forced proximity coming up. I love that he’s fell first! its one of my fave tropes. I also think Zilan thinks more about the prince than she realises, otherwise why did she make the duck?