Alchemised Audiobook By SenLinYu cover art

Alchemised

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Alchemised

By: SenLinYu
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy—and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past.

“What is it you think you’re protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There’s no one left for you to save.”

Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner—of war and of her own mind. Her Resistance friends and allies have been brutally murdered, her abilities suppressed, and the world she knew destroyed.

In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers, whose vile undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive.

According to Resistance records, she was a healer of little importance within their ranks. But Helena has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading up to her capture, making her enemies wonder: Is she truly as insignificant as she appears, or are her lost memories hiding some vital piece of the Resistance’s final gambit?

To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world. Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight—to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self—is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own . . . secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.

Accolades & Awards

Best of 2025
Editors Select
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#BookTok
#BookTok Best of 2025 Editors Select Fantasy Gothic Horror Women's Voices Magic Emotionally Gripping Tearjerking Heartfelt Necromancy Feel-Good War Magic Users
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Critic reviews

“A sweeping tale set in an uncharted dark fantasy world. It encompasses the realities of war and a romance that fights for survival.”—People

“SenLinYu’s debut is a doorstopper of a fantasy. . . . The superb worldbuilding and intricate plotline make this a must-read.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In this high fantasy with very dark themes, SenLinYu weaves a tale of political intrigue with centuries of depth and nuance. Many readers will be . . . drawn into the complex morality of two broken people finding love during a war.”—Booklist

“SenLinYu has created a vivid new universe. Alchemised made me remember what makes reading good fantasy so enjoyable.”—The Atlantic

“A book that digs its teeth in like a starving wolf. It unsettles, it gnaws, and yet by the final page, I wanted to thank it for what it put me through. . . . In a genre often dominated by safe formulas, SenLinYu’s debut is a reminder that speculative fiction still has teeth and knows how to bite.”—Grimdark Magazine

Editorial Review

This story has changed me forever
I went into Alchemised expecting something dark and immersive, but what I got was a story that completely consumed me in the greatest possible way. This is not a light listen. It’s brutal, emotionally relentless, and beautifully written (check trigger warnings, and please be kind to yourself as you listen). Helena Marino is a former Resistance healer now imprisoned in a world ruled by corrupt necromancers and fractured by war. Her memories are missing, and the truth she’s forgotten may be more dangerous than anyone realizes. I had to stop, breathe, and sit with my feelings during some emotionally intense moments before continuing. Saskia Maarleveld’s performance was the icing on top of this already all-consuming debut. And that ending? I clapped while I cried because I couldn’t believe the journey we had just taken.—Patty R., Audible Editor

Best of #BookTok on Audible Listen to what everyone’s raving about
Emotional Depth • Complex Characters • Intricate World-building • Compelling Plot Twists • Dark Fantasy Elements

Highly rated for:

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Great book. It’s incredibly intense and deals with a lot of complex situations and emotions. I’m real sad but I would read it again. Check the content warnings unless you like really traumatic surprises.

Read the warnings.

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The world building was really good, the characters were dynamic. I definitely recommend reading the content warnings before listening to the book.

I had to know what happened next

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SPOILERS
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just finished the audiobook, I really feel like i listened to the life of Helen . I wouldn’t mind a sequel novella of their daughter going to school. And gosh! The ending tore me up, I kept wondering when I was going to cry because I kept seeing people crying. I can’t believe how Helen was listed as a non combatant, that broke me a little inside. Having family with PTSD from the military I could see that they struggled after the war, especially because of the torture they endured. But what a AWESOME book. I’m so excited that this will be a movie and they better not screw it up.

Wow

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I have mixed feelings on this book- I really liked the imagery and the world building- I had a difficult time liking the characters and understanding their motivations. Not sure I would recommend this book however, I did enjoy it for the most part.

Mixed feelings

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It takes a while to figure out that this is a love story. The writing is intense, the narrative unique and enthralling. The way the other structured her tale into three distinctive parts, heightens the suspense and desire or the reader/listener to continue further to understand what is happening. The characters were beautifully designed to be human, flawed and to earn the empathy, commitment and compassion of the reader! A must read!
Many kudos to the narrator who created distinct voices and captured the character and personality of each player! It was truly a relief to listen to o e of the few female narrators that can create male voice post puberty! I was under the impression, for a while, that few but Andrea Parsneau could manage this feat, and usually cross my fingers when choosing a book ( not that many male narrators can do female voices and characters any justice, either)! Many thanks to the narrator for bringing this amazing epic to life!! Just buy the book!!!

Fresh, imaginative and captivating

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