Name: Strange Alchemy
ISBN: 9781630790769

Gwenda Bond

When 114 people go missing on Roanoke Island in what seems like an eerie repeat of what happened hundreds of years before, seventeen-year-olds Miranda and Grant may be the key to the mysteries past and present.

Strange Alchemy

Sheila Goicea

This full review can be viewed on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Release date 08/01/2017!

Miranda has never cherished her family's name. Blackwood held something sinister within its ancestry, but no one really knew what. Because of her last name, Miranda is accustomed to being ostracized---no thanks to the help of Grant Rawling's accusations towards her openly at school.

When 114 islanders go missing---the same amount of settlers who had originally vanished from Roanoke Island back in the 1500's---her path will be intertwined with Grant's in ways that she, or he, doesn't expect. 

Caught up in the mysterious disappearances, the two quickly realize that they are part of a plot much bigger than themselves.

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This is a re-imagining of the author's first book,  Blackwood.

The first half of this book was absolutely arresting. I was so intrigued with the way the story was headed, and I needed to know what was going to happen! 

Based upon the historical mystery of Roanoke Island's (and North America for that matter) first settlers, who all but vanished into thin air. It is speculated that they simulated into various Native American tribes, but no one knows for sure. It was also one of America's first colonial mysteries throughout the influx of European immigrants!

The cover is just as ominous and threatening as the tale being told. (I think it perfectly reflects it's contents.) From afar, the treeline looks like silhouettes of colonial-style homes along the shoreline. I don't know if this was the intended visual effect, but it works.

I think this book made me realize how much I enjoyed the mystery portion of it, because when the "fantasy" began appearing more and more, my interest level diminished---which is odd for me, because I love fantasy. I felt that the further the plot went into revealing the truth behind the mystery, the less detail and clarity accompanied it. This does not go to say that the backstory was bad, because it wasn't. I felt that it needed a lot more detail.

With that being said, I appreciate the author's interpretation on this colonial mystery. I could tell that she did her research, and combined it well with the story that she manifested. It was an interesting read. 

Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual Content: Besides some flirting and kissing, not much.
Violence: Some, including "soul sucking."

3.5 stars.

A big thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Zoe Smolen

I actually quite adored this book. The Roanoke mystery has been really popular the last few years, but this was a fun, fresh take on the mystery (in fact, I may have liked it more than American Horror Story's take on it). It's a paranormal young adult novel, so of course there's some romance, and the characters can get a little caught up in their self-pity, but overall it was a fun enjoyable read!

Thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.