What do you think?
Rate this book
Wildlands #1
Dark Alchemy
Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming looking for clues to her father's disappearance years before. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying Western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the town's dust and quiet, an old power is shifting. When bodies start turning up - desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain - her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill. Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast, or die next.
316 pages, Unknown Binding
First published March 24, 2015
About the author
Laura Bickle
27 books498 followersLaura Bickle grew up in rural Ohio, reading entirely too many comic books out loud to her favorite Wonder Woman doll. After graduating with an MA in Sociology – Criminology from Ohio State University and an MLIS in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she patrolled the stacks at the public library and worked with data systems in criminal justice. She now dreams up stories about the monsters under the stairs, also writing contemporary fantasy novels under the name Alayna Williams.
Her work has been included in the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer Project 2013 reading list and the State Library of Ohio’s Choose to Read Ohio reading list for 2015-2016.
Her work has been included in the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer Project 2013 reading list and the State Library of Ohio’s Choose to Read Ohio reading list for 2015-2016.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
September 9, 2017
9/9/17 - ON SALE for $0.99:
http://amzn.to/2vVuqMN
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
3.5 stars
Temperence, Wyoming is an odd place . . .
That's odd as in seriously creepy, not odd as in . . . a little bit different.
There's meth cooker called "The Alchemist," not to be confused with Lascaris, the alchemist whose "discoveries" of gold were the foundation of the town back in the Gold Rush . . .
It's strongly implied that the "discoveries" were alchemical successes that none have been able to replicate--not for lack of trying--in the 100s of years since Lascaris' untimely death in a fire that destroyed all of his belongings and research materials . . .
That's either highly convenient or highly inconvenient, depending on your perspective.
Enter Petra Dee, a geologist searching for her father who happened to disappear 20(ish) years ago, last seen in Temperence, where she's just accepted a new job.
Would you believe that Papa Dee had an interest in alchemy as well?
SMALL world.
Another strange coincidence would be the curiously familiar profile inside a mourning brooch Petra stumbles across in the town Pawn Shop/Historical Society to the tune of:
"Say . . . that looks like weird dude with the blood that glows who I watched get beat the hell up, but who had nary a scratch on him the very next day . . . "
Like I said . . . ODD.
So the plot was interesting. But I had a few quibbles:
I picked this up b/c being set in the Midwest and having a bunch of crows on the cover, I figured there's be a Native American angle, and there was, but alchemy was the bigger focus, which has never been a point of interest for me. YES, I know "alchemy" is in the title, but I was hoping there'd be more to it. There was . . . just not enough . . . for ME.
The Park Ranger is as overbearing as he's supposed to be, but I've never understood the point of having faux love interests--if he'd been an old geezer, the role could have been filled just as well and without the awkwardness.
The message-from-beyond via Bobby Darin song was straight out of LOST.
Overall, better than meh, especially if you like the creepy side of Urban Fantasy. Dark Alchemy has creepy in spades (HA!). Between the aforementioned Alchemist who seems to ooze Mercury, the growing number of highly calcified and deformed almost corpses, and the ranch hands of the local BMOC who dangle underground from the roots of the "Hanging Tree" . . . Like I said . . . creeptastic.
Minus 0.5 stars for referring to a gun as a "toy." <------not cool, not EVER.
http://amzn.to/2vVuqMN
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
3.5 stars
Temperence, Wyoming is an odd place . . .
That's odd as in seriously creepy, not odd as in . . . a little bit different.
There's meth cooker called "The Alchemist," not to be confused with Lascaris, the alchemist whose "discoveries" of gold were the foundation of the town back in the Gold Rush . . .
It's strongly implied that the "discoveries" were alchemical successes that none have been able to replicate--not for lack of trying--in the 100s of years since Lascaris' untimely death in a fire that destroyed all of his belongings and research materials . . .
That's either highly convenient or highly inconvenient, depending on your perspective.
Enter Petra Dee, a geologist searching for her father who happened to disappear 20(ish) years ago, last seen in Temperence, where she's just accepted a new job.
Would you believe that Papa Dee had an interest in alchemy as well?
SMALL world.
Another strange coincidence would be the curiously familiar profile inside a mourning brooch Petra stumbles across in the town Pawn Shop/Historical Society to the tune of:
"Say . . . that looks like weird dude with the blood that glows who I watched get beat the hell up, but who had nary a scratch on him the very next day . . . "
Like I said . . . ODD.
So the plot was interesting. But I had a few quibbles:
I picked this up b/c being set in the Midwest and having a bunch of crows on the cover, I figured there's be a Native American angle, and there was, but alchemy was the bigger focus, which has never been a point of interest for me. YES, I know "alchemy" is in the title, but I was hoping there'd be more to it. There was . . . just not enough . . . for ME.
The Park Ranger is as overbearing as he's supposed to be, but I've never understood the point of having faux love interests--if he'd been an old geezer, the role could have been filled just as well and without the awkwardness.
The message-from-beyond via Bobby Darin song was straight out of LOST.
Overall, better than meh, especially if you like the creepy side of Urban Fantasy. Dark Alchemy has creepy in spades (HA!). Between the aforementioned Alchemist who seems to ooze Mercury, the growing number of highly calcified and deformed almost corpses, and the ranch hands of the local BMOC who dangle underground from the roots of the "Hanging Tree" . . . Like I said . . . creeptastic.
Minus 0.5 stars for referring to a gun as a "toy." <------not cool, not EVER.
July 6, 2015
4.5 Stars
Yet again Laura has completely outdone herself. An absolute stunner of a book. Twists and turns that leave you thirsting for more.
A adventure fantasy set in the wild wild west, something you can not miss!
Yet again Laura has completely outdone herself. An absolute stunner of a book. Twists and turns that leave you thirsting for more.
A adventure fantasy set in the wild wild west, something you can not miss!
January 26, 2020
I honestly have no idea where this book came from. It just showed up on my Kindle one day and I have absolutely no recollection of buying it.
It's possible that late at night the 18 year old Irish Whiskey I prefer decided to impose its will. It's possible the author sent me a copy. It's possible that the Universe decided to mess with my head. I just don't know.
But for whatever reason it arrived and I read it.
It's much darker than your typical Urban Fantasy, gritty with drug use and very creepy dead things. Kind of like the X-Files meets Dexter. I don't think it's for everyone but I think it's so interestingly original that it's worth giving it a try.
And you might just love it like I did.
It's possible that late at night the 18 year old Irish Whiskey I prefer decided to impose its will. It's possible the author sent me a copy. It's possible that the Universe decided to mess with my head. I just don't know.
But for whatever reason it arrived and I read it.
It's much darker than your typical Urban Fantasy, gritty with drug use and very creepy dead things. Kind of like the X-Files meets Dexter. I don't think it's for everyone but I think it's so interestingly original that it's worth giving it a try.
And you might just love it like I did.
May 14, 2015
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Petra Dee is a woman running from the past and all the memories that haunt her dreams. She seeks distraction in the form of small-town Temperance, Wyoming where her father was last heard of years past and she intends on searching for him. This small-town is far from ordinary and she quickly realizes that law enforcement has no hold on the town but instead local land owner Sal Rutherford seems to be the one in control. There’s another powerful man that goes by the name of The Alchemist who seems to aid in the areas drug habit. Petra quickly ends up right in the dangerous path of both Sal and The Alchemist when she uncovers a magical artifact that is somehow tied to both men and the mysterious story behind the origins of this mysterious small-town.
Alchemy is the reason surrounding this strange towns existence and involves a mysterious figure by the name of Lascaris that during the Gold Rush, as rumor has it, figured out how to transform simple rocks into gold. His experiments were conducted in secret and he was never questioned since he was the sole reason the town was thriving, so why question anything when it’s working so well? After his supposed death in a mysterious fire, new figures rose in hope to take his place. Sal Rutherford, who currently owns the land where The Lunaria, the Alchemical Tree of Life, resides (in addition to the undead ranch hands that call themselves The Hanged Men) and Stroud/The Alchemist, a man that can trace his lineage back to Lascaris himself. The aspects of alchemy were explained sufficiently and incorporated well into the story, however, as the story drew to a close it lacked a necessary conviction when it came time for solid answers.
This one generated a lot of discussion for me when all was said and done and there is much to love but also much that left me in confusion. First and foremost, Sig the coyote, Petra’s “animal familiar” was the true highlight of this story for me. Sig possessed more personality than some of the side characters without having to say a single word. He was her first ally in Temperance and he quickly took to her and became her self-appointed guardian before she even knew she needed help. He became incredibly docile by the end and as much as I loved his addition to the story it did seem incredibly unlikely. Still, this story would not have been the same without Sig. There were many other additional loose ends that I felt should have been addressed, most are spoilery so I’ll avoid going into detail. Whether this is because the author wanted to leave some things in the ‘unknown’ so as to maybe turn the story into a series I’m not sure but this being the start of a new series seems like a definite possibility.
Possessing an interesting blend of mystery and magic, Dark Alchemy is an eerie and most inventive tale that kept me completely spellbound.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Petra Dee is a woman running from the past and all the memories that haunt her dreams. She seeks distraction in the form of small-town Temperance, Wyoming where her father was last heard of years past and she intends on searching for him. This small-town is far from ordinary and she quickly realizes that law enforcement has no hold on the town but instead local land owner Sal Rutherford seems to be the one in control. There’s another powerful man that goes by the name of The Alchemist who seems to aid in the areas drug habit. Petra quickly ends up right in the dangerous path of both Sal and The Alchemist when she uncovers a magical artifact that is somehow tied to both men and the mysterious story behind the origins of this mysterious small-town.
Alchemy is the reason surrounding this strange towns existence and involves a mysterious figure by the name of Lascaris that during the Gold Rush, as rumor has it, figured out how to transform simple rocks into gold. His experiments were conducted in secret and he was never questioned since he was the sole reason the town was thriving, so why question anything when it’s working so well? After his supposed death in a mysterious fire, new figures rose in hope to take his place. Sal Rutherford, who currently owns the land where The Lunaria, the Alchemical Tree of Life, resides (in addition to the undead ranch hands that call themselves The Hanged Men) and Stroud/The Alchemist, a man that can trace his lineage back to Lascaris himself. The aspects of alchemy were explained sufficiently and incorporated well into the story, however, as the story drew to a close it lacked a necessary conviction when it came time for solid answers.
This one generated a lot of discussion for me when all was said and done and there is much to love but also much that left me in confusion. First and foremost, Sig the coyote, Petra’s “animal familiar” was the true highlight of this story for me. Sig possessed more personality than some of the side characters without having to say a single word. He was her first ally in Temperance and he quickly took to her and became her self-appointed guardian before she even knew she needed help. He became incredibly docile by the end and as much as I loved his addition to the story it did seem incredibly unlikely. Still, this story would not have been the same without Sig. There were many other additional loose ends that I felt should have been addressed, most are spoilery so I’ll avoid going into detail. Whether this is because the author wanted to leave some things in the ‘unknown’ so as to maybe turn the story into a series I’m not sure but this being the start of a new series seems like a definite possibility.
Possessing an interesting blend of mystery and magic, Dark Alchemy is an eerie and most inventive tale that kept me completely spellbound.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 28, 2016
I'm sad I didn't like this. I really, really love the concept, and there were so many good elements throughout the book. In the end, it just didn't work. The book was missing oomph, a spark that it needed to make me fall in love. The characters didn't jump out at me. I felt the writing was quite flat and not at all emotionally charged. I was interested at first as the story was being set up, but after a while I just grew bored.
August 10, 2024
This book was not what I was expecting. It had a strong female main character. There was also a love interest and lots of action. There were many magical elements as well. However the love interest of the main character was not exactly human and not something I had ever heard of before. As the name implies this book was dark and I honestly think it was more horror novel than urban fantasy.
Petra is a geologist. Now I do have to say that I think this is a great profession for a book character. I think this was the first time I have ever read about a main character having that as their job. She sets out on a new job after a tragedy happens at her last one. She picked Temperance, Wyoming because it was the last known place that her father had lived. When she gets there it is more wild west than a happy small town. She immediately finds out that she needs a gun and things just get stranger from then on out. She also adopts a coyote which was an interesting touch.
I committed myself to reading three books in this series. I am really hoping I like the second one better than this one. This wasn't all bad but my overall statement would be that it was just strange. It was a strange blend of wild west, and weird alchemy gone wrong.
Petra is a geologist. Now I do have to say that I think this is a great profession for a book character. I think this was the first time I have ever read about a main character having that as their job. She sets out on a new job after a tragedy happens at her last one. She picked Temperance, Wyoming because it was the last known place that her father had lived. When she gets there it is more wild west than a happy small town. She immediately finds out that she needs a gun and things just get stranger from then on out. She also adopts a coyote which was an interesting touch.
I committed myself to reading three books in this series. I am really hoping I like the second one better than this one. This wasn't all bad but my overall statement would be that it was just strange. It was a strange blend of wild west, and weird alchemy gone wrong.
July 13, 2015
Petra Dee's skills as a geologist come in handy when she moves to Wyoming for the dual purposes of escaping her past while looking for clues that will lead her to her missing father. What she finds is an alchemist disguised as a meth dealer and a rancher with a deadly secret growing on his farm.
Bickle creates memorable characters and a genuinely creepy setting to deliver a fast-paced story filled with mystery and other worlds overlapping our own. I can't give the ending away without spoilers, so I'll just say the ending had some truly horrific moments, and those I always enjoy. If you're into dark fiction with a contemporary edge, give Dark Alchemy a read.
Bickle creates memorable characters and a genuinely creepy setting to deliver a fast-paced story filled with mystery and other worlds overlapping our own. I can't give the ending away without spoilers, so I'll just say the ending had some truly horrific moments, and those I always enjoy. If you're into dark fiction with a contemporary edge, give Dark Alchemy a read.
May 23, 2024
Dark Alchemy
by Laura Bickle
Wildlands #1
Urban Fantasy
Everand (Scribd) Audio
Ages: 16+
After an accident aboard an oil rig, geologist Petra Dee takes a contract job at Yellowstone. Not only will the job make her some money, but the town of Temperance, Wyoming is where her father disappeared years before.
But when desiccated and twisted skeletons are discovered, Petra can't explain what happened to them. Her investigation leads her to the town's two powerful residents, a land baron, and his farm hands, and an alchemist and his methheads.
This book reminded me of a cross between 'The Hollows', 'Mercy Thompson', 'Sookie Stackhouse', and 'Midnight Texas', and I loved it. Within the first fifty pages, I had the rest of the series bookmarked!
First off there was the mystery of what happened to Petra, there's a coyote hanging around, and there are a lot of friendly residents in Temperance; except when an attractive man gets the crap beat out of him by an old man.
And then there is the creepy: a methhead who doesn't understand the word no, his dealer, plus a baron, not to mention a bunch of ravens hanging around. But oh, yeah, there are some twisted skeletons buried around the area.
4 Stars
by Laura Bickle
Wildlands #1
Urban Fantasy
Everand (Scribd) Audio
Ages: 16+
After an accident aboard an oil rig, geologist Petra Dee takes a contract job at Yellowstone. Not only will the job make her some money, but the town of Temperance, Wyoming is where her father disappeared years before.
But when desiccated and twisted skeletons are discovered, Petra can't explain what happened to them. Her investigation leads her to the town's two powerful residents, a land baron, and his farm hands, and an alchemist and his methheads.
This book reminded me of a cross between 'The Hollows', 'Mercy Thompson', 'Sookie Stackhouse', and 'Midnight Texas', and I loved it. Within the first fifty pages, I had the rest of the series bookmarked!
First off there was the mystery of what happened to Petra, there's a coyote hanging around, and there are a lot of friendly residents in Temperance; except when an attractive man gets the crap beat out of him by an old man.
And then there is the creepy: a methhead who doesn't understand the word no, his dealer, plus a baron, not to mention a bunch of ravens hanging around. But oh, yeah, there are some twisted skeletons buried around the area.
4 Stars
April 2, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Harper Voyager Impulse) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Full Review Posted on Gizmos Reviews. No fools!
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 02/19/2015 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: March 24th 2015 by Harper Voyager Impulse ((Blog Tour Participant 04/01/2015))
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Full Review Posted on Gizmos Reviews. No fools!
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 02/19/2015 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: March 24th 2015 by Harper Voyager Impulse ((Blog Tour Participant 04/01/2015))
September 25, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A woman comes to a small town looking for her father but ends up finding much more than she bargained for in this enthralling first book in Laura Bickle’s new series.
Opening Sentence: The raven saw it first.
The Review:
After experiencing a trauma on her last job, geologist Petra has come to the town of Temperance to search for her missing father. Little does she know this trip will open her eyes to the supernatural. Shortly after arriving in town, Petra saves a man, Gabe, from a vicious beating, only to discover the next day that he looks as if nothing had happened. She’s also come under the scrutiny of the local drug lord, known as the Alchemist. He believes she has something that belongs to him, and he won’t rest until it’s in his possession. Has Petra escaped one trauma only to become the victim of another? Will she find her father? Only time will tell . . .
I had read a book by Laura Bickle a long time ago and remember enjoying it, but for one reason or another, I never picked up the second book. So I was hesitantly positive about the prospect of reading this book. Can I just tell you, from the moment the book started, I was completely hooked! It starts off with some very creepy goings-on, and that just immediately caught my attention, and I wanted to know more about what was going on in this town. The pace of the book was really good, and my interest never really waned.
While I wouldn’t necessarily classify this book as horror, the creep factor is certainly high, as is the gore factor at times. If you’re a little faint of heart, this might not be the right book for you. As someone who loves Stephen King though, this was right up my alley! Laura Bickle definitely knows how to ratchet tension up and leave you on the edge of your seat.
As for our main character, I absolutely loved Petra. She’s strong, smart, and doesn’t need a man to get her out of tough situations. She doesn’t do stupid things, which is one of my biggest pet peeves about some heroines. In a word, Petra’s awesome. Plus she has a coyote sidekick named Sig. What’s not to love?
The one problem with the book though hinges on the romance. It kind of feels shoehorned in and isn’t necessary to the plot at all. Part of the problem is while we get to see some events from Gabe’s point of view, we don’t see enough to really give a good feel for his character, which makes it hard to connect to him. I liked the guy fine, but I really wasn’t invested in him as a character. Plus, the romance seemed to just pop up out of nowhere, and it left me feeling like I’d missed an important chapter where more development was given to their feelings for each other.
All in all though, I think this was a great first book in a series, full of creepiness, tension, and well-paced action. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be checking out the next book!
Notable Scene:
She paused in climbing to her feet, squinting at something pale and splintered below the pines. Her GPR cart had rolled away into the soft bed of pine needles. The shape beyond it looked like a piece of the petrified forest. Had the ridge eroded on this slope enough to reveal another, older incarnation of the forest?
Her curiosity piqued, Petra crawled forward on her hands and knees. Pinesap stuck dried needles to her palms.
Sig growled. Petra looked back at him. His fur bristled, and he crouched close to the ground.
“You need to get over the squirrels. Really.”
But Sig wasn’t looking up. He was looking past her, at the petrified specimens. His nose flared and shivered.
Petra reached into her pack for a pick. Was Sig sensing a snake . . . or . . . God forbid, a larger predator? A bear?
A thin, reedy moan echoed from the foot of the pine.
Petra scrambled back, heart hammering. She dropped the pick and reached for the bear spray.
The moan sounded again. It didn’t sound like a bear. It sounded . . . human.
Petra crept toward the sound, expecting to find an injured hiker. The pine needles were soft underfoot, muffling her steps. Sig slunk before her. But he didn’t go beyond the tree. He stopped at the jagged piece of petrified wood, whimpered, circled it.
Petra peered at what she’d assumed to be a centuries-old tree. Something dead and silent. She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Oh, my God . . .”
It wasn’t a tree. This thing was horribly, horribly alive. Bones were warped and twisted, calcified around what was unmistakably a human face. She saw no evidence of eyes in the sockets, but she did see teeth in a jagged, frozen jaw. A thin, wordless keening flexed the ribs.
Her hands scrabbled in the pine needles for her pick. “Hang on. I’ll get you out of there.” She swung awkwardly with the pick, splintering away pieces of petrified material and summoning blood in the jagged surface. The thing shrieked.
Petra recoiled. This wasn’t someone encased in a prison of petrified wood – the prison was the person.
A prison of bone.
FTC Advisory: Harper Voyager Impulse/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Dark Alchemy. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A woman comes to a small town looking for her father but ends up finding much more than she bargained for in this enthralling first book in Laura Bickle’s new series.
Opening Sentence: The raven saw it first.
The Review:
After experiencing a trauma on her last job, geologist Petra has come to the town of Temperance to search for her missing father. Little does she know this trip will open her eyes to the supernatural. Shortly after arriving in town, Petra saves a man, Gabe, from a vicious beating, only to discover the next day that he looks as if nothing had happened. She’s also come under the scrutiny of the local drug lord, known as the Alchemist. He believes she has something that belongs to him, and he won’t rest until it’s in his possession. Has Petra escaped one trauma only to become the victim of another? Will she find her father? Only time will tell . . .
I had read a book by Laura Bickle a long time ago and remember enjoying it, but for one reason or another, I never picked up the second book. So I was hesitantly positive about the prospect of reading this book. Can I just tell you, from the moment the book started, I was completely hooked! It starts off with some very creepy goings-on, and that just immediately caught my attention, and I wanted to know more about what was going on in this town. The pace of the book was really good, and my interest never really waned.
While I wouldn’t necessarily classify this book as horror, the creep factor is certainly high, as is the gore factor at times. If you’re a little faint of heart, this might not be the right book for you. As someone who loves Stephen King though, this was right up my alley! Laura Bickle definitely knows how to ratchet tension up and leave you on the edge of your seat.
As for our main character, I absolutely loved Petra. She’s strong, smart, and doesn’t need a man to get her out of tough situations. She doesn’t do stupid things, which is one of my biggest pet peeves about some heroines. In a word, Petra’s awesome. Plus she has a coyote sidekick named Sig. What’s not to love?
The one problem with the book though hinges on the romance. It kind of feels shoehorned in and isn’t necessary to the plot at all. Part of the problem is while we get to see some events from Gabe’s point of view, we don’t see enough to really give a good feel for his character, which makes it hard to connect to him. I liked the guy fine, but I really wasn’t invested in him as a character. Plus, the romance seemed to just pop up out of nowhere, and it left me feeling like I’d missed an important chapter where more development was given to their feelings for each other.
All in all though, I think this was a great first book in a series, full of creepiness, tension, and well-paced action. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be checking out the next book!
Notable Scene:
She paused in climbing to her feet, squinting at something pale and splintered below the pines. Her GPR cart had rolled away into the soft bed of pine needles. The shape beyond it looked like a piece of the petrified forest. Had the ridge eroded on this slope enough to reveal another, older incarnation of the forest?
Her curiosity piqued, Petra crawled forward on her hands and knees. Pinesap stuck dried needles to her palms.
Sig growled. Petra looked back at him. His fur bristled, and he crouched close to the ground.
“You need to get over the squirrels. Really.”
But Sig wasn’t looking up. He was looking past her, at the petrified specimens. His nose flared and shivered.
Petra reached into her pack for a pick. Was Sig sensing a snake . . . or . . . God forbid, a larger predator? A bear?
A thin, reedy moan echoed from the foot of the pine.
Petra scrambled back, heart hammering. She dropped the pick and reached for the bear spray.
The moan sounded again. It didn’t sound like a bear. It sounded . . . human.
Petra crept toward the sound, expecting to find an injured hiker. The pine needles were soft underfoot, muffling her steps. Sig slunk before her. But he didn’t go beyond the tree. He stopped at the jagged piece of petrified wood, whimpered, circled it.
Petra peered at what she’d assumed to be a centuries-old tree. Something dead and silent. She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Oh, my God . . .”
It wasn’t a tree. This thing was horribly, horribly alive. Bones were warped and twisted, calcified around what was unmistakably a human face. She saw no evidence of eyes in the sockets, but she did see teeth in a jagged, frozen jaw. A thin, wordless keening flexed the ribs.
Her hands scrabbled in the pine needles for her pick. “Hang on. I’ll get you out of there.” She swung awkwardly with the pick, splintering away pieces of petrified material and summoning blood in the jagged surface. The thing shrieked.
Petra recoiled. This wasn’t someone encased in a prison of petrified wood – the prison was the person.
A prison of bone.
FTC Advisory: Harper Voyager Impulse/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Dark Alchemy. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
April 3, 2015
3.5 Solid Stars!
I was always the curious one standing on the outside looking in when it came to Laura Bickle books. I have never read her other series, but have read so many wonderful reviews on it from friends that I have wished for more time in order to read them. When Dark Alchemy was bought to my attention, I decided to finally jump on Bickle's bandwagon and after I was done with it, it left me wanting even more.
Petra Dee is a geologist who arrives in Wymoning looking for any clues in her father's disappearance years before, when she finds herself in Temperance an old Western town with a gold rush past and a possibly meth-infestation. What Petra is about to find out that there is something more underneath the dusty quiet town, especially when bodies start showing up and she finds herself in a middle of something more than she was willing to bargain for.
Great story, rather dark and creepy and I found myself enjoying and hooked from the very first chapter. Petra's character was flawed. She wasn't like most Urban Fantasy lead females that I have been used to and I liked that, it made her seem more human, which is exactly what she was in the book.
The storyline and the concept were both original and fascinating. I found myself immersed in a world that was even more darker and compelling when read in the middle of the night. I liked the stories take on alchemy and how certain people used to obtain certain stages of power, which in turn wasn't always for the good of everyone.
The supporting cast of characters were just as equally interesting. I liked Maria and Frankie, but they left me wanting a little more. I thought Frankie's story was interesting, even if it was talked about briefly in the book.
The idea of the Hanged Man was also part of the creepy factor but I found myself liking Gabe and wanting to know more about him. If you are looking for romance, this book is not for you. The romance in it was subtle and don't ask for happy endings, which left it refreshing in a way.
The book did leave some holes for me.
I don't think I completely understood what happened to Petra's father?
I did not get why Petra was called the Green Lion. I don't think this was covered well.
I wanted to know more about Maria and Frankie. In the end their stuff kind of got faded out.
I wanted to know more about Gabe's story especially after Petra found that old picture of him.
What happened to Cal in the end kind of felt almost like a cliffhanger.
I think this is a stand-alone. If it is, it feels a little bit full of holes. If there are more coming, I hope stuff will be a little bit more explained.
I got a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I was always the curious one standing on the outside looking in when it came to Laura Bickle books. I have never read her other series, but have read so many wonderful reviews on it from friends that I have wished for more time in order to read them. When Dark Alchemy was bought to my attention, I decided to finally jump on Bickle's bandwagon and after I was done with it, it left me wanting even more.
Petra Dee is a geologist who arrives in Wymoning looking for any clues in her father's disappearance years before, when she finds herself in Temperance an old Western town with a gold rush past and a possibly meth-infestation. What Petra is about to find out that there is something more underneath the dusty quiet town, especially when bodies start showing up and she finds herself in a middle of something more than she was willing to bargain for.
Great story, rather dark and creepy and I found myself enjoying and hooked from the very first chapter. Petra's character was flawed. She wasn't like most Urban Fantasy lead females that I have been used to and I liked that, it made her seem more human, which is exactly what she was in the book.
The storyline and the concept were both original and fascinating. I found myself immersed in a world that was even more darker and compelling when read in the middle of the night. I liked the stories take on alchemy and how certain people used to obtain certain stages of power, which in turn wasn't always for the good of everyone.
The supporting cast of characters were just as equally interesting. I liked Maria and Frankie, but they left me wanting a little more. I thought Frankie's story was interesting, even if it was talked about briefly in the book.
The idea of the Hanged Man was also part of the creepy factor but I found myself liking Gabe and wanting to know more about him. If you are looking for romance, this book is not for you. The romance in it was subtle and don't ask for happy endings, which left it refreshing in a way.
The book did leave some holes for me.
I don't think I completely understood what happened to Petra's father?
I did not get why Petra was called the Green Lion. I don't think this was covered well.
I wanted to know more about Maria and Frankie. In the end their stuff kind of got faded out.
I wanted to know more about Gabe's story especially after Petra found that old picture of him.
What happened to Cal in the end kind of felt almost like a cliffhanger.
I think this is a stand-alone. If it is, it feels a little bit full of holes. If there are more coming, I hope stuff will be a little bit more explained.
I got a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
October 1, 2017
3.5 stars. Petra Dee is a geologist looking for her father who disappeared in the town of Temperance, Wyoming twenty years ago. Why she waits so long to look for him, I'm not exactly sure, but she has just come from a traumatic experience where she lost the man she loved because of an accident and blames herself for it. Petra doesn't believe in anything she can't prove through science. Little does she know how much her world view is about to change. While in Temperance Petra discovers that there is a whole lot of weirdness there involving alchemy and magic.
I liked Dark Alchemy quite a lot aside from the fact that there is a whole lot of cursing in it that I could have done without. I can ignore it to an extent, but I felt like it was excessive here. There is a lot of mystery to unravel in this book and it kept me turning the pages. The story has a bit of a wild west feel to it, mixed with the whole "somethings not right in this small town" theme. Petra and Gabe were probably my two favorite characters. Gabe had me feeling all warm towards him, yet repulsed at the same time. Not repulsed by his personality, but by his secret and what it entailed. I did feel like the kissing scene in the trailer after Petra "rescued" Gabe was kind of came out of nowhere. The romance definitely could have been developed better, but other than that I liked the way their uneasy relationship progressed.
This is the first adult novel I've read by Laura Bickle. I read her YA duology The Hallowed Ones and really liked it. I was expecting this to be on par with The Hallowed Ones as far as creepy horror goes, but it wasn't really that creepy at all. I really want to categorize this as Urban Fantasy, but it's not in an urban area, so I'm going to go with paranormal for now. The ending left me feeling sad for one character, but there is a sequel, so I'm hoping that part of the story continues.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
I liked Dark Alchemy quite a lot aside from the fact that there is a whole lot of cursing in it that I could have done without. I can ignore it to an extent, but I felt like it was excessive here. There is a lot of mystery to unravel in this book and it kept me turning the pages. The story has a bit of a wild west feel to it, mixed with the whole "somethings not right in this small town" theme. Petra and Gabe were probably my two favorite characters. Gabe had me feeling all warm towards him, yet repulsed at the same time. Not repulsed by his personality, but by his secret and what it entailed. I did feel like the kissing scene in the trailer after Petra "rescued" Gabe was kind of came out of nowhere. The romance definitely could have been developed better, but other than that I liked the way their uneasy relationship progressed.
This is the first adult novel I've read by Laura Bickle. I read her YA duology The Hallowed Ones and really liked it. I was expecting this to be on par with The Hallowed Ones as far as creepy horror goes, but it wasn't really that creepy at all. I really want to categorize this as Urban Fantasy, but it's not in an urban area, so I'm going to go with paranormal for now. The ending left me feeling sad for one character, but there is a sequel, so I'm hoping that part of the story continues.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
May 18, 2016
I am not really sure I understand what's going on especially the alchemy part of it *lol*. But one thing for sure, CREEPY town is CREEPY!! There was a claustrophobic sense to the town, and I had the shivers when it was dealing with the freaky corpses *urgh*. I swear, the whole calcification part of the corpses CREPT ME OUT!! The Hanged Man myth was good and unique; not sure I ever encountered that before.
This one feels good enough as stand-alone. I mean, I saw that the series continued, but much as I liked Petra and her coyote, this felt more like supernatural horror rather than urban fantasy. So I'm not picking up the next book because it is not exactly what I am expecting.
This one feels good enough as stand-alone. I mean, I saw that the series continued, but much as I liked Petra and her coyote, this felt more like supernatural horror rather than urban fantasy. So I'm not picking up the next book because it is not exactly what I am expecting.
March 6, 2021
It's hard to know how to classify this book. Not entirely UF, not entirely fantasy, it's a modern setting with sciencey-magic. But Petra is a great character, and now I want a coyote.
I'm definitely interested - I want to know more about how all this works, how she can find her father for real, how she can restore the Lunaria. And what will happen to Gabe.
Someone needs to kill Cal and Sal both though. Cal the spineless betrayer, and Sal who is a complete monster.
I'm definitely interested - I want to know more about how all this works, how she can find her father for real, how she can restore the Lunaria. And what will happen to Gabe.
Someone needs to kill Cal and Sal both though. Cal the spineless betrayer, and Sal who is a complete monster.
March 25, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My ENglish review
Initially I was not sure that the book would be for me when I heard about it. But it is Laura Bickle we’re speaking about and so far I have not been disappointed by one of her novels. It was finally a good thing to try this adventure as the author conquered me again. Here we find a very original story mixing alchemy, mystery, murder, and magic.
Petra went to Temperance after a difficult history that left her a little disoriented. This city is the last known place of her father years before and the young woman hopes now to find him. Yet her research will quickly get complicated when she realizes that this place contains many secrets. Two powerful characters of the city compete in secret. It’s quite difficult to identify exactly what they are and what they really want to achieve, but one thing is sure, they are ready to do anything to achieve their goals. Accompanied by a coyote with whom she befriended, Petra finds herself in the middle of the intrigues of the city. Indeed, she finds a kind of compass on her land and it seems that the boy who calls himself the Alchemist is determined to get it back! But on top of that, she is interested in Gabriel and tries to understand him. This is a man who works for Sal and it looks like everyone avoids these people at all costs. The guy has many secrets and even though she knows that discovering everything could be dangerous, Dee is determined to understand what’s going on, especially when bodies start to appear all over town.
I enjoyed discovering our heroine, she tries to understand what is happening in this strange city, without forgetting that her primary purpose is to find her father. She will end in a story completely beyond her but always accompanied by her friends. I loved her relationship with coyote, this animal who appreciates her but who is not so ordinary. It’s funny to see how the two will become inseparable over the chapters. And then there was this man … Oh Gabe is very difficult to define and to understand. He’s hiding something and has some quite extraordinary powers and I was very curious to learn the truth about him. Besides, I have to say I was very surprised because the author had some very interesting and different ideas while creating a new myth.
I will not say more because we discover many things in the story, but in any case I was very interested from beginning to end and I hope we’ll have a sequel soon because I’m curious to see what happens to the characters after that. Laura Bickle once again presents a book at the height of her previous writings.
My ENglish review
Initially I was not sure that the book would be for me when I heard about it. But it is Laura Bickle we’re speaking about and so far I have not been disappointed by one of her novels. It was finally a good thing to try this adventure as the author conquered me again. Here we find a very original story mixing alchemy, mystery, murder, and magic.
Petra went to Temperance after a difficult history that left her a little disoriented. This city is the last known place of her father years before and the young woman hopes now to find him. Yet her research will quickly get complicated when she realizes that this place contains many secrets. Two powerful characters of the city compete in secret. It’s quite difficult to identify exactly what they are and what they really want to achieve, but one thing is sure, they are ready to do anything to achieve their goals. Accompanied by a coyote with whom she befriended, Petra finds herself in the middle of the intrigues of the city. Indeed, she finds a kind of compass on her land and it seems that the boy who calls himself the Alchemist is determined to get it back! But on top of that, she is interested in Gabriel and tries to understand him. This is a man who works for Sal and it looks like everyone avoids these people at all costs. The guy has many secrets and even though she knows that discovering everything could be dangerous, Dee is determined to understand what’s going on, especially when bodies start to appear all over town.
I enjoyed discovering our heroine, she tries to understand what is happening in this strange city, without forgetting that her primary purpose is to find her father. She will end in a story completely beyond her but always accompanied by her friends. I loved her relationship with coyote, this animal who appreciates her but who is not so ordinary. It’s funny to see how the two will become inseparable over the chapters. And then there was this man … Oh Gabe is very difficult to define and to understand. He’s hiding something and has some quite extraordinary powers and I was very curious to learn the truth about him. Besides, I have to say I was very surprised because the author had some very interesting and different ideas while creating a new myth.
I will not say more because we discover many things in the story, but in any case I was very interested from beginning to end and I hope we’ll have a sequel soon because I’m curious to see what happens to the characters after that. Laura Bickle once again presents a book at the height of her previous writings.
May 16, 2016
Temperance, Wyoming, is a town of illicit drug use, rapidly-healing ranch hands, and the last known location of Dr. Petra Dee's father. Whilst asking questions, the geologist comes across calcified corpses and a mystery that leads underground, where the most beautiful and grotesque things live.
Laura Bickle brings a fresh approach to alchemy, explaining the stages to achieve transformation in an understandable and interesting way that makes learning chemistry fun. Petra Dee is a clever and relatable heroine who keeps her eye on the prize, accompanied by her trusty coyote friend. But it's the gobsmacking, vivid imagery of the caves and the Lunaria that will really grab readers.
This fascinating novel provides a great look at a proto-science about which I'd love to learn more. Dark Alchemy is brilliant as a stand-alone, yet a return trip to Temperance wouldn't be unwelcome. Come for the western, but stay for the weird science!
Laura Bickle brings a fresh approach to alchemy, explaining the stages to achieve transformation in an understandable and interesting way that makes learning chemistry fun. Petra Dee is a clever and relatable heroine who keeps her eye on the prize, accompanied by her trusty coyote friend. But it's the gobsmacking, vivid imagery of the caves and the Lunaria that will really grab readers.
This fascinating novel provides a great look at a proto-science about which I'd love to learn more. Dark Alchemy is brilliant as a stand-alone, yet a return trip to Temperance wouldn't be unwelcome. Come for the western, but stay for the weird science!
January 13, 2016
3 1\2
Bonus points for freshness and novelty, nowadays in UF they're way rarer than diamonds. I could have done without the TSTL moment, but overall a pleasant read. Creepy, but not too tight (I could have stopped reading without many qualms...).
Not everything was well explained to my tastes, and characters were a bit too shallow, but hey bear with me :).
Bonus points for freshness and novelty, nowadays in UF they're way rarer than diamonds. I could have done without the TSTL moment, but overall a pleasant read. Creepy, but not too tight (I could have stopped reading without many qualms...).
Not everything was well explained to my tastes, and characters were a bit too shallow, but hey bear with me :).
March 24, 2015
See this review and others like it at Badass Book Reviews!
Dark Alchemy is a very unique and dark read. As it stands, it seems to be a standalone story, but I still have so many questions; this could easily become a series full of secrets and mysteries. Dark Alchemy is contemporary urban fantasy, but it has a different feel from a lot of the other UF books I've read. I feel like the Cainsville novels by Kelley Armstrong are the closest thing I can compare this too. There are a ton of conflicts and unexplained events going on in Temperance and it's up to Petra, the newcomer geologist, to solve them while also learning more about her father and his own experience with the town.
Petra Dee takes an assignment to Temperance, Wyoming to get away from past demons and to do a little digging into her father's disappearance. She expects a quiet little town and plenty of peace and quiet while surveying in Yellowstone. What she gets is one interested park ranger, a coyote companion who is more dog than wild animal, a run in with the local meth heads, a beat up, old truck from a woman whose uncle happens to be a drunken wannabe shaman, and an attraction to one the strange farm hands for the local ranch. Add all that to the bodies that start piling up, twisted and deformed, and Petra's not sure if she made the right choice in coming to Temperance or not.
I really liked Petra in Dark Alchemy. She was a bit rough around the edges, but she knows her own mind and can take care of herself. She tries to think everything through logically, but soon comes to find out that some things in Temperance just can't be explained by science. There are also a lot of really good secondary characters. My favorite was Maria, a social worker from the reservation that Petra befriends; Mike, the over-eager park ranger who means well; and of course, Sig, Petra's pet/roommate/coyote spirit guide. Some of the other characters could still use a little more fleshing out like Cal, the Rutherford family, and even Gabe, but overall I really enjoyed the characters.
The best part of Dark Alchemy was the creep factor Laura Bickle infused into every page. This isn't a scary book, but it carries a subtle dread throughout. There are a lot of "out there" mystery events that happen, but Ms. Bickle is able to deftly weave them into one cohesive plot that makes perfect sense by the end. The ending doesn't have a neat and tidy bow though -- Temperance never gives up all its mysteries. There is enough answered to satisfy me if this is truly a standalone novel, but I know I would be first on the train if Petra's story did become a series!
Thank you to Harper Voyager Impulse and Edelweiss for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dark Alchemy is a very unique and dark read. As it stands, it seems to be a standalone story, but I still have so many questions; this could easily become a series full of secrets and mysteries. Dark Alchemy is contemporary urban fantasy, but it has a different feel from a lot of the other UF books I've read. I feel like the Cainsville novels by Kelley Armstrong are the closest thing I can compare this too. There are a ton of conflicts and unexplained events going on in Temperance and it's up to Petra, the newcomer geologist, to solve them while also learning more about her father and his own experience with the town.
Petra Dee takes an assignment to Temperance, Wyoming to get away from past demons and to do a little digging into her father's disappearance. She expects a quiet little town and plenty of peace and quiet while surveying in Yellowstone. What she gets is one interested park ranger, a coyote companion who is more dog than wild animal, a run in with the local meth heads, a beat up, old truck from a woman whose uncle happens to be a drunken wannabe shaman, and an attraction to one the strange farm hands for the local ranch. Add all that to the bodies that start piling up, twisted and deformed, and Petra's not sure if she made the right choice in coming to Temperance or not.
I really liked Petra in Dark Alchemy. She was a bit rough around the edges, but she knows her own mind and can take care of herself. She tries to think everything through logically, but soon comes to find out that some things in Temperance just can't be explained by science. There are also a lot of really good secondary characters. My favorite was Maria, a social worker from the reservation that Petra befriends; Mike, the over-eager park ranger who means well; and of course, Sig, Petra's pet/roommate/coyote spirit guide. Some of the other characters could still use a little more fleshing out like Cal, the Rutherford family, and even Gabe, but overall I really enjoyed the characters.
The best part of Dark Alchemy was the creep factor Laura Bickle infused into every page. This isn't a scary book, but it carries a subtle dread throughout. There are a lot of "out there" mystery events that happen, but Ms. Bickle is able to deftly weave them into one cohesive plot that makes perfect sense by the end. The ending doesn't have a neat and tidy bow though -- Temperance never gives up all its mysteries. There is enough answered to satisfy me if this is truly a standalone novel, but I know I would be first on the train if Petra's story did become a series!
Thank you to Harper Voyager Impulse and Edelweiss for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2015
I received Dark Alchemy in return for an honest review from the publisher. Petra is a geologist running from an accident that happened six months earlier that changed her life. She’s hoping to find her father who went missing back in the 90’s. Petra has moved to far away from the ocean where she used to live to Temperance a western town in Wyoming near Yellowstone where her dad last was. Petra is quickly sucked into the small town life, picking up an old vehicle and adding pair of old pearl handled guns she’s fitting right in.
As Petra digs deeper into what happened to her father she is pulled into a mystery with the ranch hands and the goth kids that hang out in the garden. Soon strange bodies are piling up and only Petra seems to be connected to them. She befriends a social worker from the local reservation who’s uncle thinks that Petra is the answer to stopping the hungry one. At least Petra won’t have to go it alone as she’s befriended a coyote who’s taken it upon himself to move right in. Will Petra find what happened to her father? What’s really going on with the ranch hands?
I really liked Petra she’s a smart character who’s moving on after tragedy and handles the unusual things happening in Temperance very well. I found her to be an interesting character she doesn’t rely on men she handles her own trouble and reminds me very much of an old west cowgirl. I liked several of the supporting characters like Gabe, Mike, Maria and even Frankie they enhanced they added to the Petra’s new life. However my favorite character aside from Petra was Sig he just grew on me through the whole story and I think I need one of my own Sig’s.
I didn’t even read the synopsis when I requested Dark Alchemy because I’ve read all the authors’ books so I knew that it would be good. The characters are easy to connect with I found the memorable they captured my heart. Since I didn’t read the synopsis other than assuming it was a Wild West story I didn’t know what to expect and found it doesn’t disappoint. Dark Alchemy is fast paced loaded with mystery and intrigue a perfect mix of fantasy is thrown in creating an intricate story. The concept I found new and exciting it’s not often I find an urban fantasy that reminds me of the old west but with a modern twist. I really enjoyed the authors writing style it flowed smoothly from start to finish and I think she did a great job creating a captivated story. I enjoyed Dark Alchemy it was hard to put down I was drawn into Petra’s story and had to know how it would play out. As far as I know Dark Alchemy is a standalone but I wasn’t ready for it to end so I’m crossing my fingers for more. I look forward to seeing what the author has planned for next.
As Petra digs deeper into what happened to her father she is pulled into a mystery with the ranch hands and the goth kids that hang out in the garden. Soon strange bodies are piling up and only Petra seems to be connected to them. She befriends a social worker from the local reservation who’s uncle thinks that Petra is the answer to stopping the hungry one. At least Petra won’t have to go it alone as she’s befriended a coyote who’s taken it upon himself to move right in. Will Petra find what happened to her father? What’s really going on with the ranch hands?
I really liked Petra she’s a smart character who’s moving on after tragedy and handles the unusual things happening in Temperance very well. I found her to be an interesting character she doesn’t rely on men she handles her own trouble and reminds me very much of an old west cowgirl. I liked several of the supporting characters like Gabe, Mike, Maria and even Frankie they enhanced they added to the Petra’s new life. However my favorite character aside from Petra was Sig he just grew on me through the whole story and I think I need one of my own Sig’s.
I didn’t even read the synopsis when I requested Dark Alchemy because I’ve read all the authors’ books so I knew that it would be good. The characters are easy to connect with I found the memorable they captured my heart. Since I didn’t read the synopsis other than assuming it was a Wild West story I didn’t know what to expect and found it doesn’t disappoint. Dark Alchemy is fast paced loaded with mystery and intrigue a perfect mix of fantasy is thrown in creating an intricate story. The concept I found new and exciting it’s not often I find an urban fantasy that reminds me of the old west but with a modern twist. I really enjoyed the authors writing style it flowed smoothly from start to finish and I think she did a great job creating a captivated story. I enjoyed Dark Alchemy it was hard to put down I was drawn into Petra’s story and had to know how it would play out. As far as I know Dark Alchemy is a standalone but I wasn’t ready for it to end so I’m crossing my fingers for more. I look forward to seeing what the author has planned for next.
May 31, 2015
I absolutely loved this book- for so many reasons. The main reason being it was different, so wildly different than the usual urban fantasy. The characters were fresh, the mythology exciting, and the setting unusual. Plus it is a mix of urban fantasy, fantasy, magic, horror, adventure, plus a touch of mystery with a possible budding romance thrown in just to make it a little more interesting.
From the very first page I was hooked- Bickle introduces us to odd characters and an even odder setting- the crazy old western town of Temperance, Wyoming which seems to be one step away from being a ghost town. If it wasn't for Yellowstone National park, the Native reservation and the Alchemist who keeps the tweaking "meth" heads dazed and confused it probably would have disappeared into dust ages ago.
Petra is a geologist running from her past and hunting for her father who disappeared many years ago, Temperance was the last place he sent a postcard from.
The action starts right from the beginning- Petra sure has a way of finding trouble- or it finds her. It doesn't take long for her to settle in with an old truck, a couple guns, and a coyote sidekick that digs up a mystery gift for her.
That mystery gift, the calcified bodies, Alchemy, and Petra's hunt for her missing father are all tied together, but how?
It's an odd tale full of eerie twists and turns. Bickle does a wonderful job of creating a subtlety chilling and creepily dark story that keeps you wondering what will happen next.
That end...such mixed feelings.
I am thrilled to learn that book two is in the works because the dark and twisty ending left me aching for more.
From the very first page I was hooked- Bickle introduces us to odd characters and an even odder setting- the crazy old western town of Temperance, Wyoming which seems to be one step away from being a ghost town. If it wasn't for Yellowstone National park, the Native reservation and the Alchemist who keeps the tweaking "meth" heads dazed and confused it probably would have disappeared into dust ages ago.
Petra is a geologist running from her past and hunting for her father who disappeared many years ago, Temperance was the last place he sent a postcard from.
The action starts right from the beginning- Petra sure has a way of finding trouble- or it finds her. It doesn't take long for her to settle in with an old truck, a couple guns, and a coyote sidekick that digs up a mystery gift for her.
That mystery gift, the calcified bodies, Alchemy, and Petra's hunt for her missing father are all tied together, but how?
It's an odd tale full of eerie twists and turns. Bickle does a wonderful job of creating a subtlety chilling and creepily dark story that keeps you wondering what will happen next.
That end...such mixed feelings.
I am thrilled to learn that book two is in the works because the dark and twisty ending left me aching for more.
October 17, 2015
3.5 stars - I found Dark Alchemy very odd but interesting and, with touches of strange magic and its macabre aftermath, very different too.
Geologist Petra, after a horrific accident at her former job, has found a new position on the outskirts of Yellowstone, in the area where her father disappeared many years ago. But the town is has some weird stuff going on that has a lot to do with two even weirder groups, one, associated with the rancher who has secrets buried in his property and a group of dangerous ranch hands and law enforcement in his pocket to help keep those secrets, and another, associated with the Alchemist and his group of meth heads.
I liked Petra, for the most part she comes off as competent and intelligent though for a scientist she does accept the woo woo stuff fairly easily, I also liked the unusual pet who adopts her. Also very interesting is one of the cursed ranch hands, Gabriel, after all is said and done I still want to know what happens to him next.
In some ways the story felt finished at the end, but there were enough threads left, not really dangling, but waiting to be pulled that I had to email author Bickle to find out if there would be more. Though she didn't exactly say yes, she did say news was forthcoming, so I am very hopeful for seeing more of Petra and Gabriel in this very different world.
Geologist Petra, after a horrific accident at her former job, has found a new position on the outskirts of Yellowstone, in the area where her father disappeared many years ago. But the town is has some weird stuff going on that has a lot to do with two even weirder groups, one, associated with the rancher who has secrets buried in his property and a group of dangerous ranch hands and law enforcement in his pocket to help keep those secrets, and another, associated with the Alchemist and his group of meth heads.
I liked Petra, for the most part she comes off as competent and intelligent though for a scientist she does accept the woo woo stuff fairly easily, I also liked the unusual pet who adopts her. Also very interesting is one of the cursed ranch hands, Gabriel, after all is said and done I still want to know what happens to him next.
In some ways the story felt finished at the end, but there were enough threads left, not really dangling, but waiting to be pulled that I had to email author Bickle to find out if there would be more. Though she didn't exactly say yes, she did say news was forthcoming, so I am very hopeful for seeing more of Petra and Gabriel in this very different world.
June 16, 2017
Super interesting and unlike anything I've ever read before. Fast paced. Loved the characters.
July 28, 2018
Good idea, like the coyote very much... but get's a bit boring. Lost interest as soon as I got to the part where she finds Jeff and the tree thing happens. Not a bad read, just not holding my interest any longer.
April 9, 2015
Three stars: A creative and dark Urban Fantasy.
Petra Dee assess the small Airstream Trailer. This is to be her home for the next few months.
Petra is a geologist assigned to the small town of Temperance, Wyoming. Petra chose Temperance because it was where she last heard from her father years ago. Once she is settled, Petra quickly learns there is something not quite right about the small town. It starts when a local drunk, Frankie, attacks Gabe, a ranch hand. Town folks whisper that the ranch hands for Sal Rutherford aren't quite right. When mysterious bodies turn up on Sal's ranch, Petra dives in wanting to uncover the truth. What she digs up is far more deadly and dangerous than she ever anticipated. Will Petra survive in Temperance?
What I Liked:
*I was excited to read Ms. Bickle's latest book as I am a big fan of her The Hallowed Ones Series. With this book, Ms. Bickle delivers a dark, creepy UF tale that dragged me in. If you are looking for a UF that is original, check this one out.
*There are several dark forces at work in the small town. Creepy calcified bone infused bodies are turning up on Mr. Rutherford's ranch. Then you have the mysterious ranch hands led by Gabe, who must live near the hanging tree. Across town, a ruthless alchemist holds people hostage with the promise of meth and other drugs. I thought the world building and concepts were exciting, mysterious and creepy.
*Petra is a gal that took me a bit of time to warm up to, but by the end, I admired her courage and tenacity. Petra is carrying some baggage from an accident that occurred a few months ago. In Temperance, she is hoping to find peace, but instead she encounters sinister folks and strange occurrences. When folks urge her to leave it alone, she refuses, and even when she is threatened, Petra keeps digging. She has lot gumption, and I liked her spirit.
*Sig, the coyote, stole the show for me. He becomes Petra's first friend and ally in Temperance. He is so much more than a coyote. He is a spirit familiar who protects Petra, and helps her to uncover a mysterious alchemical pendant. He is more like a trusty dog than a coyote. Loved him.
*The secondary characters were exciting and diverse. My favorites were Maria the social worker and her strange, drunk uncle, Frankie. Frankie especially has some sort of psychic abilities not to mention a rather shocking identity secret. The villains are both evil and vile and super creepy. I thought all of the characters were interesting and well written.
*The story is thought provoking and intriguing. I liked the ideas and I am hoping this is the first book in a series because I would like to know much more.
And The Not So Much:
*My biggest issue with this one was that it ended abruptly and I was left with plot holes and questions. It wasn't clear what really happened to Petra's father, plus who was paying his bills? The fate of Sal and the hanged man is unclear. I was also left wanting to know more about Maria, Frankie and Cal. I didn't understand all the symbolism either. The final scene with Gabe left me wondering if there was more story to tell. Plus, the situation with Cal felt like a cliffhanger. It honestly felt like this one was just getting started when it ended.
*I was excited about the hanged men and the Lunaria Tree. I was left a bit disappointed in this story line because I felt like I was just beginning to scrape the surface. I truly think that this book needs a sequel.
*The whole thing with drunk Frankie was surprising. I can't go into details, but I was left wanting to know way more about Frankie.
Dark Alchemy was an interesting read, and what I hope is the beginning of a new series. I loved the dark unsettling vibe presented in the small town of Temperance along with the strange hanged men. However, I was disappointed with the abrupt end that left a few holes and many unanswered questions. Right now this appears to be a stand alone, but I am hoping for more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Petra Dee assess the small Airstream Trailer. This is to be her home for the next few months.
Petra is a geologist assigned to the small town of Temperance, Wyoming. Petra chose Temperance because it was where she last heard from her father years ago. Once she is settled, Petra quickly learns there is something not quite right about the small town. It starts when a local drunk, Frankie, attacks Gabe, a ranch hand. Town folks whisper that the ranch hands for Sal Rutherford aren't quite right. When mysterious bodies turn up on Sal's ranch, Petra dives in wanting to uncover the truth. What she digs up is far more deadly and dangerous than she ever anticipated. Will Petra survive in Temperance?
What I Liked:
*I was excited to read Ms. Bickle's latest book as I am a big fan of her The Hallowed Ones Series. With this book, Ms. Bickle delivers a dark, creepy UF tale that dragged me in. If you are looking for a UF that is original, check this one out.
*There are several dark forces at work in the small town. Creepy calcified bone infused bodies are turning up on Mr. Rutherford's ranch. Then you have the mysterious ranch hands led by Gabe, who must live near the hanging tree. Across town, a ruthless alchemist holds people hostage with the promise of meth and other drugs. I thought the world building and concepts were exciting, mysterious and creepy.
*Petra is a gal that took me a bit of time to warm up to, but by the end, I admired her courage and tenacity. Petra is carrying some baggage from an accident that occurred a few months ago. In Temperance, she is hoping to find peace, but instead she encounters sinister folks and strange occurrences. When folks urge her to leave it alone, she refuses, and even when she is threatened, Petra keeps digging. She has lot gumption, and I liked her spirit.
*Sig, the coyote, stole the show for me. He becomes Petra's first friend and ally in Temperance. He is so much more than a coyote. He is a spirit familiar who protects Petra, and helps her to uncover a mysterious alchemical pendant. He is more like a trusty dog than a coyote. Loved him.
*The secondary characters were exciting and diverse. My favorites were Maria the social worker and her strange, drunk uncle, Frankie. Frankie especially has some sort of psychic abilities not to mention a rather shocking identity secret. The villains are both evil and vile and super creepy. I thought all of the characters were interesting and well written.
*The story is thought provoking and intriguing. I liked the ideas and I am hoping this is the first book in a series because I would like to know much more.
And The Not So Much:
*My biggest issue with this one was that it ended abruptly and I was left with plot holes and questions. It wasn't clear what really happened to Petra's father, plus who was paying his bills? The fate of Sal and the hanged man is unclear. I was also left wanting to know more about Maria, Frankie and Cal. I didn't understand all the symbolism either. The final scene with Gabe left me wondering if there was more story to tell. Plus, the situation with Cal felt like a cliffhanger. It honestly felt like this one was just getting started when it ended.
*I was excited about the hanged men and the Lunaria Tree. I was left a bit disappointed in this story line because I felt like I was just beginning to scrape the surface. I truly think that this book needs a sequel.
*The whole thing with drunk Frankie was surprising. I can't go into details, but I was left wanting to know way more about Frankie.
Dark Alchemy was an interesting read, and what I hope is the beginning of a new series. I loved the dark unsettling vibe presented in the small town of Temperance along with the strange hanged men. However, I was disappointed with the abrupt end that left a few holes and many unanswered questions. Right now this appears to be a stand alone, but I am hoping for more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
April 21, 2015
3.5 stars
Prepare for some serious creepiness and an unbelievable number of shoot-outs, because DARK ALCHEMY is not your typical urban fantasy: this is UF meets the Wild West. Protagonist Petra Dee flees rolls into Temperance, Wyoming intending to put the tragedy and violence of her past behind her. Unfortunately for Petra, the former gold rush town isn't exactly the safest place for someone with a nose for trouble.
Petra is a scientist and completely uninterested in things that cannot be seen and measured. New Age spirituality, the supernatural, and what I personally like to call “juju” are all bogus, as far as she’s concerned. So when a series of strange and unexplainable incidents occur shortly after her arrival in Temperance, Petra is understandably thrown. In the “weird supernatural occurrences” column we have: a coyote who follows Petra around like a highly intelligent domesticated animal, a man who can be beaten within an inch of his life without any visible evidence of it the next day, and the discovery of horribly twisted human remains. Add to that a run in with the local meth heads and Petra’s stay in Temperance is shaping up to be a grand ol’ time.
Petra is tough, smart, and resourceful – all character traits that I admire in a UF protagonist. In one particularly “do or die” scene, she pulls a MacGyver and assembles a flamethrower from the body of a vacuum, a seat belt, and a bird’s nest. I mean…hell yes! It didn’t even require that much suspension of disbelief because Petra pulls together a few makeshift tools of necessity throughout DARK ALCHEMY, including a crude spectrometer. Her technical know-how and scientific background definitely came in handy going up against the majorly creepy baddies running amok in Temperance.
Sal Rutherford works his ranch hands into the ground and exploits their otherworldly abilities in an effort to maintain his iron grip on Temperance. He has law enforcement in his back pocket and has intimidated half the town into thinking they have no choice but to submit to his dictatorial rule. The other half of the town worships at the altar (figuratively) of a shady figure known as the Alchemist, the local drug kingpin. But as Petra soon finds out, the Alchemist is cooking up a lot more than meth…
Laura Bickle impressed me with her ability to write convincing and multi-faceted characters while still maintaining a good deal of plot. Temperance abuts a Native American reservation and tensions between the two populations are pretty evident. Petra gets a front-row seat to the conflict when she befriends Maria Yellowrose, a tough as nails social worker, and by extension her uncle Frankie. Frankie is infamous for being a boisterous alcoholic who’s convinced that he has shamanistic powers.
I will say that one character seemed completely out of place and somewhat useless: the overbearing and somewhat chauvinistic Park Ranger, Mike. This guy seemed to show up everywhere – especially when he wasn’t wanted – and was clearly trying to get with Petra despite her obvious disinterest. His repeated offers that she move out of her trailer and into the lodge in the national park came off a bit weird in a “women living alone are unsafe so why don’t you come live closer to me, a complete stranger who’s large, physically fit, and sexually attracted to you” kind of way. Call me paranoid (fair point) but that just doesn’t add up.
The prevalence of guns and the frequency of gun violence also made me a little uncomfortable. I realize that DARK ALCHEMY is an urban fantasy/western mash-up, but personally I found people’s attitudes towards guns to be too cavalier. Obviously there’s a lot of tussling and violence in urban fantasy, but it’s not often done with guns and when it is there’s usually a more serious tone. Maybe if I read more westerns I’ll get used to it – there does seem to be an awful lot of western SFF releasing over the next year!
Despite some quibbles, I quite enjoyed DARK ALCHEMY and Bickle’s quick pacing impressed me. This book has an open ending that leaves room for a sequel; if there is one in the works, then sign me up!
Prepare for some serious creepiness and an unbelievable number of shoot-outs, because DARK ALCHEMY is not your typical urban fantasy: this is UF meets the Wild West. Protagonist Petra Dee flees rolls into Temperance, Wyoming intending to put the tragedy and violence of her past behind her. Unfortunately for Petra, the former gold rush town isn't exactly the safest place for someone with a nose for trouble.
Petra is a scientist and completely uninterested in things that cannot be seen and measured. New Age spirituality, the supernatural, and what I personally like to call “juju” are all bogus, as far as she’s concerned. So when a series of strange and unexplainable incidents occur shortly after her arrival in Temperance, Petra is understandably thrown. In the “weird supernatural occurrences” column we have: a coyote who follows Petra around like a highly intelligent domesticated animal, a man who can be beaten within an inch of his life without any visible evidence of it the next day, and the discovery of horribly twisted human remains. Add to that a run in with the local meth heads and Petra’s stay in Temperance is shaping up to be a grand ol’ time.
Petra is tough, smart, and resourceful – all character traits that I admire in a UF protagonist. In one particularly “do or die” scene, she pulls a MacGyver and assembles a flamethrower from the body of a vacuum, a seat belt, and a bird’s nest. I mean…hell yes! It didn’t even require that much suspension of disbelief because Petra pulls together a few makeshift tools of necessity throughout DARK ALCHEMY, including a crude spectrometer. Her technical know-how and scientific background definitely came in handy going up against the majorly creepy baddies running amok in Temperance.
Sal Rutherford works his ranch hands into the ground and exploits their otherworldly abilities in an effort to maintain his iron grip on Temperance. He has law enforcement in his back pocket and has intimidated half the town into thinking they have no choice but to submit to his dictatorial rule. The other half of the town worships at the altar (figuratively) of a shady figure known as the Alchemist, the local drug kingpin. But as Petra soon finds out, the Alchemist is cooking up a lot more than meth…
Laura Bickle impressed me with her ability to write convincing and multi-faceted characters while still maintaining a good deal of plot. Temperance abuts a Native American reservation and tensions between the two populations are pretty evident. Petra gets a front-row seat to the conflict when she befriends Maria Yellowrose, a tough as nails social worker, and by extension her uncle Frankie. Frankie is infamous for being a boisterous alcoholic who’s convinced that he has shamanistic powers.
I will say that one character seemed completely out of place and somewhat useless: the overbearing and somewhat chauvinistic Park Ranger, Mike. This guy seemed to show up everywhere – especially when he wasn’t wanted – and was clearly trying to get with Petra despite her obvious disinterest. His repeated offers that she move out of her trailer and into the lodge in the national park came off a bit weird in a “women living alone are unsafe so why don’t you come live closer to me, a complete stranger who’s large, physically fit, and sexually attracted to you” kind of way. Call me paranoid (fair point) but that just doesn’t add up.
The prevalence of guns and the frequency of gun violence also made me a little uncomfortable. I realize that DARK ALCHEMY is an urban fantasy/western mash-up, but personally I found people’s attitudes towards guns to be too cavalier. Obviously there’s a lot of tussling and violence in urban fantasy, but it’s not often done with guns and when it is there’s usually a more serious tone. Maybe if I read more westerns I’ll get used to it – there does seem to be an awful lot of western SFF releasing over the next year!
Despite some quibbles, I quite enjoyed DARK ALCHEMY and Bickle’s quick pacing impressed me. This book has an open ending that leaves room for a sequel; if there is one in the works, then sign me up!
April 2, 2015
This was one wild, weird experience. With a little imagination, it was more like I was watching this then reading it. I drew my visuals from the many science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies I’ve watched. All of those genres rolled up into one fantastic book was such a treat.
Petra came to Temperance to find her missing father. It’s also far away from the sea and a tragedy she can’t bear. Her training as a geologist is put to the test with the strange bodies, the otherworldly Gabriel, and the power that seems to live beneath the surface of the town.
There’s one heck of a mystery. Why are the bodies calcified? Who is behind it? What is Gabe and his Hanged Men? And what’s with the ravens?
Next is the originality. This story reeks of the old west but takes place in the present. I kept thinking of the movie Wild, Wild West with Will Smith. It’s not so much steam punk as magic, with weird devices and rituals. It feels hot, dusty, and otherworldly.
There’s also a bit of Native American lore laced into the story. I think that added to the western atmosphere and made it strange and creepy.
Now we come to the characters.
Petra is a mix of Annie Oakley and a female Clint Eastwood. She has this really cool leather duster and slings a pair of antique pearl handled .44s. She’s weighted down with some guilty baggage, yet she’s tough as a cactus and just as prickly. She’ll ‘make your day’.
With so many characters I can’t break each one down for you. There are the meth heads, in a delusional thrall to Stroud. There’s Sal and his insatiable desire for eternal life. All of these characters are dangerous. All of them want something Petra has discovered. All of them are gunning for her.
Then there’s the non human characters. Gabriel and his group of Hanged Men. They might once have been human, but not anymore. I don’t want to say they are evil so much as they ‘do’ evil. And there’s a weird connection between them and the ravens.
My favorite of all the non human characters was Sig, Petra’s coyote. He attached himself to Petra and became her companion, protector, and early warning system. Kind of like a familiar. He was my hero.
As for romance, there’s none. Well, there’s a spark but I don’t see where it could work.
Last but not least is the horror. It’s subtle, quiet, then it strikes. So unusual, steeped in magic and something ancient. How do you fight it? How can you stand against it?
I loved Laura’s The Hallowed Ones Series and her Anya Kalinczyk Series so there was no question about reading Dark Alchemy. It’s listed as a stand alone but the ending could lead to more adventures with Petra and her side kick, Sig. It would be great to meet these guys again.
I received this book for my honest review.
Petra came to Temperance to find her missing father. It’s also far away from the sea and a tragedy she can’t bear. Her training as a geologist is put to the test with the strange bodies, the otherworldly Gabriel, and the power that seems to live beneath the surface of the town.
There’s one heck of a mystery. Why are the bodies calcified? Who is behind it? What is Gabe and his Hanged Men? And what’s with the ravens?
Next is the originality. This story reeks of the old west but takes place in the present. I kept thinking of the movie Wild, Wild West with Will Smith. It’s not so much steam punk as magic, with weird devices and rituals. It feels hot, dusty, and otherworldly.
There’s also a bit of Native American lore laced into the story. I think that added to the western atmosphere and made it strange and creepy.
Now we come to the characters.
Petra is a mix of Annie Oakley and a female Clint Eastwood. She has this really cool leather duster and slings a pair of antique pearl handled .44s. She’s weighted down with some guilty baggage, yet she’s tough as a cactus and just as prickly. She’ll ‘make your day’.
With so many characters I can’t break each one down for you. There are the meth heads, in a delusional thrall to Stroud. There’s Sal and his insatiable desire for eternal life. All of these characters are dangerous. All of them want something Petra has discovered. All of them are gunning for her.
Then there’s the non human characters. Gabriel and his group of Hanged Men. They might once have been human, but not anymore. I don’t want to say they are evil so much as they ‘do’ evil. And there’s a weird connection between them and the ravens.
My favorite of all the non human characters was Sig, Petra’s coyote. He attached himself to Petra and became her companion, protector, and early warning system. Kind of like a familiar. He was my hero.
As for romance, there’s none. Well, there’s a spark but I don’t see where it could work.
Last but not least is the horror. It’s subtle, quiet, then it strikes. So unusual, steeped in magic and something ancient. How do you fight it? How can you stand against it?
I loved Laura’s The Hallowed Ones Series and her Anya Kalinczyk Series so there was no question about reading Dark Alchemy. It’s listed as a stand alone but the ending could lead to more adventures with Petra and her side kick, Sig. It would be great to meet these guys again.
I received this book for my honest review.
December 29, 2016
Mystery, science (Petra is a geologist), tragedy, cuteness (coyote named Sig), light romance. The ending is kind of a cliffhanger but you don't really know that until you continue the series.
March 27, 2015
Although I did end up enjoying DARK ALCHEMY for the most part, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting it to be. I found some things in the story just plain odd and I had a hard time connecting to the main secondary character, Gabriel, who's story had a lot to do with the book as a whole.
Petra was easier to connect to and understand. Her reasons for being in Temperance and her past struggles were well explained. She knows what she needs and she fights to get it. The surprising addition of Sig, her familiar was fun. He was a crafty little coyote and I found myself looking forward to hearing what he was doing. I do wish we would have gotten more scenes with Petra doing her geology thing. There was plenty of action and danger involved which helped the story move along.
DARK ALCHEMY had a very unique storyline with a nice pace with a slightly hard to understand world if you're not paying total attention to the story. If you're looking for a bit of a different Urban Fantasy, it might be for you.
* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Petra was easier to connect to and understand. Her reasons for being in Temperance and her past struggles were well explained. She knows what she needs and she fights to get it. The surprising addition of Sig, her familiar was fun. He was a crafty little coyote and I found myself looking forward to hearing what he was doing. I do wish we would have gotten more scenes with Petra doing her geology thing. There was plenty of action and danger involved which helped the story move along.
DARK ALCHEMY had a very unique storyline with a nice pace with a slightly hard to understand world if you're not paying total attention to the story. If you're looking for a bit of a different Urban Fantasy, it might be for you.
* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2016
This is a fun fantasy adventure with lots of little interesting details. It took me a little while to get fully involved, but everything finally came together nicely. The protagonist is a geologist who approaches the supernatural things that confront her with a convincingly scientific attitude, even after she's adopted by a wild coyote and one of her new friends turns into a murder of crows. (Oh, and the evil meth-cooking alchemist has a salamander... could it be a cousin of Sparky from Embers and Sparks?) Don't be put off by the poor cover; this is a fun book, and I'll pick up the sequel.
September 5, 2016
I liked this. I guess, in a lot of ways, it's the kind of first book in a series I like, where it feels a lot about just introducing the characters and the world. It's nice to take things slowly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews