ARC Review--Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber

 

The HOTLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel by the beloved, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series

It starts with a class in an old movie theater.

Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.

With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Stephanie Garber's adult debut, Alchemy of Secrets was my MOST anticipated read for 2025 and I was thrilled when I was offered an advanced copy which I immediately devoured! This was a book that kept me eagerly turning the pages wanting to devour its vast flow of endless secrets and uncover the mystery within!

When Holland was an undergrad she took a course that is not in the immediate catalog. You have to know about it and you have to know where to look for the clues that will lead you to the classroom. Folklore 517 is not a class for the faint of heart. Then one night while out with her new boyfriend, Jake, she decides to look for one of the "tales" her professor talked about and that is the Watch Man. They say he can tell you the exact day and time of when you will die and if there's anything you can do to prevent it. 

It's not long before Holland learns that she has just over a day to live, she will die at the last minute of Halloween night unless she can find the famed Alchemical Heart. No one knows quite what this thing is, but it's a highly coveted and sought out item. Shortly after a harrowing discovery, Holland meets Gabe who said her twin sister, January, sent him to protect her and help her with task. Gabe is a man of mystery and Holland isn't quite sure if she should trust him or not despite him knowing a great deal about her sister and what's going on. If that wasn't enough to pique your interest, a second man comes along and claims the exact same thing! Soon Holland isn't sure who to believe or who to ultimately trust.

Holland is soon on a quest to find this Alchemical Heart, but the clock is ticking and as she follows clues left behind by her late father she's finding herself more deeper in danger at every turn and with very few people she can trust.

This book...just wow! This book was everything I could've hoped for! If you've known me for more than a minute you will know that I positively adore Stephanie's books and I was pining for her adult debut before I even knew what it was! This book was so intriguing, so engaging. It was the ultimate mysterious and it kept me guessing at every turn. Just when you think you might have things figured out you're completely derailed by the next revelation!

I loved how much there was to learn in this book as well! All the different kinds of stories and myths that Holland grew up with. She always believed in magic and now it's beginning to seem like it was very real. And the characters in this book! Oh my, there were quite a few people in Holland's life and honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of any of them as the story kept moving along.

As far as romance goes, Stephanie really pulled a number on this one! It currently seems like there maybe two men who are contenders for Holland's heart with a possible, maybe third, but I'm not as confident in that one. Although there wasn't any romance happening like we've seen in her YA books, this is just the start, I suspect of what's to come. In the meantime, we'll have to be satisfied with minimal kisses between the pages. 

Alchemy of Secrets is an edgy thrill ride wrapped in mystery and shrouded in an enigma. This is a read that will keep you guessing until the very end and leave you craving for more! I positively cannot wait to see what that more will be, but with Garber, you know it's going to be something magically amazing!

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

Alchemy of Secrets releases October 7, 2025