‘Alchemised’ a heavy but phenomenal read

“If he’s a monster, then I’m his Creator” — “Alchemised” by SenLinYu

A dark fantasy has become the talk of the book community in Albuquerque.

Bookstores are having a hard time keeping “Alchemised” by SenLinYu on the shelf.

SenLinYu has re-created a work of art inspired by her work “Manacled” while covering topics such as war, immigration, racism, sexism and trauma, breaking traditional storytelling and making her novel realistic and parallel to the society we see today. It is a heavy but phenomenal read.

“Alchemised” follows the story of Helena, a prisoner of war fighting to recover her memories leading to her capture. To recover her memories, she is sent to the hands of the High Reeve, Kaine Ferron, a ruthless and powerful necromancer. Helena fights to keep the last strands of herself from fading away to protect her lost history.

SenLinYu does not shy away from portraying war as inherently violent, regardless of which side claims righteousness. Through Helena’s experience as both an immigrant and a woman, the novel highlights how those deemed outsiders are often underestimated, even when they are among the most impactful. The message reminds readers how history is rewritten and changed to fit a certain narrative, erasing history within individuals and communities that challenge that narrative.

SenLinYu challenges readers to sit with this novel, drawing deliberate parallels through the story. With the research and time she put into “Alchemised,” SenLinYu pulls readers into a heartfelt story that shakes hands with reality.

Jordan Shaffer is a bookseller at Books on the Bosque, located at 6261 Riverside Plaza Lane, Suite A-2, or at booksonthebosque.com.