Stephanie Garber steps away from the whimsical carnival atmosphere of her beloved Caraval series to deliver something altogether more sophisticated and shadowy in Alchemy of Secrets. This adult debut marks a fascinating evolution for an author known for her YA fantasy spectacles, trading cotton candy magic for something that tastes distinctly of midnight coffee and urban legends whispered in dimly lit lecture halls.
The story centers on Holland St. James, a folklore enthusiast whose world tilts dangerously off-axis when she tracks down the Watch Man—a legendary figure who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die. What begins as academic curiosity spirals into a desperate race against time when Holland learns she has less than twenty-four hours to find an ancient artifact called the Alchemical Heart, or face her own mortality.
The Academic Gothic Atmosphere
Garber’s transition to adult fiction is most evident in her atmospheric world-building. Los Angeles becomes a character unto itself, painted in noir shadows and academic mystique that recalls the best of dark academia. The setting of Folklore 517, taught in an old movie theater by the enigmatic Professor, immediately establishes the book’s genre credentials. Garber masterfully weaves the academic setting with urban fantasy elements, creating a world where mythology bleeds into reality in the most unsettling ways.
The author’s signature lush prose style remains intact but has matured considerably. Where her previous works sometimes felt overly decorative, Alchemy of Secrets strikes a more balanced tone. Her descriptions of the magical Bank, with its impossible architecture and otherworldly employees, demonstrate her ability to create wonder without sacrificing narrative momentum. The writing occasionally indulges in romantic flourishes that feel reminiscent of her YA roots, but generally maintains the more grounded tone befitting adult fiction.
Characters in the Crossfire
Holland St. James emerges as a compelling protagonist, though she occasionally struggles beneath the weight of Garber’s plotting. Her passion for folklore and legends feels authentic, and her relationship with her twin sister January provides genuine emotional stakes. However, Holland’s tendency toward naivety sometimes borders on frustrating, particularly in her interactions with the male characters who orbit her story.
The romantic subplot, while inevitable given Garber’s pedigree, proves to be both the novel’s greatest strength and its most problematic element. Gabe, the mysterious protector with a gun and secrets, embodies every dark academia romance trope imaginable. His characterization walks the fine line between brooding intrigue and one-dimensional mystery man. Adam Bishop, January’s supposed partner, presents an interesting foil, though his role in the story feels somewhat underexplored in favor of the central romance.
The supporting cast, particularly the Professor and the Watch Man, breathe life into Garber’s mythological world. The Professor’s transformation from quirky academic to something far more complex provides one of the book’s most satisfying character arcs.
The Mythology Machine
Garber’s greatest achievement in Alchemy of Secrets lies in her creation of a cohesive magical system rooted in folklore and urban legends. The concept of the Watch Man, who can tell you the exact moment of your death, taps into primal fears while serving the plot’s ticking-clock structure effectively. The Alchemical Heart itself proves to be more than a simple MacGuffin, representing themes of power, corruption, and the price of knowledge.
The inclusion of the Sacred Order of the Parallel Dawn and the mysterious Bank adds layers of conspiracy that feel both timely and timeless. Garber’s ability to make these fantastical elements feel grounded in reality speaks to her growth as a storyteller.
However, the mythology occasionally becomes overwhelming. The introduction of multiple secret organizations, ancient artifacts, and mystical abilities can feel dense, particularly in the novel’s middle section. Readers may find themselves needing to slow down to fully absorb the complex world Garber has constructed.
Romance in the Shadows
The romantic elements of Alchemy of Secrets will likely divide readers. Garber’s strength in creating atmospheric tension translates well to romantic scenes, and the chemistry between Holland and Gabe crackles with genuine heat. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of life-or-death stakes, which heightens the emotional intensity effectively.
Yet the romance occasionally feels constrained by familiar tropes. Gabe’s mysterious past and protective instincts, while well-executed, don’t break particularly new ground. The love triangle elements, though brief, feel somewhat perfunctory rather than essential to the story’s emotional core.
Pacing and Plot Mechanics
The novel’s structure, built around Holland’s twenty-four-hour deadline, creates natural urgency that propels the story forward. Garber maintains tension effectively throughout most of the book, though the middle section occasionally feels weighed down by exposition and world-building.
The revelation about January’s true situation and her connection to the magical world provides emotional weight, though some readers may find the resolution somewhat convenient. The climactic sequences effectively blend action, romance, and magical revelation, though they occasionally feel rushed after the deliberate pacing of earlier chapters.
Where Magic Meets Reality
Alchemy of Secrets succeeds most when it grounds its fantastical elements in recognizable human emotions and experiences. Holland’s grief over her parents’ death, her complicated relationship with her sister, and her desperate desire to believe in magic all ring true. Garber’s exploration of how legends and myths shape our understanding of reality feels particularly relevant in our current age of information and misinformation.
The novel’s treatment of academic life, particularly the romanticized view of folklore studies, may strike some readers as idealized. However, Garber’s obvious love for the subject matter infuses these scenes with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
Critical Considerations
While Alchemy of Secrets represents a successful transition to adult fiction for Garber, it’s not without its weaknesses. The plot occasionally relies on convenient coincidences, and some character motivations could be more clearly established. The book’s length sometimes works against it, with certain sequences feeling padded rather than essential.
The novel’s ending, while satisfying on an emotional level, may leave some readers wanting more resolution regarding the larger mythological world Garber has created. The promise of future books is clear, but this installment feels somewhat incomplete as a standalone work.
The Verdict on Literary Alchemy
Alchemy of Secrets demonstrates Stephanie Garber’s evolution as a storyteller while maintaining the atmospheric magic that made her previous works beloved. The novel successfully bridges the gap between YA and adult fiction, offering enough complexity to satisfy mature readers while retaining the wonder that attracts younger audiences.
This is a book that will particularly appeal to readers who loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, or The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. Fans of Garber’s previous work will find familiar themes and stylistic flourishes, while newcomers will discover an accessible entry point into her magical worlds.
Similar Reads to Enchant Your Bookshelf
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – For portal fantasy with academic elements
- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – For atmospheric mythology and mystery
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – For immortal love stories with magical consequences
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – For gothic atmosphere and academic horror elements
- The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka – For supernatural deadlines and mystical elements
Alchemy of Secrets ultimately succeeds as both a love letter to folklore and mythology and a compelling entry into the adult fantasy market. While it may not achieve the innovative heights of some contemporary fantasy novels, it offers a satisfying blend of romance, mystery, and magic that will leave readers eager for Garber’s next literary transformation. For fans ready to follow the author into more mature territory, this alchemical experiment proves largely successful, even if the final formula could use a bit more refinement.