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Alchemised

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Alchemised

By: SenLinYu
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

***The record-breaking debut and instant Sunday Times Bestseller***


In a world ruled by necromancers, a woman with missing memories threatens the dark order that keeps her captive - and the man sent to break her. Gothic in tone, epic in scope - this debut is destined to become a modern classic.

Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner – of war and of her own fractured mind. The Resistance is crushed, her allies dead, her abilities suppressed.

The world she knew is gone.

Paladia’s corrupt guild families and their necromancer overlords, aided by vile undead creatures now rule - and hold Helena captive.

Resistance records claim she was a healer of little importance. Yet, Helena’s inexplicable memory loss makes her enemies wonder: Is she truly insignificant, or do her missing memories conceal the Resistance’s final secret?

To uncover the truth, Helena is delivered into the hands of the High Reeve – Paladia’s most feared and merciless necromancer.

Trapped on his crumbling estate, she must fight to protect what remains of herself and unearth the secrets buried in her mind, her prison, and her captor . . . whatever the cost.

‘A work of quite staggering ambition. Detailed world-building, intricate plot, Gothic claustrophobia, wraps the readers in its dark embrace’ Daily Mail

‘A superb dark fantasy novel set in a war torn world of black magic and alchemy’ Sun

© Forest Rain Inc 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Action & Adventure Editors Select Epic Fantasy Magic Necromancy War Magic Users

Editorial Review

I’d give anything to experience this story for the first time again
I went into Alchemised expecting something dark and immersive, but what I got was a story that completely consumed me in the greatest possible way. This is not a light listen. It’s brutal, emotionally relentless, and beautifully written (check trigger warnings, and please be kind to yourself as you listen). Helena Marino is a former Resistance healer now imprisoned in a world ruled by corrupt necromancers and fractured by war. Her memories are missing, and the truth she’s forgotten may be more dangerous than anyone realizes. I had to stop, breathe, and sit with my feelings during some emotionally intense moments before continuing. Saskia Maarleveld’s performance was the icing on top of this already all-consuming debut. And that ending? I clapped while I cried because I couldn’t believe the journey we had just taken.—Patty R., Audible Editor

All stars
Most relevant
I absolutely loved this fic, fell in love with the characters and got swept up in the world. At around chapter 15 I became completely hooked and finished it within three days. The writing is beautiful and the parallels throughout give you pause, both when reading and after when you just randomly realise them. This book will stay with me long after I’ve now finished it.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

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I have been finished by this story, once again. Breathtaking, Heartbreaking and Beautiful in every chapter. Performed perfectly by this narrator

Infinity Star Read

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Did not know what to expect but truly blown away. I will admit it took me a little to get into it and at first didn't think I could as there was a lot to take in in the beginning. so glad I did though as I rate this as one of the best of all time. wow was how I felt when it finished. not sure what I can listen to next after this though.

wow....up there with one of the best I've read

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I haven't cried so much over a book in a long time! An incredible story, even knowing what would happen and how tragic it was I still couldn't stop reading.

such a incredibly written book

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Fantastic world/character building. The narration was so good as well! Part 2 was my favourite.

So much better than I thought it would be!

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Was skeptical to buy this audiobook due to the length of the book. But loved every bit of it, went through all the emotions, best narration and honestly my new favourite book of this year!

Best 36hrs15mins ever

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This book has easily become the greatest story I've read. Such a dark and horrifying story so beautifully told. Absolutely amazing book.

absolutely beautiful

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Very different storyline. Loved the main characters. Everything fit together perfectly. Loved the way the story was told.

Totally unexpected

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This book was one of those stories where you start and you cant keep up with all the world building and vocabulary. Its only as you move through the book that you realise your not supposed to - as the main character doesnt understand either.

This book was 30 hours long and not a single second was boring. It kept me enthralled the whole time. I dreamed about it in between chapters.

I have such a book hangover from Alchemised that I need a break between books to recover emotionally!

Life changingly good!

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An absolute masterpiece. My mind is blown. I will be listening to this audiobook again straight away

Feeling like I just read Manacled for the first time

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