The Alchemists’ Council

By (author): Cynthea Masson

The first in a phenomenal new fantasy trilogy, where the power of words can change the fate of all dimensions

As a new Initiate with the Alchemists’ Council, Jaden is trained to maintain the elemental balance of the world, while fending off interference by the malevolent Rebel Branch. Bees are disappearing from the pages of the ancient manuscripts in Council dimension and from the outside world, threatening its very existence. Jaden navigates alchemy’s complexities, but the more she learns, the more she begins to question Council practices. Erasure — a procedure designed not only to remove individuals from Council dimension but also from the memories of other alchemists — troubles Jaden, and she uses her ingenuity to remember one of the erased people. In doing so, she realizes the Rebel Branch might not be the enemy she was taught to fight against.

Jaden is caught between her responsibility to the Council and her growing allegiance to the rebels, as the Council finds itself at the brink of war. She is faced with an ethical dilemma involving the free will of all humanity and must decide whether or not she can save the worlds.

AUTHOR

Cynthea Masson

Cynthea Masson is a professor in the English department at Vancouver Island University. After completing a Ph.D. in English with a focus on medieval mysticism, she was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship, which included work with alchemical manuscripts at the British Library. Her award-winning academic work includes the co-edited book Reading Joss Whedon. The first novel in the Alchemists’ Council series was shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and won the Gold Medal for Fantasy in the 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards. She lives in BC.

Reviews

“Masson has a lyrical writing style that echoes some of the English romantics’ focus on beauty and nature. She excels at propelling the story forward with complex characters.” — Publishers Weekly


“An intelligently written, character-driven fantasy novel . . . The Alchemists’ Council by Cynthea Masson definitely merits a gold seal of approval.” — BryceRaffle.com


“Masson’s prose is dense with details and striking imagery, and her characters are compelling.” — Jana Nyman, Fantasy Literature Blog


“I knew that when I reached the end of the book I would be sad . . . sad that I would have to wait for the next installment! . . . Thank you Cynthea Masson for blowing my mind!” — Lost in the Rain blog


“The Alchemists’ Council excels with a beautifully crafted and alluring world.” — Broken Pencil


Awards

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Excerpts & Samples ×

The first in a phenomenal new fantasy trilogy, where the power of words can change the fate of all dimensions

As a new Initiate with the Alchemists’ Council, Jaden is trained to maintain the elemental balance of the world, while fending off interference by the malevolent Rebel Branch. Bees are disappearing from the pages of the ancient manuscripts in Council dimension and from the outside world, threatening its very existence. Jaden navigates alchemy’s complexities, but the more she learns, the more she begins to question Council practices. Erasure — a procedure designed not only to remove individuals from Council dimension but also from the memories of other alchemists — troubles Jaden, and she uses her ingenuity to remember one of the erased people. In doing so, she realizes the Rebel Branch might not be the enemy she was taught to fight against.

Jaden is caught between her responsibility to the Council and her growing allegiance to the rebels, as the Council finds itself at the brink of war. She is faced with an ethical dilemma involving the free will of all humanity and must decide whether or not she can save the worlds.

Reader Reviews

Details

Dimensions:

440 Pages
7.75in * 5in * 1.08in
1.125lb

Published:

May 01, 2016

City of Publication:

Toronto

Country of Publication:

CA

Publisher:

ECW Press

ISBN:

9781770412712

Book Subjects:

FICTION / Fantasy / Epic

Language:

eng

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