This entry into one of the most fascinating series I’ve ever had the pleasure to read begins most perplexingly.  We are introduced to the world’s most unattractive woman who has never known the attentions of a man, yet is pregnant.  And then we follow her offspring through her infancy and childhood until she is finally claimed by her uncle, possibly her only living relative.  And it takes a full 66 pages before we know who she is; or will be.  Spoiler coming because it’s the only way I can continue this review…

Asphodel.

For those readers of this series, that single name should rock your world.  We’ll finally know who and what Asphodel was and how she came to change the world.

At first she was just a young girl trying to find a way to fit into her uncle’s more urban life after growing up in a simple village.  She is interested in her uncle’s alchemical studies and as she learns more about the alchemical society and rules, she determines that she will become a paramount alchemist.  The problem, of course, is that the Alchemical Congress is no different from the rest of western civilization in that they don’t believe a woman capable of anything more than cooking, cleaning, etc.  In spite of her uncle’s support and belief, she isn’t able to gain their respect and acceptance no matter what discoveries she offers them.  So she changes the rules and decides she will be the only one to determine what she’ll study, how she’ll apply her knowledge, and what she’ll do with the results.  And then she changes the world.

Against my will (because I know the results of her studies), I was sympathetic to her trials.  It wasn’t the first story I’ve read where a woman goes down an unfortunate path because the men in her world wouldn’t allow her anything else.  But that sentiment didn’t last long; Asphodel knew what she was doing when she made her choices.

As the author enjoys twining two storylines (which I also very much enjoy) it finally comes time to introduce the second new character: Lilianne.  She is a new student at Berkeley where, as we faithful readers know, Ethos and Chaos live as Roger, Dodger and Erin.  Lilianne is someone very different to this story; she grew up with parents who manifested the lesser seasons of Spring and Autumn so she was no stranger to the unseen world of alchemy.  Since the Alchemical Congress was destroyed in an earlier book, Berkeley is blessedly free of their taint.  But everyone who knows of their existence knows their laboratory must still exist and that includes a self-taught alchemist named Lilianne.

She is determined to find the missing laboratory in the hopes that enough is left to further her understanding of alchemy.  Other than wanting to know more, Lilianne doesn’t seem to have any evil aspirations.  But to be painted with the same brush means that all manifestations, especially the Lunars, and the embodiments, all consider her a dangerous creature.  But also being human, they don’t immediately condemn her; preferring instead to observe and let her prove herself.

Lilianne’s POV expands her growing association with Ethos, Chaos, the Lunars and, most importantly, the most beautiful woman she’s ever known who is protected with the all the power that those god-like beings have.  So when she does actually find the hidden laboratory and exposes Smita to danger, it’s an even chance that Smita’s found family will not wait for Lilianne to explain herself.  There’s every chance that Lilianne may never see the light of day again.

Asphodel’s POV continues her life’s story as we watch her learn what is possible to achieve and her desire to find the Impossible City, the goal of every alchemist after her.  As I mentioned in an earlier review, the alchemists believe that if they can enter the Impossible City (which grounds our universe) they will be able to control and direct the universe.  The one saving grace is that, despite her groundbreaking advancements, she never quite figured how to do that before her death.  It’s too bad it didn’t end with that.

The culmination of the two POVs is when Lilianne and her new friends (or maybe just associates) finally understand Asphodel’s legacy and it may not be something they will all survive.

The payoff for this story was staggering.  The author gave clues that I didn’t quite put together; many of which relate to another series written under a pseudonym of A. Deborah Baker, which I should be reading soon. So I was rather unprepared for the ending which, instead of finishing this series, gives a cliffhanger for the next book.  It’s a rather impossible scenario where everything our protagonists rely on to give them power, has been taken away.  It’s impossible for this reader to imagine how they can ever recover or even succeed in saving their universe but I’m not Seanan McGuire whose imagination dwarfs my own.  It’s agonizing to think I’ll have to wait two years for resolution.

McGuire is a consummate writing professional; there is nothing for me to really comment on as her skills in plotting, dialogue, pacing, and character development are flawless. And on top of all that, she is one of the most prolific writers, ever.  ~~ Catherine Book

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