Alchemy of Souls
Adriana Mather
Feiwel & Friends
Published August 4, 2026

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About Alchemy of Souls

From New York Times-bestselling author Adriana Mather, comes the next big YA dark academia Alchemy of Souls, following two magically bound teens as they race to solve the mystery of an ancient magical key before it’s too late.

Grayson Stone is no stranger to deception. Under the watchful eye of his uncle, the High Chancellor, he has been well-trained in all four types of magic, all while secretly working against his uncle’s corrupt rule. Years of plans depend on him being marked Gifted during his University entrance exam, proving that he is the perfect heir and gaining his uncle’s trust. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and he has only one person to blame: Eloise Belrose.

Raised by a family of Laborers, Eloise is the most unlikely student to become a Mage, but through her hard work and long hours spent practicing, she is finally admitted to the prestigious Mage University, guaranteeing safety and security for her whole family. Until things go very wrong, and she somehow becomes magically linked to Grayson Stone, the school’s arrogant, annoyingly attractive golden boy, putting not only her University acceptance but also her and her family’s lives at risk.

Eloise and Grayson are given less than two weeks to solve an impossible mystery—one that will give the High Chancellor even more power and control—or face the consequences. Forced to room together, with all the same classes, while pretending to date to hide their secret quest, sparks definitely fly. As their feelings grow more real it becomes harder to live the lies they’ve had to tell to survive. With time running out, will they be able to trust the bond between them or will their lies tear them apart forever?

My Review

I think this book does a good job not letting its romantic elements totally run away with it. It’s definitely got that Romantasy vibe, so there’s a lot of focus on the intense feelings blooming between Eloise and Grayson, but the quest to call the key and save its power from corruption also carries weight throughout the story.

I also appreciate that Grayson has a complex history and that his connection to Eloise forces him to grapple with his privilege in more than a superficial way. He makes plenty of mistakes, and Eloise doesn’t just forgive him because she can’t resist the mysterious pull toward his manly manliness. She actually refuses to give him the time of day unless he earns it.

The plot to claim the key and all that means moves fairly quickly. Again, much of the focus is on the romance, but the other elements are well integrated into it. The characters are strong, and their motivations make sense.

Readers looking for a well-balanced romantasy will want to check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Characters have the ability to perform magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to torture. References to fighting between soldiers and civilians.

Drug Content
Teen characters consume alcohol at a party.

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