The Missing Alchemist by Caldric Blackwell is a middle grade fantasy novel.
Caldric Blackwell realized he loved reading when he read about a
bunch of people (with single-syllable names) and their pets (also with
single-syllable names) in kindergarten.
Exposure to a host of great authors while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara inspired him to begin writing fiction. Although he began writing short stories for adults, he eventually migrated to writing children's books. His debut work is an early chapter book titled The Enchanted River Race. His next release is a picture book, The Boy Who Couldn't Cry Wolf.
Outside of writing, Caldric enjoys hiking, gardening, and playing a variety of string instruments. Caldric currently resides in California.
Having
grown up in an orphanage, Craig Pike appreciates his comfortable life as a
student of Cornelius, a famous alchemist. But when Cornelius is kidnapped,
Craig leaves comfort behind to search for him. Craig teams up with Audrey
Clife, a clever archer, and together they travel across mysterious lands and
battle otherworldly creatures. Their journey reveals that Cornelius's
kidnapping is only a small part of an evil alchemist's elaborate grab for
power, and the only people standing in his way are Craig and Audrey...
PURCHASE
The Author
Caldric Blackwell realized he loved reading when he read about a
bunch of people (with single-syllable names) and their pets (also with
single-syllable names) in kindergarten.Exposure to a host of great authors while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara inspired him to begin writing fiction. Although he began writing short stories for adults, he eventually migrated to writing children's books. His debut work is an early chapter book titled The Enchanted River Race. His next release is a picture book, The Boy Who Couldn't Cry Wolf.
Outside of writing, Caldric enjoys hiking, gardening, and playing a variety of string instruments. Caldric currently resides in California.
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The Missing Alchemist is a book that has just about everything you expect from a fantasy novel. The is the orphaned hero, his pure mentor, the unexpected but skilled fighter (which I was glad to see cast as a girl), as well as monsters and magic. There was the dangerous, epic journey and the battles and risks taken because of the need to do the right thing regardless of the risks. The story itself was very well told, and full of drama and magic. what left me a little disappointed was the characters. Audrey was the most complex character in the whole thing, with the most complete backstory. I would have like a bit more character development, and a wee bit more variety in the fights. Not every magical creature has to be evil and beaten down, I really enjoy when a solution is found by outsmarting or striking up a deal or friendship with an opponent on occasion rather than just using violence. That being said, for a high adventure story this book still hits the mark, it just did not thrill me like it will those looking for an action driven tale.
The Missing Alchemist is a perfect choice for a middle grade reader that likes an action driven story. There is a dangerous journey, a variety of perils, and magic and/or danger around every corner. there is a strong and smart female character as well as a male protagonist, so just about all interested parties will have a character to connect to. However, readers that need significant character development and a strong connection to the characters might be a little disappointed.
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