Review
"Inventive, romantic, and downright delightful, Madly cast its spell on me from page one, and is the most fun I've had reading in ages! Reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle, readers will instantly wish they lived in the magical, modern world of Nova and fall in love (no potion required!) with the down-to-earth, resourceful, and relatable Samantha. Do not miss out on this book--you're in for a real treat!" (Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of the THRONE OF GLASS series )
Though her family's come down in the world, one apprentice alchemist must save the princess—and the kingdom. It's the 21st century in the kingdom of Nova, an analog England with both computer engineers and alchemists. Samantha Kemi's family had once been Nova's most renowned alchemists, but now it's all synthetic potions and megapharmacies. Modern alchemy is dominated by the superrich Asters, the Kemis' enemies—though gorgeous Zain Aster is quite friendly. Perhaps he's smitten with Samantha, though the gossip rags believe Zain adores Princess Evelyn. The princess (whose thoughts burst into Sam's first-person narrative as interludes) prepares a forbidden love potion to make sure of him, with results both hilarious and dire. All the best Novaen alchemists race to find the ingredients for Evelyn's cure, while a thinly drawn and cackling villain aims to defeat all the competitors. Sam, superbly talented at potions, finds each ingredient by traveling to a series of dodgy stereotypes: Bharat, where a voiceless woman in a sari serves curry and "exotic-looking fruit"; the mountains of the abominables, where Sam and her companions get their "very own Sherpa"; and dry, poor Zambi, where she bribes a corrupt guard while avoiding crocs and lions. Throughout her quest, Sam's constant awareness of alchemical principles is lovely, adding flavor to balance all the flat characters. Charming and humorous but for the shopworn depictions of exotic foreigners. (Kirkus)
Gr 7 Up–SamanthaKemi is destined to a life mixing potions in her family’s famous but failingpotion shop, until the royal princess swallows poison and Sam must compete in aWilde Hunt to save her life. The Hunt challenges the best Mixers and Finders inthe kingdom to create an antidote for a chance at a huge cash prize. Sam joinsthe tournament against her granddad’s wishes, hoping to save the familybusiness. She travels the globe and faces dangerous creatures to secure thenecessary ingredients. Along the way, Emilia Thoth, exiled sister of the king,does her best to thwart the battling teams so she can claim the throne, but Samsoon finds out that her real competition is Zain Aster, heir to the Zoro Astersynthetic potion corporation. Zain reveals he has feelings for Sam, but shestruggles to trust him as her family’s business hangs in the balance. With somany plot elements to introduce, this work gets off to a clunky start, butAlward (pen name for Amy McCulloch) soon wins readers over with fast-pacedadventure, high stakes, and just the right mixture of action, romance, andhumor. Princess Evelyn, who has fallen in love with herself through some sloppypotion handling, steals the show with a series of hilariously perverse lovescenes. The lighthearted fantasy universe mingles the contemporary and theclassic, and teens will gladly suspend disbelief long enough to follow Sam onthis journey and the sequels that are sure to come. VERDICT A fun read for fans who like their romanceserved with a big helping of magic. (School Library Journal September 2015)
"Charming and humorous..." (Kirkus Reviews)
"The lighthearted fantasy universe mingles the contemporary and theclassic, and teens will gladly suspend disbelief long enough to follow Sam onthis journey and the sequels that are sure to come. VERDICT A fun read for fans who like their romanceserved with a big helping of magic." (School Library Journal)
*"Amazing and strong female-driven storytelling,fueled by a fantastic plot, makes this a must-read." (VOYA, Starred Review)
"The continuous action and suspense will keep readers turning pages." (School Library Connection)
TheKemi family used to be potion makers to the crown, but nowadays they barelyscrape by. When the princess accidently drinks a love potion and falls in lovewith herself, a Wilde Hunt is called to find the ingredients to create a potionto save her. Samantha Kemi and her grandfather are called to the palace to jointhe hunt for the cure. Her grandfather refuses, but Samantha is determined tosave the family business and reputation. Sam must face off against other teamsof apothecaries, including Zain, whose family stole the royal contract fromthem on the last hunt. They must also dodge the king’s evil sister, who is tryingto steal the crown. She does not want anyone to succeed in the hunt. She iswilling to do anything—even kill—to keep them from finding the cure. Zain iseven convinced that Sam is the only one that can save the princess. Not evenhis father, the court favorite, can come up with the potion.
Step into a modern world still governed bypotions and magic. Alward introduces us to a place where technology and magicmostly coexist. Delightfully refreshing in its unique approach to thedamsel-in-distress story, Madly hasthe heroine that needs no one to save her as she saves the princess. Sam findsthe cure and gets the guy. Amazing and strong female-driven storytelling,fueled by a fantastic plot, makes this a must-read. (VOYA *STARRED* October 1, 2015)
Thegathering of potion ingredients is at the center of this fantasy romance fromAlward (author of The Oathbreaker's Shadow, writing as Amy McCulloch). SamanthaKemi is part of a long line of alchemists, but her family's business is failingbecause of competitive synthetic potions. When Sam's country's princess,Evelyn, aims a love spell incorrectly (she falls in love with herself), acenturies-old tradition of alchemical competition is invoked, and Sam musttravel around the world figuring out and collecting the ingredients for theantidote. Unfortunately, Evelyn's major suitor, Zain Aster, is also Sam'sbusiness rival, and he seems to be interested in more than just Sam's potions.Sadly, their romance is somewhat unconvincing, and the characters are entirelyat the mercy of the plot. For instance, a scene in which Sam administers atruth serum to her grandfather over the breakfast table finishes not withrecriminations, even though truth potions are illegal, but with everyone(including the grandfather) applauding Sam's gumption; the narrative supportswhatever Sam does, however wrong, to keep events moving. (Publisher's Weekly August 31, 2015)
Although the story’s setting is in modern times with wi-fi and blogs, magic and alchemy still exist in this world. Princess Evelyn feels the pressure of choosing the right person to marry, so she creates a forbidden love potion to use on her best friend Zain. It backfires, and now she is in love with herself. Samantha is from a famous alchemist family that uses natural ingredients. Zain is the son of a powerful family that created synth labs. A Wilde Hunt is called to find a cure to the love potion. As each ingredient is gathered, the action jumps off the pages. The narration seamlessly moves back and forth between Evelyn and Samantha. While Samantha is an extraordinary alchemist, readers can relate to her dreams and hope. The continuous action and suspense will keep readers turning pages.
Recommended (School Library Connection March 2016)
About the Author
Amy Alward is a Canadian author living in London who fits writing in around her work as editorial director for one of the UK’s leading children’s publishers. The Oathbreaker’s Shadow and The Shadow’s Curse are her first two books, published under her maiden name, Amy McCulloch. She lives life in a continual search for adventure, coffee, and really great books. Visit her at AmyAlward.co.uk or on Twitter @Amy_Alward.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The Potion Diaries
