This is Bond's first book, and it does show, even though it has obviously been heavily revised and edited. There's an unpolished feel to the storytelling that isn't evident in her later books. That said, this was still a compelling read and I read it over the course of two nights.

Bond takes the historical Lost Colony of Roanoke and infuses it with sinister magic and centuries-long plots. Miranda and Grant are both legacies of the Roanoke colony, and are pulled into the mystery in the present-day as history repeats itself and 114 people disappear from the island.

I enjoyed this. The plot was really interesting and well-done. However, I never really got a clear sense of either Miranda or Grant's personalities or characters. They were nearly blank slates who, if it weren't for Grant's abilities or Miranda's curse, would be fairly boring characters with no distinguishing characteristics or personality traits. They served more as vehicles for the plot than fully fleshed out characters. This was especially telling since the chapters switched POV between the two of them, and yet I sometimes forgot who was narrating because neither had a unique voice.

This isn't a dealbreaker, but just something that kept me from connecting with the characters, and thus the story.

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

This is a nifty supernatural thriller/historical mystery, with a dash of romance. A clever premise to explain the disappearance of over 100 people from what became known as The Lost Colony of Roanoke, in 1590. Teens Miranda and Grant get caught up the mystery when 114 people from the present-day town on Roanoke Island all disappear in one night. Miranda fears she is connected to them because of her family history, and the fact that she was warned she can never leave the island...and Grant has been brought home because of his unique gift: he can hear the voices of the dead! Together they team up to try to solve the mystery and save their friends and family, before it's too late and dark mysterious forces take over. Very cool mix of mystical and mystery, past and present. I also have a copy of the original version of this book, called Blackwood, and they're both fun to read. The change to dual-narrator first person POV for Strange Alchemy puts you more into the action, but I liked the third person version too. I definitely wish they'd kept the original cover art; it's so much cooler to see a girl's face covered in a spooky snake tattoo (integral to the plot, as well as visually fascinating) than to see a generic fog-enshrouded woods. And also the original title kind of stands out more, in my opinion. But hey whatever works, it was nice that the author got a new publisher to take on her first book and keep it in print. Read either version if you can get them. Great supernatural story! Sweet romance, too, very low-key. ( )

On Roanoke Island there was the mystery of the lost colony - the colony that vanished without a trace. More than 400 years later suddenly 114 people have disappeared. Miranda's family is said to be cursed. Grant tried to leave the Island to escape his family "gift", but is brought back by his father and the feeling he needs to save Miranda. Grant and Miranda have to work together to stop what is coming.
The chapters change between Grant and Miranda's point of view.
I really enjoyed this book. ( )

I had no idea what sort of book this was going to be, if I would like it or not. I went into it totally blank and did no research on it, but read it because I have love, love, loved Gwenda Bond's Lois Lane series so much.

I also haven't read any YA book (I think) in quite a while (excluding comic book trades/graphic novels). I'm glad that this was what I broke my streak of 0 on.

It's the story of Roanoke Island. We meet Miranda and Grant. And then they switch off telling the story.

Miranda is the black sheep of the island, a Blackwood, and considered a freak. Grant has been off the island because when he's on the island his mind is besieged by some sort of very insistent spirits.

Then a bunch of people disappear and Miranda's Dad is one of them. Miranda and Grant are on the case. Trying to get answers about what's going on with those on the Island ans well as what's going on with Miranda too.

Gwenda weaves together history and fantasy and teenage angst with a great deftness that kept me 'turning' the ebook pages until the very end.

Oh, and then there was Sidekick, Miranda's dog. He was one of my favorite characters in the book. Perfectly written dog character for sure!

I got this ARC through Netgalley on behalf of Capstone and Switch Press. ( )

Strange Alchemy
March 23, 2017


Gwenda Bond’s first book Blackwood has been reimagined and brought back to life with new vision.

Roanoke Island, the legend of the Lost Colony—and the 114 colonists who vanished without a trace more than four hundred years ago — still haunts the town. But that’s just a story told for the tourists. When 114 people suddenly disappear from the island in present day, it seems history is repeating itself—and an unlikely pair of seventeen-year-olds might be the only hope of bringing the missing back. Miranda Blackwood, a member of one of island’s most infamous families, and Grant Rawling, the sheriff’s son, who has demons and secrets of his own, find themselves at the center of the mystery. As the unlikely pair works to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony, they must dodge everyone from the authorities to long-dead alchemists as they race against time to save their family and friends before they too are gone for good.
If you spend much time in an American history class at some point you are bound to hear the tale of Roanoke and its lost colony.

Gwenda Bond took that historical fable or real life mystery depending on your point of view and turned it into one of the most original and thrilling stories in the YA genre I’ve read in quite some time. To give you some perspective I’ve read nearly 200 books in 2017 thanks to a darling genetic quirk that enhances my reading comprehension and speed and I am seriously NOT KIDDING when I say if you want to see what originality and talent combined can create then check out this book.

She has created a well written and seemingly well researched plot, as accurate as you can get considering the complete lack of reliable information that has been found thus far. The lack of verifiable truth plays in Bond’s favor as she has free reign to use fantasy and the supernatural to fill in the holes with a masterful twist.

Her dialogue sounds decent although it does have its “nonsensical” moments but when it comes to the YA genre that little flaw seems to be a requirement and she does still make it work for the characters personalities.

I think readers will enjoy the main characters of Miranda and Grant thanks to Bond’s ability to create characters you can attach to and become interested in enough that you want to see how their story plays out plus she has a great mystery element that will pique your curiosity. ( )