The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: November 8, 2016
Purchase:
Amazon
She used to work for the
U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her
field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it
doesn't even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability,
they came for her without warning.
Now she rarely stays in the
same place or uses the same name for long. They've killed the only other
person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They
want her dead, and soon.
When her former handler offers her a
way out, she realises it's her only chance to erase the giant target on
her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her
horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more
dangerous.
Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares
for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man
who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her
choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents
in ways she never dreamed of.
My Thoughts:
Okay let me first say, I liked this...a lot. Am I surprised, yes and no. I truly loved the Twilight series and it will always have a special place in my heart. Stephenie Meyer will hold a place as well because she brought me like so many others to the world of YA and for that I am forever thankful. I wasn't sure what to expect with The Chemist though. I mean she's gone rogue before like with The Host, but this one sounded completely out there and with little to no publicity I wasn't sure what I was in for. I should have had more faith in Meyer.
So the elephant in the room for me is where was all the publicity??? I try and stay up to date on most bookish things and believe me when I tell you there wasn't hardly any hype surrounding this book. It was just kinda thrown out there one day and I am completely baffled as to why. Normally we readers know at least a year beforehand that a book is out there being written, but I had NO IDEA about this one. I have to wonder if I am losing my bookish knowledge or did the publisher truly keep this one on the downlow and if they did keep it quiet why? Did they not have faith?? I guess I will never know, but I hope in the future Meyer receives the publicity she deserves.
On to the book! Alex was everything Bella was not so have no fear my friends. Alex is overly prepared, beyond intelligent, and borderline obsessive. I loved everything about her. She was a great character that could incapacitate her opponent with one drop of her crafted poison. So cool!! She truly earned her name as the chemist!
Meyer always knows how to write secondary characters and The Chemist had a wonderful cast. I honestly enjoyed reading each and every one of them. Kevin, Daniel, and Val were amazing and to be honest I wish this was a duology. I am not ready to let these people go just yet.
And of course there is a romance, but unlike with Meyers other books, this one makes sense! It does have its flaws, but it made sense and I loved it. Daniel was so great with Alex and he gave her what she needed which was time and space. He understood she wasn't used to personal intimacy and he let her navigate their relationship without expectations. I love him! Plus he said all the right things was totally described as being a chef/teacher/nerd with soft curls I mean come on! Meyer knew what she was doing when she created Daniel.
The dogs!! I have to admit I am not a fan of animals in books because I am always afraid one will die and I even had to text my blog roommate to get spoilers! I won't say what she told me or if any die, but I do have to give a special mention to Einstein, Kahn, and Lola. I am a true dog person at heart and these three were amazing. Love love love how Meyer thread them through the story.
If you love Meyer I know you will love this. It is a survival story wrapped up in a thriller and it was so fun. I have realized I will read anything this woman writes and I hope we don't have to wait as long for that one because 8 years is WAY too long!
Oh I would have given this 5 stars, but the epilogue wasn't what I wanted and yes I am pouting. It was a bit weird, but it fit I suppose I just wanted more. That's my one peeve!
4.5 snowflakes
Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick (ARC Edition)
