The alchemist's key

by Traci Harding

Wade Ashby inherits his grandfatherᱠestate in Oxfordshire, England, becoming 13th Baron of Ashby Manor. He travels from Australia with his friend Hugh to take up his birthright and find out why there is secrecy surrounding certain aspects of the baronage and members of the family. the two are caught up in strange dreams and odd time occurrences.

Led back through the Manorᱠsordid and fascinating history, it seems there had once been a circular structure in the gardens, known locally as the temple of Knowledge. One of Wadeᱠforebears dabbled in alchemy and the new sciences -

Wade digs up weird, archaic technology, and it becomes a race of repair time before the situation is out of everyoneᱠcontrol!

Genres: Fantasy, Time Travel, Fiction, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Paranormal, Science Fiction Fantasy

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 1999

About the author

Traci Harding, is an Australian science-fantasy author who currently has twelve books in publication, on the Voyager label of HaperCollins Publishers Australia.

Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.


The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998

Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003

The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001

The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008


Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012

The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming

The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.

The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, I was about 12-14. Now, roughly 14 years later and a few rereads, this remains one of my favourite books.

With a unique mix of sci-fi, paranormal, drama and a dash of mystery, makes a really fun, fast read. With old science and alchemy vs new technology of computers and internet, ghosts parading about and staff that refuse to call the new Baron by his first name, what's not to love?

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt a bit like I was reading a book aimed at teenagers but I really enjoyed it! got to know the characters, felt I was along the ride with them and although it was a bit scoobydoo-esq, this lighthearted but interesting story kept my attention. Just enough "magic" and I enjoyed the time ripple / supernatural premise.

[Susanne Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy really isn’t my thing so probably an unfair rating. It was ok, I read it but was glad I finished it!!

[Mira · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why I tried another audiobook as I really don't get along with them. I was surprised to find this was written by a woman as I found sections of it horribly misogynistic.

I didn't really enjoy. The story was padded for days and I didn't really like Wade as a lead character.

[Maddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish it, but I think I read enough to review it. I'm not really sure how to say this eloquently, but Wade and Hugh, the main characters, just suck for some reason. I can't quite figure out why I dislike them this much. I feel this way about the entire book. Trust me, it's bad, but I really can't think of why I'd rather read the entire Twilight series than finish this one book. I'm going to try and expain anyway, though.
So, I listened to this on audiobook. And I was really, really bored. The first part is boring, and that's all I have to say about it. I don't care about Wade and I don't care about the fortune and he's not the 'loveable' main character he's supposed to be, and so it's just boring if you don't want to read discourse between two people you dislike while waiting on things you suddenly aren't interested in anyway. The blurb sounded promising, and I guess I was just expecting something more. I wanted alchemy from the beginning, and I didn't get that. That's ok, it's just my problem that I was expecting something different. What isn't ok is that it's nothing special or new, and yes, a lot of books aren't special or new. But what makes this one particularly un-new is that it doesn't try to take any of these cliches and do something different with them. On top of that, it feels like a couple of children's books hiding in a long overcoat pretending to be an adult book. Maybe it got more mature after I stopped reading, but if it weren't for the drug references I could almost see this being sold beside The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome (which does literally everything in The Alchemist's Key better than The Alchemist's Key does, by the way)(I guess Australian authors are just really into writing this kind of thing?)
I can see how people would enjoy this book. Maybe if I had read it a couple of years ago I would have liked it, but that doesn't make it any better of a book, because if it were a truly good book, it would be enjoyable for people that aren't just on the young side of teenager.

[K.R. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 'The Ancient Future' this is my second favourite Traci Harding novel. It blends my two favourite genre's masterfully; sci-fi and the supernatural. It's a light but intriguing read where you pick it up during a break but then you can't put it down.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy light read

[SarahBubbalooStitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This overall was a really enjoyable book. I listened to it on audiobook & the story flowed well. Minor spoilers follow.

I have one massive bugbear with this book. The lead character is a pot-head. As in, he smokes a lot of pot. If this was a story about drug use or something, I wouldn’t have had any issue about this theme. This, however, is story about a guy who inherits a massive manor & tons of money & when he starts living in the house, a cat leads him to find ripples in time & he ends up in that house in periods of history. So the pothead thing is almost completely unnecessary. It doesn’t show it in a bad light, except financially which he now doesn’t care about as he’s loaded, & one situation in the book where the law comes in to play. There is one point, where a girlfriend calls him out on his drug use & you think, go girl, you tell him & then later on, she says how that was childish & silly not to be okay with smoking pot & takes it all back. Not a good representation of women. He is never apologetic & basically says I’ll do what I want & that is to continue smoking it. I just wish that whole thing wasn’t in the book or at the very least showed the dangers & portrayed it with honesty & humility, because for me it tainted what was an intriguing, house with secrets, modern time travelling story.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harding always sweeps me away on an epic journey that is both unexpected and thrilling. Somehow, she not only manages to weave an amazing world of mystery and mayhem, her trips into spirituality and the other leave you thinking about it in a way that no other author is able to inspire. The Alchemist’s Key was definitely such a journey for me, and one that was a little less in depth and intense than some of the other Traci Harding books which grace my shelves.

Although this is primarily set in England, I love that the main character is an Aussie. It’s nice to have Australian main characters, and focusing on someone whose family immigrated from England is something that I can completely relate to – my family (on both sides) immigrated from England. It also helped to make Wade a little more of a fish out of water – the Australian culture and way of life doesn’t exactly suit the aristocracy. And it’s always fun to see how someone who is very much an easygoing Aussie being thrust into a world of class and caste.

Although this is the second time that I have read this novel, the thing that jumps out most at me is the assumptions that are made about Wade and Hugh from the very beginning. Although this story is about a family history, mystery and time travel, there is a lot about the assumptions that we make about people on their appearances. First impressions and prejudice run amuck in the character’s relationships, and it’s fun to see how long it takes for this to be sorted and these prejudices to be removed.

[Gavin Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a an expat in the same manner of the 2 main male characters, i.e. bought to Australia as a young child by English parents, I guess I naturally connected to them at the outset. While the similarity ends there , my love of this story, and all the many characters, does not.

Traci Harding is a story teller par exellance and this novel is no exception.

You will fall in love with Wade Ashby and his friends as they find themselves dealing with ghostly time portals and coming to terms with drastic changes in life circumstances. Some you'd only deam about and others you'd be happy to miss out on.

The humour in this book is very reminiscent of the Australian and British mixed heritage portrayed and will keep you smiling, as the story will keep you enthralled.

A veritable "page turner". Love it. Would make a great movie and an even better VR game experience.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rally call this a 3 and a half if that was allowed.

The ghostly, voctorian sciency parts and investigating parts of the book? Brilliant! I'd read a sequel or prequel about John Ashby if the author wrote it.

But the love triangle of Louisa/Wade/Hannah was ridiculous, and pairing the spares Hugh/Louisa didn't work for me. You know, people of the opposite sex can just bicker and not get on because they actually don't get on, it doesn't need to end in a romance where they've secretly fancied each other all along without knowing it and so express it in confrontational ways.

Also not sure what to make of the cat reveal...

But I did enjoy it more than not enjoy it!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly think Traci Harding is one of the most underrated authors.

I am in many fantasy reading groups who have never heard of her and I can't fathom why.

The Alchemist's Key is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, modern technology and alchemy. It's a little mystery, a little love story, and a whole lot of easy reading that kept me intrigued.

In true Traci style I was completely immersed in her world.

[knitknitbook · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise had a good deal of promise but the characters were simple and one dimensional. Not sure if this was YA or adult but the writing seems a little simplistic.
The women in it were particularly cringe worthy - everything seemed to be about finding romance or their looks, no substance which I finding a little galling given it was written by a woman.

[Debbie Lamb · Rating 2 out of 5]

A storyline I liked but the writing left me a little confused as to whether this was supposed to be YA or adult fiction. It seemed a little naive and cliched and I was left rushing to get to the end.

[Ashley Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this Australian novel and Richard Piper is a very good narrator. I enjoyed this story that included mystery, romance, a strange cat, and time travel. The tale leaves off as if there could be a sequel, although it is a standalone novel.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy adventure listen for a long drive

[Ashley Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt this book was poorly written, amateurish. More for teenagers than adults I would say. The storyline is OK but the dialogue, tone just was off. Not my cup of tea one bit.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable romances and too many of them. A book for teenagers

[Adam Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Sarah Smit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in high school, and was hooked within pages. The pace was just right and easy to follow.

[Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern technology seamlessly intertwines with the ancient science of alchemy, with a touch of the paranormal and a wealth of mystery and adventure throughout. This captivating novel offers a fascinating blend of historical fiction and sci-fi, masterfully woven through different timelines spanning four centuries. Wade Ashby and his friends must unravel the enigmas of Ashby Manor before all of history’s ghosts are unleashed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was a true page-turner. I was particularly enchanted by the spectral cat that seemed to guide Wade and his friends throughout the story. The author’s writing style is delightful, and I will certainly keep an eye out for more of her works in the future.

[Jeremy Cartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cracking book from the pen of Traci Harding. This stand alone novel is a fun fast paced read that is gripping from start to finish. When Wade Ashby inherits his grandfathers estate in Oxfordshire he and his best friend Hugh travel from Australia in order to take up his birthright. The two are caught up in strange dreams and odd time occurrences and have to unravel what is happening. Harding certainly has a grip on characterization as her characters are instantly recognisable and therefore likeable. I'm fairly new to this authors catelogue but based on what I've read so far consider me hooked.

[Carla Khoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun book indeed! I have been a fan of Traci Harding for years now, and had focused my efforts (rather effortlessly I might add) on working my way through her main series:'Ancient Future, Celestial Triad and Triad of Being', as well as the side series called 'Mystique'.

When I ran our of 'Traci' I went into a blind panic and WANTED MORE. Thankfully, she'd written a few stand alone books, and this was one of them. Full of adventure and adversity, this book is balanced by a good dose of romance, tense moments, surprises. Very unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t say exactly what it was that made me enjoy this book so much. The writing was fluid and the story interesting and, even though the characters were a little cheesy and predictable, the idea works so well and is such a quick, breathtakingly enjoyable story that you don’t mind it. I’ll have to consider reading more Harding.

[Ariel Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in an old English castle, with interactive ghostly encounters through history, the lovable pot-smoking primary character explores his family history. Again Traci Harding explores certain metaphysical concepts within a fictitious story.

[Karon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Ev]

Love Traci Harding

[Lorna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bloody terrible.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually enjoyed it, although it's not for everyone. I guess I'm just a sucker for time travel stuff :)

[Monica Bugno · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably a bit young for me. Great author though!