The Alchemists of Barbal

by David Clement-Davies

The high stone walls of Barbal encircle a deep rift. At the heart of the city the Lord Alchemist, Mardak the Dark, reigns supreme. His pursuit of power has led the tyrannical ruler to treacherous seizing the opposing alchemist, Ogog, and holding him hostage in the Ziggurat. However, help is at hand in the shape of a young boy called Silas. Under the guidance of his charismatic mentor, Sultan Ash, Silas sets off for Barbal to free Ogog, armed with nothing more than sheer determination – and a pure white pebble in his pocket. Unbeknown to Silas, the pebble is a Turnstone, a talisman bestowed with magical powers. In Barbal, Mardak’s wild obsession has culminated in the construction of the Entropoth, a deadly time machine powered by human souls displaying events happening in the past and future. Mardak may know Silas is on his way – but will he be a match for the Turnstone?

Genres: Fantasy, Magic

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2005

About the author

David was born in 1964 and went to Westminster School and Edinburgh University. There, Clement-Davies read History and English Literature, specializing in the Italian Renaissance, and Russian Literature and Society. For many years, he dreamed of one day becoming an actor taking a drama course and working in theater. However, he was also interested in writing and soon became a freelance travel journalist.

Clement-Davies lived in a little mountain home in Andalusia region of Spain to write The Sight, has traveled the world and now also lives in London. He has also written a musical, two adult novels, and a play, set in the present and the 17th century, called Startled Anatomies, alongside his children’s books. His online publishing website is phoeniarkpress.com and from there he is trying to create a grass roots publisher.

Reviews

[Kushnuma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite confusing and hard to follow at first. I almost didn't finish it, but I don't like to leave things.

I liked how the kids' paths cross and inter-connect. I also realised who Mardak might actually be and I turned out to be right!

[Yasmin Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

“’Silly story,’ said the chameleon, looking rather offended…’The Alchemist holds stories as more important than anything. Especially because the best ones seem to share a pattern.’”

Alchemist certainly follows the tropes that are present in other David Clement-Davies books: a prophecy; a chosen one; a sacrifice ect… But it’s certainly a very unusual book and it’s quite hard to write a review for it.
At first it seemed to be a simple fantasy set in a parallel biblical/ancient middle-east world but the further you read the more odd, little, twisty details you come across. I can’t really go into much detail without spoilers but ancient philosophies and modern discoveries/theories converge more and more towards the end. It’s a neat touch, something I’ve certainly never really seen before, except, maybe, Stephen King’s Dark Tower series (though that’s really stretching for a comparison.)

The world building is heavy, perhaps a bit too heavy in the first few chapters and I can understand how some readers may be put off or confused, but things get rolling after the second chapter. It’s heavy on philosophy and theories of the universe that might bog down the action for some readers but intrigue others. I, personally, began to enjoy it more and more. But I understand that this can be a ‘marmite’ book.
There are little nuggets of humor dotted about to break up very serious scenes and to vary the narrative flavour, but not too much that its innapproriate.

If you want something with a little more depth to sink your teeth into then you may like this book.

[Mark Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading could'nt get into book.

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The book was really good and I loved every moment. The only reason why this is 3.5 stars and not 4 stars is because I found the names of things hard to follow. Still worth the read!