ENGINES OF ALCHEMANCY
Book One of the Alchemancer Series
About the Book
Elemental magic consumes the world and only a sorcerer's apprentice who knows nothing about magic can stop it. The Alchemancer series begins.
Chaos erupts in the Barony of Fallmere when a surprise elemental attack destroys Norwynne Keep. Aaron Shepherd and Shanna Bonnerman survive, but Shanna is soon lost in the fallout of the keep's destruction while Aaron is forced to flee for his life.
Unbeknownst to Aaron, Shanna becomes a captive of the enemy who destroyed their home. This enemy, a savant who claims to follow the path of science, speaks of ancient, infernal devices and a quest to reclaim the greatest of them all. Certain the savant means to kill her, Shanna is instead surprised when she finds herself embarking upon the adventure of a lifetime.
Meanwhile, only the worst of nightmares awaits Aaron. Pursued by dwarven raiders, mad sorcerers, and a host of demons who will not stop until he is dead, the only thing keeping him alive is his own wits and an eslar mercenary whose reputation as a killer might make him the worst threat of all.
Though Aaron and Shanna travel different paths, their purposes align when they each learn of a mysterious device known as the Fifth Element. Shanna sees it as the final piece of the puzzle that is her destiny. To Aaron's logical mind, it is an impossible ambiguity. Whatever the answer, the Fifth Element draws them back together and into a final confrontation where science and sorcery will collide.
Reader Praise
"I loved the story and it was the perfect combination of elemental magic and adventure."
- Ritesh Kala's Book Reviews
"Engines of Alchemancy is an enveloping story that drags you in and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely."
- Timmain, Amazon.com & Goodreads reviewer
"Wow - just wow. Scott blends magical realism, elemental powers, alchemy and mechanics into a fascinating story. The setting, characters, and action are superb."
- Terra Harmony, author of The Akasha Series
"Aaron in particular is a terrific character, both immature yet intelligent and enterprising, perfectly aligned with his age. I absolutely loved his ability to approach any problem in a logical, scientific way, and find a rational solution."
- Fantasy Review Barn
"...an interesting take on the concept of the four elements of classical antiquity, with a well-realized world and some likeable and intelligent main characters."
- S. Pemberton, Amazon.com reviewer
"This is a skillfully written fantasy adventure that gallops along to a satisfying conclusion."
- B. Hughes, Amazon.com reviewer
"With surprising twists in the story and a climactic ending, I strongly recommend this book to anyone."
- PSheehy, Amazon.com reviewer
Sample Chapters
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Maps
Characters
UrsoolA witch. An ally of Ensel Rhe's.
Ensel Rhe
A member of the blue-black skinned race known as eslar, Ensel Rhe's reasons for coming to Norwynne remain as enigmatic as the blood-stained satchel he carries with him everywhere. Folk know only that he is a mercenary in the employ of Norwynne's sorcerers. What tasks they set him on remain as mysterious as the eslar himself.
Elsanar
Greatest of the three master sorcerers who call Norwynne home. He recognized immediately the value Aaron might bring to his research, and so he enlisted him as his apprentice.
Rion
The youngest of the three master sorcerers of Norwynne Keep.
Vuller
Lord of Norwynne Keep.
Jadjin
A healer. She arrived at Norwynne from the far south years ago and decided to stay.
Erlek
Savant, scholar, man of science. He walks as if an elder one moment, then moves with the swiftness of a twenty-year-old the next. His purpose is both mysterious and diabolical.
Erlek's Tool
A boy who carries himself as if a king. He is always at Erlek's side.
Ansanom
A master sorcerer in his own right, Ansanom is an ally and friend to Elsanar. He dwells in the remote manor house known as Wildemoore.
Krosus
Houndmaster. He leads a pack of demonic hounds and is a demon himself.
Corrin
A bully who goes out of his way to torment Aaron.
Tom
A cabin boy serving on an airship called the Griffin.
Sergeant Tippin
A sergeant in Lord Vuller's army.
Kelgin Blackhand
Dwarven clan leader of Fire Rock. Wielder of Soljilnor, the Flaming Cutter.
Engus Rul
A dwarven raider. Second-in-command after Kelgin.
Keln
A dwarven raider.
Places
Norwynne Keep
A prosperous yet remote oceanside city that began as a military outpost. It boasts the fabled wall Regrok, which has never been breached or broken, and Ellingrel, Tower of Sorcery. The city-keep is ruled by Lord Vuller.
Ellingrel
Norwynne's Tower of Sorcery where reside Elsanar, his coterie, and their staff.
The Underkeep
The area beneath Norwynne that was built out by the dwarves who once called the remote location home. Abandoned long ago, only the highest sub-levels have been converted for use by the city's current residents. It is said dwarven treasure remains to be found somewhere deep down, though no one has ever found anything.
Ursool's house
Ursool's home in the woods.
Wildemoore Manor
A remote abode called home by Master Ansanom and his apprentice, Serena.
Griffin
The Griffin is a one-of-a-kind airship specially designed to stay aloft for long periods of time and to ascend to especially high altitudes.
Cauldron Mountain
A volcano, presently active.
Valacia
A city in the clouds.
The Series