I read this book because my sister lent it to me and I picked it up because I needed something to read. I had no idea what I was getting into, but that was fine because The Alchemy of Stone was one of the most beautiful and heart breaking books I have ever read. Sedia's character of Mattie was fantastic and instantly likable. I desperately wanted more to this story, but in the end, what happened was the only possible outcome. My only regret was that this novel wasn't published when I was doing my senior thesis in college, it would have perfectly into my theme of what it means to be human. The Alchemy of Stone is an extraordinary novel of what it means to be human, but even more, it's a story of love. Highly, highly recommended. ( )

Clockwork girl alchemist whose heart is wound up by a key held by her inventor. Mysterious commissions from gargoyles. Political wars between alchemists and mechanics, and a revolution plotted by miners. I liked this a LOT. The prose isn't quite sharp enough to hit my absolute favorites list, and there were a few missteps with the early inclueing about details of the world and Mattie (the automaton) that could have worked better. Mattie annoyed me sometimes, but she *is* only about two or three years old. But this has a remarkable amount of unusual stuff in it, and it's done well, and the ending's melancholy yet hopeful (or at least not hopeless) tone is the kind that's really hard to pull off. ( )

A delightfully imaginative book. Apparently the name for this sub-genre of science fiction is called "steampunk," a word I rather like. It indicates a Victorian-era technology (i.e. steam) superimposed on a fantasy, speculative or science-fiction plot. Ekaterina Sedia does it very well, and this book, peopled by automotons, mechanics, alchemists and gargoyles is, as Publishers Weekly described it, "a steampunk fable about the price of industrial development."

The language and imagery are quite beautiful. I was particularly entranced by the gargoyles. The plot is well-thought out and well paced. My only criticism might be that the main character, Mattie, an automoton/alchemist living under the thumb of her creator, has a level of consciousness and emotional development not completely explained by her clock-work nature. No matter how talented a mechanic her 'master' was, I found myself occasionally puzzled by her, and doubting the credibility of her interior world.

Still and all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it. ( )

Call it science fiction, steam punk, magical realism, fantasy or subversive feminist literature - whatever you call it, call The Alchemy of Stone good reading. The excellent and original quality of the story, the characters, the setting, the dialog would be enough to recommend this novel, but Ekaterina's deft handling of symbolism and fairy tale elements make it memorable, and a highly satisfying experience. This is a keeper. ( )

Sedia gives us an interesting steampunk kind of world, in which alchemists compete with (fairly primitive) engineers for power. Mattie, a robot created by an engineer but freed, pursues a career as an alchemist. Mattie is contacted by the mysterious gargoyles, who "grew" the city from stone and need her help as they fade into obscurity and a murky fate.

I never could say I completely understood what was going on, but I don't think I was supposed to. Mattie experiences friendship with a human woman, puzzling but exhilarating interactions with the gargoyles, and a strange relationship with her controlling creator. She is a pretty well drawn character, and we see the effects of her relationships on her. Those relationships and the setting are the book's primary strengths; the story arc was less meaningful to me, but that might stem from my lack of familiarity with this genre. Overall I enjoyed deciphering the book and reflecting on what the author was up to. ( )