The blood orchid

In this follow-up toThe Scarlet Alchemist (2023), Fan Zilan, the newly appointed Scarlet Alchemist, must find a way to resurrect her loved ones after they sacrificed their lives to destroy the evil Empress. Zilan once dreamed of becoming a royal alchemist, but although she's achieved this goal, she's also lost almost everything: Her friends, family, and beloved prince have all died as part of her quest to kill the Empress and enact justice. Hoping to resurrect them all and create a better world, Zilan, her alchemy duck, and her brother, Wenshu--who's been resurrected in the prince's body--search for legendary Penglai Island, said to be home to eight immortals who possess an elixir for eternal life. With only her white foreign father's scant notes and a riddlelike poem as guides, Zilan and Wenshu set off on a daunting journey. Each clue brings them one step closer to Penglai Island--and deeper into the dangerous, secretive world cloaking its whereabouts. Along the way, they encounter new threats, old enemies, and unexpected allies, making Zilan question whether the sacrifices she's made (and continues to make) are worth it. This sequel, whose setting evokes Tang dynasty China, is just as dark and gruesome as the first volume. Full of action and gore, this fast-paced story centers around love, sacrifice, family, and death. The presence of new, powerful alchemists opens up more of this mesmerizing, terrifying world. A dark, thrilling duology closer. (content note, historical note)(Historical fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.