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Eliza and the Alchemist Paperback – February 22, 2023

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

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“Carlos Lacámara has developed an utterly charming premise for a fantasy adventure that evokes the classic romance and nostalgia adventure era, whilst offering slick modern narrative skills to tell the tale.”
-- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Happy birthday. Let’s go to hell.
When nineteen-year-old Eliza enrolls in a UCLA history class—taught by handsome, enigmatic professor Oliver Crowley—she vows to solve the mystery that is her professor, which leads to a terrifying quest full of demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and an obnoxious stepmother. But, can she confront the most frightening creature of all—herself?

Eliza and The Alchemist takes readers on a macabre journey from the golden age of film to gang-ridden East Los Angeles, and to the very gates of hell.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a mystical, madcap trek through worlds presumably real and realistically etheric. The result is an engaging saga worthy of cinematic treatment."
--Blue Ink Review


"A delightfully bizarre and rollicking supernatural comedy with colorful humans and ghastly monsters."
--Kirkus Reviews


"...fascinating and engaging, the product of a confident storyteller who unleashes his creative energy. It is a tale that will linger. Fans of fantasy are sure to enjoy an entertaining reading experience."
--
Vincent Dublado, Readers' Favorite


"Carlos Lacámara weaves an intricate web of plot threads involving many characters, who intersect like a well-thought-out jigsaw puzzle into a tale that will keep your eyes glued to every page."
--Pikasho Deka, Readers' Favorite


"I love the way Lacámara fleshes out his characters using an interesting method of jumping between timelines without giving too much away.... quirky comic relief that keeps one laughing despite the scary nature of the account."
--Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite


"Carlos Lacámara took me off the grid with the most spellbinding narrative, and I look forward to reading more of his works."
-- Alex Ndirangu, Readers' Favorite


"Carlos Lacámara has developed an utterly charming premise for a fantasy adventure that evokes the classic romance and nostalgia adventure era, whilst offering slick modern narrative skills to tell the tale."
-- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BWJ62NDC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fixed Mark Productions, Inc (February 22, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8986742700
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.58 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

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Carlos Lacámara
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Carlos Lacámara is a Cuban born actor and playwright. His plays, Becoming Cuban, Havana Bourgeois, Exiles, Cuba Libre, and Nowhere on the Border, have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Portland. Eliza and the Alchemist is his first novel, and he may or may not be doing research for a sequel.

Carlos lives in Santa Monica, California, with his loving wife, Carol Barbee, and their even more loving dog, Gracie

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
33 global ratings
So well written--I couldn't stop turning the pages.  I fell in love with the characters right away!
5 Stars
So well written--I couldn't stop turning the pages. I fell in love with the characters right away!
This genre-bending debut novel by Carlos Lacámara really sizzles! I liked the fact that much of this story is told from a female perspective. What else can I say about this book? It's literally & literarily fantastic! My husband Hal is gonna read it, too! (And my mother, & her friend, Marilyn, & my cousin Noni!) No spoilers--if you're looking for a book that you won't be able to put down, get this one! <3
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
Beautifully written!
The story brings together such disparate elements, from within the realms of fantasy and folklore, and outside of them; and from those elements, spins into a tail of personal growth, learning, hope, and redemption...without preaching at, it otherwise annoying, it's readers.

At least, not this one. Very few books meet my snobby-brat standards for a five star rating. I would give this one more, if it were possible!
Please, please, let there be a sequel: I want to get to know these characters better!
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023
What a terrific read! Eliza and the Alchemist has so much going for it. Lacamara, the author, has a unique voice that is at times so damn frightening and other times hilarious. All of the characters are extremely well drawn - and the plot will suck you in. The turns are unexpected and there is something for everybody. The monsters in this are worthy of Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights and the section with Charles Delamour and old Hollywood is so captivating - it could be a novel unto itself. The author definitely did his research and there are Easter eggs for Hollywood aficionados. Highly recommended. Oh, and for those who read this and buy the book - mark my words - you'll be joining the Jaime fan club like myself - what a great character!
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
(Some mild generalized spoilers) So well written! Eliza and the Alchemist is the kind of book I’m always looking for : a smart, engaging adventure with unusual characters that I instantly loved. Eliza is feisty, funny, ingenious and in crazy about her strange and enigmatic professor, Oliver Crowley. Him, not so much. Crowley is a great gothic hero, distant and mysterious, but as his story unfolded, I fell in love with him. Crowley needs Eliza's particular talent to advance his mysterious research. From there, the gates of hell are opened, demons flood the UCLA campus, Crowley’s past (and obsession) are revealed and Eliza is up for it all - even when she starts to understand her own, less than traditional, family history.

The story is fun and filled with lots of mystery and adventure, and humor. What surprised me is how deep it goes. It's very touching. It goes beyond just an adventure story and delves into fathers and daughters and where the love a parent has for a child can take them.

Really worth it!
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
What a fun adventure! It’s been so long since I bought a book that just refused to be ignored. I simply could not put it down. Each character is carefully crafted with wit, character, and depth. Lacamara writes with a clarity and gentle compassion that pulls you into the story where you’ll laugh out loud and be touched by his ability to weave such a beautiful story.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good modern day fable, a hearty laugh, and the simple joy of letting yourself be carried off and away to a place full of magic and promise. My only question is, when does the sequel come out?
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
Carlos Lacamara manages to mix horror /comedy and old school Hollywood to crte eaa romp filled with unique, endearing, creepy and hilariously honest characters who collide in a supernatural journey beyond death and time. Filled with modern references I loved.. and yes indeed, reminiscent of the best of Dr Who combined with sassy demons and lovable zombies... I truly enjoyed this unique novel. It defies category. Read it!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
OK, it is a strange and convoluted story, but very interesting if you just (as one says, ‘Go with it.) and things make sense and the girl comes to terms with her life.
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
Although Mr. Lacamara claims disdain for jazz, he has somehow managed to write a book with strong theme, fanciful riffs, and engaging tempo. And does it ever SWING! This adventure drives along with engaging and entertaining characters as well as a page turner plot. The prose is fluid and lyrical. More than anything, it is just plain fun. I highly recommend it and look forward to his next creation. Snap, snap, snap…
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2023
"Eliza and the Alchemist" grabs you at the prologue and then takes off for real. At first it's funny and fluid, and then midway it starts going places I didn't expect. I mean out there (yet anchored in a real world). A literary Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, moving through time and space with ease. Smart and funny and self-aware. Whenever I think I caught the writer in a cliche, he flips it on its ear and makes me laugh. This is Mr. Lacamara's FIRST freaking novel? Can't wait to see what's next. Highly recommend (if you like fun).

Top reviews from other countries

Dana J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Kicks Demon Ass on Harry Potter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2023
Very enjoyable, cinimatic read. developing intertwined story lines, full dimension characters, all in a fun romp.
Deep human themes that engage and give satisfaction; full umami with every demonic creature of the last 5,000 years.
Couldnt resist giving a copy to my 14 year old niece named Eliza; I think she will find it as engaging as I did, and kick off its well deserved rise in the charts. Imagine the movie right have been purchased already, great setup for a sequal and multiple oscars.