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Alchemy of Secrets

The spellbinding new novel from the global No. 1 bestselling author of Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart

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Alchemy of Secrets

By: Stephanie Garber
Narrated by: Sutton Foster
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About this listen

 YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE OF A STORY . . .

It starts with a class in an old movie theatre. Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor.

Most students believe the Professor's stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real.

Her search for the truth leads her to a dazzling new world, a deadly ultimatum hidden at the heart of Los Angeles, and into the path of a magnetic stranger who claims he's been sent to save her life.

But everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can't figure out whom to trust, her magical reality could change from a Hollywood dream to a nightmare.

Alchemy of Secrets is the spectacular new novel from global phenomenon Stephanie Garber, the multimillion-copy bestselling author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series. Fusing spellbinding Hollywood secrets with a cinematic mystery, it will transport you into another world.©2025 Stephanie Garber Amateur Sleuths Fantasy Mystery Heartfelt Fiction Magic

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Editorial Review

A magical listen for Halloween season
Stephanie Garber architects a dazzling adult debut that juxtaposes folklore against the glittering LA skyline. Holland St. James has always believed in magic, which is why she was the top student—and now teaching assistant—for a legendary class called Folklore 517. When she unlocks one of the class’s myths and meets the Watch Man, she’s overflowing with excitement—until the Watch Man tells her that she’s going to die at 11:59 p.m. on Halloween (which is tomorrow night) unless she finds the Alchemical Heart. The ticking clock device fuels the narrative with urgency—and Holland’s actions with a frenetic energy—that underscores the stakes and makes it difficult to discern who to trust. Actress Sutton Foster infuses the story with a bit of her own magic, delivering on the glamour of Old Hollywood that Garber has woven into her myths. Alchemy of Secrets absolutely glitters, and it already has me wanting to trade a few of my own secrets for an early look at Book 2. —Katie O., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

I've never read anything quite like Alchemy of Secrets - it's full of adventure and magic and quirky twists will keep you guessing until the very last line. What a fantastic adult fantasy debut for Stephanie Garber!
As dazzling as a jewel box, Alchemy of Secrets immediately charmed me with its layers of mysteries, magic, and twists. No one does world-building like Stephanie Garber. I want to live in this book!
A truly addictive read
Stephanie Garber spins pure magic in her books and her adult debut is absolutely no exception . . . This time Garber is turning the Hollywood glamour up and taking us on a unique new ride that you won't want to stop talking about
Stephanie Garber's magical world cannot be matched. She makes the reader feel all the senses while reading her work, and makes you feel like you're watching a movie in your head . . . Once you start this book, you will not want to put it down. It's like solving a mystery where you, as the reader, have to find the clues and decide who to trust in finding the Alchemical Heart. And once you are in it, you will not want to come out
A novel readers will want on their radar . . . Alchemy of Secrets vows to take readers on a magical romp through Los Angeles alongside her, making it a 2025 must-read
Truly fantastical
A truly addictive read.
All stars
Most relevant
i really enjoyed this book. exciting all the way through, without any dull moments or periods. Great vibes throughout, and very unike

supricing

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I enjoy Stephanie Garber's descriptive writing and was pleased that she kept it in her first adult novel. The story was fun and disturbing, as expected, but the ending was frustrating - so many unknowns! I like everything wrapped up into neatly tied ends.

Magical

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I enjoyed the book, although I was worried I was going to dnf at the start as it wasn’t what I was expecting. However; I severely disliked the narration. The narrators voice was lovely but there was a definite lack of range for other characters. It was difficult differentiating between who was speaking as the narrator never changed their voice between characters.

Really liked the story - not the narration

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Too gripping- not enough time to think. Not much of a story, with no narrative relying purely on conjecture. Not really for me

A good idea but….

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Too SHORT,wish is was longer!, wish she saw her sister! didnt want to stop listening!

interesting Characters and twists

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