Alchemised by SenLinYu

How hard is Alchemised to read?

Alchemised scores 61 out of 100 for difficulty on ReadingRate, making it quite demanding. The score is a weighted composite of nine measures: four of how hard the prose is to parse, five of how hard the meaning is to extract.

Vocabulary: 55 out of 100

The text employs a literary vocabulary with some specialized terms related to alchemy and necromancy (e.g., necrothralls, vivimancy, lumithium). While not overly obscure, the language is more complex than contemporary fiction, requiring some attention to understand the nuances of the world-building.

Sentence structure: 60 out of 100

The sentences vary in length and structure, with some longer, descriptive passages and shorter, more direct dialogue. While not as extreme as Proustian subordination, the text requires careful attention to follow the relationships between clauses and ideas, especially during descriptive passages.

Abstraction: 68 out of 100

The narrative balances concrete descriptions of the setting and characters with explorations of philosophical themes such as morality, power, and the nature of the soul. While the story is grounded in specific events, it also raises questions about the ethics of alchemy and the consequences of war, pushing it beyond pure action.

Information density: 62 out of 100

The text presents a moderate amount of information per page, including world-building details, character motivations, and plot developments. Readers must pay attention to understand the complex relationships between characters and the political landscape, but the pacing allows for comprehension without feeling overwhelmed.

Narrative indirection: 65 out of 100

The narrative relies on some degree of inference, particularly in the early chapters, as the reader pieces together the protagonist's past and the nature of her captivity. While not as extreme as Pedro Paramo, the reader must actively engage in constructing the world and understanding the characters' motivations.

Symbolic density: 70 out of 100

The text employs symbolic elements such as the Alchemy Tower, the lumithium manacles, and the necrothralls to represent themes of power, control, and corruption. The characters and settings often carry meaning beyond their literal representation, inviting deeper interpretation of the story's themes.

Ironic distance: 50 out of 100

There is some ironic distance in the narrative, particularly in the contrast between the characters' stated beliefs and their actions. The text invites readers to question the motivations and values of the characters, but the emotional engagement remains relatively direct.

Resolution withholding: 70 out of 100

The text withholds key information about the protagonist's past and the nature of the memory transmutation, creating a sense of mystery and suspense. The ending of the excerpt leaves many questions unanswered, encouraging the reader to speculate about the future of the story.

Structural complexity: 50 out of 100

The narrative employs flashbacks and shifts in perspective, but the overall structure remains relatively straightforward. While the reader must piece together the protagonist's past, the timeline is generally chronological, and the POV shifts are not overly disorienting.

How Alchemised is regarded

Alchemised holds a literary regard score of 60 out of 100, weighing its place in the canon, its critical reception, its influence on other writers, and the standing of its author. Regard is measured separately from difficulty: a demanding book is not necessarily an admired one.

About the author

SenLinYu