EPISODE · Mar 9, 2026 · 50 MIN
'Alchemised' by SenLinYu, and how a 1000-page gothic fantasy epic became a record-breaking bestselling book
from Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast · host Penguin Books Australia
On today's Roundtable book club episode, we discuss the internationally bestselling fantasy debut Alchemised by SenLinYu, and how gothic fantasy is the perfect vehicle for exploring dark themes in nuanced way. We also discuss our favourite fantasy tropes (enemies to lovers, the chosen one and bonded creatures) and we debate whether morally grey characters can ever be fully redeemed. Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Alchemised in our After Dark section, from timecode 38.00 - 49.00.Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Lily Crozier and Vishali Seshadri.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.00:00 Introductions03:23 SenLinYu's fan fiction to traditional publishing journey06:30 The dark and confronting themes of the book09:10 Tackling a 1000 page epic 10:35 The world-building of Alchemised and understanding the magic system13:09 The exploration of trauma in the book14:46 The binary of good and evil in wartimes18:30 The class divide of Alchemised 21:19 The characters and reclaiming the chosen one through a feminist lens25:36 The ethical dilemmas of the magic system29:23 Helena as an unreliable narrator31:08 Kaine as the ultimate morally grey male character33:15 The tropes of Alchemised38:12 AFTER DARK (SPOILERS FOR ALCHEMISED ENDING!) 42:05 The role of redemption and our favourite moments48:58 The unconventional structure of the book49:09 Final fantasy battle game and sign off
What this episode covers
On today's Roundtable book club episode, we discuss the internationally bestselling fantasy debut Alchemised by SenLinYu, and how gothic fantasy is the perfect vehicle for exploring dark themes in nuanced way. We also discuss our favourite fantasy tropes (enemies to lovers, the chosen one and bonded creatures) and we debate whether morally grey characters can ever be fully redeemed. Spoiler Alert! We discuss the ending of Alchemised in our After Dark section, from timecode 38.00 - 49.00.Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, with guests Lily Crozier and Vishali Seshadri.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.00:00 Introductions03:23 SenLinYu's fan fiction to traditional publishing journey06:30 The dark and confronting themes of the book09:10 Tackling a 1000 page epic 10:35 The world-building of Alchemised and understanding the magic system13:09 The exploration of trauma in the book14:46 The binary of good and evil in wartimes18:30 The class divide of Alchemised 21:19 The characters and reclaiming the chosen one through a feminist lens25:36 The ethical dilemmas of the magic system29:23 Helena as an unreliable narrator31:08 Kaine as the ultimate morally grey male character33:15 The tropes of Alchemised38:12 AFTER DARK (SPOILERS FOR ALCHEMISED ENDING!) 42:05 The role of redemption and our favourite moments48:58 The unconventional structure of the book49:09 Final fantasy battle game and sign off
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'Alchemised' by SenLinYu, and how a 1000-page gothic fantasy epic became a record-breaking bestselling book
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