The Alchemy of Stone by Catherine Sadia
The book Alchemy of Stone ekaterinasedia.com/ is well paced, with clever dialogue. However, the tone and setting of the book is not always respectful. Although the main characters are well-developed, many problems are revealed. Although the book begins as an innocent attempt to save the gargoyles, it quickly expands to cover issues such as sex between humans and automatons and civil war. Opium is also present.
The book is set in a fictional world where alchemists and mechanics struggle for power. The story revolves around a young alchemist named Mattie. She seeks information about the Soul-Smoker, a device containing the soul of a dead woman. The Soul-Smoker is feared by those who possess the soul. After learning about this mysterious device, Mattie finds herself embroiled in a political rivalry between alchemists and mechanics.