Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Facundo Raganato's The Fantastical Poetic Stories of the Alchemist is a mesmerizing collection of thirty-three stories about the alchemist Wiltshire's adventures on a quest to understand his creation, the Elixir of Life. The interconnected stories are written in free verse, in the rhythm of natural speech. Each story is about a particular character Wiltshire meets on his journey, and a colorful sketch of the character precedes every story. An alchemist living in the Kingdom of the North, Wiltshire, creates the Elixir of Life, a drop of which is enough to heal injuries and diseases. Drinking the potion can make a person younger. The most powerful property of the Elixir is eternal life when a person drinks enough of the potion. Wiltshire wants to do only good with the Elixir and to give the Elixir freely to those who need it. He meets all kinds of people, from ordinary people to kings and queens. One king is determined to get the Elixir to extend his power over another kingdom. Another kingdom wants peace and the Elixir to heal its people. Wiltshire realizes he carries a heavy responsibility. His encounters get more dangerous. The story twists and turns with every encounter.

Captivating and immersive, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Facundo Raganato's adventure story The Fantastical Poetic Stories of the Alchemist for its outstanding character, Wiltshire the alchemist, and the diversity of the characters he meets on his journey. The story, The Elixir of Life and Eternal Life, had a great deal of depth for me as Wiltshire faces questions and decisions that call upon his honesty, integrity, and judgment in sharing the potion. The potion certainly brings physical changes but does not change a person's mind, heart, or soul. I liked the stages of self-realization that Wiltshire goes through as he meets people who react in different ways. Some are grateful. Others choose not to live an eternal life. Yet others are treacherous and would kill him for the Elixir. I think the turning point comes when he ultimately has the courage to acknowledge he cannot bear this responsibility alone. The story offers philosophical and mystical aspects through the characters. I loved the whimsical sketches as each character sprang to life in the story that followed. I loved how the story unfolded, connecting the different lands, particularly the good and evil characters. I often found myself reading the verses aloud, both because of the poetic nature of free verse and how the story became an epic poem for me. The Fantastical Poetic Stories of the Alchemist is a great read, with remarkable characters and a fascinating and thought-provoking story of the Elixir of Life.