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  • The Elusive Elixir

  • By: Gigi Pandian
  • Narrated by: Julia Motyka
  • Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (697 ratings)
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The Elusive Elixir cover art

The Elusive Elixir

By: Gigi Pandian
Narrated by: Julia Motyka
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Summary

Dorian Robert-Houdin, the three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle chef who fancies himself a modern-day Poirot, is slowly turning into stone, and it's up to Zoe Faust to unravel the alchemical secrets that can save him. When they discover that a long-lost stone gargoyle with a connection to Dorian has reappeared in Europe, the stakes are even higher. From Portland to Paris, Zoe searches for the hidden knowledge she needs, but a cold case that harkens back to 1942 throws her off course. With an ailing friend desperately trying to discover his own elixir of life and a new romantic interest offering the first chance at love she's had in nearly a century, Zoe is torn between a dangerous form of alchemy and her desire for a safer life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Gigi Pandian (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Elusive Elixir

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I finished it. It was ok..

I keep ploughing through these more through a sense of stubbornness than because they excel at anything. They're good enough to while away a long car journey, but I doubt I'd ever listen to them again or tell someone that they must listen to them.

Same criticisms apply as to the previous volumes. The world building is poor, with the alchemical systems being very under-explained. The main character is supposedly hundreds of years old, but does not act as if she has learned from that experience. The author repeats herself to an entirely unnecessary degree. If only she'd thought to leaven the mix with, oh, I don't know, maybe some comments on food thrown in for a bit of variety or something...

The plot is ok, but nothing more. I worked out most, but admittedly not all, of the plot twists before they happened - and the final one was frankly disappointing. The plot also relies on coincidence to too great an extent.

I rather suspect that I feel about this the way that I would about some of the recipes described - edible, but would have been better with more of the ingredients I like.

Overall, not terrible, but not great either. Narration is ok.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Atrociously disappointing

I couldnt decide whether the writer had alzheimers or was just struggling to write the quantity of words required by the publishers deal!
Repetitive, ludicrous obsessive detail to vegan recipes, repeated full names of characters, repeated the same anecdote continually throughout. I couldn't finish this book. I read the first one, but this is absolute trash. if I could ask for my money back I would!
The narrator must have been suicidal! Terribly disappointed
I can only hope that they found a cure for the pure bloody gargoyle. I'll never know but I was fearing for my own sanity - when I found myself repeating the story of her damn brother verbatum and shouting " oh not that again ffs!" I knew that I had to PRESS THE ESCAPE BUTTON!!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating and magical

This book really needs to be read after the first 2 in the series, The Accidental Alchemist & The Masquerading Magician. All 3 of these books I adore.

If you like fantasy but are looking for something a little less over the top, action filled heroism and something more creative and charming this is it. I wish there were more like this.

You come to really feel something for characters, who are easy to get behind and brought beautifully to life by the wonderful accents of the narrator.

There were so many unexpected heart warming elements to these books. They are relaxing, intriguing and so enjoyable.
Some of my elements are:
- Gargoyles! What’s not to love?
- Great vegan food suggestions (with recipes included in the extra material). Im not vegan but this book really makes you want to taste what’s described!
- The exploration of Alchemy
- The concept of backward alchemy (a bit like the dark arts)
- The closeness of family in all forms
- Mystery and the odd murder
- Nature and its revitalising quality’s
- The gentle humour and overall optimistic tone

It’s different and delightful. I hope others find it that way too. :)

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Brilliant fun listening

Have loved this series of books. The audio story telling is brilliant. Very light hearted and fun to listen but quite repetitive with some of the plot.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I’m enjoying the story

Not the sort of thing I would normally read, decided to give the series a go because the first book is “Included”.
I’ve now bought the entire collection and am waiting for the latest instalment to come out next week.

But I will caution you that it suffers from the same flaw as Harry Potter, too much repetition. If you are able to look past all the repetition you will find this to be an interesting read.

And, I’ve learned soooo much about Vegan cooking, in a fantasy story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

really enjoyed it

Lovely listening to this story, well read and heartwarming, couldn't stop listening to it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

FOODY MAGIC

A COMBINATION OF FOOD AND MAGIC. DELICIOUS RECEIPT S , ARE AN ADDED BONUS. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT ON A LAZY AFTERNOON

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great read

I have read the first in this series also. Really good I have enjoyed it very much.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great ending

Sometimes books have disappointing, or unfinished endings, not so here. I know there’s a 4th book, but having enjoyed the trilogy so much & disappointing reviews for the fourth book, am going to stop here for now, I don’t want to spoil the flavour

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Delight!

Excellent narration, all the food descriptions made me very hungry and the accents were solid.

Nicely written and well researched without taking itself too seriously. I really enjoyed this, and was left feeling contented and cozy.

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1 person found this helpful