This was a free download from Net Galley in exchange for a book review. 

When an anonymous donation of documents arrives at the British Museum, documents clerk, Clara Whitmore, is charged with the task of cataloguing and documenting each item. She undertakes the task with curiosity and enthusiasm as the documents are both mysterious and intriguing. Of particular interest is a leather-bound book which is quickly labeled the Codex Arcanum 1888-x. This codex contains mysterious symbols and language that Clara is charged with translating and deciphering. News of this codex soon reaches esoteric and influential people, and Clara finds herself among new friends and acquaintances. She must learn to navigate and decipher friend from enemy as well as decipher the codex. When it becomes clear that people will kill to get the codex, Clara must do whatever is necessary to protect herself and the codex, but can she be sure who to trust?  

The Codex Arcanum 1888 by Tasmin Turner is the first book in a series of the Alchemical Chronicles. This book follows the story of Clara Whitmore and how she came to obtain the codex and her experiences surrounding and understanding the book. Turner writes from Clara’s point of view and does an excellent job of staying true to Clara. There is no hopping from one point of view to another.  

There are some problems with objects and characters appearing out of nowhere and in places where they did not originate. For example, two characters may be seated in armchairs in front of a fireplace when all of a sudden one is rearranging items on a desk. Or a group of four previously introduced, may go to lunch and suddenly a fifth joins them without warning. It is things such as these that in the early chapters had me going back and trying to find out where I missed something only to find I had not. These issues seemed to clear up in the latter chapters but were irritating early on. 

There was no foul language or sex scenes in the book. There was one murder and it was not explicit. The murder took place “behind the scenes” as it was and not witnessed by the main character. 

I enjoyed the book even with the flaws that were distracting. I had a little trouble discerning what the book was about. The Codex Arcanum 1888 picked up speed following the murder as it gave the character something to do, and the distractions early on seemed to disappear as the real book began. The book found strength and purpose, and the author was skillful in handling the remainder of the book. I would be interested in reading the second book in the series. 

I would rate The Codex Arcanum 1888 3 out of 5 stars primarily because of the acrobatic characters and objects which could prove confusing. I look forward to seeing more from Tasmin Turner. I would recommend this book to anyone ages 16 and up.