Thank you to Saga Press/S&S Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Stacey McEwan is a treasure everyone should experience. Her Glacian trilogy was one of my favorite fantasy reads last year. I loved her writing, the pacing she introduced, the plot and plot lines, and her wonderfully developed characters. I was excited to get a copy of her new romantasy to read! And the Peaky Blinders vibes mixed with just a bit of a Hunger Games type world in this book, oh boy! While the book has elements of these things, it remains unique.
First, I need to talk about the cover of this book. It is absolutely gorgeous and creates a great vibe for the story. Not only that, once you read it and look back, you see just how it fits perfectly with the story.
I will say it took some time for me to get into the book. The beginning is a lot of childhood background which I think could have been woven into the story line in general, but McEwan chose to have us follow along as the characters got older and progressed in their lives.
McEwan chose to write this book in dual POV, The FMC, Nina, has a first person POV while the MMC, Patrick, has a third person distant objective POV. At first I wasn't sure I would like this. BUT it worked well. Nina's POV was so intense and personal. While Patrick's POV not only showed him but all the other side characters and their personalities.
I loved the world building of this book. While I felt like there could possibly be a bit more background to the magic system, it was easy to understand. I loved the Artisan's and their different powers: earth movers, metal workers, water movers, ink workers. It was all so interesting and intricate. Elemental magic at it's best.
Of course it wouldn't be proper fantasy without conflict. The government versus the common man. It gave some dystopian vibes in that way. But the layout of the world and how the population was separated was exactly what I imagined for this rebellion. Lots of secrets and turmoil. Lots of power struggles.
Then there's the found family aspect. I absolutely love a found family. While Patrick's actual family is part of his life, Nina does not have any connection with her blood family. Both characters find family in those who surround them. Found family is often such an important part of fantasy and McEwan built this one perfectly. And the banter that ensues between all these characters is top notch!
Were there twists and turns? Absolutely. Secrets revealed, some of which I guessed others that were a complete shock. I loved how the loyalties wavered and you weren't sure who was on what side. And that ending? Ugh, yes, a cliffhanger leaving me wanting book 2 right now because I need to know how things progress and what happens. I'm sure we are in for a huge battle!
If you're looking for a book with a unique magic system involving the elements, twists and turns, well developed and relatable characters, and challenged loyalty, give this one a try!

I’ve been going on a fantasy journey this year and I both love and hate that for me. Because, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! This book was so good and I’m absolutely devastated that I have to wait to read what happens next.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve when their pasts first cross on elemental magic testing day in the city of Belavere. Nina is desperate to escape life in her small town and has dreamt of little else since her mother left them years ago. Patrick knows he’s destined to stay in his town and be a miner just like his father and his father’s father before him. When they discover that the magical testing is rigged, their roads diverge. Years later, as a civil war emerges, they come back into each others lives.

There were so many things I loved about this book. I absolutely love this world that McEwan has dreamt up. The way she writes her settings is so immersive and descriptive that I felt like I was there in the city. The magic system was imaginative and easy to keep track of - as I mentioned I’m still rather new to this fantasy thing, but I never felt intimidated. The whole cast of characters, not just the mains, were complex and added to the story. This romance was slow burn, but done in such a good way. I just loved it so much.

And I’m so glad I have McEwan’s backlist to get through while I wait for book two!

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for a review copy.

Two words.... that ENDING!

Holy moly, again this book had my feelings all over the map. I felt like I was on one of the craziest rollercoaster rides of my life. Now I will say, I think I fall out of the majority with this opinion, but this book had me struggling until the last 25%. The last 25% of this book was GOLDEN! It is what will have me coming back for book two. Let me break it down.

First let's start with the pacing. This is where my biggest hang up was. The gradual time slide from the beginning until we hit present time was interesting. And while I thought it was a fun way to get us from the past to present, I also felt like it detached me from the story a little bit. Especially when it came to some the characters and understanding their connections with each other. Tiny spoiler (kind of) for example, Theo and Nina. I felt like the time jumping took away from the depth of their connection in my opinion.

The middle bulk of the book was good, but I did find it a little grueling pace wise. There were times it felt very glacial, but I did appreciate getting to be in the present with the characters and seeing them all reconnecting in different ways. I loved Patrick the most! He was giving Peaky Blinders vibes, and he captivated me! I also loved his dynamics within his community and his family. It was all very well-written. Nina was also a fun character, but I did find her a little hard to get behind at times, and some of her character motivations fell a little flat to me.

Now for the romantasy aspect....oof this is a tough one for me. I loved it, but also had issues with it. I also really didn't feel the "love triangle" vibes. It felt very obvious which guy she was going to lean towards. Though I will say, the ending sets up a possibility of that being a stronger trope in book two, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Overall, I think this book was good, but it also had some really weak points for me. It also is a denser read in my opinion. But the ending makes it so worth it, or at least it did for me.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.2/5

“Ah, how I’d hoped you’d beg, just like this”

5+⭐️ ARC 📖
First off, I pride myself at being able to see 99% of plot twists coming…that being said, Stacey managed to bamboozle me around the halfway mark!! 😵 This book is bursting with heartache, betrayal, plot twists, and made me have a bunch of big feelings!

The world-building was phenomenal! Just enough to provide depth but not bore and/or confuse me - I’m not a super in-depth lore girly, sorry not sorry 🤷🏻‍♀️ I enjoyed the idea of the plot following two individuals who grew up in poverty but when faced with the same choice, chose opposite paths. The pacing felt smooth and the side characters were wonderful. Donny is possibly my favorite character of them all!

Now, let’s chat about the romance part of this Romantasy 😍 It was written beautifully in my opinion; kind of a slow burn in some ways but not in others - it’ll make sense when you read the story haha Tension and banter galore! Patty is swoon-worthy with confidence to spare 🫠 You have to love a man who knows who he wants and goes for it!!

- Unique Magic System🧪
- Second Chance Romance with a Twist
- Peaky Blinders Vibe🚬
- Rebels vs Corrupt Ruling Power

🌟 ARC Review 🌟

A while back, Stacey shared some reactions from fellow authors about A Forbidden Alchemy, and the gist of their reactions were mad and ready to fight Stacy, LOL. After finishing A Forbidden Alchemy, I gotta admit, I totally understand where they’re coming from.

Did some parts of the plot give me emotional trauma? Absolutely — reading A Forbidden Alchemy was a rainbow of feelings, and by the time I was done, I just stared at my Kindle, totally confused about what’s next.

Am I annoyed about that cliffhanger? 100%! I’ve never been madder to see “acknowledgements” when I was craving more story. And yes, I might have yelled a bit in Stacey’s DMs…

Amber V. Nicole even threatened legal action, and honestly, I’d love to be added to that lawsuit!

That said, I really enjoyed the wild ride Stacey took me on. A Forbidden Alchemy is a slow-burn, dual POV, historical dystopian novel packed with political intrigue, conspiracy, secret identities, betrayal, elemental magic, and disability rep. All of this is wrapped up in a book that gives me Peaky Blinders, Hunger Games, and Six of Crows vibes.

The FMC totally speaks to me— a dreamer, resilient, witty, sassy, resourceful, and not afraid to jump into the action. While she’s got her internal struggles, I really appreciated that she didn’t come across as whiny or a “victim.”

The real stars for me are the Colson Family. They’re a bit dysfunctional, each with their own issues and past ghosts, but their loyalty never wavers. The MMC reminded me of Robin Hood—if he existed in the Peaky Blinders era, teetering on that morally gray line. His brothers are all complex characters too—loyal, charismatic, and fiercely supportive of each other—adding layers and depth I really enjoyed. Tess, the matriarch, is just trying to keep her bar/inn peaceful and her boys out of trouble. Her strength, woven throughout the story, really made me feel the same about her boys’ resilience.

But honestly, my favorite character is Donny. There’s a scene with darts and another with a gunshot in the bar that had me swooning—okay, Donny, I see you!

The twists in the story were well-placed and kept me hooked — I kept thinking “wait, what now?” and then “ohhh, okay, here we go,” and some of those surprises I definitely didn’t see coming.

As for pacing, I’ll say there were moments where it slowed down a bit, and I found myself racing through to get back to the exciting parts. But it wasn’t a distraction. I also had a few unanswered questions, but since this is a duology, I have a feeling they’ll be addressed in the next book.
I’m already counting down for book #2! Which is when exactly Stacey?

Huge thanks to @staceymcewanbooks for the gifted ARC!! (& if I could, I’d send you a chicken for your table…)

P.S. - I hate Theo... just saying...

Addictive. A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan was everything I was hoping for and then some. At 90% in, I was “stuck between two guns.” On the one hand, I simply couldn’t put the book down. I love Stacey McEwan’s storytelling to begin with. Throw in a Peaky Blinders vibe combined with a class system rift into a Romantasy, and I’m done for.
On the other hand, I knew McEwan was going to break my heart with the last stretch of reading. That she did. I need book two asap!

What I loved:
Slow burn
Multiple POV
Political intrigue
Magic system
Love triangle
Class war
Morally grey characters

Thank you, Stacey McEwan, Saga Press Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. Now get to fixing this, Stacey. xo

I am obsessed with this book. It had a very Peaky Blinder in a magical fantasy feel. I loved the magic system. The struggle between the haves and have nots is such a gripping tale. This book sucks you in and keeps you. I need the next book now. I’m not sure how I’m suppose to go on about my day now.

I read the ARC, A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan and it is publishing today. This is book one of a duology. I like the writing and the world and the real world problems it is looking at in this story. Our MMC and FMC are just okay as characters - honestly, they could use a little work, and the romance just did not work for me. Now, this is a romantasy, so I'm going to need some work by the author to improve the characters and the chemistry, but I believe it is possible. This book is releasing today, July 1, 2025 and I gave it 3.75 stars. I need to thank Net Galley and Saga Press for my advance reader copy. #sagapress #sagasayscrew

📚 A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

MY GOD. This book?? Perfection.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint. I first discovered Stacey last summer with Ledge (which I also highly recommend btw), and the second I heard she was writing a Peaky Blinders–inspired romantasy?? Yeah, I was instantly sold.

This story is so unique and ORIGINAL! I was hooked from chapter one.

Think:
🧪 a fresh, elemental magic system
🔥 government corruption & revolution
🫣 twist upon twist (maybe even a tiny love triangle?? 👀)
💔 betrayal, class war, high stakes
💞 childhood friends to enemies to…something more

This follows Nina, a gifted earth-charmer, and Patrick, a powerful Craftsman raised in the dangerous idiom mines. Once inseparable, they’re torn apart by a devastating secret—and reunited years later on opposite sides of a rebellion.

With a rare power that could change the fate of their world, Nina must choose: help Patrick’s rebel faction or protect the elite Artisans who once saved her.

This was the easiest 5⭐️ I’ve ever given a romantasy.

Huge thanks to my Saga Press fam & friends at Simon & Schuster for this incredible ARC. It meant so much to read it early 💖 #SagaSaysCrew

✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆✨

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines keeping the city alive.

And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.

This stunning slow-burn romantasy follows a fated pair who uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and devastating betrayals.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

A Forbidden Alchemy, the inaugural book in this series and my first read by Stacey McEwan, was simply remarkable. The narrative captivated me and kept me fully immersed. Although the pacing was slow, it was executed flawlessly, allowing us to witness Nina’s evolution and understand how we arrive at our current situation, making it easy to envision Nina maturing over the years and experiencing various challenges. I’m at a loss for words without giving too much away, except to say that there were several surprises I didn’t anticipate, along with a cliffhanger that left me in disbelief… WHAT!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am eager to find out what happens next.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Calling it now, Stacey McEwan has just written what will be the hottest new trend in romantasy: the dystopian gangster mining romance. All jokes aside, this was a fresh take on a genre currently overrun with faeries and dragons. If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s like a mix of Harry Potter (magical haves and have-nots, magic school), Hunger Games (dystopian vibes, the district 12 mining aesthetic, and civil war), Peaky Blinders (hot gangsters with accents), PLUS romance! There’s a lot going on but the magic system is easy to follow and the characters are memorable. There’s plot twists, betrayals, and lots of pining. Honestly, the worst part about this book is the wait I have to endure for the next one after that cliff hanger.

Pub Date: 7/1/2025
Review Published: 7/1/2025
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When children of Belavere turn twelve years old, they are summoned to the city for a siphoning ceremony in which their life's path will be uncovered. The children of both Crafter (working-class) and Artisan classes (academic/upper-class) participate by consuming a powerful element that reveals their magical potential.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are two of the participants, and their lives are changed in ways they did not anticipate after they both stumble across a secret with devastating repercussions.
•
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝:
🪨 Peaky Blinders + The Hunger Games vibes
🔮 a unique magic system
🪨 divide in class + revolution
🔮 multiple plot twists
🪨 dual POV with snippets of news articles
🔮 found family and morally gray characters

"𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯. 𝘚𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘝𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘈 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧."

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

In a world that separated by those who possess magic and those who do the grunt work, Nina and Patrick find themselves thrown in between the two groups, fighting for power and others for their independence.

Young children are given the chance to become Artisans, people who possess magic to control the elements. To do so, they need to drink an element that of course is rare. However, Nina and Patrick, two of the children ready to take on this trial to determine their fates of opulence or hard labor, discover an ugly truth to this process. Nina is destined to become an unlikely Artisans, and Patrick is unheard of from for years until fate and war bring them back together.

The first third of the book was really difficult to follow because it was dry and not catching at all. I had to really push through to get to where the book really takes off. A part of me believes that the book may have read better or felt better paced if the background story of Nina and Patrick were spread throughout the current timeline as plot breaks and plot explanations. I will say that I loved the story of Nina and Patrick as children, with whatever semblance of innocence they did have at that point where the story begins.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot and the magical system. I really liked the tie into the differences of the working class, especially those who suffered working in mines versus the aristocracy. A Forbidden Alchemy is for those who enjoy enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, political intrigue, some light historical fiction, political intrigue, betrayal, and elemental magic. Looking forward to see how their story concludes.

Thank you Netgalley, and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I posted an abridged review and synopsis on my instagram without a star rating

Nina has always dreamed of becoming an artisan, one who wields magic. At just twelve years old she attends the siphoning ceremony to determine whether or not she has magic abilities. She meets Patrick there and together they discover a devastating secret. They go about their separate ways only to reunite as adults, but can they trust each other in the revolution that's being waged?

There is so much to love about A Forbidden Alchemy! Nina and Patrick are our two POVs, and they are also on opposing sides of the war. One is an Artisan, who can wield magic. The other a Craftsman, physically strong and works as a miner of the idium that feeds the magic. Nina is a chameleon and I cannot wait to see what secrets she's hiding. Patrick is the perfect balance of bad boy revolutionary who truly just wants to make the world better for his people. Then throw in Theo, Nina's first love, and you have a recipe for a great story involving not only a love triangle, but class warfare, political intrigue, secret magic, and a cast of characters you never really know if you can fully trust. I absolutely love the story and cannot wait to see where it goes next.

While I love the plot, this is one of those books that I feel is hard to evaluate without more. This is the first book in a trilogy, and there are some choices made in the narration style that I am not sure how to feel about. The twists are twisty and the plot is engaging, but sometimes those twists feel like they come out of left field to explained away later. I am also really interested in why Nina's chapters are in first person but Patrick's are in third. I think this is one of those stories that once it all comes together it'll be amazing, but right now I am left with a lot of questions. There is a cliffhanger though, and those last lines of dialogue are perfection. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next installment!

When I first received this book from saga press, my first thought was how pretty the cover is and how I could wait to read it. Once I started reading it, I just knew it was going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.

What I loved:
✽Nina and Patrick! I loved everything about them. From their personalities to their stances on the war brewing. They had my whole heart!
✽The slow burn romance and banter was everything. It was full of tension and angst but so worth the wait. Nina and Patrick were made for each other. But this is the type of romance that needs to be protected and nurtured at all cost. And the spice was delicious 😮‍💨
✽The world building and the magic system were so intricate. I love the politics and symbolism woven into the story. I felt like I was right there on the mix of it all.
✽Dual POV! I loved being able to get both sides of the story and hear from both MCs.
✽The twists and turns! So much I didn’t see coming and had me gasping 🫢. This book was truly a page turner and I didn’t want it to end. Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt about this book.
✽That ending 🤯! I have no words for it. Just sat there, staring into oblivion b/c WTAF. I need book two neowwwww!

AHHH I just finished A Forbidden Alchemy and I LOVED it! Once I started, I did NOT want to put it down. This story grabs you and refuses to let go. It’s an ultra slow burn with just a dash of love triangle tension, paired with a magic system that totally gave me Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes.

The world is split into two groups: Artisans, those with elemental magic like fire, earth, and water, and Craftsman, non-magical laborers who keep society running. Nina Harrow was born into a Craftsman family in the gritty town of Scurry, raised by a mother who taught her to fight for more in a world built to keep her small. When she comes of age, she’s given a chance to take the test that could change everything. But on the day of the ceremony, Nina and her new friend Pat uncover a brutal truth. Maybe the Artisans aren’t the noble leaders they claim to be.

I loved Nina’s character. She’s quick-witted, fiercely determined, and refuses to back down even when everything is against her. She has a good heart and doesn’t let fear stop her from doing what’s right, even when it hurts.

The way Stacey contrasts Belavere and Kenton Hill was so vivid. You feel the divide between Artisans and Craftsmen in every detail. It makes you understand why the Craftsman feel the way they do.

Oh my gosh and that plot twist! My anxiety during the last 25% was on another level. I was flipping pages like a madwoman because I had to know how it ended. We had that big plot twist and then THAT ENDING?! Stacey!! Why would you do this to me?! 😭 I need book two immediately.

Peaky Blinders meets urban fantasy in a sweeping tale of love and loyalty in a time when choosing a side means death for someone you love.
Two twelve-year-olds unknowingly seed a revolution when they discover the magical trial system is rigged. The girl seizes her future with the promise of magic and the boy returns home with the truth tucked in his pocket. When they’re reunited thirteen years later, they know the war that’s tearing their country apart was sparked by their discovery. How does the girl turn her back on the folks that raised her or the people who taught her how to wield her power? And standing center path is the boy, asking her to choose. What we get is an homage to the beloved show, centered around real working-class resistance and mob-enforced vigilante justice within a new landscape filled with manufactured prejudice that feels just like home.

Friends. I’m obsessed. Yes, I love Peaky Blinders and Tommy Shelby. Yes, I love urban fantasy. Yes, I love resisting injustice and dismantling the systems of oppression. And yes, this book has it all. But you know what else I love? You know it… I say it all the time. All together now: Personal Growth. This internal struggle to understand each other and find the right thing to do is so utterly delicious and underscored with twists and turns that can only be done with a fantastic amount of character and world building. And done it is! My heart, I was locked in and on edge for most of the second half of the book.
If you’re looking for a book that feels historical but with all the fun of a new and interesting magical system and systematic oppression of the classes (who isn’t?), then pick up A Forbidden Alchemy. Get ready for slow burn goodness that pays off friends. And make sure you’re hydrated for all the action and emotional damage this book surely will wring out of your heart.

Publishing date: 1 July 2025

I think all the nerves I had were spent on this book!

The plot hooked me from the start, and I’m still trying to figure out what it reminds me of other than Peaky Blinders.

I really liked that the story starts when the characters are twelve. I got a little confused with the time jumps, but honestly, I’m glad they were there.

Would this be strangers to friends to lovers? I can’t really call them enemies. They’re enemies by circumstance, not by heart... It’s hard to explain, but I loved that it wasn’t the typical enemies to lovers (though I’ll forever be weak for that trope, haha).

Honestly, I don’t even know how to put my thoughts together after reading it. There’s still a heaviness in my chest, and for some reason, I broke out in a sweat at the end, I was just trying to get through it.

I really enjoyed the character dynamics. Sometimes I wanted to smack them, sometimes I wanted to hug them. Theo is so contradictory that I think I need book two just to make up my mind about him. I adore found family tropes, so watching them all together had me so anxious, I just wanted to keep them safe 🥹

The atmosphere was amazing. I also really love elemental magic and alchemy (even though the latter didn’t appear much)

I found this book thanks to Katherine Heigl and immediately knew I had to read it! (Honestly, I might just read everything she recommends, haha) No regrets at all!

The writing style is light and pleasant, so I’ll definitely check out the author’s other books!🙌🏻

I can’t wait for book two! And I heard it’s going to be a duology, which is actually pretty convenient (my nerves wouldn’t survive more than that)

• Elemental Magic
• Political Intrigue / Class War
• Secret Identities
• Multi POV
• Found Family
• Tension & Slow Burn

⭐️4,25/5

Thank you to NetGalley and to Saga Press Books for this ARC!

This book has an interesting premise, and I was hoping that it would add something new to elemental magic. However, I will probably never find out because this book is unfortunately a DNF for me at 25%.

After an intriguing beginning, the pacing of this book becomes extremely slow as we are given scene after scene of the main character at school. These establishing scenes should give us a glimpse of the FMC’s personality and provide information about the magic system and world. However, the scenes mostly set up the brewing conflict, a conflict which I, as a readers, am not invested in because we’re not given much about this world. Why should we care?

Further, the writing is dry, and not the funny kind. It is, albeit, accessible and simple. The writing in this book felt like a piece of journalism, and I was given a statement of what is happening to the FMC. The words did not endear me to the FMC. The I did not know her personality nor did I care to get to know her. I feel like if she is meant to make important decisions in the second half of the book, the author should have invoked a sense of empathy in the beginning. Additionally, if we’re supposed to care about it the class and magic divide, then evoke that sympathy. Instead, the book is offering nothing new and it seems derivative.

I keep hearing that there are twists upon twists in this book, but I simply cannot continue reading due to the lack of characterization, writing style, and world-building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga for giving me the chance to review this eARC.

Wow.😱 This is one of those times that I really wish book 2 was available because McEwan just broke my brain. I have enjoyed her books since the first one she wrote, but this feels like a whole new level of expertise and tension has been achieved. It gave Blood Over Bright Haven meets Peaky Blinders, so if that speaks to your soul, enjoy! I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the next part in the tale.
4.5🌟