I need a bit to calm down and stop sobbing before I write this review. But just so you know you should preorder it and let it wreck you like it did me. You’ll thank me later.

**Ok, review time because A Forbidden Alchemy comes out in tomorrow! Say what?!?

I think AFA will be my number one read of the year. Actually I know this... hands down.

What To Expect:
*Historical Dystopian fantasy
*He falls first and falls harder
*Secrets and Betrayals
*Things are not what they seem
*Friend to enemies to lovers to ? (seriously the relationship gets complicated haha)
*Peaky Blinder vibes
*Rebellion/ Class wars
*Emotional damage
*Slow Burn
*Magical system
*and so much more

Stacey's writing sucked me in from start to finish. I never wanted to put the book down and when I did because of life's responsibilities I found myself thinking about it until I picked it back up. She made her characters so relatable that they are forever imprinted on my soul. On one side of the coin you have Nina who longs for a better life and goes for what she wants. But she feels like an imposter and will do whatever she can to survive. It is like "well well well isn't it the consequences of my own actions". Then you have Patrick..... Oh our chaotic Patrick. He is so delectable and has gone through so much crap that you are rooting for him to succeed and all the while hoping he is protected at all costs. His wittiness and calculating moves are something to aspire to. Patrick and Nina's chemistry and banter is off the charts and I couldn't have asked for a better main character couple. The side characters brought more richness to this story. The world building was fantastic. There was absolutely no info dumping. This book made me laugh, rage, and absolutely obliterated my heart. Causing me to literally sob for hours. I mean come on that ending? I will never forgive Stacey. Kidding maybe. I can't wait for book two. As always thank you for writing such a spectacular book.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press and Stacey for the eARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan in exchange for my honest review.

A Forbidden Alchemy sets out with a bold premise. Magic, revolution, and a slow-burning romance in a deeply divided society, and at first, I bought in. We’re introduced to Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson, two twelve-year-olds pulled from the bleakness of mining towns into the opulent and manipulative world of Belavere City. It’s here that the novel introduces its central tension: a hidden truth about power, privilege, and who truly controls the system.
The worldbuilding is where this book shines. McEwan crafts a city that feels lived in, full of secrets, injustices, and raw potential. The elemental magic system is both intriguing and thoughtfully interwoven into the class conflict that fuels the brewing rebellion. These aspects kept me turning the pages even when the narrative began to lose its grip.
Unfortunately, while the setting is rich, the character development often falls flat. Nina begins as a compelling lead—driven, conflicted, desperate to escape her past—but her decisions grow increasingly frustrating. She often feels passive in a story that demands action, especially when her power could have made her a true game-changer. Instead, she fades into indecision at crucial moments. Her dynamic with Patrick, once promising, becomes awkward and forced as time jumps and a crowded cast muddy the emotional threads.
Speaking of Patrick, he’s easily the standout. Stubborn, loyal, and driven by a deep sense of duty, his character has the complexity and heart the story needs more of. His push-pull relationship with Nina offers moments of tension and humor, though their romance never fully lands. It’s labeled a slow burn, and while slow it is, the spark never really ignites. Their chemistry is weighed down by missed beats and too-convenient trust.
The side characters leave a lot to be desired. Many lack depth, with Theo being the most divisive. What starts as a layered character arc quickly spirals into a confused mess of motivations. He’s painted as both villain and victim, but not in a way that feels deliberate or earned. The potential for a meaningful love triangle fizzles under erratic storytelling choices.
The pacing is painfully slow. The first half is engaging, especially in how it explores class divisions and coming-of-age identity. But the second half drags, filled with predictable turns, one-note conflicts, and a cliffhanger ending that, rather than exciting, left me indifferent.
This book straddles YA and adult fantasy but never quite commits to either. The age progression feels more like a device than a natural evolution, and despite the adult themes, it often reads like a YA novel, especially in the romance and emotional logic.
In the end, A Forbidden Alchemy is a book with tremendous potential that struggles to live up to its promise. The magic system and world deserve praise, but weak character arcs, underdeveloped side plots, and a faltering romance prevent it from reaching its full potential. I wanted to love it. I didn’t. But I didn’t hate it either.

Thank you, NetGalley and SagapressBooks for my eARC.

"You should trust no one Nina, not a single soul."

I began following Stacy when she published her debut book, Ledge. When she announced a new fantasy book, I knew it was a must-read, and it certainly delivered. I found myself unable to put it down, excited to discover what happens next.
"A Forbidden Alchemy" is an early 1900s historical fantasy that has the vibes of gangsters/Peaky Blinders. It features an elemental magic system and a class war between the Artisan, the wielder of magic, the ruling class, and the Craftsman, the physical laborers with extraordinary strength who mine the Idium.
At 12, Nina and Patrick are sent to the dazzling town of Belavere to test their magical potential, but they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren't born, they're chosen.
I love the vibes and immersive atmosphere of this book. The world and magic were intriguing, and I found the plot, world-building, and romance to be equally balanced.

The world-building is the main focus at the beginning of the book, providing us with a solid understanding of this fascinating world. As the story progresses, the romance slowly develops and intensifies, while the plot remains intertwined throughout, maintaining high stakes.

I love both Nina and Patrick. Nina is strong, intelligent, capable, and a Survivor.
Patrick is not afraid to make difficult choices, even brutal ones. However, we begin to glimpse his softer side when he interacts with Nina. Some may consider him morally
grey.

From the moment Nina and Patty met, they had a bond. When they meet years later, that bond ignites into something more. They felt like soulmates.

"What do you want to be, then, since you have all the answers?"
"Something that matters."

We have an established family in "The Colson family." I love the unwavering loyalty they have for one another, which was evident throughout the book. Additionally, there's a strong sense of community in Patrick's mining town.

This book had everything I love —an early 1900s setting (my personal favorite), twists and turns, an intriguing world, elemental magic, complex, layered characters, betrayals, and high stakes. We witness the devastating consequences of a system built on lies and control.

A Forbidden Alchemy captivated me. All I found out about it was that it was like Peaky Blinders meets fantasy and while this is so 100% spot on, it's so much more. It's a story about class, power dynamics, and guilt. It takes an underlying premise of a system of inherent talent and then violates what we know to be true. And it works because the characters are both so shocked, being in their perspective and dual POV, makes us feel the betrayal so strongly. Because when we find out that the world which meant the pain of our families, and the promise of something new was only ever really a farce, an illusion, a method of power and control - what do we do?

Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was heart wrenching the whole way through, and that last 50% had me tight in its grip… I finished this one in the very late hours of the night as I honestly could not stop reading! Not to mention that this ending was the most heart wrenching part and I am in great need of book 2 🫠

Overall a 4.75 for me!

💥Strong willed FMC x Six of Crows vibes
💥Morally grey MMC
💥Found family
💥Slow burn magnetically-drawn-to-eachother romance
​​💥Gritty & highly tense world of Aristocrats vs the People x Magic Serum
💥Twists and turns that will have your heart twisting and turning

This is marketed as a romance fantasy, which is it, however, the romance weaves so well into the plot of the story - which is intriguing and interesting on its own. For me, the plot doesn’t totally rely on the romance, however, the romance makes it that much more heart wrenching and blood pumping. The twists in this story were 100% NOT the ones that I had predicted, and most of them caught me completely off guard (in that oh-this-is-so-good kinda way).

I both adore and am frustrated by our FMC, Nina Harrow, who yearns for more and doesn’t exactly find what she thinks. I *love* her character ARC, though, and how in some ways she comes back full circle to herself.

Our MMC, Patrick Colson, was infuriating at first but is totally and completely swoon-worthy. He’s a secretive, protective and ruthless leader and he is completely morally grey.

The story is gritty, dark and harrowing with its moment of light, happiness, romance and passion. The atmosphere, for the most part, is intense and I was feeling heart wrenched through a good chunk of the story. The writing lended to this and the story pulled me in such that it was all I noticed while reading!

I will say that the world building was straightforward, but it is really an us vs them story, and so we were only given as much as we needed to understand the story and lore. For this type of plot and storyline, this makes a lot of sense and allows the story to flow.The writing lended to this and the story pulled me in such that it was all I noticed while reading!

Overall, I loved this and can’t wait for the second book in this duology!

As someone who is obsessed with Peaky Blinders, when the book was repeatedly marketed as that with magic... I admit I was hesitant, even as a huge fan of Stacey McEwan. However, it felt perfectly balanced with the inspiration along with McEwan's writing and imagination enhancing the story and world with the magic system.

Truly an emotional rollercoaster of a fantastic story and if this is what book one brings, I canNOT wait to see the added complexities of books two and three. Oh, and no one better speak ill of Tess Colson because that woman gets a standing ovation for everything.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Forbidden Alchemy
Author: Stacey McEwan
SCREAMING FROM THE ROOFTOPS ABOUT THIS BOOK! Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for blessing me with this ARC! The magic, the alchemy, the slow-burn romance—this book was everything. Nina and Patrick meet at age 12 during elemental magic testing, and in a world divided by class, they uncover a devastating secret: Artisans aren’t born, they’re selected. Nina rises as an elite Earth Artisan, while Patrick walks a very different path. Years later, civil war erupts, and when Patrick’s rebels capture Nina, the two must face impossible choices between loyalty, love, and the power to reshape, or destroy their world. This story has it all: amazing plot, lies, betrayal, and twists I never saw coming. I’m dying for book two. I seriously can’t wait. Thank you so much for this unforgettable read!

Something with this book didn't hit for me. I like McEwan and I would live to give this read another shot one day, but something about it was just not for me.

4.5/5
I ate this book up! It had so many great things going on. The magic system wasn’t overly complex but I still found it interesting. I liked getting some early years before getting a time jump. I really liked both main characters and reading each of their POV chapters. There’s a lot of great side characters too! Some of the characters are a bit morally gray and I love it. (And there’s also a doggy.) I didn’t see some of twists and turns coming either!
I went into this not knowing really anything about it and had an absolute blast reading it. The ending😩😩 I am so stinkin excited for the next book 🙌🏻
If you love a romantasy with an uprising then you’ll want to read this one!

It’s very rare that a book makes me want to stay up until the wee hours of the night to finish it. It’s almost 1am as I write this in my dark bedroom. That ending… was criminal. I need the next book ASAP.

Tiktok review coming tomorrow once I catch some Zs.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Netgalley and Saga Press for letting me read this eARC. I needed to get out of a slump and this was it!!!

Romantasy is a hit or miss for me but I was eating this one up!! I had heard a lot of good things about this book, and am so glad I enjoyed my time with it as well (Patrick and Nina had me STRESSING, but I was also giggling and kicking my feet).

A Forbidden Alchemy is set in a world in which children whisked away to the capital city to get tested for magical potential at the age of 12. Those who pass become known as Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic who get to train and live in the city, while those who fail the test must return to their disenfranchised mining towns and continue mining for the idium that keeps the city alive as Crafters. The book follows a pair, Nina and Patrick, who first meet as children, and then later as adults, as they uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and betrayals.

Overall, I thought this was a well-paced romantasy with characters that felt alive and relationships that were dynamic throughout. I know some people hate love triangles, but the tension in this one was SO GOOD and I was here for it. After that ending, I will be needing book 2 immediately...

If you enjoy any of the following, I think you’d like A Forbidden Alchemy as well:

🔮 slow-burn romance
✨ lies and betrayals
🔮 rebellion and class war
✨ banter and tension
🔮 love triangle

Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for the e-galley!

Thank you Saga Press and Stacey McEwan for this ARC in exchange for my review. A Forbidden Alchemy was such an enjoyable read! This book was seriously stunning, the 1930's steampunk-esque setting was really inviting, I was fully enveloped in this world. It felt both unique and refreshing while also delivering a compelling and relatable story about class conflict, inequality and resistance without feeling like you've read it before.

In this world, people must consume a magical potion as children which essentially decides their fate amongst society. The potion either determines if they are to become a part of the non-magical Crafters who are the gritty miners and workers of society or the privileged, power-wielding Artisans. This story follows FMC Nina who comes from a lowly Crafter family, tricks her way into Artisan society and finds herself stuck in the middle of a class war that she has unintentionally initiated.

This is perfect for fans of fantasy with a historical edge and strong political undercurrents, morally-grey gangsters and enemies to lovers romance with torn loyalty and some well-earned plot twists along the way. The finale was quite a bang and I can't wait to find out what happens next! Overall a super enjoyable ride.

Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for the free eARC. Nina and Patrick live in a world divided into the Artisans (those with magic) and the Crafters (those without). When children turn 12 they are taken to Belavere City to determine which class they fall into by drinking idium and seeing if magical powers present. Nina has wanted to become an Artisans here whole life while Patrick wants nothing more than to return to his Crafter family. When the two meet at 12 years old they discover the secret behind the idium they drink and find themselves going in different directions with that new knowledge. Years later they find themselves on opposite sides of the Craftsman revolution. I enjoyed the concept of the magical system. I struggled with the pacing of the book - I paused multiple times before being able to finish the story. There was a lack of chemistry between Nina and Patrick and seemed very insta love/lust. Theo’s character also seemed to be added to throw in an unnecessary love triangle (as well as set up some drama). There were multiple small things throughout the book that irritated me which decreased my overall enjoyment of the story. I will check out the sequel as I am curious after the cliffhanger ending. Overall 3.5/5 stars.

I am still processing the rage I felt the last couple chapters all because of one character's betrayal.
This book was full of so many twist and turns due to all the secrets that each character harbored. Truly an exciting read. It took me a bit to get invested but once the big lie was revealed, I knew it was going to get intense, and intense it was!
The magic system was unique because in order to have powers, you have to drink something called Idium. Only the Alchemists can make it, but in the story, the alchemists start to die until there is one left., and he is worth fighting for. The Artisans with their powers, and the Crafters who are forced to work in the mines both want the last Alchemist. Because Idium is everything!
Without spoiling too much, just think the politics from The Hunger Games mixed with the action in Peaky Blinders.

Thanks to Saga Press for the gifted copy of this book!

A story that follows Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson from their 12-year-old lives being whisked away to discover their magical potential to the present day in a Craftsman revolution, A FORBIDDEN ALCHEMY is a slow-burn romantasy and the beginning of a new series. The unique part here is that Artisans aren't born, they're chosen... and they have to keep this secret. After years apart, it was fun to see Nina and Patrick come back together amidst loss, love, betrayal, and a class war. I struggled a bit to feel the chemistry between the two, and also to stay engaged with the slower pace of the story, but I think this book will be a big win for a lot of people.

I am FLOORED. It has been so long since I was this emotionally invested in a book, I feel empty having finished it. McEwan created an absolutely magical world, creating a magic system that was both unique and dynamic, yet easy to grasp. Each character was thoughtfully created, every main and side character having complete arcs that left my heart aching. The relationships were so perfectly curated, they felt realistic, fraught with desire, passion and care. There were constant twists, many of which took me by surprise. The pacing was perfectly done, the setting so artfully crafted that I felt as if I could see every nook and cranny of Kenton Hill. It goes without saying that I absolutely adored this book, despite being absolutely gutted by the ending. Sign me up for the second installment STAT.

IM SORRY WHAT WAS THAT ENDING 😭

I will say I struggled in the beginning to get into this book with the constant time jumps and that Nina was written in 1st POV but Patrick was 3rd POV.

I found this world to be so unique and loved the magic system. I struggled understanding all the different types of magic and I wish it was explained a little more.

I absolutely loved Nina and Patrick grew on me. About 50% into the book is when I got SUPER invested and could not put the book down. There were so many unexpected plot twists that made my jaw drop.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Holy smokes. Holy SMOKES! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Stacey created a truly beautiful, devastating and complicated love story with A Forbidden Alchemy. I couldn’t put it down!

Stacey’s writing doesn’t waste words. The plot is tight and every chapter serves a point. No montages or spice just for the sake of it. And none of the characters are flat. Everyone makes believable choices - good & bad - without wasting chapters waffling over their decisions. I never once wanted to throw my Kindle.

I worried that starting things off when Patrick and Nina were kids might get boring (or icky), but it actually added so much tension and depth that could not have been achieved if we’d only learned their history via flashbacks or a prologue. It also made adult Patrick and Nina more sympathetic.

I absolutely swooned as they fell for each other, and I LOVED how protective his family was of him.

In fact, A Forbidden Alchemy has all of the romantasy tropes I love without feeling derivative:
- A fierce heroine
- A morally grey MMC
- Found family
- A world ensnared in a class - and actual - war
- Magic as a status symbol
- Political intrigue and corruption

I loved every bit of it and can’t wait for book 2!!!

Longer review WITH SPOILERS on my StoryGraph and GR profiles!

I have no words... This book consumed me, not the other way around. From the first chapter where we meet Nina at age 12, who is looking for a way out of her dead end life in the brink and meets Patrick Colson at the siphoning ceremony I was hooked. The story takes us through her teenage years and all the things that happen in Belavere City while the country is on the brink of a revolution. For the sake of a spoiler free review, let me just say that I was not prepared for all the twists, turns and duplicitous behavior from so many characters. I was also not prepared for how quickly Patrick Colson, the seemingly hard leader of Kenton Hill stole my heart. His quiet confidence and the way he is respected/ feared in his town blew me away. When he starts opening up to Nina again after so many years, his actions speak louder than words. He is one of my favorite characters in a long time. Stacey McEwan knows how to weave espionage, high stakes, magic, angst, and differing ideals into a masterful tale that had me utterly engrossed. I strongly encourage everyone to read this (especially if you need something Peaky Blinders coded with a bit of magic thrown in, just be ready to leave your heart, because the last paragraph was a doozy...

You’re telling me there’s a new release where the MMC is a gangster baddie inspired by Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders?

And HOT DAMN—A Forbidden Alchemy delivers.

This romantasy is pure bookish dopamine, checking every box for a bingeable read:
✔️ a world simmering with oppression, rebellion, and high stakes
✔️ elemental magic
✔️ a brainy, stubborn FMC who does not have time for distractions (except maybe one)
✔️ a gangster who does bad things for good reasons
✔️ swoony banter and delicious romantic tension
✔️ twists and turns that’ll have you screaming into the abyss

It’s seriously addictive—fast-paced, fun, and full of side characters who steal the show (Donny, I’m looking at you).

The tension? Exquisite. The pacing? Ruthless. I was kicking my feet, yelling at the page, and now I’ll be feral until book two is in my hands.