I loved this book. The characters were interesting and the world well developed. It was really well paced and it felt like a well contained Act 1 to the series.

5⭐ (review edits will be uploaded closer to date on bookstagram)

Thank you to Saga Press for giving me both an e-ARC and a physical copy of this book. This has to be one of my favorite ARC reads of the year!!

Stacey McEwan, there is a warrant for your arrest. What makes you think you can drop a cliffhanger like this and think you can get away with it??? (She will btw). I will be waiting (I'm)patiently for book 2!

The magical system in this story was very unique. Their world is divided between Artisans and Crafters, those who wielded magical powers, and blue-collar workers who suffer at the uneven division of the government. Nina and Patrick are now on opposite sides of the war, but as they work closer together, their passion for each other grows.

I would die for Patrick Colson. Truly. Can you imagine a better man? A man who YEARNS and makes you giggle at every quip? A man running a town so their citizens want for naught? A man who creates "jobs" for kids to keep them away from mines?? They just don't make 'em like him anymore. I also really loved the side characters, especially Pat's brothers. Gunner reminded me of a harmless teddy bear, and Donny just seems like the best friend you can ask for!

The chemistry Nina and Patrick had for each other felt natural. With Nina and Theo, it felt forced, but once Patrick came into the picture, it was no question who Nina was meant to be with. Nina never let Patrick steamroll over her; she always had a comeback for him 🤭 The scene where he interrupted her and Theo's dance? Or the looks he kept giving whenever he was around? I love me a jealous mans 🤭💗

Mini spoiler: I just KNEW you couldn't trust a bitch named P*l**. I know she did it out of fear, but I don't care!!! It's all her fault!!!!!!!!!!

I have been trying to find words for how I feel about this book for DAYS, and all I can come up with is that this is the first book that made me throw my Kindle at the end. 10/10, 5 stars, highly recommend!

OH MY GOD!!! First off I need the second book now, that cliffhanger was criminal!!
This book was incredible, it took me a minute to get into it since the world building is intense but after that hurdle it was smooth sailing. Just the first couple chapters got me immediately hooked. The twist and turns I could not guess at all! Everything caught me by surprise! I need this released asap so I can have a physical copy!!

This book was such a banger! A Forbidden Alchemy had me fully hooked from the first chapter. Even when I started sensing that things were going to end badly, I couldn’t stop reading. I was on edge the entire time, needing to see how it would all play out.

The setting feels raw and grounded, with a magic system tied to power, control, and survival. It’s not flashy for the sake of it. Every use of alchemy feels like it carries real consequences. The tension builds with every chapter, and the atmosphere is thick with grit, grief, and desperation.

I’ve always loved Peaky Blinders and you can really feel that influence in this story. The smoky pub, the violence humming beneath every conversation, the broken people trying to hold on to something in a world that keeps chewing them up. Maybe that’s why this book worked on me in so many ways. It hit every note I love. Found family, quiet loyalty, buried emotion, and rage wrapped in restraint.

Nina and Patrick’s dynamic had me feral. I knew it was doomed, and I didn’t care. I was all in.

This book gave me everything I crave in fantasy. Pining, pain, rebellion, complex magic, and characters I still can’t stop thinking about. The ending angered me in the best way, and I just wanna know what comes next.

Bloody hell this book is beyond fabulous! I could barely handle this wickedly nerve wracking, utterly heart wrenching and wildly consuming book that wormed its way into my heart just 10% in. Maybe it’s the Wild West that lives in me, IDK but I was a total goner. Ugh it’s too good. Highly recommend!

This is my first book by Stacey McEwan, and it won’t be my last. I was blown away by this world she created, and I loved every second with A Forbidden Alchemy. At 12 years old, all children are invited to siphoning ceremony where they may discover they have magic. But what if you find out the system is a lie? I loved seeing how differently Patrick and Nina responded to their discovery at 12 years old. Then, 13 years later, when they find each other again, I loved seeing how their experiences shaped them.

This book felt very pertinent to our world right now. This world saw the powerful do anything to stay in power, while the oppressed live in squalor and do the tough work. The real test is going to be to find some sort of balance in this world, when both sides are angry and desperate.

There’s great found family, a refreshing and unique magic system, and a beautiful slow burn romance. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what was coming next. The FMC was strong, yet soft. She's still trying to figure out where she fits in this world. Meanwhile the MMC has been hardened by this world, but he finds hope for the first time in a long time when he's reunited with Nina. Truly I'll be thinking of these characters for a while. I would definitely recommend this one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...⭐...⭐😁 (Is infinity stars too much?)

READ THIS NOW! This is one of those books that you won't be able to stop thinking about and will put off everything to keep reading!

Idium is everything. It is the thing that keeps the Artisans in power. All children (no matter their social class) get the chance to drink idium, and awaken magic flowing in their blood. But what if it's not what it seems?

Patrick and Nina discover a dark secret that not only changes their fates, but could change the war.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It has everything you want: morally grey MC, love triangle (not one of those you can't stand), unique elemental magic, class conflict, plot twists, abuse of power, and found family. I devoured this story and will probably be in a reading slump until the second book comes out. This is one I could easily reread 20 times and not get sick of.
It does have a lot of language in it and a couple open door scenes, but it is worth it if you don't mind those things. It is one of my favorite reads this year and one of my favorite arcs I've had the privilege to read ever!

A million thank you's to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read this arc!

A FORBIDDEN ALCHEMY 🧪

At the age of 12, children are whisked away to Belavere City to attend a siphoning ceremony. They must drink an elixir that will classify them as powerful magic-wielding Artisans or laboring Craftsmen. At the ceremony, Nina and Patrick inadvertently uncover an earth-shattering secret that alters their lives forever. Their paths diverge and they go on to lead very different lives until they meet again as adults.

I can’t stop thinking about this book! I loved the unique magic system and how McEwan brilliantly ties in real-world issues like political corruption, wealth disparity, labor exploitation, and the power of rebellion. There is an elite magical academy, political intrigue, a wide cast of complex characters you’ll want to root for, small-town charm, and the most perfect romance with plenty of yearning and banter. The cliff-hanger ending destroyed me and I’ll be counting down the days until the next book. A fast-paced romantic fantasy novel that stands out from the rest.

“I could only assert that his face was hugely annoying, that his tone was superior, and that I very much wanted to prove him wrong.”

I’ve been excited to read this since Stacey posted her ‘elevator pitch’ video ages ago, and it did not disappoint! The Peaky Blinders vibes are strong, and the connection between Nina and Patrick absolutely crackles with electricity from start to finish. The whole book is an exercise in various forms of tension, really. The timeline is loosely nonlinear (but only loosely), which the author uses to skillfully dole out backstory and game changing revelations that sock you in the mouth like you’re in a bar fight at Coulson & Sons.

The different voices used in the two POVs (first person for her, third person for him) was jarring at first, but I found that I adjusted to it quickly and I felt just as engaged with Patrick as I did with Nina.

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 1.5/5

Tropes:
- Friends to enemies to lovers
- Peaky Blinders vibes
- Dual POV
- Hidden identity
- Rebels
- Twisty plot twists are twisting
- A very good boy
- Forced proximity
- Steampunk/gaslamp

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the chance to read this early.

Forbidden Alchemy took me by surprise in the best way. The Peaky Blinders-style vibe mixed with magic and alchemy gave it such a unique edge, and I was instantly hooked on the world McEwan created.

What stood out to me most was how original the premise felt. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, but never anything that wove in a mining-based society like this. It added a gritty realism to the story that made everything feel a little more grounded—and somehow, that made the magic even cooler. I also loved how the story touched on real-life issues in subtle but impactful ways.

The characters? So well done. Watching them grow up and seeing how their past shaped their beliefs and choices made me way more emotionally invested than I expected. Nina and Patrick had such great chemistry—the tension, the banter, the slow-burn romance? It hit. Patrick, especially, really stuck with me. And the side characters added so much charm and depth. I’m a sucker for a found family trope and this one delivered.

Plot-wise, I was fully in it. There were twists I genuinely didn’t see coming, and by the end, I was stressed in the best way possible. The last few chapters had me speed-reading just to find out what was going to happen—and that ending?? Brutal. I need book two ASAP.

Overall, this is a super solid 4-star read. It’s fast-paced, emotionally satisfying, and totally binge-worthy. If you’re looking for a fantasy that doesn’t feel like every other fantasy out there, this one’s worth your time.

I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and while I did expect the twist coming with Patrick’s secret I still liked it. The cliff hanger made me very excited for the next book.

A Forbidden Alchemy exceeded my expectations! I thought this book was so clever and invigorating. The magic system McEwan crafted was neat and fun. In the Forbidden Alchemy society, people are divided into Artisans and Crafters. As a result of this division, there is a class war among magic user's vs normal people. Nina, the FMC, grows up in both worlds. At the beginning of the book, we see a little bit of her life at the Artisan school. I thought that part of the story was pretty vague. The schooling bit was really glossed over. By the time some of Nina's acquaintances/friends from school re-entered her life, I didn't feel a connection because the schooling years were sped through. Patrick, the MMC, starts the book on a different trajectory than Nina. Patrick was a complex character. He's morally gray and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his loved ones. I enjoyed how Nina and Patrick's relationship developed. Patrick was down bad for Nina! I loved their chemistry and tension. The pacing in this book was spot on. As the story and tension built up, I found myself anxious to see what would happen. This was a fun book to read. There were a lot of twists and turns. I was surprised by some of the things that happened at the end. I thought the writing was strong and the setting was polished. I did find it interesting that the Patrick chapters weren't told in the same perspective as Nina's chapters. I'm curious why the author decided on that. At the end of the story, McEwan mentioned that A Forbidden Alchemy was inspired by Peaky Blinders. This book did not disappoint on the Peaky Blinders vibes. I really enjoyed this read and am eagerly waiting for the second installment. Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the introduction to this world of Alchemy and cannot wait to see what Stacey has in store for us next!

I loved the pacing of this book, and the span of time it encompassed. From meeting Nina and Patrick at the age of 12, the secrets never stopped being unraveled. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’re thrown a curve ball I promise you never saw coming. Time and time again this happens, until you’re left with your jaw on the floor and blank eyes staring ahead at an ending that begs for the next book as soon as humanely possible.

I loved Nina’s character, as she desires to make something more of herself than the circumstances surrounding her upbringing would typically afford. Yet as the saying goes, you can take the girl out of Scurry, but you can’t take Scurry out of the girl. And thank goodness for that!!

Her interactions with Patrick were filled with so much tension, longing, and delicious banter. Oh, and plenty of secrets between them. I loved watching these two unravel for each other, despite the warnings from the rest of the family.

I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Along with all twelve year olds, Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson enter the Artisan capital city for the first time, sent to test whether or not they will become the next magic welding member of the high-society artisans. While waiting to ingest idium, an inky substance used to incite the birthright of magics, they discover a hidden secret. The government tampers with the ceremony by predetermining who is eligible, which goes against the constitution. Nina defies the government by taking the idium, instead of the placebo she was chosen for, and suddenly her world is turned upside down with the uprising rebellion. Stuck in both worlds of the class-war, Nina is forced to choose whether she fights for her home or for the new society she is a part of.

A Forbidden Alchemy is the perfect blend of Peaky Blinders and magic, two to my favorite things. I kept seeing Patrick as Tommy Shelby and I could not get enough. The Colson family had lots of charm, loyalty, and secrets that were beyond reminiscent to the rest of the Shelby gang. While their gang methods were productive, there was the added twist that the family had secretly ingested idium, bolstering their magic abilities. This combination made them the perfect leaders for the rebellion.

Nina, our FMC, has numerous secrets of her own. Through the book we see her loyalty tested with double crossings and see her struggles with morality firsthand. I loved her tenacity, fearlessness, and determination as she is such a strong woman.

The slow-burn romance involves both a love triangle and fated mates. I love Patrick’s possessiveness and determination to show Nina just how much he cares for her. His family questions if he should let her in on secrets due to her being on both sides of the war, but by letting her in on them he shows just how important she is to him. I personally love the two of them together and was kicking my feet their entire courtship. In comparison, Theo irritated me from the start and I hated the way he treated Nina throughout the book.

The pacing of this story was varied. In my opinion, the book starts off quick, slows in the middle, and becomes fast pace again at the end. There are several time jumps which help progress the tale. While this is dual POV, Nina’s story is in first person as she is the clear main character, and Patrick’s is in third person. This seemed extremely unique as I can’t remember ever reading a book told this way. There are TONS of plot twists and this story ends on an insane cliffhanger and I am ITCHING to read what happens next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it to those that enjoy:
- Peaky Blinders / gangs
- Unique magic systems
- Politics with class wars
- Strong FMCs
- Found family

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Okay so here are my thoughts:

I kind of hated everyone in this book. A few characters I thought were redeemable and then did something stupid.
The book was very slow. It started at age 12 for both main characters and prodded along to teenage and then adult. Even though we got to adult, this read very much like a YA novel. Through the years we see Nina get close to Theo and you feel for him, but then it’s like the author was like okay okay can’t make you like him too much and makes him villainous, but then not. You are supposed to hate the guy but I can’t find myself hating him. I feel for him. He loves Nina, spent years searching for her, took an assignment to find her, and she’s like nah dawg.
Apparently I feel a lot of things about Theo so here’s more: The Union takes him in and he helps their cause but never once do they treat him as a real person. He’s always the bad guy, they constantly call him Teddy instead of Theo, and make fun of him. I mean if I was on one side and went to the other you’d assume the people I was there for would be nice and actually want you there, instead of treating you like the enemy? Had the Colsons treated him better, would things have turned out differently? Doesn’t really matter because he was the only redeemed person in this whole thing (sort of.)

The insta love is rough. Patrick is supposed to be this ultra paranoid mafia boss and he’s immediately trusts Nina. “Oh I can’t tell you Nina.” Ten pages later “Okay Nina this is what we’re doing.” Yes they met each other when they were 12. But then 14 years later they meet again and of course it’s love. But when Nina talks about her and Theo’s love she says it’s a child’s love. Like wait, y’all were friends from 12, together at 16, and separated at 18 because of jobs/war but it doesn’t matter?

Okay done with Theo, I promise.

Patrick is okay but he’s judge, jury, and executioner. He could make the town a democracy but doesn’t. It’s all about the Colson family. He’s very much it’s his way or nothing. Nina mentioned that no idium would make the world better. I agree, but he was like no, that’s not right and moved away from it. But let’s not forget Nina was super wishy washy and never tried to assert herself either.

And then let’s get to Nina. Oh naive Nina. She keeps looking for this one thing that will save the day, even though we as an intelligent person know that’s not going to work. Nina is smart enough to know that the enemy isn’t going to bend but of course she really isn’t because she truly believes that if she does this one thing it’ll stop a war. Nina has this huge power to stop everything whether with words or with magic and she just was flat. She never did anything. People did stuff, she just was. She could have stopped everything but didn’t. But I guess that wouldn’t be an interesting book then?

The story was also very predictable. I could have told you what was going to happen very early on. There weren’t really any twists I didn’t see coming. The ending also was awful, but again I saw the writing on the wall of a cliffhanger and betrayal. This wasn’t a war or political book. This was basically a story about love and angst. I get it, it’s romantasy, but I would have loved some action to back that fantasy part up. We get some but it’s in the last 10%.

Synopsis:
Nina and Patrick are kids from brink towns (with parents who are crafters, non-magic) both go to the capital to see if they have magic. While there they uncover the nation’s biggest secret: Everyone can have magic, the capital just gives it to select citizens and gives the rest a placebo. Nina uses one and becomes an Artisan, while Patrick goes back home as a Crafter. Nina goes to school, finds friendship and love but the war starts based on the rumor of what they both had found out. Years later both Patrick and Nina come back together. Is Nina fighting for the Artisans or the Crafters?

All in all I wasn’t super impressed. Will I read the next book? Probably not, but you never know, my love for Theo may make me.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the arc.

Forbidden Alchemy is a captivating romantasy with a deliciously slow burn romance and morally grey characters that kept me intrigued. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique vibe that sets it apart, and the magic system is interesting. While the pacing dipped a bit in the middle, a plot twist I did not see coming ramped things back up and raised the stakes heading into a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I did predict the ending’s big reveal early on, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I’m definitely continuing this series. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks to S&S Saga Press books for the gifted ARC.

I am literally crashing out so bad for the last 10% of that book like you HAVEEEEEE to be kidding me. You absolutely have to be kidding me….who ends a book like that. Who ends a book like that!!! I can’t sit still. I have enough energy to power a wind turbine and give all of New York City electricity for a decade.

Woah…..I’m trying to find words. This is an insane 5 star book through and through never once wavering. I could sit here and write another books worth of thoughts on how much I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS. The pacing of this is incredible. So much action and so entertaining from front to back. I had to physically slow myself from inhaling every second of this in one sitting.

I need to stop everything and talk about THE MMC….lets hear it for our MMC cause….Stacey did her damn thing with that man…I’m gonna start crying actually because he’s so perfectly gruff, protective, violent, morally grey, sassy as HELL while also being the sweetest little pea you ever did see. His energy is giving me cowboy Cade Eaton but like make him a sexy ass miner union member hello. I’m in love I’m in love and I don’t care who knows!!!!!

The FMC is so good. She’s so intelligent, head strong, compassionate, and witty. The banter is so excellent this whole entire book. It’s so romantic. It’s so endearing. I cannot even explain all the feelings this book gave me.

And the characters are 25!!!!! I love reading fantasy where they are actually adults!!!!

At its heart it’s really a story of a class war of the working class of miners who risk their lives everyday and want a better way of life vs the elites who take advance of them. And a girl stuck in the middle. There’s so much to think about it’s thought provoking and tons of twist and turns at every angle. I cannot truly cannot stop screaming about this book. The magic system is so unique and refreshing. The world building enraptures you effortlessly.

Fans of Blood Over Bright Haven, Shatter Me, and Heartless Hunter would adore this book.

Thank you to Saga Press, Stacey McEwan & NetGalley for this eArc (but now I have to wait even longer for the next book please Stacey give up your summer and write it for me I’m gonna go crazy until I get the next one in my hands.)

In A Forbidden Alchemy, Nina and Patrick first meet on the day they are to be tested to determine whether they will become magic-wielding Artisans or remain magic-less Craftsmen. However, a secret they uncover that day eventually sparks a revolution. Thirteen years after that fateful day, and many years into the war between Artisans and Craftsmen, Nina and Patrick's paths cross again. Nina must choose a side—and they both have to decide who they can trust.

This book has an interesting premise and the setting felt unique with the story primarily taking place in a mining town during a class war. I did enjoy the story, especially the developing relationship between Nina and Patrick. Also, the plot twists and high tension in the 2nd half of the book kept me reading until 2AM when I finished the book.

With that said, however, I found the characters and plot to be a bit underdeveloped. The story is written in 3rd person limited, with dual POVs between Nina and Patrick. Thus, there were several plot twists I didn't see coming since the reader is kept in the dark about several key pieces of information without much, if any, foreshadowing. While this structure did keep me interested in what would happen next, at times it seemed that the characters had inconsistent motivations, which left me confused about some of their choices.

Rating 3.5/5 stars


Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Overall: 5/5
Spice: 1.5
Themes/tropes: Elemental magic, historical dystopian, class wars & government corruption, dual pov, Artisans (magic) / Craftsman (non-magic)

“We only know of history what is recorded. And records are easily lost or rewritten."

G.F.D.S.Y.D.I.A!

Also known as: God fucking damnit Stacey, you did it again! 🖕🏼🫶🏼

When I tell you THIS book right here needs to be in your cart for checkout on July 1st, I’m not lying. TRUST ME.

So picture this: a world where Crafters (non-magic folk) and Artisans (magic users) are divided like it’s a high school cafeteria. Then along come Nina and Patrick, two teens who stumble upon the biggest secret of all time. Fast forward a few years, Nina’s life is falling apart around her, and she ends up in a small mining town called Kenton Hall.

This book was soooo addictive. The plot had me absolutely hooked, and the twists? I did not see them coming (but let’s be honest, that’s typical for me). And Patrick Colson?! He has my whole heart. I was literally blushing and kicking my feet, the tension was chef’s kiss. 🤌🏼

The side characters were hilarious and had me laughing out loud more than once. The entire Colson family? Iconic. The world-building and magic system were incredibly well done and made this story stand out in the Romantasy genre. It’s definitely more plot-driven, with just the right sprinkle of romance.

I had to slow down and savor the last 70%—my anxiety was through the roof—but I couldn’t stop reading. Stacey does such an amazing job of keeping the reader hooked from page one.

And let me just say: DO THE THING YOU’RE AFRAID TO DO. Shoot your shot. I emailed the publisher, requested through NetGalley, and then slid into Stacey’s DMs like a sneaky little gremlin. And she said yes! A huge thank you to Stacey for giving me this chance—I am now emotionally invested in this universe forever.

Book 2, I’m coming for you. 🫵🏼