Peaky Blinders in a dystopian society with the love triangle of the Lost Gods

I devourreeedddd this book. The banter, the magic system, the dialects. McEwan nails the details that suck you into the book. And then, let’s discuss the burning yearning. I haven’t been this destroyed by a book in awhile. You will want to read this book. I need you to so we can talk about it.

Wow! This book was absolutely enthralling!
I was immediately swept up by the unique magic system and the relationship between Nina and Patrick. Both of their characters had so many layers of secrets to unfold and depth to their personalities that I was completely captivated. I loved the Irish mob feel to Patrick and his crew. I also really enjoyed seeing the narrative play out from either side of the coin.
I loved the history behind Nina and Patrick's story and watching how one chance decision spiraled into their future. Their tantalizing tension and witty banter was so addicting.
The unexpected twists and shocking surprises had me fervently devouring this book!
I'm devastated by the heart-wrenching cliffhanger and anxiously anticipating the next book!!!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts are my own.

Girl what the fuck that’s it?! Stacey McEwan you have some explaining to do because what do you mean I have to wait for the next book?!

Okay but for real this is my first Stacey McEwan book and I can officially say she is added to my radar of authors to look out for and to read the rest of her backlist. Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the ARC! I had such a good time reading this as I was in love with the magic system and the world building. This was a different type of magic system I haven't seen before so I was very hyped about it. When reading it initially, I was not sure in regards the setting as I initially starting reading with a British accent in my brain but then I got confused because at times the characters would sound Southern? However, once I looked up what the characters are supposed to look like and the teaser for the book itself I then realized they were Irish and it made a lot more sense. Once that was out of the way I was having a great time. One thing I really like was that this was a fantasy with a subplot romance line rather than pure romantasy. Not only does it add layers to the story but it adds development to the characters. Speaking of the characters I did not realize this was a dual POV so it added to the romance and yearning of both Nina and Patrick.

I will say it was a little predictable plot wise but the hints given throughout the book were kind of a dead giveaway for what is going to happen. However, I still had fun putting together the pieces and drawing the past connections. Romance wise, I thought it was so sweet and honestly it gave me butterflies from the little moments to the overall love confession.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It had a few moments where I had to question myself a little but it's the start of a great foundation. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I loved this book so much. It was really easy to get into, very immersive, writing was beautiful, the world-building was detailed but not overwhelming. The characters were really well fleshed out; they had distinguished personalities and character traits. It was really well-paced. Lots of fun, action, banter, tension. The slow-burn was delicious. Desperate for book 2.

Stacey McEwan’s A Forbidden Alchemy is a lush, emotionally resonant slow-burn romantasy that feels like cracking open a secret history book and finding your own heart tucked between the pages. I was hooked from the start—and while this book simmers more than it explodes, that’s exactly what made it such a compelling, character-driven read.

We follow Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson, who are both twelve when they’re plucked from their mining-town childhoods and swept into Belavere City’s glittering magical world. It’s a place of dazzling promise—at least on the surface. For Nina, Belavere is an escape hatch, a golden ticket out of poverty. For Patrick, it’s a wrenching separation from the hardworking Craftsman family he never wanted to leave.

But Belavere’s promise comes with a devastating cost—and one secret changes everything: Artisans, wielders of elemental magic, aren’t born. They’re chosen. From that moment on, Nina and Patrick’s lives diverge, and they’re left to carry the burden of truth alone.

Years pass. A revolution brews. And when fate pushes Nina and Patrick back together—on opposing sides of a violent class war—sparks fly in more ways than one. She’s an elite Artisan now, powerful and guarded, with the ability to charm the very earth beneath her feet. He’s leading the rebel cause, fueled by a lifetime of injustice and love he never fully buried.

Their chemistry? Palpable. Their conflict? Heart-wrenching. And when Nina’s first love reappears with an ultimatum that could destroy everything she’s rebuilt, we’re thrown into a final act full of emotional stakes, dangerous choices, and intimate betrayals.

What I loved most:
🖋️ A deeply character-driven plot that trades spectacle for nuance
💔 A slow-burn romance full of tension, longing, and painful history
🌍 A magic system layered with politics, oppression, and symbolism
🎭 A dual POV that gives us both heart and grit—especially Patrick’s arc, which is devastating in the best way

This isn’t a book that shouts—it simmers. It aches. It questions the cost of loyalty and the weight of secrets. And while I would have loved a bit more expansion in the worldbuilding at times, I closed the final page with that rare, satisfying ache that only the best romantasy can leave behind.

If you’re drawn to:
🔥 Lovers torn apart by politics
🌱 Subversive elemental magic
🗝️ Themes of identity, class, and chosen power
💫 Found family, second chances, and impossible choices

…then A Forbidden Alchemy belongs on your shelf. This is the kind of story that lingers—not because it dazzles, but because it understands.

Thank you NetGalley, Stacey McEwan, SagaPress #SagaSaysCrew for the eARC and ARC!

I don't even know where to begin with this review. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I absolutely would.

The world that Stacey has built, I haven't read anything like it. From the atmospheric descriptions and vibes that allowed me to feel like I was there. Half the time I forgot I was reading.

Secrets, betrayals, fear and impossible choices. The stakes of this book are extremely high, and I was kept engaged the whole time. I loved the slower pace in the beginning to really give me time to sit with each character and let me immerse myself in the story. I felt for every single person in this book faced with turmoil of the things they thought.

The ending broke me, and I will be waiting with baited breath for book 2.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

𝘈 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘺 is an addictive page turner and your next fantasy romance obsession this summer!

At twelve years of age, children venture to Belavere City for a magical test which reveals their future as a hardworking miner or Artisan. Nina and Patrick meet in the crowd of eager children, and they accidentally learn the truth - children aren't born with magical abilities, but they're chosen by the government. This shocking discovery sparks the revolution, and the conflict between the mining union and wealthy government escalates through the years Nina studies as an Artisan and Patrick leads the revolution from his craftsman town, seeking control of idium to win the war.

McEwan crafts complex characters that I adored despite their rough edges. The relationships and dialogue were very well done, and I loved the found family. The dual POV storytelling was wonderfully executed, and I loved the glimpse into both Nina and Patrick's minds. They're both strong and independent, making for a great pair as they challenge each other. The deception, betrayal, and reveals were exciting and satisfying, albeit a tad painful with the cliffhanger ending!

The magic system was unique and intriguing, and it fit seamlessly into the world, which has a dystopian edge through the power and class imbalance that adds to the stakes. The pacing was well done, but the ending was a tad abrupt.

I simultaneously yearned for savoring her words and devouring them as quickly as possible! I enjoyed every minute I spent in this world, and I'm already looking forward to returning (though I have quite some time to wait - the only downside to reading an advanced copy!).

This is one of those books where you finish it and it just kind of haunts you for a little while. It was so good, and I’ll be thinking about this in the upcoming weeks. The tropes are what got my attention. This book featured a slow burn, a unique magic system, forbidden romance, childhood friends, and betrayal. I also feature my favorite thing ever, some crazy plot twist that left me gasping. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. It’s going to get crazy.

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book blind. It wasn’t until after I finished and saw the Peaky Blinders meets Six of Crows magic and I realized that was actually a perfect description.

Elemental magic, slow burn romance, politics/political tension, rebellion, rich world building that will have you hooked for more

I personally found the first 30% of the book slow to start. However, once our FMC meets up with the MMC this book really kicks into gear. I loved it so much I preordered a shelf trophy.

The hardest part of reading arc copies is knowing I have to wait that much longer for the next one to release. It ends on a cliffhanger and I find myself crying again for the wait I must endure. Sadly, I do this to myself as an arc reader.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Such a unique take on magic systems while weaving an extraordinary story of blurred lines between friends & enemies!

<i>I took the name of a dead canary.</i>

I absolutely LOVED this story. It may have started off a little slow due to the world building but once I was locked in, I was down for the ride. The Peaky Blinders vibes are absolutely UNMATCHED, I was so here for the language, the wardrobe and the swagger!

<i>Ma used to say it was one thing to be down, and quite another to dig yourself a grave.</i>

I was surprised when the story kicks off when the MCs are only 12yo and was a bit worried, but what follows is several time jumps until the MCs are aged up to 25. The magic system was so fascinating, only a potion called Idium can expose which part of the population has magic abilities and define their affinities. Generally, the people are split into Artisans (magic wielders) and Crafters (non-magical) but it soon becomes clear there is a significant wealth gap between the two factions until tensions run high and a civil war breaks out.

I thought I had the plot twists figured out, and while I was right for some of them, the book still managed to surprise me on multiple occasions and then that ending had me gasping for the last few chapters! I need Book 2 IMMEDIATELY!

<i>"Do you intend to intercede every time another man looks my way?"
"I intend to put the rest of these boys to shame and spoil you for anyone else."</i>

Initially, I was also taken aback by the fact that the FMC's chapters are written in 1st Person but the MMC's chapters are in 3rd Person, I did find it disorienting whenever the POV switches and its not something I particularly loved. However, I loved the slowburn romance and truly adored their snark and verbal sparring.

Trigger Warning: if you don't like the idea of being underground, tunnels, or being buried alive, etc. Then, read this book with caution.

But trust me, it will 100% be worth pushing through and reading this book.

OMG, what an awesome and different take on fantasy. This was fun, intriguing, and kept me on my toes. I loved how Nina and Patrick connected. They could relate to each other in so many ways. Which is a good and bad thing.

This book has a bit of romance and spice, but it mainly focuses on a war happening between artisans and craftsmen. So if you like more fantasy than spice, this is the book for you! Like I said, you 100% want to read this book!

Stacey, I'm not happy with that ending and cliffhanger FFS, haha. I need the next book NOW!!

Okay, I devoured Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan. It’s everything I wanted—moody, magical, and just the right amount of messy in the best way. The writing is sharp and addictive, and the characters? So much tension, so many feelings. I could not look away.

There’s this dark, twisty vibe throughout, and the magic system is super cool—alchemy meets danger meets don’t-trust-anyone energy. It picks up right where the last book left off, and somehow raises the stakes even higher without ever feeling overwhelming.

I’m seriously obsessed. If you love morally gray characters, high-stakes fantasy, and slow-burning intensity, you need this one in your life. Just trust me

Ok. We’ve got a MFC caught between two MMCs on opposing sides of a war, magic in the form of elemental manipulation and alchemy, and a dystopian society. Personally, there are some magical elements that I wanted more of a deep dive on, but I could quickly tell that’s just not what this story is going to be and adjusted my expectations. The romantic element was filled with so much slow-burn angst, desperation and great dialogue. The atmosphere was so suffocating my heart was actually racing with so much anxiety as I finished. Did I guess some of the twists? Yes. Did some of them blindside me? Also, yes. The pacing was great too & duos are my sweet spot lately. Really enjoyed this one!

This book is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! A unique magic system based off of drinking the special mined idium and seeing if you “pass their test” at age 12 and get to live a life blessed with magic or not. When Nina and Patrick go for their test they uncover a world of lies and how the leaders are hand picking who gets to wield magic or not. Fast forward to Nina living a false life of a magic user and Patrick who went back home to help a revolution. Their paths intertwine and they are faced with what they will sacrifice in order to save those that they love.
Patrick Colson is definitely a top book boyfriend (and Donny will be as well if he has more page time…please more Donny!). His family is definitely a Peaky Blinders mob style force in the town that people love to hate. Learning about how he helped start the revolution and how his family has been an integral part was some of my favorite scenes. All the characters are morally grey and truly can’t decide if who thwy are willing to sacrifice. That ending has me freaking out and needing book 2!!

My heart is in my throat at the end of this book and I own it all to our author, Stacey McEwan. I think she effectively broke me.
Creating a story that feels like a blend of Peaky Blinders and The Ever King, A Forbidden Alchemy deserves to be in every slow burn romantasy lovers hands this year! A fantasy novel with a dystopian plot blends the perfect mix of magic and political intrigue. Our characters are fighting for their lives on both sides of the war, and it seems like there are no solutions for peace. Take a look into this story, where a battle for justice and for love converge in an emotional tale of underdog vs the political elite.

4.5 🌟 the way this book played out like a movie in my head!! I was completely hooked and transported to Kenton Hill with Nina and the Colson brothers. The world and magic system aren’t new and revolutionary but the storytelling made it feel unique and captivating! The found family was so endearing with dual POV chapters that gave us so much to love about Nina and Patrick. I didn’t think that I would love the setting of a mining, mountain town so much but the rough exterior and deep bonds of Kenton Hill charmed my socks off! My heart rate was elevated for at least half the book because of the life-or-death situations but also the betrayals and worrying about how one character’s actions would impact the others. I felt so connected to this story and these characters that it should be illegal to have THAT ending and no release date for book two!! I’m going to be sitting here (not so patiently) waiting for book two news and will be begging for an ARC!

Overall, I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see where this story goes!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼

Stacey McEwan's A Forbidden Alchemy is a twisty tale of magic, political intrigue, and shifting alliances. This book is as promised a magical twist on Peaky Blinders -- the characters are morally grey, the plot intense, and the reader will be swept along as they tried to catch hold of safe moment as McEwan quickly twists the plot along.

This book started out a hair slow for me, but when it takes off it is explosive (quite literally). I enjoyed the world that Stacey created that was filled with workers (miners, farmers, etc) existing on the brink to support the magical and lavish lifestyles of the Artisans' at the center of it all. The world itself is a stark one with demonstrating a clear class war between haves and have nots. A strike and resulting class war take center stage as the workers face off against their Artisan oppressors. I hope we learn more about this war as we continue in the next book because Stacey hints at more to come, but does not give us the full array of crimes committed by this group. She also leaves us wondering what their next steps are against the MCs and their group.

Nina is a scrappy FMC -- and a bit of chameleon. In search of a better life, away from her abusive and angry father, she finds herself impersonating an Artisan girl and trying to carve out a better life for herself. Yet, her brief friendship with Patrick as a child puts her right into the center of the fight sooner rather than later. Nina plays a lot of emotions close to the chest and is often the most guarded character in the book, in my opinion. I am intrigued to see where Stacey takes her character next.

Patrick (our MMC) is rough and tumble, no holds barred, and definitely morally grey. Cue Cillian Murphy and his constant cigarette now. Cause that is what you are getting here in all the best ways. Of the two, his character is the most raw, but at times the most emotional. He just as secretive and guarded as Nina, but Stacey does a good job of infusing emotion into his chapters.

The rest of the side characters range from Theo (cue sus look here) to Pat's unhinged brothers (what a duo), and a couple people in between.

Stacey does a nice job of interweaving this moments between Nina and Pat throughout the larger plot of the class war between the Crafters and the Artisan, the missing last Alchemist, and rising political troubles that ensue for all involved.

Now, I have to saw. Stacey will leave you on one hell of a last line in book. I stared at it and just went "ooofff." It was definitely a steep cliff to hang from as we wait for the next book. But I am excited to see where this series goes next.

Thank you to Saga Press & Netgalley for the ARC!!

WOW!!! Would give this book 6 out of 5 stars if I could! This seriously could very well be my favorite book of the year!!

When I seen that this book was said to have Peaky Blinders vibes but with magic, I was so excited to read it! AND BOY, DID STACEY DELIVER!!! The vibes, the magic system, the ROMANCE!!! 🔥 everything was just so on point I could not put this book down once I started!

The magic system is interesting & captivating and so easy to follow along; I also really appreciated the shorter chapters and how it's dual POV!!! I LOVED these characters so so much. Nina and Patrick's slow burn romance was everything to me!!! They very well are going to be one of my fave book couples maybe ever?! I just loved their dynamic so much!

The ending had me at the edge of my seat & I literally am begging for book 2 already!!

1000% recommend!!!

Holy shit, Stacey McEwan!! Twist after twist, and that ending!!! I need book 2 expeditiously.

Ok now let’s back up for a moment.
In a divided world powered by elemental magic and industrial might, twelve-year-olds Nina and Patrick are taken from struggling mining towns to the dazzling Artisan School of Belavere City, where only a select few are chosen to wield magic. As they uncover a dark truth, that Artisans are chosen, not born, their paths diverge, setting them on opposite sides of a growing rebellion. Years later, Nina, now a powerful earth-charmer, is captured by Patrick’s rebel forces. Torn between old loyalties, a rekindled bond, and a plea from her first love, Nina must decide where her allegiance truly lies, before the conflict consumes them all.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t picturing Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders when reading about Patrick Colson - morally grey, but protective of his people and his family, and fighting for miners’ union rights.

Themes/Tropes:
-Class war
-Rebellious uprising by the oppressed Craftsmen
-Elemental magic system
-Corrupt system of government
-Conspiracy after conspiracy
-Plot twist after plot twist (I felt bamboozled so many times!)
- Reluctant allies to lovers to enemies
-Cliffhanger

The ending gave me major The Bridge Kingdom book 1 ending vibes (IYKYK).

Thank you Saga Press and Stacey McEwan for the ARC of this amazing book!

Thank you Saga Press & Simon Audio for the ARC/ALC!

I have been on the hunt for a solid romantic fantasy. I want the fantasy worldbuilding and conflict to stand on it’s own, but to also have a really juicy, angsty romance. I don’t want them to just meet and hate each other for stupid reasons, I want DEPTH. (Don’t get me wrong, I also sometimes DON’T want depth.)

A Forbidden Alchemy is kind of a Peaky Blinders meets Six of Crows, and it checked all of my boxes:
-class differences
-cool magic
-they meet as kids
-on different sides of the conflict (or are they??)
-I’m not sure who to trust, but every has really clear motivations

I did feel like it was kind of a slow burn with several elements, so I would recommend you pick this up when you’re looking for something to kind of take your time with and sink your teeth into. It’s definitely not closed door, but it is pretty low on the spice scale, so that is also something to keep in mind if you’re a mood reader.