I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, I think that I devoured it in 3 days is enough said but in case it isn't

Tropes: Class Wars, Oppressive Government, Unique Magic System, Enemies to Lovers, Hidden Identity, Love Triangle, He Falls First, Banter, Multifaceted FMC

I think it would be easier to start with what I didn't like;
The ending, Stacey, WTF was that?

What I did like; The setting wasn't one I would usually read, but I ended up really loving it and how seamlessly the old world glamour of society contrasted the terrors of the mines, and entwined with the magic system. The concept of craftsman vs artisans was meticulously hashed out.

If you read Stacey's "Glacian Trilogy" and are yearning for the found family/banter vibes, A Forbidden Alchemy will bring with it the comfort of familiarity without being in any realm "same-same".

If you haven't and want to fill some time before A Forbidden Alchemy's release date: I strongly recommend hunting out the series.

I will definitely be waiting to get my hands on my preordered physical copy, and definitely see it being a favourite to re-read, with Patrick most likely becoming
"the" next book boyfriend.

A huge thank you to Stacey, who sent the link to an ARC on the off chance my request didn't get accepted, and to Simon & Schuster (AU) for accepting the request.

A slow start, but it really picked up!

I do have to give it a 3.5 verdict, rounded up to 4 on GR and NetGalley.

After seeing glowing reviews for this one, I was really surprised when it took me fffooorrreverrrrr to get into it. I kept pushing through, waiting for that unputdownable moment, and finally got there about halfway in.

Would I recommend the read? Yes. Under the disclaimer that the first half may be a bit boring. But I have a feeling the next book is going to be incredible, given the much more intriguing second half of the book.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

What an INCREDIBLE fantasy book. I loved every bit of it. I read a lot of fantasy… and A Forbidden Alchemy has now shot up to the top of my list.

What I LOVED
- The pacing was 10/10, I was immediately locked in.
- The twists and turns will make you gasp and will also have your heart palpitating. (I had to start covering the bottom of the page so I wouldn’t SPOIL myself)
- @staceymcewanbooks created intriguing and complex characters while also building a world with a unique magic system and political conflict.
- YEARNINGGGGG SLOW BURN!! There is some stunning romance happening in this book.
- Patrick, our MMC, is down bad and quite literally the definition of morally grey while also being charming.
- Nina our FMC is such a badass and also so multilayeredddd
- Dual POV

Get ready for heartbreak, secrets and betrayal!!!

Thank you @staceymcewanbooks and @sagapressbooks for the arc!!!

A Forbidden Alchemy comes out in July!! If you love fantasy, you’ll love this. Buy it, I know I’m gonna!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

The way the MMC in this literally had me swooning! I loved the steampunk/gaslamp fantasy vibes, I was immediately drawn in and found myself gutted when the book ended. There were plenty of twists in A Forbidden Alchemy that I never saw coming, which are my favorite kind!

At 12 years old, strangers Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson find a devastating secret that could change the course of the world as they know it. The beginning of the book gave a little bit of Harry Potter vibes in terms of Sorting Hat energy and a Dumbledore like mentor with the second half making me feel like I was watching an episode of Peaky Blinders.

We see progressive time jumps until we get to the present at which point, I was HOOKED!

This is my first book by Stacey McEwan but she delivered an excellent tale of magic powers, swoon worthy romance, revolution and betrayals like no other.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Wow!!! This was an outstanding Fantasy! I loved the world it took place in and the magic system was really cool a mix of science and magic of course! The main character was interesting and complex. I don’t know if I really like her or not, I think so. Definitely a flower character but that makes it more intriguing!!! The ending though, much wanting!!!!! I can’t wait to see what happens next this was amazing!!!

4.5 🌟
I had a hard time with the first 50%, but once that first major plot twist came, I was hooked.

The world building and magic system was necessary to explain and is pretty different from anything else I've read. I liked not knowing who the male love interest was going to be and the different found family moments for Nina. The characters grow on you.

My biggest questions for the ending are about Polly and about Gunner. I think what Nina chooses to do in the beginning of book 2 might surprise us based on the style of each plot twist.

✨ARC Review✨

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan is out July 1st, 2025. Preorder ASAP, because this was an absolute win! A big thank you to Saga Press Books via NetGalley for this advanced digital copy!

Rating: 4.75⭐️ 1.5🌶️
Tropes: Unique Magic System, Class Wars, Oppressive Government, Enemies to Lovers, Hidden Identity.

Thoughts 💭: I’ve been in a 1+ month reading slump, and this book absolutely shattered it. I binged it in less than 24hrs, and need book 2 immediately. The twists? The romance? That ending? OMG! The magic system is fantastic, and the world-building is beautifully immersive. I can’t wait to see where this story goes.

Summary 🗡️: 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.

Really enjoyed this one, and I'm happy to have found yet another amazing romantasy to add to our collection.

This was fun, swoony, and hello, definitely giving me all the Peaky Blinders vibes! Cannot wait for the sequel!

I recently finished reading A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan, and it was an exciting and wonderful experience. Her writing transported me right into the story and allowed me to imagine every emotion and event. While I’m tempted to compare it to some of my favorite books, I believe this deserves its own praise. Stacey McEwan has a remarkable talent for world-building and an undeniable chemistry with the romance.
I really enjoyed every part of this novel, and I feel honored to have received a copy from the publisher. Here are some of the things I loved:

• - The Colson family
• - The world-building
• - The romance
• - Nina’s powers
• - Patrick, my new book boyfriend

I want to express my gratitude to Saga Press via NetGalley for providing me with this opportunity to read this remarkable book.

I found A Forbidden Alchemy to be a wonderfully unique take dystopian fantasy, and the story was hugely creative, and very enjoyable. Ultimately though, I found parts to be clunky, interactions, action scenes, and the way the book switched to the past a few times. While I do very much like an unreliable narrator or character, when this happened with the twist in this story, it felt more forced and confusing than clever. I honestly feel like the fault is in the editing and it needed more for it to really shine. That said I did enjoy this book, it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to read one of Stacy McEwan’s books, and I do hope to read more from her.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author or giving me the chance to read and review an ARC of this book.

This book was soooo stressful in the best way. Really good start to what I’m sure is going to be an amazing series. If you’re someone who wanted to know more about life in the districts in the hunger games, I think this book will definitely appeal to you. The stakes were high, the danger was looming, and the romance was amazing. Plus that cliffy??? Chills. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for this eArc.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Saga press and Stacey McEwan for this eARC! I absolutely loved this and ate it up! This was a perfect romantasy with excellent world building, romance, twists, betrayal, and plot! I’m impatiently waiting for book 2 and book 1 hasn’t even released yet! I recommend this book to anyone who loves a romance with a peaky blinders feel!!!

One of my favorite reads of the year so far! I think this was incredibly well written and I can't wait to read more books from this author. The world building is easy to follow and the magic system is unique and interesting as well. The romance? Oh, the romance. Patrick, the man that you are. Nina is a great FMC as well, though she frustrated me at times by not communicating very important things. I'm so excited (and scared) to see what's next for these characters. I had no idea this would be a series, that ending put me through the ringer 😭 I will be reading book 2 asap! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

First of all- rude!
Second of all- GAHHHHHHHHH
Third of all- 😅😳🤯😍😭🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
In that order

Now I got beef!

Savannah! You did not warn me I was going to be crushed! Thank you 😂
@sagapressbooks ❤️ for sending me this but now I gotta watch what you send and have wine ready!

@staceymcewanbooks it was AMAZING but I’m throughly grumpy with you. How could you? I mean HOW COULD YOU?!?!?!! I loved it. Thank you. ❤️

Whatever you think this book is going to be or how you think it’s going to go, you’re wrong.

The book starts off reminiscent of the hunger games with children being sent to find their place in the world, to find their purpose, to provide for their country, to gain notoriety and fortune - if - they are lucky enough.
Poor and starving children just looking for any stable future. Rich children, desperate to keep their family’s standing.
When two children, with very different ideas of the world, are faced with the truth and their reactions so very different, can they find common ground? When the years have separated them? When horrific events have transpired? When the truths are eating, not only them alive, but the country, will they fight together?
Who can you trust?
Friends?
Family?
Lovers?
Yourself?

If you’re the type of person to be happy about *a little* suffering, this book is for you.
If you want unicorns to fart cupcakes and never ending bliss, grow up. Read the book!

The world building was so great with this. It took a little time to get into but once the story started going it was off to the races. There were so many plot twists I felt like my head was on a swivel. This book is great if you love political intrigue, war, magic, betrayal, and one heck of a cliff hanger. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

First, thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A Forbidden Alchemy is a balance of romance, action, emotion, and world-building. The world jumps between the downtrodden and dilapidated mining towns to the curated opulence of the Artisans cities and school. Powerful Artisans are chosen to wield elemental magic while the lowly Craftsmen labor in treacherous and often deadly underground mines. Nina and Patrick, our two protagonists, come from different backgrounds. Nina, desperate to escape the harsh realities of her mining town, views the Artisan test as salvation and becomes a powerful Artisan. Patrick, fiercely loyal to his family’s traditions, resents the system that pulls him away from them and returns to his family, ultimately joining the rebellion.
When Nina initially meets Patrick Colson at the siphoning ceremony, the two make a shocking discovery that could devastate the entire class system. Although Nina and Patrick end up on different paths following the ceremony, changes have been set in motion that will bring them back together on opposing sides. With the imminent outbreak of war between the Craftsman and Artisans, Nina and Patrick will have to navigate lies, betrayals, and long-held feelings for one another, as those in power fight to maintain the status quo. Their dynamic is intense, filled with tension and slow-burning chemistry. If you love a good “enemies-to-lovers with a complicated past” trope, this book delivers.
After that ending, I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

In a world where twelve-year-olds are given an opportunity to start anew, as an Artisan in Artisan School, Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson meet by chance. When they discover the choosing process is selective, one decides to stay while the other returns home.

Changing her name to Nina Clarke, Nina becomes a vital part in this fantasy world as a Charmer whose power hasn’t been seen in a long time. However, when a Miners Union forms and threats of taking down her school arises, Nina’s life is turned upside down. Meeting Patrick Colsen all these years again, gives her such strong emotions. When her first boyfriend comes back, she must make a decision - betray the one who she’s fallen for or risk her and others’ lives.

What a truly captivating tale set in a unique fantasy world. The jumps in time in the beginning was a little off-putting, however, what an exciting and worthwhile ride! I absolutely loved the idea of Charmers and the whole setting in this unique world. I became excited every time Nina used her Charmer magic and couldn’t wait for more!

The love and main relationship represented in this book was so sweet. It is described as slow-burn, but I thought the pacing was near perfection. It was great reading both the male and female perspectives in the relationship to see both their intentions without having to guess who’s being true and honest. There were some sexual scenes that was done with some detail, but with a delicate of balance of excitement and sweetness.

I did find some of the turmoil Nina was feeling not as entertaining to read. Once she started to share some information, I would’ve thought she would continue immediately. Luckily, Patrick is a quick thinker, so it didn’t drag the plot.

The ending was thrilling and satisfying. I’m both excited to read the next installment and a little sad that I need to wait!

Overall, “The Forbidden Alchemy” is a romance-fantasy (romantasy) that was a pleasure to read! It’s one if those reads that keeps the reader turning the pages to see what’s next. I look forward to reading the second book the Artisan series!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher (Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press) for giving me an the opportunity to read “A Forbidden Alchemy”. All opinions are my own.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing the ARC.
I was completely captivated by this novel! The magic system is refreshingly unique and innovative, with plot twists that genuinely left me speechless. The ending brilliantly sets the stage for the sequel while still delivering a satisfying conclusion to this installment.
Nina and Patrick’s relationship quickly became my favorite element - their shared history and evolving dynamic added such depth to the story. Patrick, our wonderfully complex and morally ambiguous king, along with his fascinating family, took me on an unforgettable journey.
My only complaint? Being fortunate enough to read this advance copy means an even longer wait for book two!

Thank you to NetGalley, Stacey McEwan, and Saga Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the first 30% of the book. But there the book started moving too slowly for me. I found the magic system to be very interesting. It gave me Six of Crows vibes. I love a good found family trope but this group felt very disjointed. The ending was a great cliffhanger. I don’t think I will continue the series.

First off I want to thank Saga Press Books and Stacy McEwan for the incredible opportunity to read this ARC. Know all of these thoughts are my own.

WOW! I have no words, other than fuck, what a fantastic story. Stacy you made a world that was so amazing I loved every second of the story. We meet Nina and Patrick living in a world divided. Nina and Patrick make a discovery that changes the course of their entire world. The twist, turns and secrets of this world kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book. Nina and Patrick were fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Nina was timid and unsure but really came into her own towards the end. Now let’s get to Patrick, oh Patrick, you are a secret cinnamon roll with a dash of don’t f*uckin touch her or you will die. I loved him so dang much and I can’t wait for others to meet him. You will love this story if you enjoy class wars, unique magic systems, twists and turns, dystopian/historical, slow ass burn, and secrets/betrayal.