I’m going to start by saying I don’t usually read Romantasy, but the odd times that I do, I have fomo to thank.

My tired brain wants to tell everyone - “dis book was good ya’ll!” Worth the hype? I thought 💭 so!
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘮, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘭𝘰𝘭 (IYKYK). 👃

𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮:
Being the weirdo that I am, I loved the canary references. It reminded me of the very first Anatomy and Physiology class I ever took. We were taught the rationale behind miners taking canaries into mine shafts.

📖:
The world building I felt was done well 🤌, as a newbie fantasy reader I’ve learned that this is v important!

Artisans vs Crafters, the differences felt tangible, their motivations and the impact of the conflict in the character’s daily lives, were so vivid. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧.

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍:
-𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙨 (𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙨)
-𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
-𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 (𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙖 🥹)
-𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 🧑‍🍳 💋
-𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 🔥 & 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩

🗒️:
The Ending..🙃 I’m not used to cliffhangers in my books, so I’m a little depressi that I have to wait for a book 2! My thought as I’m reading the last few pages: “No, not like this..” but in slow motion. 🤣

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review.

I wish I could say I liked this book more. Everyone has been raving about this book, so while I did not have wildly high expectations, I did expect it to be a solid book that I would enjoy. Sadly, I did not have the same experience as everyone else.

I had the audiobook and the e-book available to me from the publisher (audio is my usual go-to format). I started by listening to the audiobook, but I wasn’t connecting with the characters or the story, so I switched to the e-book to see if that would improve my reading experience. Unfortunately, I still didn’t find any connection to the book after switching formats. I think this is partly due to the pacing of the book. We start the book when Nina and Patrick are 12 years old, then jump to when Nina is finishing her schooling, then jump again to 7 years later. We didn’t have enough time at any stage to really connect with Nina and get a sense of who she is. I didn’t find any of her relationships/connections to have any depth or meaning. I found the plot points to be predictable in a way that couldn’t hold my interest.

That being said, the story did pick up a little bit around the 60% mark and was more enjoyable. I seem to be in the minority of reviews for this book, so I'd still recommend it if you're interested in the blurb!

Witty, wicked, and completely addictive—A Forbidden Alchemy was everything I hoped it would be. The banter is elite, the tension is delicious, and the magic system is so clever. Stacy McEwan delivers a story that’s sharp, sexy, and just a little unhinged (in the best possible way). I’m obsessed.

That freaking ending!! Stayed up late to finish this and now I need the second book. This was easily a five star book.

Ihttps://www.instagram.com/p/DMewyq4TRrI/?igsh=MnAxZ2RzZWUwYzFj absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the very first page. I binge-read this book in less than two days. It was well-structured and I loved the writing style. The characters, magic system, the unique dystopian world and all of those secrets!!

Patrick Colson is THE MMC!! I loved him sm. The way he always cared for Nina is everything. I loved the bond between Colson family and Patrick's friends and followers. The banter between Nina and Patrick was brilliant and so fun, and all those plot twists made my head spin. I really liked that it was dual POV so we could read it from both of their perspectives. It made me feel all those emotions more strongly. Also what was that ending?!! RUDE can't wait for the second book!

This book sucks you in, holds on tight to your ankles and doesn't let you go until you are about to lose consciousness. This book was so good and I am normally not a romantasy type of girl. We follow the world of Nina Harrow, whose only wish in life is to become an Artisan - one with magical powers, and live a life better than the one she currently has. We also follow Patrick Colson, a Crafter's son, who despises the Artisans and doesn't want anything to do with that world and those involved. This is a slow-burn, adventure packed novel that will leave you asking, "has the author written part 2 yet?!". Definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Nina dreams of escaping her home for a new world with magical possibilities. Patrick would rather just stay home with his mining family. As the two cross paths at twelve years old to be assigned their future as either an Artisan with elemental magic or a Craftsman without, they uncover a terrible secret about the magic and the lords running their world. Years later, Nina and Patrick are on separate factions of a war where they must navigate a dangerous world of more secrets, love and gut wrenching betrayals.

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy & audiobook for review! 💛

AHH easy five stars for me!! As someone who is obsessed with Peaky Blinders, this definitely hit all the right spots!! This had a good combo of sweet and romantic, yet exciting and tense that made it absolutely addictive. Your girl was STRESSED.

I absolutely loved our MCs- their connection as kids was adorable, and their chemistry as adults was 🔥🔥. Patrick quickly became one of my fave MMCs- morally gray, possessive, & still sweet? Yes pls. I was swooning and melting all over the place. I loved their story, and how throughout the book they were the same yet still totally different. The writing was fun to read as we gradually see Nina grow through the years along with a montage of events and scribbles leading to the brewing war.

The side characters were perfect! Patrick’s intense but still lovable family def made me miss our Shelby fam from Peaky Blinders. Donny was obvi my fav!

The pacing was great and kept me fully engaged from start to finish. The last quarter of the book came with plot twists on top of plot twists, and I ate it all uppp. It was intense and nerve wracking especially with how easily attached you get with Nina and Patrick.

I will say that I was a little thrown off at first with the sudden switches of first and third person pov, but it didn’t take me long to get used to it. I actually ended up liking how it flowed. There was always a cloud of mystery lingering in the chapters, and as more truths unraveled, I appreciated how it was crafted more and more.

This book was the perfect recipe of fantasy romance for me with solid world building, epic alchemical magic system, strong characters, and a sweet, tension filled romance.

🧪dual pov
🧪slow burn
🧪peaky blinders vibe
🧪class war
🧪morally gray mmc

Apparently I had a lot more to say than I thought, but needless to say, I loved it. This will probably be one of my fave reads of the year! Neeeeeed the second book yesterday 🥲

This read took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed this! I found the morally gray characters compelling and the magic system quite unique. I absolutely adored Patrick, who gives off this Thomas Shelby Peaky Blinders feel in the best way possible. Nina has this presence about her which also proved just how smart and strong she really is. There were moments where I felt as though she was naive but feel this was a strategic decision made.

The story line was incredibly compelling, the romance in many ways was a slower burn despite the history for the characters, and I loved the gray scales of right an wrong. There were secrets uncovered, twists that twisted, shocking moments and ultimately a story and ending that leaves you with so many questions and craving the next book IMMEDIATELY!

I also immensely enjoyed the politics and the concept of generational wealth and opportunity and the conversation of continued oppression of the less wealthy. The concept of the oppressed stepping up against the system and fighting for a better life is a very prevalent conversation and was done through a well crafted and enjoyable fantasy world.

The atmosphere, while set mostly in a mining town where people are not wealthy financially but incredibly wealthy with family, friendships, and community, in addition to a complicated romance makes this book such a refreshing read and I cannot wait for the story to continue!

I am a huge Stacey McEwan fan, so obviously I needed this desperately.

As always, Stacey delivered. 'A Forbidden Alchemy' is an absolutely devastating slow-burn war time fantasy that reads like Divine Rivals had a baby with Peaky Blinders and Six of Crows, which are all my favorite things and I was impressed with how well those vibes fit together. This saga follows Nina and Patrick from discovering their magical potential as children to becoming enemies on opposite sides of a brutal class war. The writing was so carefully crafted in a way that felt like the stakes were real and the message was clear.

The meaning behind the war was one that spoke to me, and I am sure will speak to many readers. The way that classism wasn't just tacked on but instead carefully explored the inherent disadvantages and lack of opportunities that poor people face compared to those in a higher social status felt natural and realistic. It's war. War is never pretty, and Stacey never glorifies it.

Of course, the romance is also still a huge appeal. Nina and Patrick going from childhood friends to enemies to ??? gives their arc a unique twist we don't often see, and there is an incredible slow burn. The supporting characters are well rounded with their own goals and alignment, which I think will definitely make book 2 a lot more.. explosive.

I can't wait to see, and I hope we get more on the magic system in the next installment!

Honestly a full 5⭐️ read for me, because WOW I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS!!! I could not put this book down past 20% in and I binged it in less than 24 hours because it was, in fact, that good.

Tropes:

✨alchemy/elemental based magic system
✨class war
✨childhood friends to enemies to lovers to ??
✨morally grey mobster family
✨touch her and die MMC

Spice level: 🌶️

Go into this book blind or just read the first two mini paragraphs of the synopsis because this book started in such a fast-paced unexpected way; the development was continuously leaving me shook despite having a semi-idea of what was going to happen going in.

I am literally about to binge Peaky Blinders because of how much I loved the vibes of Colson & Sons. PATTY WAS EVERYTHING TO ME AND MORE, but the character art of him as a brunette threw me off because I feel like he is black-hair coded. New favorite morally grey MMC unlocked. I will say that now that I have started the show, the similarities to some of the characters in the books are a bit glaring, but this is acknowledged by the author in her inspiration for the story.

The plot twists!! The betrayals!! The way I was on the edge of my seat for the last 30%!! This book absolutely beat my reading slump and now I’ll be crying for the next 9-12 months about how I don’t have the next book in my hands after that cliffhanger.

This book is like nothing I’ve read before. I loved the romance, world building, character growth, and timeline. I felt that this story gave a complete introduction to the world and events that led up to the ending of the book. The fantasy aspects were very intriguing and interesting to read about. The yearning between characters was perfect and helped build tension between the love interests. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Nina Harrow of Scurry is whisked away from her home at the age of 12 and brought to Belavere City, to discover if she will become a crafter or will reach her dream of becoming an Artisan. Upon arriving to Belavere City, Nina meets none other than Patrick Colson. A boy from Kenton Hill with no desire to become anything but a Craftsman and return home to his family. While waiting for their turns during the Siphoning ceremony, they break into the House of Artisans to uncover a secret that will change the trajectory of their worlds, and lead to a revolution led by the Crafters.

Stacey McEwan puts out nothing but absolute bangers. A Forbidden Alchemy was gripping from beginning to end. We have morally grey characters who are fighting a class war, starting a revolution. So many secrets. Betrayal. Longing, witty banter, and a slow burn romance that will have you kicking your feet and giggling.

Patrick Colson QUICKLY became one of my favorite male main characters. He’s mysterious, yet straight forward. He cares about everyone in the story, but has his eyes set on one person. I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying that Patrick is similar to Thomas Shelby of Peaky Blinders, and I feel that’s an accurate description.

This book was phenomenal, one of my top reads of the year. I think about it often. Thank you, thank you to NetGalley, Stacey McEwan and Saga Press for the arc of A Forbidden Alchemy, available now!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Now let me tell you. This is probably sitting at one of my top reads for the year. I literally cannot shut up about this book and have convinced 3 friends to read it, 2 of which actively are. The tension between the MMC and the FMC had me on the edge of my seat. And the magic system that took place was so interesting to which I enjoyed very much. Now do not get me started on that cliff hanger. I need the next book like yesterday.

I am very excited to see how the rest of the series will go. Please add this book to your tbr if it isn't there already

THIS BOOK. I feel like I just got slapped in the face by plot twists and betrayal 🤣 I am unwell and heartbroken. I stared at a wall for a minute after reading the last page. A Forbidden Alchemy is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far. It’s unique and a perfect book to get you out of a reading slump. Stacey’s writing had me feeling very connected to the main characters and feeling so many emotions throughout the story.

Vibes:
⛏️ Peaky Blinders vibes with the very morally grey Colson brothers, Hunger Games vibes in the sense that the Crafter towns reminded me of the Districts
🍺 Class war and corruption: Crafters (non-magic) vs Artisans (wielders of elemental magic)
⛏️ Slow burn with the sweetest chemistry between the FMC and MMC (I never thought I’d fall in love with a gangster *cough revolutionary* so quickly, but here we are)
🍺 Plot twists and betrayals throughout the book that might just carve a hole in your heart
⛏️ Dual POV with complex characters and world building that had me feeling like I was part of the Miners Union

Thank you SO MUCH Saga Press for the ARC!

Wondering how I'd survive in the mines...probably not very well💀
Omg this book was so good, I blew right through it! The amount of secrets and plot twists was insane, and definitely took me on such a wild ride, especially the last part of the book. I already need book 2!!

I really enjoyed this magic system, as it also reveals the underlying corruption in this hierarchy of their society. It was interesting to see this class war play out, especially between Nina and Patrick, and as you progress further into the book, you discover secrets that reveal it's not always as it seems.

And can we talk about how Patrick Colson is such a hot MMC? So very morally gray, completely unafraid to get his hands dirty/bloody to protect those that he loves. I just swoon over him each appearance that he makes.
And I'm not usually one for even a sliver of a love triangle in a book, but I really didn't mind this one! It plays very well for the plot.

Thank you Saga Press for the ARC!

A Forbidden Alchemy is a story where we find that sometimes we are able to choose our fate rather than letting fate dictate our destiny and value.
Nina comes from a poor mining town and hopes that she will be identified as an Artisan. Upon arriving in the Capitol for testing, she runs into Patrick and, as 12 year olds are wont to do, get up to shenanigans that change each of their lives and gives them a choice where many others haven't gotten one.
I loved the magic system that McEwan created - it felt fresh and unique. Nina and Patrick are super compelling main characters and I appreciated that we got each of their points of view as the story progressed. There was a great mix of action, intrigue, and romance. The twist at the end of the story completely took me by surprise (and, honestly, if you know me this shouldn't be shocking, lol) and I can't wait to see where the next book takes me!

Well written, gripping and fun. I think because I saw Alchemy in the title I expected more Science fiction but it was full fantasy. I enjoyed the book immediately and read it pretty fast because I was having so much fun but I found parts of it predictable and it was very lacking in the diversity department.

A Forbidden Alchemy is a deliciously addictive romantasy filled with jaw-dropping twists. What sets it apart is its thoughtful exploration of dystopian themes—class warfare, exploitation of the blue-collar proletariat, and the intoxicating effects of capitalism. The romantic yearning only heightens the stakes, as our protagonist, Nina Harrow, finds herself torn between two opposing forces in an impossible, lose-lose scenario.

Nina and Patrick Colson are just twelve when they’re taken from their mining towns to undergo magical testing in the capital. If they display magical potential, they become Artisans—enrolled in a prestigious academy with access to elite professions. If not, they’re sent back to the mines as Crafters, those who labor with their hands. But Nina and Patrick soon uncover a devastating truth: the Artisan-Crafter divide isn’t determined by ability—it’s chosen. The promise of social mobility is a carefully constructed illusion.

Patrick returns home and ignites the spark of rebellion, unionizing miners to demand fair wages, resources, and justice. Nina, meanwhile, ascends the ranks at the Artisan academy, catching the attention of the elite for her powerful earth-charming magic.

Years later, fate reunites them. Now the head of the miners’ union, Patrick is on the brink of revolution and needs Nina’s help to overthrow the Artisan regime. Can he convince her to betray the world she’s come to know for the one they both came from? Or will Nina cling to the privilege she’s earned, even if it means turning against the boy who once had her heart?

The tension is thick throughout. Patrick Colson is a standout character—sharp-edged and dark, yet with a hidden softness that makes him deeply compelling. Beneath his grit and resolve lies a quiet tenderness, revealed only in fleeting moments. I pictured him as a cross between Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders and Theo James in The Gentlemen.

The banter and slang between characters add realism, and McEwan clearly did her homework. She nails the atmosphere of a British mining town, from dialect to personality traits.

I’m utterly obsessed with this novel. And that ending? Devastating. Sheer, exquisite torture.

Absolutely wonderful. Fantastic. Everything I didn’t know I needed. I cannot wait to keep reading this series! I need the second book finished and sent to me now! I’m so happy I own 3 copies of this book. No notes. This is how an original work is done! 👏🏼👏🏼

Thank you so much to NetGalley and saga press for my copy!

Well Stacey is queen and I love her. Loved the unique magic magic system, Patrick and Nina, and the overall storyline.