Magic isn’t earned… it’s chosen. 

I devoured this book. Think Appalachian/Distric 12 vibes meets chosen magic, rebellion, and slow-burn tension that simmers the whole way through. It’s gritty, emotional, and full of heartbreak and betrayal.

When Nina and Patrick leave their mining towns and uncover a life-altering secret at just twelve years old, they're pushed onto two very different paths—one built on magic, the other on rebellion. Thirteen years later, a war is brewing, and their reunion is nothing like they imagined. The stakes are high, the past still burns, and trust is a luxury neither of them can afford.

I loved Nina. She’s powerful but emotionally scarred, full of conflict and regret. And Patrick? A rebel with a cause and the world on his shoulders.. Their dynamic is slow, intense, and messy in a way that feels so earned.

There’s class warfare, elemental magic, betrayal, longing… and yes, it ends on a cliffhanger that will have you begging for book two.

If you like romantasy with a rich world, deep character work, morally gray characters and a romance that hurts in all the right ways, this one’s for you. 

And finally - thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks Saga Press for the ARC!

Lately I've become a little bit jaded against Romantasy books, but this was one of the better ones I've read!

A Forbidden Alchemy takes place in a world where magic Artisans can be discovered by drinking a special potion. But not everything is as it seems when young Nina goes to the big city for her turn.

The worldbuilding was well done. I loved the society structure of Artisans with "magic" and lower class craftsman. The whole magic system was cool and it felt unique.

I love that we got a little bit of academia. Most of the characters are morally gray, which adds some grittiness to the story. The plot moves along at a good pace without dragging. Overall I'm invested and intrigued to read the sequel.

The couple things I didn't love as much:

I don't generally care or pay attention to the format a book is written in, but in this book one POV is written in first-person and the other POV is in third-person. It actually made it really confusing jumping between chapters because it feels like they are all be from the first person character's perspective. But it's not. Weird choice from the author. It still works but it actively pulled me from the story a few times. The audiobook probably doesn't have this confusion because there are two narrators.

I liked the romance, but it felt a little fast. (A few open door scenes). I wish the side characters had been fleshed out a little more. Same with the villains, I wish we'd had a little more motivation and time on the page. (But I'm guessing more of that is coming in the next book!)

All in all, a solid start to a new series!
Content warning: frequent strong language including F-bombs, multiple open-door scenes.

Ok I ate this up!! I love a Dual POV and a nice slow burn romance and this delivered. The world building wasn't overwhelming and the political drama between the classes created interesting conflict. I enjoyed Nina and Patrick's slow chemistry. I would consider this one to be more high stakes as far as fantasy goes, as there are a lot of political intrigue and complex characters. I enjoyed the secondary characters and found them charming. While it did have a bit of a slow start, it picked up and the cliffhanger has me begging for book 2 though!

I loved the unique magic system, forbidden love, and plot twists of a Forbidden Alchemy. Nina and Pat at 12 years old discover that the class system of Crafters vs. Artisans is fully staged and fake. When they reunite years later amidst an imminent war, sides have to be chosen, and trust has to be found.

I didn't realize it was the first in a series, so as I reached the end of this book, where everything is falling apart, I felt mildly frustrated. I'll just sit here patiently awaiting book 2.

Absolutely one of the most stunning romantasy novels to come out this year. The magic system is unique and the characters... well, you'll fall in love with them. The world building is so well done but as the reader, you dont feel bogged down by detail. I need more!

Thank you so much to @sagapressbooks for this gifted arc! #sagasayscrew #afa #sagapress

You guys know that I’ve recently been in a romantasy rut, but A Forbidden Alchemy absolutely refused to let me give up on the genre. I was completely immersed and could not stop reading!

AFA has everything I am looking for in good romantasy:

🔥Slow-burn romance
🫙Unique magical system
🔎Political intrigue
A FMC who doesn’t annoy the crap out of me
A MMC who broods the appropriate amount
A well-developed plot that doesn’t rely on miscommunication to stay afloat

PLUS there were huge twists and turns throughout the book (not just dumped at the end) that kept you on your toes. Were they predictable? Yeah, pretty much all of them were. But I still loved how they were done and how the characters reacted.

And the *ending* gaaahh I usually don’t like a cliffhanger but this one was so great. I simply cannot wait for book two, and I cannot wait for other fantasy-with-a-romance-subplot-lovers to fall in love with this book! 💖

Thank you SO MUCH to Saga Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

I want to start off by saying that I have been going through a crazy time in my life right now, so I only got around to reading this ARC on the day it was published (July 1st).

That being said, if this would have been any other normal time in my life I guarantee you I would have finished this book in under 48 hours. It was SO GOOD. The tension, the banter, the twists, the suspense!! I am foaming at the mouth for the next book!!!

Stacey McEwan is a master wordsmith. I hadn’t read any of her previous books, but I sure will now! I absolutely loved how unique the setting of this book was, and just how unique the story was in general. In a world of copy/paste stories this was so refreshing and captivating. Nina and Patrick are incredible characters, both so complex and flawed in their own ways, but both trying to do what they think is best. I can’t wait to see where this story and these characters go from here.

Stacey mentioned she was inspired by the show Peaky Blinders, so now I definitely need to watch that while I wait for the next book to come out! I wish I would have read this sooner, if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you get to it asap!

5⭐️ IM UNWELL AT THIS BOOK!

Wow I am so impressed, this book was incredible! I was hooked from the very start and the whole conspiracy with the vials and giving the poorer people the fake ones was wild. I am so excited to continue this story!

The love triangle was so good too. I loveeeeee Patrick so much. I’m stressed about that ending but so excited to see what is next.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to read this ARC!

This is a big sad review for me to write. I expected to really enjoy this one as a revolution is one of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, I found that lacking in this book. The first 25% felt very unnecessary to me. I didn't need that history OR I actually would have loved this whole first book to be set at the school. I got too little for me to feel invested but too much for me to need it if that makes sense? When we got to the main timeline, I was hoping for more revolution. More ruthlessness, but really we wander around with him showing her he's actually a good guy. Where was my morally grey MMC? The romance was too instalovey for me personally. Once they finally met again it didn't take any time for him to start talking about marrying her and they'd had 2 conversations. In the end, this just wasn't for me, and that's okay. I loved the idea, and would try more from this author in the future.

I've been looking forward to reading this since I heard about it a few months ago. And it definitely lived up to my expectations! The romance had just the right amount of angst and the characters were easy to like. I had such a great time with it!

First, thank you so much to Saga Press for the e-arc of this book! I was so excited to receive an e-arc after hearing some fantastic things about this book, but due to life I actually ended up buying this book on release day!

I really really enjoyed this read. I think that Romantasy is absolutely my jam but I love when it is done differently or there is like something really unique about a read, and this one felt unique. I could feel some Peaky Blinders inspiration and it felt like a different world but yet also familiar. Again, I am a SUCKER for a different magic system and this magic system with the idium and different charmers felt like something new and I was sucked in.

Our FMC, Nina Harrow (aka Nina Clarke) was interesting in terms of her own conflict. I think it was hard because she was raised in not the best conditions, her mothers leaves her when she's a child, and her dad risked his life in the mines and then comes home to not be the best dad... I mean who wouldn't want to leave and become an Artisan? I think when given that choice, and realizing that she is the one who gets to actually make a CHOICE, it probably felt easy at the time but now she knows that she is the one who changed her own fate, and respectively it also changed Patrick Colsons fate too.

I think, as the reader, you also don't really understand Patrick's resistance to being an Artisan and hating the Artisans until much later. Because at the beginning you think well Patrick is also from a mining town and he probably wasn't raised in the best circumstances like Nina so why doesn't he feel the way Nina feels? But then realizing that his town was probably a bit different as it wasn't so far like Nina's and then on top of that he had this family that raised him differently. It really shows how important it was to have Nina's family really not be the best and what changed her own outlook on her life.

I loved their relationship since they were children. I think Patrick's young carefree feeling was so different to Nina's and then for them to find a huge secret together and both have a choice to do something with it and taking different turns only to have them END UP BACK IN THE SAME PLACE, under what seems like chance circumstances?! UGH. I was sold.

I think the conflict between the Miners Union and the House was interesting and kept the book moving and then learning the bit of twist regarding Nina, Theo, and Polly. I was like oh my gosh what the heck is gonna happen?! I was terrified for Nina and for Patrick because who was gonna find out and how and someone was gonna end up hurt! And I was right. Like Patrick sort of finding out via Theo while Theo was kinda redeeming himself (??? maybe) and then just sort of spoils the fact that Nina was planted there by the House (even though she was ready to tell him and that she told his family she loves him) UGH. It ripped at my heart strings for wayyy too hard.

Overall, really enjoyed this book. The end?! The cliffhanger? The canary? Oh my gosh I just wanted to scream. I am so ready to read the next book and find out what happens. I am seriously not ready to say the least but also READYYY for the book 2.

Absolutely OBSESSED with this book. I can’t wait to see what this series brings because I am hooked and did not want it to end. Speaking of ending… WHAT IN THE WHAT WAS THAT?! I will be thinking about this book for the foreseeable future. Such a great read!!

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I saw literally everyone and their mother talking about this book and simply, I had FOMO. The marketing worked. But the best part was that the book didn’t disappoint. Once I started this, I couldn’t put it down.

I loved Stacy’s voice. She has such a unique way of writing and it’s hard to put the book down. Her characters are so well-written and developed. I adored this. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

This isn’t a fairytale. It’s a rebellion. 💣

At just 12 years old, Patrick Colson of Kenton Hill and Nina Harrow of Scurry took part in the Belavere City testing for magical abilities— a ritual that brands children as either Artisans or Crafters. However, they uncovered a dangerous truth: the sorting is a lie.

Labeled and divided as children, they grew up on opposite sides of a fractured world. Now, years later, they’re reunited as adults — caught in the heart of a rising class war.

Patrick is a fierce leader, driven to protect both his family and those working in the idium mines. Nina, now a rare-earth charmer, searches for an alchemist and uncovers a shocking discovery.

This story simmers with slow-burning tension, buried secrets, and undeniable chemistry. I devoured every twist.

You’re not ready for Nina Clarke and Patrick Colson.

Favorite quotes:
* “I’ll keep everyone safe. And when it’s done, you’ll be with me.”
* “Artisans are arrogant by nature, I said. They believe even the sky envies them.”
* “Trust me, darlin’, he’s always lookin’ at you, even when you think he’s not.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this arc.

Wow. This is how you write a book!!! Stacey has stepped out of the norm for romantasy books and created this fantastic story with its own magic system. I loved every single second of this! The plot? Amazing! The romance? Amazing! Patrick? Outstanding! I cannot wait for the next part of this story because I am hooked.


Links to come

I am both devastated and enraptured by this book.

It was amazing. I did not know I would love this book as much as I did. I freaking adored it. The writing, the story, the secrets, the betrayals, ugh this is literally what I crave in my fantasy romance life. It’s an all encompassing beautifully devastating story. It’s dark and gritty and I am dying for the next installment.

I went out and bought the hardcover as soon as it was available. I need everyone to read this.

Peaky blinders coded and fueled my obsession with Patrick, I swear if harm befalls him or his heart is broken….

Yes. I loved it. I want more.

A Forbidden Alchemy weaves a magical new world that is split between Artisans and Crafters creating a class war. This story is full of devastating loss, shocking betrayals, secrets, and a slow burn fueled forbidden love. I haven’t read anything like this in a long time and the fast pace and plot twists had me glued to the edge of my seat.

✨Nina and Patrick met when they were twelve years old and uncovered a life changing secret together. It changed everything they thought they knew. It isn’t until years later when they run into each other again, that they realize they’re on opposite sides and war is coming.

✨Nina is our powerful artisan fmc. She is someone who stands on the line dividing everyone and tries to find a way to bring peace. She grew up as a Crafter and can understand their struggles, but she also has her own path to forge as an Artisan. Her path requires her to carry that burden and secrets.

✨Patrick is a Crafter who puts his town and people before himself. He is willing to do whatever he can to keep them safe and thus he finds himself on the morally grey side. His character reminded me a lot of Thomas Shelby. He carries a lot of secrets and knows a lot more than he shows.

✨Patrick and Nina have a forbidden love that is a slow burn fueled by tension and banter. He might be on the opposite side of Nina, but that doesn’t stop him from yearning for her. He is a man down bad. Nina doesn’t know if she can trust him, but her heart is easily ready to decide that for her.

A Forbidden Alchemy has:
🩵 Unique magic system
⛏️ Morally grey mmc
🍻 Found family
💌 Secrets
🔥 Slow burn
‼️ War
🌊 Plot twists
💜 Powerful artisan FMC

Ps, it’s available now and I need you to go read it!

Thank you @staceymcewanbooks and @sagapressbooks for this arc!

I need the second book immediately, that ending! This will be the book for summer, Stacey McEwan killed it with this story.

I’M SORRY WHAT? How are we expected to wait for the next book after that ending 😱

I will admit this took a few chapters for me to get into but once I was hooked, I literally couldn’t put it down. My shock and anxiety continued to rise towards the end of the book and now here we are… waiting…. AHHHHHHH

The world building, the character development, and the unique magic were all incredible. Can we get a slow clap for Stacy please?

First of all, I loved the change of theme this book provided with its Peaky Blinders/Six of Crows vibes (as mentioned by McEwan in her acknowledgments and by reviewers). GREAT character development and portrayals: I feel like even side characters have a back story and their own identifying characteristics. There are few mentions of physical appearances of people, and Donny may be the most diverse because he is blind-ish and bi-ish. I felt that parents weren’t villainized in this book, which is refreshing!! We get different parent situations, with parents being viewed from children and adult POVs.

Some scenes are beautifully endearing and get alluded to later, which I love tie-backs!

The fantasy aspect is interesting. I really loved that it’s based off a limited ore. Once a person has ingested idium alchemised from terrarium, they essentially are magic-tied to controlling an element or ability for six months. Potentially unlimited ability depending on how well you can control your element and how much you’ve practiced.

Unfortunately marketed as slow burn, I felt it was more insta-love. We have an interesting love triangle with Theo, Patrick (MMC) and Nina (FMC). It’s low in spiciness, great for those who like a little spice, almost like peeking through a closed door.

I think some of the things that detracted from the rating for me was the time tables. First time is moving slowly, then quickly, then I’m just lost how much time has elapsed. This is in present day, not referring to the past events. We also have dual POV, which I normally love, but felt like it didn’t add to the story for me. Also, the ending to chapters came off anti-climactic because it felt like the author was trying to end the POV. I felt the flow would slow and would abruptly wrap up.

At the end, I rushed to finish the story. It didn’t fully captivate me, but it had its ups and downs. It was an obvious story to me, except for one betrayal.

I’d recommend this story for anyone wanting a change of scenery in their Romantasy. 3.5 stars rounded up. I love Stacey McEwan’s content on insta. Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.