I am in complete and total awe of A Forbidden Alchemy. I cannot recall the last time my anxiety spiked this high due to the last 100 pages of a book, but I’m pretty sure these anxious butterflies have taken up a permanent residence—at least until I’m able to read book 2.

I’m fully obsessed with this world, this conflict, these characters, and the absolute emotional devastation I found while reading A Forbidden Alchemy. This unique and fast paced romantasy was filled with the most gut wrenching and surprising twists. Like a moth to a flame, I was quickly drawn in and consumed completely.

Nina and Patrick have the most beautiful and tragic relationship that I have ever read. Slow to trust, yet utterly powerless to resist the gravitational pull towards each other, the yearning, banter, and tenderness between them was so compelling and raw that I completely forgot I was simply reading words on a page. As if by some kind of magic, Stacey crafted the most beautiful romance amidst a gruesome war. I feel gutted by the tatters of everyone’s emotions left behind by that ending (Stacey, you apologize to Nina and Patrick right now!!). I cannot even begin to fully express how obsessed I am.

It’s truly the sign of an incredible story to have left the reader completely gobsmacked and grappling for words. I cannot recommend this book enough. It may have just dethroned all other books I have read this year!

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• to have your heart ripped out of your chest by the end of reading this book
• slow burn romantasy
• spice: 🌶️🌶️

Thank you Saga for the gift ARC!!

5⭐️!

Absolutely AMAZING! I adored the magic system and the deep politics of this book! The writing hooked me from the beginning and kept me itching to find out what happens 😌

I lovedddd learning about the magic system and how it tied into the politics in this world! You’re immediately thrown into the injustice crafters face and how little of a chance they have at getting a better life. And all of the plot twists were WILD!

Our characters are so perfect! Patrick is very morally grey and I just loved how different he is compared to other characters I’ve read about. Nina is incredibly smart and has amazing survival instincts. I truly felt sad for the life she endured and how deeply she wanted to pursue her passions.

The romance was really wonderfully done as well! Slow burn and enemies to lovers? Sign me up!! The tension between these two had me swooning fr 👏

A forbidden alchemy has become one of my favorite books of 2025! This was my first Stacy McEwan book and I absolutely devoured it. I loved the characters, the setting and the overall vibe of the story.. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out!

This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and let me TELL 👏🏼 YOU 👏🏼 —— I was not disappointed. Another 5 ⭐️ read for the year!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥

The book has everything I look for in a series (currently slated as a duology, but I won’t be mad if Stacey writes more 👀), we’re talking socio-political class dichotomies, rebellion against a corrupt government, super secret spy shit, slow burn romance with a truly swoon-worthy MMC (Patrick giving Peaky Blinders-esque/Irish mobster with a protective streak), and the most unique magic system I’ve read in a long while.

I got heavy Panem rebellion/Mockingjay vibes. There is a class divide between the wealthy, magic-wielding Artisans and the bereft Craftsman tasked with building and mining the materials needed for the Artisans to work their magic/magical tools. When brought to the capital as children, Nina and Patrick discover a terrible secret that ignites the tension between the classes and cause the Craftsmen to unionize and rebel against the elite in Belavere City.

Despite having only released a week ago, I am now anxiously anticipating the next book like the feral little animal I am 😌

Noteable tropes ———

🧪 Slow burn 🔥
⛏️ Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🧪 Socio-political commentary
⛏️ He Falls First
🧪 Rebellion/Class Wars
⛏️ Unique Magic System
🧪 Found Family

Thank you to @staceymcewanbooks (🫶🏼😍🫶🏼) and @sagapressbooks for the eARC and the chance to read and review for my honest opinion.

🏷️
#staceymcewan #aforbiddenalchemy #artisans #craftsmen #fatedlove #sagapressbooks #arcreview #arcreviewer #netgalley

When I started reading this book I had a very hard time wanting to put it down. The author weaves plot twists throughout the whole novel, instead of just dumping them all at the end. As a result, I spent most of the book completely anxious, desperate to find out what happens next. And now the book is over, and it hasn’t even been properly published yet so I have to wait even longer to read the next one.

If you love unique magic systems, fated pairs, a class war, and a slooooow burn romantasy set in a small mining town you are going to eat this up.

I want to give a huge thank you to Saga Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️

If you love the world of Peaky Blinders, a fun elemental magic system, and best of all: a book that is Political and has a lot to say about social and political divides, this book is definitely for you.

I absolutely loved every twist this story took along the way. Stacey McEwan does an excellent job of setting up your expectations, only to completely subvert them! I was on the edge of my seat the WHOLE ride!!

The world Nina and Patrick live in is split right down the middle: Artisans, who have magic and live cushy, pampered lives vs the miners and their families on the brink, who are barely surviving. They work until they collapse (or the mine around them does). It gives District 12 vs. The Capitol; you can FEEL that an imminent revolution is brewing and the tension Stacey has crafted is immaculate.

I will say- never in my life did I think I’d fall in love with a character named Patrick, but here we are... He’s got all the intensity of Tommy Shelby and he is absolutely dripping in romance. Swoonworthy as HELL! I also really loved his family- Donny might be one of my favorite side characters ever!

Nina Harrow is a FMC without ever feeling pick-me or falling into the chosen one trope. I’m trying really hard to avoid spoilers here, but just trust me — she’s both badass and soft, which is honestly my favorite combo. She’s fierce when she needs to be, but still scared and vulnerable.

The romance between Patrick and Nina is filled with chemistry, and from the start it just feels right. They met when they were young, and have thought about each other every day since and you can REALLY feel the yearning that comes with that kind of longing! It makes their connection so intense! I also really appreciated how upfront Patrick is about wanting her! No games, no reading between the lines; it’s honestly so refreshing to have a MMC who just tells it like it is.

Overall, this was such a great read! I feel truly blessed by the NetGalley Gods for getting my hands on this one early, and I already cannot wait for book two.

I haven’t read many books with this type of setting. But I do enjoy books with magic, rebellions, and slow burn romance
I loved Nina. While she may not be perfect or always make the best choices, I found her relatable and easy to root for. And as for Patrick, I love morally grey characters. He’s strong in his convictions… even if others question his decisions.

The twists kept me on edge and I enjoyed the feel of the setting. This was my first book from this author and I will be picking up the next book.

Thank you for the gifted arc, @sagapressbooks!!! && ‘A Forbidden Alchemy’ is out today @staceymcewanbooks!!! && A photo shoot with one of my favorite books of the year!!!

In a world where magic is divided by class, artisans are destined for glory while crafters are cast as low-class laborers. When 12-year-olds Nina and Patrick uncover a dangerous secret, their bond sparks a war that one cannot end without the other.

Read this if you enjoy…
• Slow-burn romantasy
• Elemental magic & alchemy
• Class warfare
• Enemies to lovers
• A love triangle???
• Plot twists that will leave you spiraling

Oh. My. God. Stacey McEwan has restored my hope in romantasy. I did not expect to be reading one of my favorite books of the year. My jaw? Still on the floor!!! Each chapter layers in richer plot twists, deeper stakes, and more electric chemistry. Nina and Patrick are now two of my favorite characters, individually, and whatever they are together. The tension, the banter, the pining—it’s all here and it arrives oh so slowly. The dual point of views provide clarity to who they are at their core and not only drives their whatever-ship but also the story making up some of the best character development I’ve read all year! The magic system is Incredibly unique, both driving forces that support and break the class system. This is a PSA to readers all around: Read ‘Forbidden Alchemy’ because it’s peak storytelling and I’m not going to shut up about how much I love it!!!

I wish I had known this was the beginning of a series when I started reading, but when reaching the end, I am not upset about it. I am looking forward to spending more time with these interesting characters. The author has given us a world rich in nuance and imagery that kept me looking forward to each chapter. I enjoyed the perspectives of each character as they told their own story, and I am looking forward to spending more time with them.

4.5 stars

OKAY I am being so for real right now: I am obsessed with this book. Everything about it is top tier. The characters, the world, the slow burn. Chef's kisses all over the place. Honestly, those saying Peaky Blinder's meets alchemy and magic are NOT WRONG. The twists throughout this story are the perfect level of shocking, the conflicts are believable and heartbreaking, and the development of the relationships are authentic and hit in all the right places. Characters you hate in the beginning become your favorite by the end. I canNOT wait for book 2!!

Thanks Saga Press for the eARC of this book :)

I really really enjoyed this!! I felt like I grew up with the characters and felt their divide and rejoining myself. I am looking into more of McEwan's work, thats for sure. Writing was engaging and fun, while still holding a sense of importance when needed.

4.5 Stars

Listen, I just need approximately five minutes alone in a room with Stacey McEwan so we can discuss how RUDE the end of this book was. Calmly. I will definitely stay calm. I definitely did NOT want to throw the book out the window. I'd never do something like that. Really.

This was SO GOOD? Having never read one of Stacey McEwan's books I really went into A Forbidden Alchemy with no expectations. I found her writing so engaging and easy to read, and the banter between the two main characters was BANTERING. I really enjoyed their immediate chemistry, even if it did cause things to feel just a smidge insta-lovey.

While I was living for the romance between Nina and Patrick, what really had me hooked in this was the cast of morally gray characters and the tension filled plot. The beginning of the book contained a lot of time jumps that laid the groundwork for the rest of the story. When things pick up 13 years after Nina and Patrick initially meet, the reader is dropped into the middle of a civil war with Nina on the run and Patrick running a civil war.

I appreciated how smoothly McEwan was able to drop us into the middle of this conflict with all of the information we needed while avoiding info dumping. I never felt lost or confused, but I also never felt overwhelmed by information - which is how it should be.

The middle of the book did have a few pacing issues for me personally, but then end felt like it grabbed me by the collar and dragged me into oncoming traffic. I did guess one of the major plot twists, but was still shocked by the way the ending unfolded. I am FULLY invested in the story as well as all of the side characters. The cast is morally gray and I love each and every one of them.

This book gave all the gaslamp fantasy & 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘉𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 vibes that I devoured! The story starts when Nina Harrow is a young girl, then follows her journey as she attends the Artisan School, and finally as an adult with a class war on the horizon. There were some dystopian elements to the story that are extremely relevant to society today.

I really related to Nina’s journey of having a plan for her life that goes off track, then she has to decide what she truly wants (the classic head vs. heart battle). There was a love triangle that helped drive the storyline, but it was impossible to not be drawn to Patrick’s morally grey character.

The time jumps were a little confusing as they weren’t clearly indicated, and the pacing of the plot was a bit off. I didn’t like that Nina’s POV was written in first person & Patrick’s POV in third person. I didn’t particularly like Nina or Patrick, but I am curious how their characters will develop in the next book. The ending left me emotional & I can’t wait to continue the story!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲:
✨ slow-burn romantasy
✨ fated pair
✨ world-changing secrets
✨ class war
✨ devastating betrayals
✨ elemental magic

“𝘞𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵.” 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦. 𝘉𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘥?

“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦?” 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬’𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭-𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘬𝘺.

Thank you to Saga Press Books for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a good fantasy romance book, but I have to admit that I’m surprised by how popular and highly rated it is. I enjoyed it and would recommend. That said, I prefer a slow-burn.

We meet our two main characters, Nina and Patrick, as children when they’re being tested for magical abilities. They find out some information that is not supposed to be known. They’re then separated for many years. When they meet again, they’re on different sides of a rebellion. This is the point where the romance kicks in. I enjoyed Patrick as a love interest, but everything moved too fast for my preferences.

I enjoyed the world and magic in this book. I think it is a solid start to a romantasy series.

I loved this one! The plot was fast paced and so easy to get immersed in and love! I really enjoyed the dual POVs in this book it worked really well with the story! The romance was so good! I loved the slow burn and how the characters developed throughout the story! The twist and reveals in this book left my jaw on the floor! That ending!!! I can’t wait for the next book! Definitely recommend reading this one!

4.25 out of 5 stars!

Wow what a book and OH MY GOSH 😱😱😱 THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!

First of all, I’m writing this a few hours after finishing the book and I have in no way recovered. In spite of that, I’m going to try and write a coherent review.

The world building and magic system of the story are super unique, and revealed in a super gradual and natural way. No slow/ bogged down areas. Perfect pacing.

I love that we start with our characters so young and get to watch them grow. I love that when I thought I had a character figured out, I was often wrong/ surprised by a twist.

I loved the Peaky Blinders vibes. The accent used in the audiobook for Patrick was even giving Tommy Shelby. (I mixed audio and physical read and thoroughly enjoyed both).

I love the angst and tension that was built.

I love the way I was aching for things to happen. I was literally in a chokehold for the second half of the book.

Mrs. McEwan, I’m gonna need that next book asap.

Thank you to the publishers for the chance to read an advance copy.

Thank you to staceymcewanbooks & sagapressbooks for the eARC!


THIS BOOK IS A WINNER

It is my first by Stacey and to say I am mad I didn't read more of her sooner is an understatement. I am utterly hooked (also this is a series friends in case you are like me and get to 90% in and think holy smokes this can't be resolved and have to phone a friend to find out it's a series)!

If you read this be prepared for complex characters with found family dynamics, and morally grey decisions (it's war guys). Be prepared for a magic system that is easy enough to understand, but has enough going on to keep you interested. Jaw dropping info after jaw dropping twist!

This gives histrionic war + magic vibes.

lloved it. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to read, but alas mom life!

Always, if it out NOW! So snag a copy from the library or your local bookstore or whatever! And READDDDD it

✨For the love, Stacey- what have the hell have you done to me??? 😭 (and please do it again)
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I’ll now be putting my life on hold to devour her entire back catalog. Cuz I need more. Immediately.
The premise of this book had me chomping at the bit to dive in, and it was every bit as magical, captivating, and wildly entertaining as I knew it would be. And then some. The writing was perfection- sharp, and witty, with a biting edge that kept me glued to the pages. The dialogue was so authentic, laced with humor and emotion, breathing life and heart into her fleshed out cast of characters. I truly connected with each and every one of them, and when the book ended, I actually MISSED THEM. Patrick was giving full-on Thomas Shelby vibes, and I now have a new fictional man to obsess over. And Nina, with all her mettle and moxie, has been inducted into my FMC Hall Of Fame. And the CHEMISTRY between these two… 🤌🏻🔥🔥 Sweet mother of slow burn romance, their dynamic was EXQUISITE.
I really don’t want to spoil this freaking masterpiece. I’ll just say that I was completely blown away- not only by the epic plot twists and revelations, but by the entirety of the story, and its execution. I wanted so badly for this book not to end, but at the same time could not devour it fast enough. It was just that damn good.

Don’t think too hard about this one, just GET IT AND START READING. And feel free to hop into my DMs if you need to talk after it’s over. I know I could use some post Alchemy support right about now. 🫂🖤 Already desperate for book 2.

I may be in the minority here, but I actually didn't like this story too much. I appreciate what it brings to the romantasy space, but ultimately this book was not for me.

I really enjoyed this one!

I love a good gaslamp fantasy. I love a good class battle. And I love a revolution. So this checked a lot of boxes for me!

The intro of Nina and Patrick meeting as kids was SO cute and such a great way to set up the story and the people they will become as adults as our MMC and FMC. I love a good prologue/flashback that explains why things are the way they are. Which is why I'm SO disappointed in the time jump--we get a few snips of them as 12-year-olds, then it flashes forward to Nina already being out of school and on the run. We get a few chapters of her at school here and there, but it didn't do it for me. I really wish we had gotten more than a chapter a year about her time at at school (say, an entire book worth??) where we can see her being indoctrinated, see the politics being played, see what she was learning at the school. It would have set up the contrast for Patrick and his upbringing MUCH better, and would have made me believe in Nina's motivations SO much more.

I also don't think the ending was as wild as everyone made it out to be? Maybe I missed something? Like, it's good and I'm invested enough to read the next book, but I definitely wasn't screaming into the abyss in shock and confusion.

Definitely a good read if you like the genre!!