Thank you to Saga Press and Stacy McEwan for the arc.

Wow this book was amazing ! It was different than the usual romantasy and use of elemental powers. I loved the political aspect of the book and the way it sonada through many years without it feeling removed from the characters or the story. This does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 2. But please everyone do yourselves a favor and read this asap.

This was so goddamn good. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed the absolute shit out of this & my heart is racing right now. If you are looking for Peaky Blinders vibes in your romantasy, sign tf up for this ride. THANK YOU to the author for providing me with an ARC, but also how dare you (because that ending… you know what you did & I’m reeling). Plot, pros, & cons below 👇🏼


PLOT
12 year olds Nina & Patrick, both from poor mining towns, meet waiting to find out if they have magic. They head into the wealthy city to the annual magic-identifying ceremony that will either send them to the elite magical academy or back home without magic & without options. While waiting for their deciding ceremony, they discover that it’s all a sham & inadvertently kick off a revolt. This book has
- rebellion & class war
- smart FMC & morally gray MMC
- banter & tension
- solid twists & turns
- covers a large timeline (starting aged 12 & going to 25)
- Love triangle-ishhhhh & some jealousy moments
- cool magic system
- Peaky Blinders vibes with gangs
- lower spice


PROS
- The banter in this is TOP FUCKING NOTCH. Ohhhh my god. You know how sometimes banter can feel faked? Like it’s written SPECIFICALLY for a BookTok audio or Booksta highlighted post? & doesn’t actually sound like an conversation the 2 characters - let alone any humans - would have? Throw that out of the window for this because that worry doesn’t apply here. I’m obsessed. It is elite.
- I’m not kidding I was kicking my feet & had butterflies the entire like, back 2/3 of this book. This is some of the best banter & tension I’ve read in awhile.
- I LOVE Nina. She’s both sides of every spectrum & I love that. Strong but soft. Brave but vulnerable. She’s super smart, clever, & not afraid to show it.
- Patrick, my god. What a swoon monster. I love him so much it hurts my soul. I am obsessed with the exact kind of MMC he is & now you give him what I made in my mind an Irish accent? Gtfoh (complimentary).
- The side characters are all solid. Theo is interesting & surprised me quite a bit, my feelings for him are complex & I enjoy that. I LOVE Tess (I always love a prickly mom figure, so no surprise there). Donny is absolute aces. Gunner is suuuuuper interesting. The Miners Union inner circle I just fell for because they felt real. Giving each other shit as a love language but would die for one another.
- The worldbuilding was rich. I could just see it all quite well.
- I was on the edge of my seat basically like, 60% of the book. Whether from the general plot or the tension, I was just like 3 heartbeats away from cardiac arrest at any given moment.
- Jesus fuck I am reeling from that ending. I have so many feelings.


CONS
- I genuinely don’t think I have one. Maybe that selfishly I wanted like 1 Theo chapter but that’s not really a con, just me being demanding? Call me Demanda.


NOTES
- This is more of a note to the reader than anything but it took me a sec to realize she was telling the story from the future, of the past. I was like “damn these 12 year olds have insane vocabularies” & then I was like “oh no I’m an idiot look at all this past tense” 😆


I cannot wait for book 2 of this trilogy (it was going to be a duet but I confirmed with the author she said trilogy) omg.

A dystopian fantasy with the perfect sprinkle of romance.

This was everything I could’ve asked for AND MORE! I swear Stacey looked at all my favorite books and pulled a bit of each to create this work of art.

When I say the world building is like a breath of fresh air… I didn’t have to use my imagination because it was ALL written there for you - even the small minute details. It was so well written that it just came to life. ✨ And not once did it feel like too much information. In fact, this book could’ve been longer and I would’ve still been craving for more of it.

A unique magic system, well-developed characters, the banter and the chemistry. I couldn’t get enough. Even the side characters had insane depth and development. The plot itself was chef’s kiss! The perfect amount of plot (and plot twists), romance, and action!

- Dystopian Fantasy
- Slow burn
- He falls first
- Touch her and die
- Dual POV
- Fated Pair
- Unique Magic System
- Class war & Rebellion
- Vibes it gave me: Peaky Blinders, Hunger Games, Harry Potter (magical school)

4.75 Stars!! The way I devoured this book!!

Thank you Saga Press for my #gifted ARC

Nina and Patrick meet when they are twelve years old and brought into Belavere City to discover their magical potential. The world they live in is divided into class systems by those who have magic known as Artisians and those who don't, known as craftsman. Nina and Patrick come from different mining towns and have other goals in life. Nina wants to escape the miserable home life she's had to endure after her mother left and dreams of attending the Artisian school. Patrick wants to head back on the train home to support his family and their craftsman community, staying far away from the Artisian school.

While waiting for their turn they discover a huge secret that if shared would threaten the entire world-class system and power.

With the secret of their discovery held close to their hearts, they part with their lives heading in different directions, until years later when they're brought back together with their factions at war.

What you'll find:
Bit of a Hunger Games feel but with a Peaky Blinders vibe
Government corruption
Elemental magic & alchemy
Class war & rebellion
Blackmail
Love triangle (it works in this story!)
Found family
Secrets & Betrayal!!
Duology

The plot twists are twisty and I'm dying over the ending!!

Run, don't walk to read on July 1, 2025!!

Romance Content: 2 open-door scenes and language
Closed-door modification: Chapters 48 & 49

4.75 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

This is the best ARC I’ve ever been privileged to read. Thank you NetGalley!!! 🥹 I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE BOOK TO COME OUT & THE SERIES TO CONTINUE! 🥲 As someone who LOVES historical fiction, romance, & dystopian/fantasy, this book is a great mix of the three genres! It’s about societal war & rebellion, magical powers based on alchemy, and a slow burn romance made of secrets. 🥺 It is toooo good, tooooo good! I hate how I have to wait for the next book to come out; oh please I hope to get the ARC for that one too!!! I’ll be buying the physical book for this! 😍

Writing: 4.5/5
Pace: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Ending: 4/5
Enjoyability: 5/5

(More in-depth analysis below)

👩🏻‍🏫💡 I received this book to read as an Advanced Reader/Review Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.


💕Would you recommend this book?
YES YES YES YES YES!!!

🪶Favorite Quote:
“ You’ve got a mind of your own, he reminded me. Don’t let those fuckers take it. “

🌶️ Spice Level: 🔥
Slow burn but romantic steaminess 🥵🥰
——


📝Writing Style: 4.5/ 5
We get two POVs: the female MC’s first-person POV and the male MC’s third-person POV. It’s really interesting how the story is written this way but I’m a fan of it. I also love Stacy McEwan’s lyrical prose— the writing FITS the Victorian era style, making me feel like I’m part of their time period. The only reason I knocked off half star is of some overuse and repetition of the same description/adjectives.

🏃🏻‍♀️Pace: 5/5
It’s unbelievable how fast paced this book was! In the beginning we’re graced with pivotal moments in the FMC’s youth from 12-18 years of age. I initially thought this was going to be another young adult story; but the story comes up to speed in the present time when she’s 25yo & still in a middle of a war and rebellion.


🗺️Plot: 5/ 5

Plot Themes/Tropes-
* Societal War/Rebellion
* Love Triangle
* Slow Burn Romance
* Secrets & Betrayals
* ⚠️Trigger Warnings/Other topics: Violence, bombs & explosions, murder, death, betrayal, secrets, treason

Summary: In world divided between magical Artisans and physically powerful Craftsmen, Nina & Patrick (two 12yo who grew up less-privileged) uncover a devastating secret: Artisans aren’t born with magical powers, they’re chosen. This revelation sets Nina & Patrick on divergent paths as Nina chooses to be an Artisan while Patrick goes back to his town as a Craftsmen. Years later, Nina, now an elite Artisan, is captured by the rebellion and is forced to choose sides.

The plot in this book is a mix of Hunger Games and Peaky Blinders. It’s set in the Victorian era, which I love because I’m a huge sucker for historical fiction and dystopian/fantasy! Some of the plot is predictable but it’s meant to be that way because the political conflict is the main storyline.


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Characters: 5/ 5

Female Main Characters (FMCs):
Nina - I don’t know how to feel about her.. Most times I feel like she makes bad decisions. She’s supposed to be intelligent but she had a rough upbringing & I think that’s what causes her to think selfishly. This is the first time that I’m not a huge fan of the FMC of the story. I don’t hate her, but I don’t love her.

Male Main Characters (MMCs):
Patrick is rough around the edges and is painted as morally grey. He has a potty mouth too, but I love how loyal and loving he is to his family, town, and… Nina. I love the way he’s manly but when it comes to Nina, he’s reverted back to being a boy with a crush on a girl. It’s adorable.

Theo… I was iffy about him from the beginning, mainly because he’s painted like a typical teenage boy who doesn’t know of loyalty yet. That, and the fact his father is a Lord… he just gives off “rich boy who listens to everything his father wants” type. Bleh.

Supporting Characters: I love the Colson brothers… Donny more than Gunner though. At first, I wasn’t a fan of the mom, but she grew on me eventually.

I honestly love the relationships and banter between the characters. I feel like we’re meant to grow to like everyone because there’s more to the story that will leave an emotional impact. I’m just hoping that Nina will grow on me in the next book and that we see more about her family as well.


🎬Ending: 4/ 5
AHHHHHHHH!!! The climax at the end!!! So much action and so much emotion! Why did it have to be that way?! WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW?!! I’m so mad that I have to wait for the second book when this book hasn’t even been released yet! LOL


🙂Enjoyability: 5/ 5
I loved this book so much! I think Patrick’s character brought the story to life. Him being rough around the edges but having a soft heart despite all the chaos in this rebellion! I enjoyed unraveling secrets & figuring out the loyalty and betrayal in these characters.


📈Final Rating Averaged: 4.75 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
——

Rating Rubric:
1/5: 🌟 Horrible - “Why did I even waste my time?”
2/5: 🌟🌟 Unimpressed - It could have been better.
3/5: 🌟🌟🌟 Good/Average- I would recommend this, but nothing was too out of the ordinary; it’s what’s expected.
4/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Great! - There were some good surprises, but not enough to blow my mind.
5/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Outstanding - Above & Beyond, It left me wanting more and thinking more about it.

Wow, what a book! The world building was exquisite, with an incredibly unique magic system. The jumps in time and flashbacks are interwoven to the narrative in such a seamless manner, helping flesh out the characters and their motivations. There were a million twists and turns - and while I guessed the final twist, I could never have gotten there if Stacey had not laid the path before me with such precision and care (and let’s be honest, by that point I was just throwing around outlandish “where could this be going??” in my head and happened to land on the correct one). The FMC was strong, stubborn, and immensely likable. The MMC was truly everything you wanted a morally gray borderline (or maybe not so borderline)-crime boss main love interest to be. This was an excellent romantasy, and I’m so incredibly grateful for the ARC in return for my honest review.

This was such a fun read!!!!

The world building was great and this story had a good mix of mystery and magic. I really enjoyed the characters as well@

If you love magic schools and secrets, this will be the book for you!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review of A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan.

This was by far one of the best books I have read from the romantasy genre. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. I think about this book every day and wish I could read the second one now!
What a fantastic story. The plot, magic system, and romance were all so well written and intertwined. One did not overshadow the other. The TWISTS were so good and the storyline moves forward at a nice pace. There is also so much angst in this book and I just could not put it down. Some pieces of the end I saw coming, because we all know secrets never stay secrets, but also there was so much I did not see coming.

In regards to the characters, the FMC was strong and stood up for herself, yet not overbearing and always angry to the point she was arrogant, like how many other FMCs from this genre are written (this FMC was refreshing!!). The MMC, Patrick, was also very well written, demonstrating the complexity of war and trying to save one’s town. He is described as a gangster and the leader who is more “cold,” but he is only warm for his family, but specifically the FMC. I love the chapters from his view and the demonstration of his internal dialogue about trust. My heart loved these chapters! Patrick is one of my favorite MMCs. The side male character, Theo, was also well written, with a twist about him at the end I did not see coming.

I immediately purchased this book once I finished my ARC. I will anxiously wait for the second, which sucks because the first is not even out yet!

I found this to be very interesting. I enjoyed the magic system to be new and different than I have seen prior. I enjoyed the slow burn. I did find the characters needed a little more to them. Wish they were less surface level and more in your face. I’m hoping more of the chemistry we all know and love comes in book 2.

BLOWN AWAY. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this book but the plot looked very interesting so I gave it a try. What a great story!

Nina, 12 years old, takes a train to Belavere City to see if she will become an Artisan. She meets Patrick and he isn't wanting to become an Artisan but just wants to go back to his home town. The two make a discovery that will turn their fates forever. The story unfolds as Nina grows up, she goes through the Artisan program but is forced to go on the run as she is graduating. Years later she is captured by none other than Patrick. She is forced to choose a side of the fight and isn't sure which way will lead to the least amount of destruction.

The magic weaves perfectly in this story without being ridiculous. The love story that unfolds will have you rooting for Nina and feel so much heartache for Patrick. The worst part that is that is definitely going to be multiple stories and I have to wait so long for the next book to come out (since the fist hasn't been published yet).

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was cute but the world building lost me a bit and the romance didn't seem believable to me. Also, the plot kind of bored me.

Thank you so much to Stacey McEwan for allowing me to read your book early! I loved it! Everyone, add this to your TBR immediately!

This book felt like a breath of fresh air. It had everything that I love in a romantasy (slow burn, he falls first, touch her and die) but was so unique and like nothing I’ve read before. The MMC is amazing, and let’s just say, I’d be his “Scurry girl” any day.

This book takes place in a dystopian “real-world” setting in the 1800s where there are two classes of people: artisans, who have magic, and crafters, who don’t. When two children discover a national secret, it essentially incites a war between the two groups.

This book has a unique magic system, a corrupt government, plot twists, betrayals, and dual POV. I absolutely loved the side characters in this book (I’m looking at you Donny). I also found the setting refreshing, as a large part of the book takes place in a mining village.

This book ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next one!

I really really enjoyed this!! Absolutely LOVE the industrial peaky blinders-esque vibes and overall atmosphere of this world. The tension and banter was stellar, and the depth of the romance really shined within this story. The plot had many parts that were highly predictable, but I still found myself invested and hooked for the entire thing, even when it was pretty clear where things were heading. I feel like this author did a great job of taking some highly used tropes and delivering them in a way that was fresh and different. I also really enjoyed the magic system, even though I typically don’t love when the magic takes such a backseat to the plot/romance. In this case, the magic served mostly as a symbol of power that all the characters grapple with, and I loved the additional dimensionality this brought to the story. I will definitely be sticking around for the rest of this series, and would recommend this as a fun, easy romantasy to others!

Huge thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

At 12 years old, Nina Harrow knows one thing for certain: she will not be returning to the small mining town she was born to. Determined to become an Artisan, an individual who harnesses specific skills with the assistance of a special drug called idium, Nina enters Belavere City with her head held high. That is, until she discovers the ceremony to uncover Artisans is rigged, and she never stood a chance. Years later, Nina is stuck between two guns as the Belavere Council and the rebellion, headed by a companion from her past, fight for control over idium.

Holy shit, I am blown away yet again. I devoured this book! If you're a fan of the Letters of Enchantment series by Rebecca Ross, I guarantee you will enjoy this. The magic system is similar, the slow burn and war-time vibes are the same. It's just *chef's kiss* gorgeous.
I absolutely adore a badass woman with powers so unique the world hasn't seen in centuries. I love the idea of everyone having the potential for magic, and I absolutely love a love triangle where you only truly have one person to root for.
Nina just itches that sweet spot of my brain; she is the perfect amounts of hardened and loving, the banter she has with everyone (but mainly Patrick) makes me giggle, and I wish every woman in a fantasy novel had her wit. I genuinely cannot explain just how much I want to be her in the eventual movie/tv show.

BIG thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC! Projected publishing date: July 1st, 2025

At the age of twelve, children are called to Belavere City to have their future chosen. When given a magic substance, they either display magical gifts and become Artisans or nothing happens and they become Crafters. Nina Harrow wants to become an Artisan, has dreamed for years. Patrick Colson knows his life is set for him before he even walks through the doors. He's set to join the men of his families in the mines. What follows is a tragic tale of love, loss, and rebellion. Nina and Pat will have to find their place in the world. When the world begins to crumble, what will they save?

Forbidden Alchemy spans a little over a decade. Some of that is just told quickly but there are parts that will break your heart. This is a slow burn, there's a lot to build and create within the society and magic system. The first 50 pages drew me in, but then I wrestled with slow until about 100 pages left. The characters are appealing and well written, they kept me reading. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

4.5⭐

Thank you Stacey McEwan and Saga Press for the ARC!

I have not read a book in so long that has gripped me from start to finish. That left me gasping at the end. I am truly obsessed. This romantasy was so fresh and different from any others I've read and I ATE IT UP!

The world building is really well done, and the stage is set from the beginning when the two main characters meet at the age of 12. There are a couple of time jumps but they are done perfectly and at no point did I feel like anything was missing.

The slow burn and tension was amazing, AND the emotional damage along the way was incredible and painful in the best way. That ending broke me, I cannot wait for the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Hot DANG. This book was everything! The magic system was unique, creative, and utterly intriguing. The politics carried the book in the best way. The main characters were so interesting, they left me wanting to know so much more which I feel like is exactly how it should be for the first book of a series.

A Forbidden Alchemy is perfect for lovers of Peaky Blinders, Divergent, and Mistborn. Between the schooling, war, & the plot twists left and right, I was hooked from the jump. This book was the perfect set up for an incredible series to come.

Overall, I will absolutely be recommending this book. It was a very well deserved 5 star book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Saga Press, and Stacey McEwan for this advance reader copy. It was well loved and well received & I am looking forward to the continuation of this story in the *hopefully near* future.

Currently in shambles and unsure how to move on from this book, it literally altered my brain chemistry (overused in the book world) and I’m saying that for the first time. Stacey McEwan, this book is a stunning masterpiece. Beautiful, heartbreaking, suspenseful… it has everything. Love, family, trust, comedy, banter, yearning, politics, magic, betrayal—it’ll leave you wanting more. I was on the edge of my seat multiple times DMing Stacey freaking out I GASPED in disbelief with multiple plot twists and revelations. Each POV kept me hooked, pulling me deeper. Truly, it’s one of those rare, unforgettable reads.

(I'm obsessed with Donny I also have 75 highlights on my kindle, a record for me)

Peaky Blinders vibes, morally grey characters, and a slow-burn romance? Yes please! I ATE up the tension and banter between Nina and Patrick! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!

OH am I agonizing about what to rate this... but rate it I must.

Patrick and Nina are on opposing sides of a revolution. The magic wielding Artisans versus the working class Crafters. Along the way, they somehow manage to fall in love - but will all the secrets they keep end up tearing them apart?

Stacey McEwan is such a talented writer and I really enjoyed the unique story and magic system she brought to life in this book. It took a long, long time for me to get invested in the story though - it starts out very slow and remains that way for what felt like at least half of the book. I knew the story was essentially based around a brewing war but I did not expect it to feel quite so political and that was a bit of a turnoff for me. I read as an escape and some of it just hit too close to home in our current political climate. It was also a very dark, atmospheric and often depressing tale. I have heard that it is a duology and I did become invested enough to want to see how it ends, but overall I can only say that I liked it. It was too heavy and the beginning too slow to say that I loved it. 3.5 Stars.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read an early copy.