This book was fun! Unique and a bit different than other fantasy books I’ve read before. I just can quite put my finger on what didn’t quite click for me though??? Nothing bad just maybe right book wrong time. I do recommend tho!

Ohhhhhh a must read! I devoured this one and am dying for book two to come out.
The unique magic system is unlike any that l've read, when you add that in with the most perfect morally gray characters 👌🏼👌🏼
there were so many twists and turns
and secrets and that cliffhanger oh my gosh!! the worst part about reading an arc is having to wait so long for the second book, but I absolutely recommend devouring this one like I did!!!

Definitely another 5 star read from Stacey 🤭 I just loved our two main characters so much!! The magic system in this is so unique and we have some crazy plot twists and of course she leaves us on the edge of a cliff 😭 Definitely will be waiting on book 2!

A Forbidden Alchemy was such an excellent read although I got stressed out at the end because the miscommunication trope was strong with this one! And the fact I was reacting so viscerally goes to show how well this one was written.

Without spoiling anything I really enjoyed the magic system, how it worked and how certain people were chosen to become Artisans. The love story — or stories — were done really well. There isn’t a love triangle in the sense our MMC has moved past a previous relationship but …. You’ll have to read. I really enjoyed the family aspects in this and the betrayal at the end I didn’t see coming although I should’ve. I think trust is a big part of this book and sometimes I felt it was dealt out way too easily considering the circumstances but then we wouldn’t have gotten that ending!!

Honestly … this was such a good read! I loved Nina and I loved Patrick. I loved how their paths diverged at thirteen and then reconnected when they were twenty-five. How their lives differed in between and even though their encounter was super short at thirteen they never forgot each other. Also, I was so there for the Peaky Blinders vibes!!

Now I’m seriously going to need a book two!! Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the arc to read and review. Definitely a book I’d recommend!

This was a great one! I really love the twists and turns. The female main character was so great! I love dual povs so this was no exception excellent!! The BETRAYAL. Don’t talk to me until book 2 is out pls. (Except NetGalley and publishers of course).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!!!

5/5 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A Forbidden Alchemy is a brand new series from Stacey McEwan. I couldn’t put this book down and was hooked from the very first chapter. I also can’t wait for book two to come out to continue the story. A Forbidden Alchemy is releasing July 1, 2025. Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada and Stacey McEwan for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is by far one of my favourite books I’ve read in months. The subject matter felt extremely timely, the twists were twisting, and the Peaky Blinders vibes were immaculate. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an unputdownable romantic fantasy that feels truly unique in a sea of sameness. 5 stars, and also makes me more excited to grab Ledge (different series, same author) off my shelf.

Absolutely CRIMINAL that’s how the book ended and it’s not even released yet which means book 2 isn’t even a THOUGHT YET!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for a copy of this E-arc.

I can’t even begin to describe how this book made me feel but I can tell you I was HOOKED from page one, I couldn’t put it down! The characters were so well developed and the plot was unique and well written. I want book 2 more than I want anything else right now because how can you just end it like that? Absolutely perfection.

A Forbidden Alchemy is an addictive tale that weaves together magic, romance, and heart-wrenching betrayal.

A devastating truth ties together two strangers with their hearts set on entirely separate paths, forcing them to bear the burden alone.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are whisked away from their decaying mining towns to the elegant Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic and those who don't will travel back home.

For Nina, the Artisan School is a dream and an escape from her reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his harsh reality.

After the two discover that Artisans aren't born, as they have lived their lives believing they are chosen, they part ways only to reconnect years later amidst a revolution.

A Forbidden Alchemy is a magical story. It is the kind of story that will revive a reader's love for reading. The depth of writing has the ability to mentally transport the reader into the story, making you feel like a background character walking the same streets, visiting the same locations and suffering from the same tribulations. I couldn’t get enough. I was attached to the characters the moment they were introduced, needing to know their past and eager to discover what is to come for their future, especially for Nina and Patrick. As more and more characters were introduced, I was worried I’d feel overwhelmed, but each character has such a unique personality and charming quirks that it was easy to set them apart, to the point that I fell in love with them almost instantly. I had a strong connection to these characters and felt all kinds of emotions from page one up until the last words. The slow-burn romance between Nina and Patrick had me in a chokehold. I’m not much of a romance reader, so I prefer when it’s not the story's main focus, and I thought the slow burn was well executed. I was eager for the two to get together and wanted nothing to come in the way of that. The character development drew me into the story.

The last 15% of this story is an emotional roller coaster. I felt joy, shock, stress, and emotions I can't even name. There were multiple points in the story where I had to put my Kindle down and hold my head with my hands. I needed some space from these last chapters, but the story was so addicting that I kept picking it back up every few minutes, only to take a brief break again and again. Reading the last 15% took me longer than the other 85%. I was also filled with worry for most of the end.. There were a few points in the last couple of chapters where I was expecting the story to go one way, and I was preparing myself to be upset, but my predictions were wrong, and I was thrilled with how everything turned out.

I knew I was going to enjoy this book. It has all the elements I love packaged into one piece, but I didn't realize how much I would appreciate it. The characters, the magical element, the slow-burn romance, and the conflicts flowed well. This story left me deep in my thoughts at the end; I know this will be a reread in the near future.

What a magic system, what a world, what a story. Love it all. Patrick and Nina are chef's kiss. Cannot wait for book 2. Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the arc.

I cannot describe how much I loved this book. I believe it is going to be one of the top Romantasy books of 2025!

A Forbidden Alchemy is a beautifully constructed story of classism, political corruption, rebellion, romance and magic. Nina is a wonderfully complex FMC, torn between two sides of warring factions. Patrick is a charming morally grey MMC, fighting for improved rights and conditions for the Crafters. I loved how we had a glimpse of Nina and Patrick as they met as children and then the short little time jumps in Nina's POV to accelerate the timeline to present day and their reconnection.

I absolutely loved the tension between Nina and Patrick and the found family aspect. Patrick's siblings are great characters and his mother is a force to be reckoned with. Nina and Patrick have to navigate their growing attraction for one another, while balancing secrets, politics and moving pieces.

I cannot wait to reread when this book comes out and I am SO excited to hear about book 2.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the advanced review copy.

This was such a unique romantasy to anything else I've read recently, I found it felt very dystopian, especially with the class system and the tension that was underlying everything. The magic system is really unique yet easy to understand as the reader and perfectly suits the dystopian vibe and the line of the story. Additionally, there were many themes that most readers, I'm sure, would be able to identify with: classism, feelings of inadequacy, struggling with trust, second chances etc As for our characters, our FMC Nina is tough as nails, she's smart, sassy and stubborn as can be. Patrick, the MMC, is morally grey, rough around the edges, and flawed, yet cares deeply for those within his circle. This one is told in a dual POV, which is definitely my favorite way to read a romantasy as you really get to know each main character and their thoughts. Throughout the read there were SO many twists and turns, and many of them completely unexpected! I don't even know how I'm going to wait for the sequel 🙃.