Ahhhhhh! This romantasy is captivating with a delightfully distinct magic system, a slow burn, and a whole lot of secrets. I found the pacing at the very beginning of the book to be disjointed and a bit slow, but I was intrigued by the plot so I kept going and I’m glad I did! Once it found its groove, I couldn’t put it down.

Nina and Patrick are just twelve years old when they’re sent Belavere for a moment that will change the course of their lives forever - whether they will be artisans or crafters. Before their destiny is revealed, they discover a harrowing secret, that the selection of artisans and crafters isn’t random as they’ve been led to believe, they’re chosen. They go on very different journeys through their lives and many years later a rebellion is brewing.

This book has a dual POV but is mainly told from Nina’s perspective. There’s a charming cast of secondary characters, and no shortage of twists & turns. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson were twelve years old, they travelled from their disenfranchised mining towns to Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass the test will become Artisans, wielders of elemental magic, and those who don’t, return to their mining towns as Crafters. Nina yearns to escape her harsh reality and attend the Artisan School, while Patrick yearns to return to his family. Patrick and Nina soon discover that Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, putting Nina and Patrick on opposing sides of this brewing conflict.

A FORBIDDEN ALCHEMY is marketed as a romantasy, but I fear that this will mislead readers. While there’s a glimmer of romance between these pages, it’s really not the focus of the story with the result being a fantasy novel with a touch of romance. That aside, I haven’t read a fantasy in awhile and this was a refreshing experience. I enjoyed the premise, the social injustices between the Artisans and Crafters, as well as the plot and characters encountered.

A FORBIDDEN ALCHEMY is told in dual POV, Patrick’s and Nina’s. Both of their POVs are well-written, descriptive, and share important information about both sides of the political landscape. All of the characters encountered are nuanced, realistic, and multidimensional. While I was dismayed to discover romance within this novel, I was quickly gratified to find that it did not overshadow the rest of the plot.

The premise, world-building, and magic system are very cool and well-described while remaining easy to follow, making this an easy fantasy to read for someone new to the genre. Elemental magic systems are my favorite type of magics, so this was an easy concept to dive into for me! The plot is intricate, layered, and filled with twists, turns, and lots of secrets and lies. There’s a fair amount of action which kept the pacing quick and kept me fully invested in the narrative. And that ending??? Tell me there’s a second book!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Saga Press, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

“𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓭 𝓪 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓢𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵”

Oh. My. God. To say that this was one of my favourite reads of the year would be a massive understatement. I’m genuinely speechless … what can I say other than that this book was perfection??

Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Canada for the e-arc, and thank you Stacey McEwan for writing such a masterpiece. And for ruining my life. I will forever be in your debt 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Me: How many times did you twist the plot of this book??
Stacey: Yes.

A Forbidden Alchemy is THE most beautiful delicious slow burn romantasy book set in a society divided by those who have magic and those who do not. It is EXTREMELY addictive from the first page, and I fell for the characters right away. Which if you know me is insane because it usually takes me half a book to emotionally bond to characters. Nope. This book achieved it in Chapter 1.

A moment of appreciation for the fact that this is the first time I have ever given 5 stars to the first book in a series without yet reading the rest. Which is 100% highly deserved … and also highly unfortunate for me, because I CAN’T read the rest of the series. Because the book isn’t even out yet 😭😭😭. ‘Get into ARC reading,’ they said. ‘It’ll be fun,’ they said … 😭

And on that note. The ending?? Leaving us in that suspense is a punishable crime imo. This entire book is a punishable crime actually. Have I mentioned the plot twists yet?!?!?!?! Just when you thought it had been twisted enough … oh no. There was actually one point in the book where I guessed a plot twist and felt so proud of myself! And then the very next page I was falling off my chair clutching my throat for air because I did NOT see that one coming 😭

The romance was absolute perfection, as were the characters in general! I loved how flawed they were because it made them all so much easier to relate to ❤️ And the worldbuilding was SO immersive, I can picture everything in my head so so clearly.

This book comes out on the first and I better see you all buying a copy!! I’ve already got mine preordered 🤭

How to articulate what this book made me feel… I think I chewed the inside of my cheek raw in the last 20%. I am utterly and irrevocably destroyed. It has taken me several hours to come to terms with what I experienced while reading this book.
The pacing and the execution of the plot was perfect. The beginning of the book is spent building up the world and giving a clear indication of who the major players are. We are fast forwarded year by year, because the details there do not truly matter, it is the present that counts. I was drawn into the dark world that was portrayed. I often felt like I was in the wild west. The magical system was quite interesting, as well as how it’s so wrapped up in the politics involved in the story. Who can access magic is so tightly controlled and the class division is stark. The tension between the main characters, Nina and Patrick, was palpable and I ate up all of it. The twists and turns I experienced as more and more of the story unfolded kept my eyes glued to the page.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that loves a good slow burn romance, fun side characters, political tensions, and a wild west feel.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada / Saga Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given voluntarily and are honestly and my own.

**thank you so much Simon and Schuster Canada for the netgalley arc!**
5⭐️ wow!!!

I am a Patrick Colson addict and I don’t care who knows it!!!
mark your calendar for July 1 because this is your next favourite read! if you’re looking for fantasy mixed with “peaky blinders” and “lawless”, a swoon worthy MMC, elemental magic, and twists and turns that will have you questioning everything, then look no further! Stacey hooked me with her Glacian trilogy, but I’m SAT for this series! The historical elements had a divine rivals feel, and this MAN is on his own level of morally gray! Thomas Shelby but better….what more could you ask for?!

This was such an unexpected favourite for me, I literally could not get enough of it! I really liked the magic system within, it worked really well in the world. I loved the characters, and the romance! It wasn't really a love triangle because of timing, but the way that they acted was so good. I loved the jealousy, the yearning, and the tension!!! The ending was truly unforgettable, so fast paced and intense, I cannot wait for book two!!!!!

This story is definitely a slow burn but I loved the world building. The magic was really interesting but ultimately it’s the characters I enjoyed. Patrick was such an interesting character - I wasn’t a huge fan of him at first but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. I enjoyed how we got both his and Nina’s POV. There were a couple of plot twists that I didn’t expect and the end 😱🫠

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan

This fantastic book came out yesterday, and I can’t wait to see all the rave reviews all summer. As the author says in the acknowledgments, she was inspired by Six of Crows (one of my all time favourite books) and Peaky Blinders so the vibes are incredible.

A mining town leading a revolution, crafters vs artisans, a school for charmers and a conspiracy that has gone on for centuries.

This author is just getting started - the writing was fantastic, the world building is unique and delicate, and the characters were so well thought out - I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

I loved it, obviously. It did take me a while to get through, but sometimes that’s necessary to let it sink in. I was always eager to get back into the story and I did love how the story was built piece by piece. The romance was deliciously slow, Patrick was perfect.

I cannot wait for the next book.

I think I’ve just found one of my favourite fantasy books yet.

My thoughts:

One of the things I liked about this book was the switch from 1st person (Nina) to 3rd person (Patrick). If we’re being honest here, I didn’t even notice it at first but when I did I was like, wow that’s cool. I like how a lot of things were described in this book. The divide between the Artisans and the Crafters. The feelings of the crafters and why the rebellion started up. The entire plot twist of the book (From the first few chapters and all the others until the end of the book).

I love the world and the characters and the plot. EVERYTHING.

Characters:

Nina. I connected with nina early on. I admired that need to go to “bigger places,” that conviction that screamed ‘I am going to achieve my dreams no matter what.’ And even though it didn’t turn out that way for her, it only made her more complex and relatable. I genuinely enjoyed her character. And you know what? She’s so freaking cool. Charming the earth like that. Like okay I see you, Harrow!

Patrick? PATRICK??!! amazing. Perfection. Pure perfection. Everything about his character was so well written and heartbreaking. Ugh I have a lot to say about him. Like a lot! That pressure from taking on his father’s role, not being able to sleep, all the secrets to keep everyone safe??! He is so precious.

Donny. Donny. Donny. I love him so so much. I need him to stay SAFE in the next book.

There’s a specific character that when I say it’s on sight? IT IS ON SIGHT.

The ending made me GASP. That high you usually feel after a good book, the one where your chest is kinda tight or you’re lowkey breathing fast? Yeah I felt that. Still feeling that as I write this review.

Thank you so much Simon and
Schuster for this amazing ARC! Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!

A forbidden alchemy:

Nina and Patrick first met when they were 12 year old, taken to Belavere capital to discover their magical potential. If you pass, you become the highly coveted artisan. If you don’t, you’re sent back as a craftsman. Nina needs to become an artisan. It’s a must and a path to the life she has always dreamed of, while Patrick refuses to become one, hoping to go back home to his family as a craftsman. It isn’t until they both find out that you’re not born an artisan, you’re made one if you’re lucky or tricky enough, that things begin to crumble. Now they’re adults, burdened by war, both on different sides with their own goals, yet bound together by fate. There’s only so much betrayal one can take.

6 stars!

I'm now officially a Stacey McEwan fan! This was my first book by her, and it will not be my last!

What a fantastic book! I was hooked from page 1! This had Peaky Blinders/gangsters with magic vibes and I LOVED it.

The writing is beautiful, the magic system is unique, and the world-building is incredible. And the characters! Wow. You love and hate them, you don't know who to trust, you can kind of empathise with both sides of the war, UGH. Flawless story-telling!

I loved Nina and Patrick! I was so eager for the romance to develop, but the slow burn was SO worth it!

I definitely recommend if you love romantasy with dystopian vibes, romance amidst a class war, and complex and interesting characters. I CAN'T wait for book 2, especially with THAT ENDING!

“We’re stuck between two guns now…that’s all there is to it.”

Umm, what?! I was not expecting this book to be this good. I was captivated.

The plot twists, the magic, the conspiracies, the ending!!?

Where to start? This book gave me serious Hunger Games meets Peaky Blinders meets Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels vibes. It blends familiar tropes in fresh and exciting ways, and it totally worked for me.

All of the characters live in shades of grey, each one doing what they believe is necessary to survive. Both the FMC and MMC are fantastic. Patrick is hardened, determined, and convinced his actions are for the greater good. Nina, quieter and shaped by loss, operates in pure survival mode. Their chemistry is intense and lust-filled, though I did crave a bit more banter—it occasionally felt like the insults were there just to fill space. That said, what was there? Thoroughly enjoyable.

Even the side characters are well-developed, with their own backstories and motivations. They don’t appear constantly, but when they do, you feel their personal stakes. (Also, Donny? Total fan favorite in the making.)

The world building is top notch. The descriptions of buildings, inventions, and spaces were vivid and immersive. I could see everything like it was playing out in my head, and I loved it!

There’s a twist about halfway through that completely blindsided me, and I loved it. It made me pause and ask myself: Would I be able to make the same choice if I were in their shoes?

Reading this ARC sent me straight out to preorder the absolutely STUNNING special edition of this book – something to look at as I not so patiently wait for book two to be released.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada and Stacey McEwan for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy.

Happy Release Day!

Stacey McEwan crafted a creative and immersive world and magic system in "A Forbidden Alchemy." The atmosphere was infused with steampunk, Industrial Revolution energy, creating a reading experience rich with intrigue and brimming with gritty, imaginative detail. The story was charged in political turmoil, a caste system that favoured one group over another, and a brewing revolution aimed at tipping the scales of power.

The character and relationship development were well-executed with engaging dialogue that was well-suited for the books setting and atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. The dynamic between Nina and Patrick felt believable and paced appropriately; though, the weight placed on their brief interaction 15 years earlier felt slightly over-emphasized in relation to their present connection.
 
I found Nina to be somewhat frustrating in the second half of the book, as some of her decisions did not fully align with her stated desire to protect the people of Kenton Hill. As a result, parts of the ending drama felt slightly contrived. That said, it was refreshing to see an FMC who didn't always get it right the first time, adding a layer of realism to her journey. Another issue that stood out as I read was the level of trust Patrick placed in one of the side characters. As the leader of the revolution, it felt somewhat unrealistic that he would not have anticipated possible deceit from certain members of the group. Lastly, the reading journey was slightly disjointed at first as I adjusted to the shifting perspectives. Nina's chapters were written in first person, while Patrick's were in third.

Overall, Stacey McEwan's novel was captivating, drawing me into the lives of her characters. I am fully invested in where this story will go next and eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and provide an honest review.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for access to the ARC of this book.

I've gotten a bit tired of romantasy books in the last few months. They're starting to feel stale and repetitive.

This one is anything but stale.

The magic system and how it causes a class war to break out between the Crafters and the Artisans is so interesting. Nina is an interesting character with one foot in both classes. Patrick was endearing in the intro as a child but a total smokeshow as an adult. He's such a captivating character who is definitely morally grey. Even when he does bad things, you support him in his decisions because of the reasoning behind it. The heat and loaded dialogue between Nina and Patrick is perfect. I wish the other sorta love interest was a stronger contender for Nina, since he doesn't stand a chance of earning Nina's heart or the reader's.

This book had plot twists up the wazoo. I didn't see many of them coming and the clues were there. Very well done. The reveals were always a delightful surprise.

And the ending! Can't wait for the next installment. I have to know what happens.

Check out this ⛏️ Vintage and Rustic Vibe
💜 Slow Burn
⛏️ Dual POV
💜 Elemental Magic
⛏️ Class Wars
💜 Patrick Colson *swoons*

I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I put it down.

A Forbidden Alchemy is a slow-building story—that is until it catapults readers into an immersive romance, a rustic setting, dynamic characters, a world of secrets, ghastly betrayals, and ultimately, devastation.

I am obsessed with this book. This story has such a unique vibe, it feels historical and rustic with some great romantic tension and some behind-the-scenes world-shattering secrets. I actually struggled toward the end because my heart rate was elevated and I had to keep putting the book down so I could calm myself for a moment.

Also, Patrick Colson, the man that you are. He is one of the best MMCs I've read in a while, he's got this amazing rustic charm, you can tell his hands look like he's put in the work, and I am still swooning. I can't wait until I get my physical copy and I can share some quotes because MY GOD.

A slow start and a CRUEL ending but this was so damn good. I'm not sure what Stacey McEwan put in this book, but this is the best romantasy I've read in a while.

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓸𝓷 & 𝓢𝓬𝓱𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓒𝓪𝓷𝓪𝓭𝓪 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷.

✨ARC Book Review ✨
A Forbidden Alchemy
By Steven McEwan

Release Date July 2nd, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Take a deep dive into this romantasy filled with secrets, romance, betrayal and hidden agendas. This book will keep you guessing, and when you think you know what is going to happen.. no you don’t. We loved all the elements in this book: the story telling, the world building, the magic system (which was very different to other fantasy books we have read, and SO refreshing!), and the plot twists. The story was original and refreshing, it gripped us from the first couple chapters. We definitely recommend checking this book out once it releases on July 2 2025 if you are a fan of;

🪄 slow burn
🪄secrets & betrayal
🪄 elemental magic
🪄 dual POV
🪄 class wars

We would like to thank Net Galley, and Stacey McEwan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!! We can’t wait for the second book!

This is my most recent rec for anyone looking for a new fantasy read. The world and mechanics are straightforward, and the plot is so easy to get into. The further you read, the more it gears up, and the more addictive it gets. I loved the characters, the town, and the way the plot unraveled. Patrick and Donny were my favs. The twists and turns throughout kept me hooked, and that ending KO'd me. I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next book.

I've been late to a lot of good reads in the past years and this is the year I promised myself to catch up on all the best fantasy books that have been released. Imagine my surprise when I got approved for this book and got early access to now one of my 6-star reads this year!

I think the first ever magic system I grew up with involved a lot of elemental magic so this definitely brought some nostalgia with it. It has all my favorite plots: yearning, UNEXPECTED plot twists, and found family. I could not put this book down and I'm so glad to have been given the opportunity to read this before it comes out. So many books have been marketed as Dystopian recently but lacked the actual material for it but this one took me by surprise and as an avid fan of the genre when it was so big before, it definitely did not disappoint.

And Patrick... oh Patrick... where do I even begin?

This does end on a cliffhanger but I don't mind as the journey getting to it is what made this book so special. This is a promising start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel! Stacy McEwan you have my heart!

This book was everything!!

It kept me engaged from start to finish and it was packed with twists and turns. Some I saw and some took me by surprise, I feel it has been a minute since I have read something that had my mind turning trying to theorize what might occur and I love that! The character development was so good, I loved that we first meet the characters in their youth and we see how that shapes their future and society. The magic and the class system/world were so unique and intriguing. Every aspect of this book just had me so so engrossed. Plus, the perfect balance of well developed plot to romance - what more could you ask for!

Then the ending, I gasped when I turned the page and realized it was done! So good, a truly painful cliffhanger but so well done and I want book 2 like yesterday haha. Definitely running to read everything written by Stacey McEwan because this was everything I realized I was missing in a book lately and shall be chasing that high immediately.

You need to pick this up ASAP!

With the introduction of anything new, there’s the tendency to overuse it. The “new” genre romantasy is being thrown around carelessly. Unfortunately for A Forbidden Alchemy, marketing it as a “stunning slow-burn romantasy” does it and readers a disservice. A Forbidden Alchemy is a fantasy with romance. A critical distinction.

A Forbidden Alchemy follows the FMC as she’s thrust into the world of elite Artisans after discovering a world breaking secret and taking advantage of it, thus beginning a worker’s rights/union focused fantasy story.

My three star rating is reflective of my ever changing opinion of A Forbidden Alchemy. As mentioned previously, I expected a “stunning slow-burn romantasy” however the romance was lackluster at best. Had A Forbidden Alchemy not been marketed as romance heavy, I would have enjoyed it more instead I was left wondering when the romance would start.

The FMC and MMC had a promising introduction as McEwan expertly weaved the foundation of the world with their meet cute. Unfortunately, the time jumps and the other characters that were introduced destroyed any possible connection between the two. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was lackluster and forced at times. It was just plain awkward.

The reason I rated A Forbidden Alchemy three stars and not two is because the world was interesting and kept me reading. It felt lived in and robust with secrets yet to be revealed.

Overall, A Forbidden Alchemy has an interesting premise but fails in its execution and marketing.

I went into this book unsure if it was going to be for me, and ended up absolutely loving it! Nina is a well developed character with nuance, and even when I did not like her I was still rooting for her. I also love the trope of a bad guy, but who is doing it mostly for the good of others and Patrick had that in spades. I will be re-reading this one and cannot wait for the next one!