No because what the actual HECK this book has rewired my brainnnnnn 🤯🤯🤯

What a beautifully written fantasy 🥹👏🏻✨ think;
❤️‍🔥Slow burn romance
❤️‍🔥Alchemy & powers
❤️‍🔥Class war
❤️‍🔥PLOT TWIST GALORE (genuinely prepare yourself)
❤️‍🔥Found family
❤️‍🔥Loveable characters

Love love LOVED the intricate world building, depicting such realistic characters, town settings and POVs. Stacey has done such a beautiful job of connecting the reader to her characters - I genuinely am so fond of them all (except a few who I won’t spoil 👀 )

Also can we talk about how well the slow burn is done in this *chefs kiss* WE LOVE THE YEARNING (and we love Patrick)🥹👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I devoured this read from start to finish and could genuinely cry now that we have to wait for book 2 following that ending 🥹🤯👏🏻🫠

Thank you so SO much to Simon & Schuster Australia & Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts 🥹🫶🏻 you guys really hit the nail on the head when you sent me this read - WHAT 👏🏻 A 👏🏻 BOOK 👏🏻🫶🏻

Nina and Patrick are only twelve years old when they are taken from their small mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to be tested for magical abilities. Nina's dream of having magic is realised, but at a devastating discovery: Artisans aren’t born, but chosen. Nina stays in Belavere city, but Patrick departs for home. When a craftsman revolution comes to a boiling point years later, Nina and Patrick meet again, and Nina needs make an impossible choice that will change her future forever.

I read early copies of Stacey's original series and absolutely adored them, but A Forbidden Alchemy blows them out of the park to become one of my most loved books. I have nothing bad to say about this book and will hold it close to my heart forever.

A Forbidden Alchemy is a Peaky Blinders x high-stakes fantasy, with a bit of politics in the background and a romance plot with tension so thick it might suffocate you (in a good way).

The dynamics between all of the characters are so interesting, and they genuinely feel like real people with real thoughts and feelings. When Stacey hits us with a plot twist, I feel the agony, confusion and complicated emotions that these characters must be feeling.

You'll enjoy this if you love:

🖤Childhood acquaintances to enemies to lovers to ??
✨Morally ambiguous, revolutionary MMC
🖤FMC with rare magic, torn between two sides of a war
✨Found family
🖤Secrets and hidden magic
✨Dual POV
🖤Class war
✨He falls first (and hard)

A Forbidden Alchemy feels (to me) like a very unique, fresh breath of air in the romantasy world. I don't know what I'll do until I have book 2 in my grubby little hands - maybe re-read book one a hundred times? This is definitely one of my favourite books of 2025.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for this eARC, all opinions are my own.

The world that she has crafted is so cool, with a war happening between Craftsmen and Artisans. I was hooked in very quickly and binged it all in one go! You should pick this one up if you love:
- slow burn
- found family
- bit of a love triangle
- peaky blinders meets six of crows vibes

Round up to 3.5 stars✨

If bad guy, why boyfriend shaped?

“ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴇ, ᴅᴀʀʟɪɴ’. ʜᴇ’ꜱ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴ’ ᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʜᴇ’ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ.”

In A Forbidden Alchemy, the world is split, drink a vial of Idium and unlock elemental magic, or remain a powerless Crafter, bound to a life of labour and silence. But when the powerful hoard magic and truth, rebellion doesn’t just spark 🧨 it ignites.

Nina is an elite Artisan. Patrick is a Crafter revolutionary with dirt under his nails and fire in his blood. They stand on opposite sides of a revolution but are tied together by a past neither can shake and a future that burns with betrayal, longing, and fate.

“𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐚. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝.”

This book reads like Peaky Blinders dropped into a high-stakes elemental fantasy 🧪 gritty, explosive, and heartbreakingly personal. Expect tension so thick you could cut it with a dagger, secrets buried deep, and romance that simmers and stings.

🖤 Tropes You’ll Devour:
✨Enemies to lovers ? (but make it aching and complicated)
🧪Morally grey, tortured revolutionary MMC with a wicked soft spot
🧨Powerful FMC torn between duty and desire
✨Dual POV perfection
🧪Secret pasts and hidden magic
🧨Slow burn with banter and emotional gut punches
✨Found family, rebellion crew vibes, underground movement

“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚟𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗. 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝.”

The plot twist didn’t hit quite as hard for me as I expected, maybe my expectations were beyond sky-high, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the ride. I’m absolutely picking up the next book; this world has its claws in me.

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwen 🧪
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

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

I don’t know how to begin except by saying that this book was by far the best romantasy I’ve read this year, I’m absolutely obsessed. 🫠

This is a story of class war, government corruption, and rebellion, with a heavy dose of deception of course. I’ve seen this book being described as Peaky Blinders but add magic - and I absolutely agree. I absolutely felt immersed in the world and loved all of the characters, who felt really well developed as individual characters.
And our MMC, Patrick, I’m obsessed, we love a morally grey man who’s pining for our girl Nina.

It’s incredibly hard to write about this book without spoiling all the twists and turns - Stacey I’m sending you my therapy bill after the last few chapters, but I can’t wait to be emotionally destroyed in book 2.

Please do yourself a favour and add A Forbidden Alchemy to your TBR immediately!! It’s available now 🫶

Thank you to @simonschusterau & @staceymcewanbooks for the eARC of this book - I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy (aka every edition I find) ✨

I read so much that new romantasy can start to feel a bit same same, but this is the most unique story, setting and cast that I’ve seen in awhile. Let’s take a magic school where the students are divided into their specialties, add in some class wars and elitism, and throw some gangsters at the problem. Perfection, give me another. No really, I need the next one now please Stacey, I’m ready to hurt even more.

Everything about this book was so good. The plot pacing, following across so many years with twists unravelling at the perfect times. The uncertainty on whether I’m truly rooting for our girl Nina or not, with all the morally grey decisions on either side of the fight. The incredibly interesting magic system and what it meant for the political side of the story. And of course, the man, the myth, the legend, the oh so gruff on the outside but soft and lovable on the inside Patty. I could rave for hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the arc of this book. I bought the physical and audio copy as well anyway!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!

This is my first Stacey McEwan book and it definitely won't be my last. I don't know what to do until book 2 comes out. This was such a well rounded book that ticked all the boxes for me and was the perfect romantasy. If anything, I normally want even more romance but I enjoyed the story so much that it didn't affect my reading experience.

A Forbidden Alchemy drew me in immediately with the worldbuilding, characters and plot set up. Delicious yearning and really well set up plot twists. The writing flowed and it was so evocative and lush I could practically breathe the soot in. The conflict wasn't hard to guess but nevertheless, it made me really stressed reading about all these secrets yet it kept the story moving. I also typically don't love too much politics in my romantasies but the one in this world was thoughtfully crafted and intriguing - not too complex or boring to wrap my head around.

This was a really well done and layered story. One of my top reads of 2025 for sure.

Would definitely read again and I'm already feral for the sequel!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thankyou to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for a copy and the chance to review this book!

I really loved this book, with a few little caveats.

There were two little (teensy) things I would have loved to be a bit better. The first is the start of the book. We meet two of the characters when they are 12. which is fine. then the following 5-6 chapters are essentially a chapter per year of life for Nina, before it then slows right down again. It was disjointed and a jarring start to the book. It possibly could have been set up as a prologue, then into the book with using those other chapters as flashbacks? Anyway.

The second thing doesn't affect my star rating at all, just personal preference. And that is about writing from first person POV but not having all the information. I'm fine with twists, but I need the teeny tiny little clues first. I love it when I feel like I've missed something, but not when it comes out of nowhere.

Ok, now what i loved about this book?
The setting! oh my gosh, once we get out of that magic school and we enter the full peaky blinders era class war? Perfection. Absolute Perfection. I need more fantasy books with 1900's gangsters please and thankyou.

The magic system was interesting and generally well explained (it might be my own fault that I was a bit confused between bluff and Idium).

Patrick. Oh my gosh. He is just a tall glass of morally grey water. I actually felt for him a lot more than I did Nina, and I think this is because of the unique blend of First person and Third person POV. It was an interesting choice, but I found myself siding with Patrick and not wanting him to get hurt in all of this.

The situation where Patrick and Nina find their way back to each other was well-planned and added a lot of tension and distrust between the two. I was flipping pages with my heart in my throat just waiting for everything to come to a head.

The twists (that DID have tiny clues) were fantastic. When it all came together at the end was a real vibe. Unfortunately I could only enjoy this for about a minute before things got real hectic and then ended.

I'm very excited for book 2.

Narration: Dual character, first AND third person POV

Spice: 1-2/5

Tropes:
- Revolution
- Morally grey MMC
- Found family
- Hidden powers
- Class war
- Slow burn
- Family Secrets
- Love triangle

So I’ve never read a Stacy McEwan book before, though her series has been on my tbr for ages, and I know she’s brilliant just from watching her hilarious Tik toks, so I knew the book wouldn’t disappoint.

Man was I right. The writing was phenomenal, the world building was intricate and detailed and the time jumping (though I’m not a huge fan myself) added to the depth of the story. Without spoilers the main characters, especially Nina, were well crafted, far from shallow, and i identified with her so much, which made me like the story even more. Her strength is unparalleled. The romance was on point, everything, but the cliffhanger, was on point 👌🏻👌🏻 I will be reading every other one of her books

*rubs hands together"
...a new Stacey MCEwan book?
This should be good....and it is.

The Glacian Series is heads and shoulders above the standard fantomance on my shelf and ^thank the baby cheeses^ A Forbidden Alchemy is set up for another cracking story arc.

I loved this atmospheric world with a really interesting elemental magic system that feeds a shitty class divide teetering on a tipping point. I am concerned that identifying with Peaky Blinders is an easy way of filling in world feels and providing an easy path to an already passionate commercial market. I can't say I had the same "Holy cræp, this is totally off the charts unique" that I got from Ledge, Valley and Chasm but the writing is crafted in such a way that Stacey McEwan fans, old and new, will not be disappointed. I got strong Steampunk feels to the village of Kent and the use of the mines or underground by the underground was fabulous. Our characters, Nina and Patrick have a history and I enjoyed the time jumps used to establish the history of the relationship.

All the tension was tensioning, the twisties and the turnies were hectic and I didn't trust anyone. All while I was slowly falling for the tortured morally grey love interest. I have a sweet spot for the side character Donnie and if he is sacrificed in future books, I will march in the streets. Given Stacey's track history, id best prepare myself for heartache.

Yeah, you've got to hand it to her, Stacey McEwan does all this interweaving so well I just kept turning the page. The last 10% of the book is torture.

Then there is the cliffhanger.

Then I cursed Stacey.

And I curse the next 12 months I have to wait until the next book.

With thanks to Stacey McEwan for the blood pressure, Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for the opportunity to read A Forbidden Alchemy before publication.

The story follows Nina Harrow, who dreams of becoming an Artisan (with magical abilities) and Patrick Colson, who knows his future is to be a Craftsmen (non-magical). When they are 12 years old, the pair discover that their destiny was chosen by the gods as they once believed, but predetermined by their corrupt government. They are then separated as Nina chooses her own destiny and becomes a rare type of Artisan with a special elemental magic. Patrick returns home to his mining town as he planned, to be a craftsmen - like his father and brothers.
Nina and Patrick are reunited years later when Nina is caught by a rebel group, led by Patrick. They decide to work together to help stop the war between Artisans and Craftsmen but they both have their own agenda and secrets.

This is my favourite read of the year! I truly can’t stop thinking about it and I have recommended it to every fellow reader I know. I loved everything about it - the dual POV, the setting, the magic system, the dialogue, the characters! It was engaging from the very beginning and I was hooked! So. Many. Twists. In the best way! I am still reeling 🫨😨

Patrick is the new ultimate book boyfriend with a unique shade of morally grey! He can do no wrong and has made me realise that the hottest things a man can do is check his pocket watch and call you darlin’.
Nina is a loveable, independent FMC who wants to do the right thing morally, but is also conflicted by her feelings for Patrick and what he stands for. I adored Nina and the slow romance that blossoms between her and Patrick.

If you love a dystopian fantasy with a slow burn romance and Peaky Blinders vibes with magical abilities and secret agendas, you will love this book! I recommend this to everyone and will not stop talking about this book for a long time!

Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I am incredibly grateful to have read this before release date.

I knew going into this book I was going to love it. It has all my favourite themes and tropes, and just like I predicted, I loved it.

I loved the world Stacey McEwan created in A Forbidden Alchemy. For most of the book we are in a far-away town that is entirely self-dependent but still living before the Industrial Era. Kenton Hill is a mining town full of Craftsmen, and the family at the centre of a revolution.

A huge aspect of this book is the found family that is included and I am a sucker for a found family. The found family is this book was executed perfectly and I truly felt the connection between all the characters. I loved how the connection between everyone wasn’t instant and instead they all had to learn how to trust each other and slowly let their guard down.

Stacey McEwan’s writing style is absolute perfection. Reading this book it is clear that she is an incredible, seasoned writer and has really been able to perfect her craft. Her sentence structure and word choice created such an easy reading experience, and the way she played with the pacing of this book was something I have not often seen executed as well as it was in this book.

The romance. What is there to say except it gave me everything I wanted and more.

After finishing the book, I am heartbroken. Stacey McEwan how could you end it like that, and when is book 2 coming out. I fear I need it right now.

A Forbidden Alchemy is an utterly captivating read that will have you fully invested in the story.

This story is full of twists and turns. It is brutal, but not without reason. With the land dealing with political unrest and opposing factions, the tensions are high. I felt that this conflict was so well written and the gang/Peaky Blinders vibes were on point. As someone who hasn't watched Peaky Blinders but has a vague idea of the show, I would be keen to watch it after reading A Forbidden Alchemy. I felt this story really brought some grit to the Miners Union and the characters involved with the Rebellion.

The story does have a bit of a love triangle, but you will find yourself rooting for a particular outcome as the story progresses. It was so easy to get behind certain characters and develop a distrust for others. The story does have a bit of a time jump over the earlier chapters, but it sets up the tensions and events really well.

A Forbidden Alchemy has easily become one of my favourite reads from 2025 and I can't wait for Book 2.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for gifting me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC copy!

As soon as I saw the cover, I was intrigued — and after reading the blurb, I knew I had to read it. I’m so glad I got the chance to dive in! The world Stacey created is so unique and layered. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before, and the way the magic system works is seriously cool.

The characters all had so much depth, and it was really easy to connect with them. I especially loved Patrick and Nina — they were so cute and had me rooting for them the whole way 🥹

The only thing I found a little tricky was the beginning. The story follows the characters over several years, and at times I found it hard to keep track of how old they were in certain scenes. It also took me a little while to get used to the dialect, but that was definitely more of a “me” thing than anything to do with the writing 😆

But that ending?? Absolutely wild. I need book two in my hands ASAP!

Holy hell. My jaw is on the floor and I’m stunned.
I was unprepared for the addiction I would develop for this book and I am on my hands and knees begging and offering my soul for the second book.
This one is a slow burn, romance filled with magic, alchemy, betrayal and political turmoil. The plot twists and betrayals had me stunned and the YEARNING was ughhh love it!
The world building and character depth was so well written and was just as much apart of the story if not more then the romance factor.
I cannot get across how amazing this book is and I’m lining up for a hard copy and every special edition on release day!
I am so thankful for NetGalley for this ARC

Okay, listen up! I am officially unwell because of this book. Stacey McEwan has wrecked me and I’m not even mad. Everyone drop whatever you’re doing and read A Forbidden Alchemy because WHAT. A. FREAKIN’. RIDE.

I’ve never been this anxious reading a book. Like, legit, my heart was doing somersaults the whole time. I was having an internal battle — wanting to finish it but also trying not to, because you know, I’m too old for the “read till 3am” vibes. Seriously, plan your time off or at least don’t schedule anything important, because you won’t be able to put it down, eat, or sleep. And just when you think you’re safe — BAM! Around chapter 34, Stacey sucker punches you so hard you’ll be screaming into your pillow like, “WHY?!” But nope, the chaos keeps coming. This book has a chokehold on me and I’m not breaking free anytime soon.

If you love dystopian fantasy with all the drama, rebellion, and magic — THIS IS YOUR JAM. Hands down one of my favourite reads of the year, and I haven’t even recovered yet.

Let me break it down for you:

✨️ Class war + rebellion = yes please
✨️ Government corruption that’ll make you rage
✨️ Magic haves & have-nots drama (like, seriously rigged system vibes)
✨️ He falls first and HARD (I’m screaming)
✨️ Dual POV (first person & third person, fancy but it actually works)
✨️ Friends to enemies to lovers to ??? (so messy, so good)
✨️ Peaky Blinders vibes but with magic (mind blown)
✨️ Love triangle-ish tension (because why not?)
✨️ Twists and betrayals that legit had me gasping
✨️ Morally grey MMC who’s now the unofficial king of my heart

I came in thinking, “Okay, slow burn, I’m chill,” but then BAM! The banter was so, so good and the plot twists had me on edge. Do I hate you, or do I love you? Ugh, my heartstrings. Honestly, I’d be curious what my heart rate was doing the whole time I was reading.

Nina and Patrick start off as literal baby beans, waiting to see if they’re magical or just stuck in the poor section of life. Spoiler: the whole magic system is rigged AF, and these two tiny troublemakers accidentally spark a full-on rebellion. Oops, sorry not sorry.

The romance? Slow burn to the max but also fire. Patrick is basically broody, witty, morally grey, and somehow also the “I’ll burn the world down for you but still make your tea” type. Nina is a total QUEEN — clever, fierce, vulnerable, and not about to be anyone’s pawn. I love her so hard I’d fight a fictional government for her.

Plus:
🔥 Rebellion + class war that hits hard
🔥 Banter so sharp I felt personally attacked (in a good way)
🔥 Jealousy and love triangle angst for days
🔥 Peaky Blinders meets magical revolution vibes
🔥 A timeline that stretches over a decade so you really get attached
🔥 A world so vivid it’s like Harry Potter, The Magicians Guild, and Hunger Games all threw a party

And the ending?! Rude. Straight-up RUDE. It ripped my heart out, tap-danced on it, then whispered, “Yeah, you’re gonna wait for book 2 and you’re gonna LIKE it.” I’m emotionally stranded with no rescue in sight.

If you’re here for all the magic, the chaos, the slow-burn romance, and the “oh hell no” plot twists — you need to read this. I’m already begging Stacey for the sequel because I want five more books like this one.

Oh, and I’m low-key eyeing that sprayed edges edition on Amazon because the cover and edges are STUNNING

I need the next book in this series right now!

Wow… just wow.

I LOVED this!

The magical elements were original and the characters were well fleshed out and distinguishable.
I loved watching the chemistry unfold between Patrick and Nina, even though it took a while to get there (as the first third of this book spans about 10-15 years).

The last 200 odd pages was twisty and really kept me hooked.

I really can’t wait for the next one in this series after the cliffhanger it ended on.
I’m so grateful to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I think a copy of this will definitely find its way onto my shelf on release day!

💜💜💜💜

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Devastating in the best possible way

In a world where your entire future hinges on a single vial of Idium, A Forbidden Alchemy throws you into a class war you won’t forget full of magic, heartbreak, revolution, and the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps you up at 2am whispering “just one more chapter.”

Here’s the deal: drink the Idium and maybe you awaken elemental magic and become an elite Artisan. If nothing happens? You’re a Crafter, stuck in the mines. But what if the whole system’s rigged from the start?

Enter Nina and Patrick—two kids from nothing, swept into the elite world of Belavere, only to discover the horrifying truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. That secret splits them, sending them down two very different paths. Years later, when a full-on rebellion erupts, they’re on opposing sides… until fate (and maybe longing 👀) brings them crashing back together.

✨ Patrick he’s gruff, loyal, and so morally grey it hurts. Honestly, one of my new favourite book boyfriends.

✨ Nina is everything I want in a female lead: powerful, torn, and layered. Her internal conflict—between her past, her people, and her heart—is so well done. And her chemistry with Patrick? A slow-burn masterclass.

This book gave me everything:
✔️ Elemental magic and a rigged system
✔️ Multi-POV storytelling that never loses momentum
✔️ Secret identities & soul-crushing betrayals
✔️ Found family
✔️ Deliciously tense banter
✔️ Plot twists that hit like a freight train
✔️ AND it’s by an Australian author? We win.


This was one of those reads that sank its claws into me emotionally in the best way. The conspiracies, the heartbreak, the shifting loyalties… it’s giving top-tier romantasy. And now I have to wait even longer for book two because I read the ARC. I’ll just be here screaming into the void.

If you loved Fourth Wing, An Ember in the Ashes, or anything that blends magic, rebellion, and impossible choices A Forbidden Alchemy deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.

I’ve followed Stacey on TikTok for a really long time so I was really excited and grateful to receive this ARC

A forbidden alchemy is set in a world where there are magic users (artisans) and non magic users (crafters). The artisans need to drink a special drink to be able to unlock their magic and at the age of 12 all children are tested but we find out the testing is rigged.
There is a huge imbalance of power with artisans living in opulence and crafters living in poverty and it leads to a rebellion and civil war.

Our FMC Nina is brave and strong and not afraid to stand up for what’s right and is a great character. Our MMC Patrick is a man who has had to do terrible things to do what he feels is right for his people.

This is a deep, slow paced read best suited to people who really like to sink their teeth into a story and have their hearts ripped out

Stacey, what have you done to me?!
This is hands down one of my favourite reads of 2025.

From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The blend of fantasy with gritty Peaky Blinders vibes made for such a captivating and unique reading experience—I genuinely haven’t read anything quite like it.

I absolutely loved the two main characters, Nina and Patrick. Nina, in particular, stood out to me. Following her journey from the age of twelve added so much depth, and I thought the early chapters were perfectly paced to lay the groundwork for the story. It’s easy to understand why Nina would want to escape her life, yet deep down, she’s always the girl from Scurry—and that inner conflict really resonated with me.

Patrick, on the other hand, starts off as a cheeky, charming figure, and when we meet him again, the hardened edge he’s developed makes perfect sense given everything he’s endured. Watching Nina and Patrick reunite and slowly draw out the parts of themselves they’d forgotten was one of my favourite dynamics in the book.

The magic system is another standout. Stacey has created something truly original here—alchemy and elemental magic come together in such a fascinating way. The plot was full of twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing and desperate to keep turning the pages.

And that ending! I’m not okay. I need book two immediately. But as much as it left me reeling, it was also the perfect setup for what’s to come.

I’ve loved Stacey’s previous work, but this one is my new favourite. I’m beyond excited that I preordered it—I need the physical copy in my hands ASAP.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.