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The Artisan Trilogy #1
A Forbidden Alchemy
This stunning slow-burn romantasy follows a fated pair who uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and devastating betrayals.
Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines keeping the city alive.
And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.
In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when she is captured by Patrick’s rebel group. Despite the years and conflict that separates them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.
Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines keeping the city alive.
And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.
In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when she is captured by Patrick’s rebel group. Despite the years and conflict that separates them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2025
3595 people are currently reading
96031 people want to read
About the author
Stacey McEwan
8 books3,958 followersStacey McEwan lives in Queensland, Australia with her husband and two children. She is a teacher by day, writer by night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,352 reviews
July 17, 2025
If you’ve ever wanted your romantic fantasy to cup your face gently and say, “Hey, by the way, privilege is built on generational exploitation,” then A Forbidden Alchemy might be for you!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s also angsty and romantic and thick with tension which is what we’re probably looking for when it comes to romantasy.
However, I didn’t expect it to explore such profound themes. The backdrop isn’t glamorous. It’s set in a mining town, filled with morally gray, lovable, calloused-hands characters and systemic inequality designed to grind people down.
That’s what makes the acts of love and care even more striking. Romantic yearning doesn’t soften the story, it sharpens the contrast to the themes of power, manipulation, exploitation, classism, who gets to decide whose life is worth more, alongside the hoarding of wealth and privilege by the “chosen” elite.
The social divide gave me Hunger Games flashbacks (the Capitol vs. the districts), but with elemental magic instead of televised slaughter.
Try as I might, my brain just wouldn’t quit picturing the main male character, Patrick Colson, as Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders the entire book. Eventually, I stopped fighting it, why argue with my brain’s casting choices? Patty even has the deadpan wit and tortured soul under all those steely blue eyes and peaked cap. Except here, Patty Colson actually cracks a smile. He may even dance. Try picturing Thomas Shelby doing that.
Finally, a shoutout to the dialogue, it felt extremely authentic and full of fun banter, pretty much how people talk in real life. The chatter between the Colson brothers was a highlight and Nina also snuck in some pearlers.
Someone please option this for film, because it would make a stellar one.
﹏﹏﹏﹏
Patrick has Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders energy, therefore I have accidentally already inhaled a third of this book.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s also angsty and romantic and thick with tension which is what we’re probably looking for when it comes to romantasy.
However, I didn’t expect it to explore such profound themes. The backdrop isn’t glamorous. It’s set in a mining town, filled with morally gray, lovable, calloused-hands characters and systemic inequality designed to grind people down.
That’s what makes the acts of love and care even more striking. Romantic yearning doesn’t soften the story, it sharpens the contrast to the themes of power, manipulation, exploitation, classism, who gets to decide whose life is worth more, alongside the hoarding of wealth and privilege by the “chosen” elite.
The social divide gave me Hunger Games flashbacks (the Capitol vs. the districts), but with elemental magic instead of televised slaughter.
Try as I might, my brain just wouldn’t quit picturing the main male character, Patrick Colson, as Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders the entire book. Eventually, I stopped fighting it, why argue with my brain’s casting choices? Patty even has the deadpan wit and tortured soul under all those steely blue eyes and peaked cap. Except here, Patty Colson actually cracks a smile. He may even dance. Try picturing Thomas Shelby doing that.
Finally, a shoutout to the dialogue, it felt extremely authentic and full of fun banter, pretty much how people talk in real life. The chatter between the Colson brothers was a highlight and Nina also snuck in some pearlers.
Someone please option this for film, because it would make a stellar one.
﹏﹏﹏﹏
Patrick has Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders energy, therefore I have accidentally already inhaled a third of this book.
July 1, 2025
I have thought about this book approximately 3 times a day, everyday, since I first read it.
A romantasy with a class system rift, a rebellion, a torturous love story and dual POV.
Also, Patty 😭😭❤️❤️❤️
A romantasy with a class system rift, a rebellion, a torturous love story and dual POV.
Also, Patty 😭😭❤️❤️❤️
May 16, 2025
Consider me buried alive🪦That’s how many plot twists got piled on top of me during the last few chapters!💀
“You will sink this tunnel. Bury us all.”
In a world divided by power, your destiny is determined by a single vial of Idium. Drink it, and your blood could awaken elemental magic, marking you as a prized Artisan. But if nothing happens? You remain unchanged, a lower class Crafter.
But what if Idium isn’t distributed equally?🧪
Our two main characters Patrick & Nina uncover this brutal corruption & find themselves on opposite sides of a class war, Artisans vs Crafters.
Patrick leads the Crafters revolution, imagine Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders 🙌🏼 Morally grey but fiercely loyal to his family & town. I was swooning during his chapter POV’s.
“He’s bad to those who’re bad. No idea if that makes him good, though.”
Nina who is a powerful Artisan finds herself constantly pulled between both sides of the war but the biggest pull is towards Patrick. Hello banter, tension & possession 🔥
“Trust me, darlin’, he’s always lookin’ at you, even when you think he’s not.”
This book is for you if you love
>Elemental Magic
>Political Intrigue/Class war
>Secret identities
>Multi POV
>Found family (Donny🙌🏼)
>Tension & slow burn
>Betrayal & Plot twists that leave you emotionally unwell 💁🏼♀️
>Australian Author ✍️
“We’re stuck between two guns now…That’s all there is to it.”
Thank you NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the E-arc in exchange for my honest review.
I will be racing to buy a physical copy on release day!
“You will sink this tunnel. Bury us all.”
In a world divided by power, your destiny is determined by a single vial of Idium. Drink it, and your blood could awaken elemental magic, marking you as a prized Artisan. But if nothing happens? You remain unchanged, a lower class Crafter.
But what if Idium isn’t distributed equally?🧪
Our two main characters Patrick & Nina uncover this brutal corruption & find themselves on opposite sides of a class war, Artisans vs Crafters.
Patrick leads the Crafters revolution, imagine Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders 🙌🏼 Morally grey but fiercely loyal to his family & town. I was swooning during his chapter POV’s.
“He’s bad to those who’re bad. No idea if that makes him good, though.”
Nina who is a powerful Artisan finds herself constantly pulled between both sides of the war but the biggest pull is towards Patrick. Hello banter, tension & possession 🔥
“Trust me, darlin’, he’s always lookin’ at you, even when you think he’s not.”
This book is for you if you love
>Elemental Magic
>Political Intrigue/Class war
>Secret identities
>Multi POV
>Found family (Donny🙌🏼)
>Tension & slow burn
>Betrayal & Plot twists that leave you emotionally unwell 💁🏼♀️
>Australian Author ✍️
“We’re stuck between two guns now…That’s all there is to it.”
Thank you NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the E-arc in exchange for my honest review.
I will be racing to buy a physical copy on release day!
July 23, 2025
✩ 4.75 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Childhood Connection
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ He Falls First
➼ Found Family
➼ Secrets & Betrayal
➼ Elemental Magic
➼ Class War/Rebellion/Oppression
➼ Plot Twists
➼ Cliffhanger
➼ Dual Narration
➼ Nina’s Chapters in First Person POV & Patrick’s in 3rd Person POV
This was a phenomenal read! Everyone is comparing this to Peaky Blinders which I haven’t watched, but now I think I might need to! Often when you start a series it can feel a bit info dumpy as the author introduces the world and the characters, etc., but this author’s world building was seamless. There were no lulls in the story or lengthy explanations you have to struggle through before the plot gets good, just great pacing all the way through!
The love story did feel a bit insta lovey, but their childhood connection made their draw to each other feel very romantic. Each character has their own secrets and motivations that slowly come to light as the story progresses. There are lots of twists and revelations that make it difficult to know who to trust. I also thought the way the POV was written was very interesting and unusual. The book switches back and forth between first person POV chapters from the FMC’s POV and third person POV chapters loosely from the MMC’s perspective. I believe this helped to maintain a sense of mystery surrounding his character that I think actually added a lot to the plot. Interestingly though, the FMC may have been hiding more secrets than anyone. 👀 At this point I might trust her the least, which is a strange feeling considering she’s the main character.
This does end on a cliffhanger that will likely lead to a change of scenery and potentially the introduction of some new characters. I’m very intrigued by the element based magic system and am hoping we will get to see more of those powers in action as the series progresses. This is definitely a very political story so I feel confident it will eventually lead to an all out war, but I’m interested in seeing how it all plays out. I could just as easily see our rebels outsmarting their oppressors as overpowering them, so we’ll see which direction the author will lean. Maybe a little of both! 😉
Stacey McEwan has offically gained a new fan! 🫶🏻 Moving her other series up my TBR!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Wow! Those are impressively high ratings! (4.5 star average) I’ve followed this author on Instagram for years and she is hilarious! 😄 I’ve wanted to read her books for a while now and somehow I just never got around to them. If I love this one, I’ll have to move Ledge up the list. 💗
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
What to Expect:
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Childhood Connection
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ He Falls First
➼ Found Family
➼ Secrets & Betrayal
➼ Elemental Magic
➼ Class War/Rebellion/Oppression
➼ Plot Twists
➼ Cliffhanger
➼ Dual Narration
➼ Nina’s Chapters in First Person POV & Patrick’s in 3rd Person POV
This was a phenomenal read! Everyone is comparing this to Peaky Blinders which I haven’t watched, but now I think I might need to! Often when you start a series it can feel a bit info dumpy as the author introduces the world and the characters, etc., but this author’s world building was seamless. There were no lulls in the story or lengthy explanations you have to struggle through before the plot gets good, just great pacing all the way through!
The love story did feel a bit insta lovey, but their childhood connection made their draw to each other feel very romantic. Each character has their own secrets and motivations that slowly come to light as the story progresses. There are lots of twists and revelations that make it difficult to know who to trust. I also thought the way the POV was written was very interesting and unusual. The book switches back and forth between first person POV chapters from the FMC’s POV and third person POV chapters loosely from the MMC’s perspective. I believe this helped to maintain a sense of mystery surrounding his character that I think actually added a lot to the plot. Interestingly though, the FMC may have been hiding more secrets than anyone. 👀 At this point I might trust her the least, which is a strange feeling considering she’s the main character.
This does end on a cliffhanger that will likely lead to a change of scenery and potentially the introduction of some new characters. I’m very intrigued by the element based magic system and am hoping we will get to see more of those powers in action as the series progresses. This is definitely a very political story so I feel confident it will eventually lead to an all out war, but I’m interested in seeing how it all plays out. I could just as easily see our rebels outsmarting their oppressors as overpowering them, so we’ll see which direction the author will lean. Maybe a little of both! 😉
Stacey McEwan has offically gained a new fan! 🫶🏻 Moving her other series up my TBR!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Wow! Those are impressively high ratings! (4.5 star average) I’ve followed this author on Instagram for years and she is hilarious! 😄 I’ve wanted to read her books for a while now and somehow I just never got around to them. If I love this one, I’ll have to move Ledge up the list. 💗
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
June 28, 2025
This. Book. Is. Stunning.
The twists and turns. The morally grey cast of characters. The unique magic system. The conspiracies. Hands down one of my favorite MMCs, and a really well developed and complex FMC. The found family aspect of this both enveloped me and broke me. If you want to be devastated, but in a really satisfying way, this is it for you. I think it may be among one of my top reads/series ever, which is a high bar! The biggest problem about reading an ARC? I have to wait even longer for book 2.
Thank you to Saga Press Books and Stacey McEwan for the ARC (and the emotional breakdown).
The twists and turns. The morally grey cast of characters. The unique magic system. The conspiracies. Hands down one of my favorite MMCs, and a really well developed and complex FMC. The found family aspect of this both enveloped me and broke me. If you want to be devastated, but in a really satisfying way, this is it for you. I think it may be among one of my top reads/series ever, which is a high bar! The biggest problem about reading an ARC? I have to wait even longer for book 2.
Thank you to Saga Press Books and Stacey McEwan for the ARC (and the emotional breakdown).
October 1, 2025
⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ I think this would be the most perfect book for starters who are venturing out into the fantasy world. It’s a historical dystopian slow burn romantasy (what a mouthful) that has a great yet very simple elemental magic that is well explained and pretty easy to follow. A plot full of twists and turns, a lot of “oooh” and “aaahs” and secrets & betrayals that are a total page turner. The romantasy aspect of the story was brilliantly executed, a fated mates kind of love full of patience, understanding, layered on years of separation and longing. The romance sneaks up on you in the best way, never feeling rushed but more so earned. The book overall gave off crazy good Peaky Blinders/Thomas Shelby vibes that were a total hit for me because .. well.. if you know you know.
In the world of A Forbidden Alchemy, Nina and Patrick are on the opposite sides of a class war, but their past connection as children (they met when they were 12) complicates their loyalties. They uncover a world changing secret that sets off a series of events that eventually turn into a violent class war. They are reunited after many years of separation but Nina is struggling in choosing a side while navigating love. The forced proximity was chefs kiss.
Patrick Colson was literally all hot Thomas Shelby with gorgeous bright blue eyes, the Irish accent and suave, the protectiveness, family values. His intentions towards Nina were straight forward, pretty pure without any mind games. Their romance was truly slow, well developed. McEwan took her time to build their connection and tension, creating a powerful love story that’s rooted on deep connection allowing even the smallest moments between them feel significant.
The side characters were a total vibe. Patrick’s brothers were not only hilarious but also morally grey on their own. Everyone was fighting their own battles, with hidden secrets that surprise you when you least expect it. Their interactions elevated the “feels” of the book, keeping the reader engaged and moving the narrative forward.
This is probably the easiest fantasy read of the year for me.
In the world of A Forbidden Alchemy, Nina and Patrick are on the opposite sides of a class war, but their past connection as children (they met when they were 12) complicates their loyalties. They uncover a world changing secret that sets off a series of events that eventually turn into a violent class war. They are reunited after many years of separation but Nina is struggling in choosing a side while navigating love. The forced proximity was chefs kiss.
Patrick Colson was literally all hot Thomas Shelby with gorgeous bright blue eyes, the Irish accent and suave, the protectiveness, family values. His intentions towards Nina were straight forward, pretty pure without any mind games. Their romance was truly slow, well developed. McEwan took her time to build their connection and tension, creating a powerful love story that’s rooted on deep connection allowing even the smallest moments between them feel significant.
The side characters were a total vibe. Patrick’s brothers were not only hilarious but also morally grey on their own. Everyone was fighting their own battles, with hidden secrets that surprise you when you least expect it. Their interactions elevated the “feels” of the book, keeping the reader engaged and moving the narrative forward.
This is probably the easiest fantasy read of the year for me.
Currently reading
December 17, 2025I have such high hopes for this! 🩷🧪 also pls ignore the fact that I’ve started several other books that I haven’t finished 😅
November 7, 2025
Actually obsessed with this dystopian, Peaky Blinders–style world! Oh my gosh, do I LOVE Patrick and Nina. 🩵
I think it is safe to say A Forbidden Alchemy completely consumed me. The gritty, Peaky Blinders–esque dystopian setting mixed with magic and forbidden desire was absolute perfection. It felt like stepping into a smoke-filled underworld where power is currency, danger lurks behind every whispered deal, and every stolen glance feels like a sin.
And Patrick. My god, Patrick. I didn’t think anyone could out-hot Tommy Shelby, but somehow he did it. Brooding, brilliant, and just the right amount of unhinged—he’s the kind of character that walks straight off the page and wrecks your entire existence.
The writing was cinematic and visceral—the kind that drags you straight into the grime, the tension, and the slow-burn chaos. Never a dull moment, and so many passages were so beautifully written I had to stop and reread them a few extra times. The forbidden romance was electric—dangerous, magnetic, and utterly impossible to look away from.
If you love morally gray characters, dark romance, and a world that feels one heartbeat away from collapse, A Forbidden Alchemy will absolutely ruin you (in the best possible way). I don’t think I’ve been this mind-warped since Metal Slinger. I thought I knew where this book was going… I was so wrong.
I didn’t totally agree with some of Nina’s choices, but I understand them. I also absolutely cannot deny the hold this story has on me—I seriously cannot get it out of my head. I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Not to mention the hardcover with the sprayed edges is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. 😍
I think it is safe to say A Forbidden Alchemy completely consumed me. The gritty, Peaky Blinders–esque dystopian setting mixed with magic and forbidden desire was absolute perfection. It felt like stepping into a smoke-filled underworld where power is currency, danger lurks behind every whispered deal, and every stolen glance feels like a sin.
And Patrick. My god, Patrick. I didn’t think anyone could out-hot Tommy Shelby, but somehow he did it. Brooding, brilliant, and just the right amount of unhinged—he’s the kind of character that walks straight off the page and wrecks your entire existence.
The writing was cinematic and visceral—the kind that drags you straight into the grime, the tension, and the slow-burn chaos. Never a dull moment, and so many passages were so beautifully written I had to stop and reread them a few extra times. The forbidden romance was electric—dangerous, magnetic, and utterly impossible to look away from.
If you love morally gray characters, dark romance, and a world that feels one heartbeat away from collapse, A Forbidden Alchemy will absolutely ruin you (in the best possible way). I don’t think I’ve been this mind-warped since Metal Slinger. I thought I knew where this book was going… I was so wrong.
I didn’t totally agree with some of Nina’s choices, but I understand them. I also absolutely cannot deny the hold this story has on me—I seriously cannot get it out of my head. I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Not to mention the hardcover with the sprayed edges is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. 😍
July 15, 2025
Uhhh… I’m so stressed?? Genuinely feeling ill by the end of this book.
I LOVE PATRICK COLSON SO MUCH. It’s truly unhealthy how much I love him. Is he a bit morally grey? Yes but I feel like war warrants that?? Or maybe I’m excusing bad behavior? Do I care? No…
I love the Colson family so much, I know Gunner sucked, but he started growing on me- and i LOVE Donny. So.
Theo, on the other hand? The most annoying man in the world. He 100% calls his dad “daddy” in his mid twenties. I was done with his shit.
AND NINA. I know she was in a precarious situation but she didn’t handle it well. I really hope for groveling and redemption in book 2, lol.
Anyways, 4.5 ⭐️, all for Patrick.
I LOVE PATRICK COLSON SO MUCH. It’s truly unhealthy how much I love him. Is he a bit morally grey? Yes but I feel like war warrants that?? Or maybe I’m excusing bad behavior? Do I care? No…
I love the Colson family so much, I know Gunner sucked, but he started growing on me- and i LOVE Donny. So.
Theo, on the other hand? The most annoying man in the world. He 100% calls his dad “daddy” in his mid twenties. I was done with his shit.
AND NINA. I know she was in a precarious situation but she didn’t handle it well. I really hope for groveling and redemption in book 2, lol.
Anyways, 4.5 ⭐️, all for Patrick.
April 9, 2025
4.5 stars. holy f**k, my jaw hasn’t dropped like this since I devoured Metal Slinger. WHAT. who knew a hunger games X peaky blinders collab would slap so hard 😭😭
releasing this July!!!!
releasing this July!!!!
August 17, 2025
This book IS that girl. And it is quite literally all I’ve thought about since I picked it up.
A Forbidden Alchemy is SUCH a strong start to what I already know is going to be an amazing series!
From the very first chapter, we’re thrown straight into the corruption of Belavere, and I was SAT. The world-building was so rich, with an insanely unique magic system and a social divide that hit hard. It has that gritty, industrial, old-world crime vibe; a ruthless undercurrent where trust is a gamble and guns meet magic.
On one side, we have the Crafters — the handiworkers, the miners, the tortured souls. I could feel their suffocation on every page. On the other side, we have the Artisans — the so-called creatives, living in an unfair luxury built on a lie. There’s something about the Artisans’ craft that pulled me in and made me want to know more, even as the injustice of it all burned strong, but my heart still craved the grit and warmth of Kenton Hill. The more I learned, the more I never wanted to leave.
This romance was so intriguing. I wanted them. I feared for them. From the very beginning to the last page. This is one of the few books that truly made me believe the “I don’t know if I can trust you” line, because I did not know if I could trust EITHER of them the entire time. I was constantly on my toes, yet constantly melting with them when they gave in. This is a romance built on betrayal, fate, and unbearable stakes. THIS is how you write deep, layered love in just one book. Please, let them be happy.
Patrick and Nina own my heart. Patrick is the perfect book boyfriend: a sharp tongue (Patrick Colson’s favorite word is fck ;)), morally gray in a way that makes me fear him as much as I adore him, unafraid to get DOWN AND DIRTY, unflinching devotion to his people and his woman? Oh, and he is SO hot.
Meanwhile, I KNEW Nina. I WAS Nina. I could feel every internal battle, truly understand her difficult decisions. She never made the “just to move the plot forward” kind of dumb choices — every decision felt raw, like a human who is ACTUALLY pressed against a wall in situations that are nearly impossible to weasel out of. I UNDERSTOOD her demons, her hopes, her losses, her hopelessness. Seeing her development within herself, her roots, and Patrick was INCREDIBLE and deeply saddening… considering… that freaking ending. IT HURT (I am so sad right now wtf).
Even the side characters DEVOURED (Donny I love you).
Her writing style was pure mastery. All I want to do is read more Stacey McEwan books so I can feel all of the beautifully crafted metaphors that let me experience every single emotion the characters were feeling, to the point that it made me sick. The storyline was simple, the troubles were human, and yet I could FEEL the weight of lifting a finger in that world; the real alchemist is Stacey, because that woman is masterful.
I can’t recommend this book enough. This is your sign: pick it up right now.
Thank you, Saga Press and Stacey McEwan, for the honor of reading such a fantastic story… can we get book 2 perchance…?
A Forbidden Alchemy is SUCH a strong start to what I already know is going to be an amazing series!
From the very first chapter, we’re thrown straight into the corruption of Belavere, and I was SAT. The world-building was so rich, with an insanely unique magic system and a social divide that hit hard. It has that gritty, industrial, old-world crime vibe; a ruthless undercurrent where trust is a gamble and guns meet magic.
On one side, we have the Crafters — the handiworkers, the miners, the tortured souls. I could feel their suffocation on every page. On the other side, we have the Artisans — the so-called creatives, living in an unfair luxury built on a lie. There’s something about the Artisans’ craft that pulled me in and made me want to know more, even as the injustice of it all burned strong, but my heart still craved the grit and warmth of Kenton Hill. The more I learned, the more I never wanted to leave.
This romance was so intriguing. I wanted them. I feared for them. From the very beginning to the last page. This is one of the few books that truly made me believe the “I don’t know if I can trust you” line, because I did not know if I could trust EITHER of them the entire time. I was constantly on my toes, yet constantly melting with them when they gave in. This is a romance built on betrayal, fate, and unbearable stakes. THIS is how you write deep, layered love in just one book. Please, let them be happy.
Patrick and Nina own my heart. Patrick is the perfect book boyfriend: a sharp tongue (Patrick Colson’s favorite word is fck ;)), morally gray in a way that makes me fear him as much as I adore him, unafraid to get DOWN AND DIRTY, unflinching devotion to his people and his woman? Oh, and he is SO hot.
Meanwhile, I KNEW Nina. I WAS Nina. I could feel every internal battle, truly understand her difficult decisions. She never made the “just to move the plot forward” kind of dumb choices — every decision felt raw, like a human who is ACTUALLY pressed against a wall in situations that are nearly impossible to weasel out of. I UNDERSTOOD her demons, her hopes, her losses, her hopelessness. Seeing her development within herself, her roots, and Patrick was INCREDIBLE and deeply saddening… considering… that freaking ending. IT HURT (I am so sad right now wtf).
Even the side characters DEVOURED (Donny I love you).
Her writing style was pure mastery. All I want to do is read more Stacey McEwan books so I can feel all of the beautifully crafted metaphors that let me experience every single emotion the characters were feeling, to the point that it made me sick. The storyline was simple, the troubles were human, and yet I could FEEL the weight of lifting a finger in that world; the real alchemist is Stacey, because that woman is masterful.
I can’t recommend this book enough. This is your sign: pick it up right now.
Thank you, Saga Press and Stacey McEwan, for the honor of reading such a fantastic story… can we get book 2 perchance…?
December 20, 2025
There should be trigger warning for cliffhangers…
I loved the story but hated the ending. The book exceeded my expectations: well: written, original with relatable characters and interesting plot. It follows two children who accidentally discover government’s conspiracy, and it changes their lives forever putting them on the different sides of a class revolution. Despite fantasy elements the story mostly about exploitation, suppressed anger and fight for justice. And a hint of a slow-burn romance.
I would’ve given it four stars if not for the cliffhanger.
I loved the story but hated the ending. The book exceeded my expectations: well: written, original with relatable characters and interesting plot. It follows two children who accidentally discover government’s conspiracy, and it changes their lives forever putting them on the different sides of a class revolution. Despite fantasy elements the story mostly about exploitation, suppressed anger and fight for justice. And a hint of a slow-burn romance.
I would’ve given it four stars if not for the cliffhanger.
April 13, 2025
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” 😆
⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No really quit reading
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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- The twist of Nina working with Tanner GOT ME. I didn’t expect that at all. Consider my bams boozled.
- WHO TF BETRAYED PATTY OF THE 7 WHO KNEW?! STACEY I WILL FIGHT THEM.
- I totally knew Pat would be an alchemist & I love being right, so the Smith distraction was interesting. Then the brothers being them instead was so fun & I LOVE it especially for Donny.
- Speaking of Donny the Ted Lasso darts scene was awesome.
- The ending is criminal. Fucking canary?! GAH!
- I didn’t expect Theo to come back! I expected him to sort of go villain mode & I’m sooo interested in what this means for book 2 & a love triangle dynamic.
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.
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” 😆
⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No really quit reading
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
- The twist of Nina working with Tanner GOT ME. I didn’t expect that at all. Consider my bams boozled.
- WHO TF BETRAYED PATTY OF THE 7 WHO KNEW?! STACEY I WILL FIGHT THEM.
- I totally knew Pat would be an alchemist & I love being right, so the Smith distraction was interesting. Then the brothers being them instead was so fun & I LOVE it especially for Donny.
- Speaking of Donny the Ted Lasso darts scene was awesome.
- The ending is criminal. Fucking canary?! GAH!
- I didn’t expect Theo to come back! I expected him to sort of go villain mode & I’m sooo interested in what this means for book 2 & a love triangle dynamic.
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.
July 13, 2025
This is a big sad review for me to write. I expected to really enjoy this one as a revolution is one of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, I found that lacking in this book. The first 25% felt very unnecessary to me. I didn't need that history OR I actually would have loved this whole first book to be set at the school. I got too little for me to feel invested but too much for me to need it if that makes sense? When we got to the main timeline, I was hoping for more revolution. More ruthlessness, but really we wander around with him showing her he's actually a good guy. Where was my morally grey MMC? The romance was too instalovey for me personally. Once they finally met again it didn't take any time for him to start talking about marrying her and they'd had 2 conversations. In the end, this just wasn't for me, and that's okay. I loved the idea, and would try more from this author in the future.
September 25, 2025
Oh. My. God. I am undone.
Cannot believe I now have to wait for the 2nd book. Going to go wallow now in tears. 😭😭😭
Cannot believe I now have to wait for the 2nd book. Going to go wallow now in tears. 😭😭😭
August 2, 2025
For the love of Thomas Shelby and all that is Peaky Blinders in the world: heck ya.
I’ll be the first the admit that I took a look at this here A Forbidden Alchemy cover and said y’all are lyingggg to me once again aren’t you? But you were not! This was so fun and the writing is quite solid.
If you care for a light synopsis, this story follows Nina and Patrick, both kids from “brink” mining towns. They meet as children during the “Belavere siphoning ceremony” an annual sifting of children to be placed in the either the “crafter” or “artisan” class of society. That’s just fantasy speak for upper and lower class, and the upper class is predisposed to have magic and get access to invaluable “idium” - a concoction that awakens elemental powers essentially.
As these things go, the events of that day dramatically set Nina and Patrick on diverging paths, but when a Craftmans revolution begins years later, the pair will be thrust together again… but which side will they be fighting for?
To quote Esta’s review:
“If you've ever wanted your romantic fantasy to cup your face gently and say, "Hey, by the way, privilege is built on generational exploitation," then A Forbidden Alchemy might be for you!”
Anyway! There’s so many places to begin with my thoughts. I’ll start with saying this IS Romantasy and anyone who argues I feel like has only read bad Romantasy where the fantasy isn’t actually developed and/ or there isn’t any substantial plot to support the story (besides the romantic arc).
Romance wise - not bad not bad. I actually found myself a little more interested in the fantasy plot which is different for me. I really liked Nina (her inner turmoil I found compelling, she’s feisty but not annoying) but was unsure how I felt about Patrick. I ended up just fan-casting him as Thomas Shelby and that honestly did the trick.
“It isn’t your business to know who I love.” Patrick waited an interminable moment, until it was impossible not to look at him again. “If it’s all the same to you,” he said, low and exact, “I’m inclined to make it my business.”
We love a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to show it! Men who yearn are men who earn and all that.
The supporting cast was good too - I LOVE when there’s a parental figure that actually has a personality and is not just some strange amalgamation of stern “adult” traits. Also Theo ?!?
Plot wise - there’s some delicious twists and turns in this. I think you’ll guess at some but not all. BUT HERE LIES THE ONE THING IM REALLY PISSED ABT. I hateeeee when you have a character that’s been a reliable narrator thus far and then there’s this huge reveal that’s only possible bc the narrator never once thought about it for the first 50% of the book despite it being completely relevant in every way. It just feels like a cheap move for the sake of a plot twist.
But that ending though? YUMMM I will be reading book 2 100% and that’s a rare inclination from me.
So like 4? 4.5 maybe bc of the whole end sequence? And also the general vibes <3
I’ll be the first the admit that I took a look at this here A Forbidden Alchemy cover and said y’all are lyingggg to me once again aren’t you? But you were not! This was so fun and the writing is quite solid.
If you care for a light synopsis, this story follows Nina and Patrick, both kids from “brink” mining towns. They meet as children during the “Belavere siphoning ceremony” an annual sifting of children to be placed in the either the “crafter” or “artisan” class of society. That’s just fantasy speak for upper and lower class, and the upper class is predisposed to have magic and get access to invaluable “idium” - a concoction that awakens elemental powers essentially.
As these things go, the events of that day dramatically set Nina and Patrick on diverging paths, but when a Craftmans revolution begins years later, the pair will be thrust together again… but which side will they be fighting for?
To quote Esta’s review:
“If you've ever wanted your romantic fantasy to cup your face gently and say, "Hey, by the way, privilege is built on generational exploitation," then A Forbidden Alchemy might be for you!”
Anyway! There’s so many places to begin with my thoughts. I’ll start with saying this IS Romantasy and anyone who argues I feel like has only read bad Romantasy where the fantasy isn’t actually developed and/ or there isn’t any substantial plot to support the story (besides the romantic arc).
Romance wise - not bad not bad. I actually found myself a little more interested in the fantasy plot which is different for me. I really liked Nina (her inner turmoil I found compelling, she’s feisty but not annoying) but was unsure how I felt about Patrick. I ended up just fan-casting him as Thomas Shelby and that honestly did the trick.
“It isn’t your business to know who I love.” Patrick waited an interminable moment, until it was impossible not to look at him again. “If it’s all the same to you,” he said, low and exact, “I’m inclined to make it my business.”
We love a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to show it! Men who yearn are men who earn and all that.
The supporting cast was good too - I LOVE when there’s a parental figure that actually has a personality and is not just some strange amalgamation of stern “adult” traits. Also Theo ?!?
Plot wise - there’s some delicious twists and turns in this. I think you’ll guess at some but not all. BUT HERE LIES THE ONE THING IM REALLY PISSED ABT. I hateeeee when you have a character that’s been a reliable narrator thus far and then there’s this huge reveal that’s only possible bc the narrator never once thought about it for the first 50% of the book despite it being completely relevant in every way. It just feels like a cheap move for the sake of a plot twist.
But that ending though? YUMMM I will be reading book 2 100% and that’s a rare inclination from me.
So like 4? 4.5 maybe bc of the whole end sequence? And also the general vibes <3
October 30, 2025
Everything about this book was mediocre except for the characters; they were downright awful.
The world-building is acceptable, and the pace is neither slow nor particularly engaging. The story begins when the main characters are twelve, followed by a series of fast-forwarded chapters that offer nothing of importance. I would have expected meaningful events or interactions to help develop the characters and their relationships, especially since the two main male characters are on opposite sides of the war and these chapters were meant to explore the MFC’s bond with one of them.
The real downfall, however, lies in the characters. They’re utterly bland. The MFC is just a girl with a rare power, and that’s it. Ironically, she lacks any actual character. None of the side characters stand out either.
Overall, nothing about this book drew me in enough to keep going, so I decided to DNF it.
P.S. who names their dog “Isaiah”? FFS
The world-building is acceptable, and the pace is neither slow nor particularly engaging. The story begins when the main characters are twelve, followed by a series of fast-forwarded chapters that offer nothing of importance. I would have expected meaningful events or interactions to help develop the characters and their relationships, especially since the two main male characters are on opposite sides of the war and these chapters were meant to explore the MFC’s bond with one of them.
The real downfall, however, lies in the characters. They’re utterly bland. The MFC is just a girl with a rare power, and that’s it. Ironically, she lacks any actual character. None of the side characters stand out either.
Overall, nothing about this book drew me in enough to keep going, so I decided to DNF it.
P.S. who names their dog “Isaiah”? FFS
September 1, 2025
I did not see that coming!
February 26, 2025
Ok. Um.
Well.
Currently googling how to give a book more than five stars on goodreads, because a measly five here is feeling too thin. It’s not enough. It is a true disservice to the story I just finished. So, if you’re here and you’re reading this review…. Know that it is not as honest as I wish it was. There should be five more lit up stars next to the first set.
In this Peaky Blinders meets Panem world that Stacey has crafted, our story begins with two characters from the outliers. The wrong side of the tracks, if you will.
Nina, a girl desperate to get away from her small town that offers nothing and Patrick, a boy desiring nothing more than to return to his.
But the two—who could not be more different—accidentally stumble upon a secret that could change the entire world, and certainly alters everything they thought they knew. Though, what exactly are children to do with such a large conspiracy plopped in their laps? And when Nina stays and Patrick returns back home, that should’ve been the end of their shared journey, shouldn’t it?
And so the story begins…..
Thirteen years later, the plot cracks off with a BOOM! (I’m such a dork lol) Nina and Patrick find themselves intertwined in each others lives again, for better or for worse. And the secret they’ve carried with them for so long (paired with new ones they are harboring from each other) are now unraveling, both above and below ground.
OKAAAYYYY HELLO IM SCREAMING!
When I tell you!!! WHEN I TELL YOU!
This book is a masterpiece, from the impeccable writing to the painfully yearning romance, to the twists, turns and betrayals (and would it even be a Mcewan book without heart shattering betrayal?) I genuinely hope and pray this becomes a tv show because the world and story were so brilliantly executed, it’d be a crying shame for it not to be.
Trust this review when I say: this book, and its ending, will leave you as breathless as Patrick left Nina when he had her begging for…… well, just read the book to find out what she begged for ;)
Well.
Currently googling how to give a book more than five stars on goodreads, because a measly five here is feeling too thin. It’s not enough. It is a true disservice to the story I just finished. So, if you’re here and you’re reading this review…. Know that it is not as honest as I wish it was. There should be five more lit up stars next to the first set.
In this Peaky Blinders meets Panem world that Stacey has crafted, our story begins with two characters from the outliers. The wrong side of the tracks, if you will.
Nina, a girl desperate to get away from her small town that offers nothing and Patrick, a boy desiring nothing more than to return to his.
But the two—who could not be more different—accidentally stumble upon a secret that could change the entire world, and certainly alters everything they thought they knew. Though, what exactly are children to do with such a large conspiracy plopped in their laps? And when Nina stays and Patrick returns back home, that should’ve been the end of their shared journey, shouldn’t it?
And so the story begins…..
Thirteen years later, the plot cracks off with a BOOM! (I’m such a dork lol) Nina and Patrick find themselves intertwined in each others lives again, for better or for worse. And the secret they’ve carried with them for so long (paired with new ones they are harboring from each other) are now unraveling, both above and below ground.
OKAAAYYYY HELLO IM SCREAMING!
When I tell you!!! WHEN I TELL YOU!
This book is a masterpiece, from the impeccable writing to the painfully yearning romance, to the twists, turns and betrayals (and would it even be a Mcewan book without heart shattering betrayal?) I genuinely hope and pray this becomes a tv show because the world and story were so brilliantly executed, it’d be a crying shame for it not to be.
Trust this review when I say: this book, and its ending, will leave you as breathless as Patrick left Nina when he had her begging for…… well, just read the book to find out what she begged for ;)
September 25, 2025
I was so happy to finally get through this chunky book because the ending made every single part of this book WORTH the minutiae of the early chapters. As I listened to the Spotify audio and read the book in tandem to complete it while at home and throughout my workdays, I must say - I was not expecting the book as a whole. (But maybe I should have considered how much I really enjoy the author's presence on social media..?!)
For starters, the world-building was amazing. It's what I imagined a cleaner more whimiscal London / dreary English countryside to look like.. but still with sweeping oceans and the grit of Peaky Blinders. Listening to the audio also made a significant difference because the unpolished accents and differences in character origins were noticeable and added elements to the story I'm not sure I would've experienced otherwise.
There are so many layers to A Forbidden Alchemy, from childhood dreams, to an oppressively polarizing society, to romances that shape the course of major world-defining decisions. In some ways I forget that while reading books like this.. there are actual historical accounts of Helen of Troy who's 'face launched a 1000 ships'.. and then I feel like the characters' actions just came even more to life.
My only complaint with this novel is the main character, Nina Harrow. She may have been scared and a little naive, but I feel like her character made almost every wrong choice one could make, and the miscommunication trope was employed so heavily that I wasn't prepared for that. I felt myself getting frustrated with her consistent lack of mental fortitude and unwillingness to see another way. {Probably because I'm in my 30s now and I can't understand that side of humanity in general...? But I digress.}
Early Notes:
-Not actually finished, but wanted to make a note, I would definitely see - Chapter 37!? A twist I completely did NOT see. - Really starting to get good here.
For starters, the world-building was amazing. It's what I imagined a cleaner more whimiscal London / dreary English countryside to look like.. but still with sweeping oceans and the grit of Peaky Blinders. Listening to the audio also made a significant difference because the unpolished accents and differences in character origins were noticeable and added elements to the story I'm not sure I would've experienced otherwise.
There are so many layers to A Forbidden Alchemy, from childhood dreams, to an oppressively polarizing society, to romances that shape the course of major world-defining decisions. In some ways I forget that while reading books like this.. there are actual historical accounts of Helen of Troy who's 'face launched a 1000 ships'.. and then I feel like the characters' actions just came even more to life.
My only complaint with this novel is the main character, Nina Harrow. She may have been scared and a little naive, but I feel like her character made almost every wrong choice one could make, and the miscommunication trope was employed so heavily that I wasn't prepared for that. I felt myself getting frustrated with her consistent lack of mental fortitude and unwillingness to see another way. {Probably because I'm in my 30s now and I can't understand that side of humanity in general...? But I digress.}
Early Notes:
-Not actually finished, but wanted to make a note, I would definitely see - Chapter 37!? A twist I completely did NOT see. - Really starting to get good here.
July 19, 2025
« You’ve got a mind of your own. Don’t let those fuckers take it. »
This story had a lot of concepts that were appealing to me, and were it not for the characters - could’ve been a 5 stars read.
« It was one thing to be down, and quite another to dig yourself a grave. »
I think the world building is fantastic. The writing flow, however, was uneven for me - sometimes flowing easily and other times being quite dense. It was filled with fillers and made me eager to finish it after 200 pages.
« So often, it seemed, I sounded less than I was. »
The world was harsh and I liked reading about the rebellion and everything it involved. But as a character driven reader, I was left wanting. I disliked the characters and *despised* Theo.
The characters were uneven for me. Nina’s feelings towards her mom vs dad was a bit random? He was an alcoholic but he stayed… her mom did abandon her. But she didn’t bat an eye for her father whereas she kept talking about her mom? He was the one who stayed? She was also depicted as smart but super naive, and feisty in moments she didn’t need to be and didn’t say a word in moments where she should’ve punched someone. Her forgetting all about where she came from the moment she was on their side really rubbed me the wrong way. I won’t talk about Patrick but I disliked him more than the FMC.
As always, reading is subjective and I know a lot of people will love this. I just really didn’t like the characters.
This story had a lot of concepts that were appealing to me, and were it not for the characters - could’ve been a 5 stars read.
« It was one thing to be down, and quite another to dig yourself a grave. »
I think the world building is fantastic. The writing flow, however, was uneven for me - sometimes flowing easily and other times being quite dense. It was filled with fillers and made me eager to finish it after 200 pages.
« So often, it seemed, I sounded less than I was. »
The world was harsh and I liked reading about the rebellion and everything it involved. But as a character driven reader, I was left wanting. I disliked the characters and *despised* Theo.
The characters were uneven for me. Nina’s feelings towards her mom vs dad was a bit random? He was an alcoholic but he stayed… her mom did abandon her. But she didn’t bat an eye for her father whereas she kept talking about her mom? He was the one who stayed? She was also depicted as smart but super naive, and feisty in moments she didn’t need to be and didn’t say a word in moments where she should’ve punched someone. Her forgetting all about where she came from the moment she was on their side really rubbed me the wrong way. I won’t talk about Patrick but I disliked him more than the FMC.
As always, reading is subjective and I know a lot of people will love this. I just really didn’t like the characters.
August 3, 2025
I am literally crashing out so bad for the last 10% of that book like you HAVEEEEEE to be kidding me. You absolutely have to be kidding me….who ends a book like that. Who ends a book like that!!! I can’t sit still. I have enough energy to power a wind turbine and give all of New York City electricity for a decade.
Woah…..I’m trying to find words. This is an insane 5 star book through and through never once wavering. I could sit here and write another books worth of thoughts on how much I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS. The pacing of this is incredible. So much action and so entertaining from front to back. I had to physically slow myself from inhaling every second of this in one sitting.
I need to stop everything and talk about THE MMC….lets hear it for our MMC cause….Stacey did her damn thing with that man…I’m gonna start crying actually because he’s so perfectly gruff, protective, violent, morally grey, sassy as HELL while also being the sweetest little pea you ever did see. His energy is giving me cowboy Cade Eaton but like make him a sexy ass miner union member hello. I’m in love I’m in love and I don’t care who knows!!!!!
The FMC is so good. She’s so intelligent, head strong, compassionate, and witty. The banter is so excellent this whole entire book. It’s so romantic. It’s so endearing. I cannot even explain all the feelings this book gave me.
And the characters are 25!!!!! I love reading fantasy where they are actually adults!!!!
At its heart it’s really a story of a class war of the working class of miners who risk their lives everyday and want a better way of life vs the elites who take advance of them. And a girl stuck in the middle. There’s so much to think about it’s thought provoking and tons of twist and turns at every angle. I cannot truly cannot stop screaming about this book. The magic system is so unique and refreshing. The world building enraptures you effortlessly.
Fans of Blood Over Bright Haven, Shatter Me, and Heartless Hunter would adore this book.
Thank you to Saga Press, Stacey McEwan & NetGalley for this eArc (but now I have to wait even longer for the next book please Stacey give up your summer and write it for me I’m gonna go crazy until I get the next one in my hands.)
Woah…..I’m trying to find words. This is an insane 5 star book through and through never once wavering. I could sit here and write another books worth of thoughts on how much I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS. The pacing of this is incredible. So much action and so entertaining from front to back. I had to physically slow myself from inhaling every second of this in one sitting.
I need to stop everything and talk about THE MMC….lets hear it for our MMC cause….Stacey did her damn thing with that man…I’m gonna start crying actually because he’s so perfectly gruff, protective, violent, morally grey, sassy as HELL while also being the sweetest little pea you ever did see. His energy is giving me cowboy Cade Eaton but like make him a sexy ass miner union member hello. I’m in love I’m in love and I don’t care who knows!!!!!
The FMC is so good. She’s so intelligent, head strong, compassionate, and witty. The banter is so excellent this whole entire book. It’s so romantic. It’s so endearing. I cannot even explain all the feelings this book gave me.
And the characters are 25!!!!! I love reading fantasy where they are actually adults!!!!
At its heart it’s really a story of a class war of the working class of miners who risk their lives everyday and want a better way of life vs the elites who take advance of them. And a girl stuck in the middle. There’s so much to think about it’s thought provoking and tons of twist and turns at every angle. I cannot truly cannot stop screaming about this book. The magic system is so unique and refreshing. The world building enraptures you effortlessly.
Fans of Blood Over Bright Haven, Shatter Me, and Heartless Hunter would adore this book.
Thank you to Saga Press, Stacey McEwan & NetGalley for this eArc (but now I have to wait even longer for the next book please Stacey give up your summer and write it for me I’m gonna go crazy until I get the next one in my hands.)
August 3, 2025
It blows my mind that this book wasn’t even on my radar until a few weeks before release! And after finishing the book in a few days….now obsessed!! It was the perfect balance of romance and fantasy! I can’t get over Nina and Patrick, They just had the perfect chemistry which just made the betrayal hit harder! And I seriously can’t stop thinking about it.
I loveeee Nina and Patrick. Their chemistry was Off. The. Charts! They had that perfect balance of banter, tension, and quiet yearning that had me clutching my chest and reading with my feet in the air at 3am. I’m honestly too embarrassed to show my tabs because it’s just Patrick POVs/lines😂. And that betrayal??? DEVASTATING. Their connection made it all hit so much harder. I can’t wait to see how the fallout out of that will play out in book 2!
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did especially since romantasy can be hit or miss for me lately (and let’s be real, it’s mostly been misses). But this one surprised me in the best way. It gave me Peaky Blinders vibes with its grimy mining town setting, class divides, exploitation, and a magic system that felt unique (elemental type magic? YES PLEASE).
The pacing at the start was a bit rocky for me and I felt like the politics of the world could’ve been a bit more fleshed out. But by the time I hit chapter 15? Game. Changed. It felt like everything before that was just one long, simmering prologue. The action kicked in hard and from there, I just flew through the pages so fast!
The characters are where this book truly shines. It’s rare for me to be so invested in the whole cast. But these characters have my whole heart! I was all in for them! Found family? Check. Flawed, deeply human characters making difficult decisions? Check. I genuinely don’t want anything bad to happen to any of them 😭.
And that last 5%? DIABOLICAL. Stacey McEwan, how dare you leave me hanging like that!! I didn’t expect to be so heavily invested in the story and the characters! I loved every second of it. Catch me banging the gates for the next book!! Don’t sleep on this one like I almost did.
Thank you Saga Press for the ARC!!
I loveeee Nina and Patrick. Their chemistry was Off. The. Charts! They had that perfect balance of banter, tension, and quiet yearning that had me clutching my chest and reading with my feet in the air at 3am. I’m honestly too embarrassed to show my tabs because it’s just Patrick POVs/lines😂. And that betrayal??? DEVASTATING. Their connection made it all hit so much harder. I can’t wait to see how the fallout out of that will play out in book 2!
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did especially since romantasy can be hit or miss for me lately (and let’s be real, it’s mostly been misses). But this one surprised me in the best way. It gave me Peaky Blinders vibes with its grimy mining town setting, class divides, exploitation, and a magic system that felt unique (elemental type magic? YES PLEASE).
The pacing at the start was a bit rocky for me and I felt like the politics of the world could’ve been a bit more fleshed out. But by the time I hit chapter 15? Game. Changed. It felt like everything before that was just one long, simmering prologue. The action kicked in hard and from there, I just flew through the pages so fast!
The characters are where this book truly shines. It’s rare for me to be so invested in the whole cast. But these characters have my whole heart! I was all in for them! Found family? Check. Flawed, deeply human characters making difficult decisions? Check. I genuinely don’t want anything bad to happen to any of them 😭.
And that last 5%? DIABOLICAL. Stacey McEwan, how dare you leave me hanging like that!! I didn’t expect to be so heavily invested in the story and the characters! I loved every second of it. Catch me banging the gates for the next book!! Don’t sleep on this one like I almost did.
Thank you Saga Press for the ARC!!
April 25, 2025
4.25⭐️ Well, that ending was a little rude.
I really liked this one! It’s late, and I need to process this and take my time to come up with a better review. Put this on your preorder list.
*EDIT*
Excuse me Stacey, the ending was a bit rude! This book became my obsession for 4 days. I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to sit down at the end of the day to read. I love when words on a page become a movie in my head. I forget that I’m reading because I’m so engrossed.
I loved the world that Stacey created. Peaky blinders mixed with alchemy is just what I needed. It was a nice touch starting the story with the FMC and the MMC being children. I liked getting snippets of Nina growing up and becoming an adult. I do wish we got more of her years after school, but I’ll take what I can get!
I loved the side characters just as much as the main characters! Especially Donny. He must be protected at all costs. Every character was fleshed out and had their own personality.
Warning—this is not a slowburn, but the relationship is done nicely! Patrick is so swoon-worthy.
I had some grievances, but they’re kinda spoilery, so I’ll save them for another time. I wanted to shake Nina a few times and tell her to “JUST SPIT IT OUT ALREADY”.
The twists and turns—chef’s kiss. I cannot wait for book 2–the ending was a bit abrupt and I need more.
Thank you Saga Press and Netgalley for the early review copy
I really liked this one! It’s late, and I need to process this and take my time to come up with a better review. Put this on your preorder list.
*EDIT*
Excuse me Stacey, the ending was a bit rude! This book became my obsession for 4 days. I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to sit down at the end of the day to read. I love when words on a page become a movie in my head. I forget that I’m reading because I’m so engrossed.
I loved the world that Stacey created. Peaky blinders mixed with alchemy is just what I needed. It was a nice touch starting the story with the FMC and the MMC being children. I liked getting snippets of Nina growing up and becoming an adult. I do wish we got more of her years after school, but I’ll take what I can get!
I loved the side characters just as much as the main characters! Especially Donny. He must be protected at all costs. Every character was fleshed out and had their own personality.
Warning—this is not a slowburn, but the relationship is done nicely! Patrick is so swoon-worthy.
I had some grievances, but they’re kinda spoilery, so I’ll save them for another time. I wanted to shake Nina a few times and tell her to “JUST SPIT IT OUT ALREADY”.
The twists and turns—chef’s kiss. I cannot wait for book 2–the ending was a bit abrupt and I need more.
Thank you Saga Press and Netgalley for the early review copy
November 18, 2025
⋆˚ I was twelve years old in a courtyard, and a furtive hand slipped vials into my pocket. “You’ve got a mind of your own,” the boy said. “Don’t let those fuckers take it.” And then he faded from view. ˚⋆
꒰ ⚒️✨🚂🔥⛰️🧪💥🥃 ꒱
🎧/🔲┆A Forbidden Alchemy
╰┈➤ ✰┆ ˗ˏˋ 𝟚 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˊˎ˗
📆┆˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Dates read: 11/3/25 - 11/9/25
𓂃🖊┆𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
⚒️ Found family 🫂
✨ Slow burn 🔥
⚒️ Love triangle ⚠️
✨ Morally gray MMC
⚒️ Revolution ⛓️💥
✨ Hidden powers 🗝
⚒️ Elemental magic 🔮
✨ Class war/political intrigue 👑
🏷️┆𝓐𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮:
➛ Adult romantic political fantasy, first in an incomplete series
➛ 1920s gangster anesthetic - Peaky Blinders meets Six of Crows
➛ Revolution with class war
➛ Slow-burning romance
➛ Mild spice 🌶️🌶️ across three chapters (open door, non-descriptive)
➛ Dual POV (1st person FMC & 3rd person MMC)
⚠️ tw: violence (war, murder, and police brutality), drug and alcohol abuse, addiction, grief, death, mental health issues
📋┆𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
「Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines, keeping the city alive.
And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.
In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when Patrick’s rebel group captures her. Despite the years and conflict that separate them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.」
🎵 ┆𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰: ♫ The One That Got Away by The Civil Wars ♪
↻ ◁ 𝕀𝕀 ▷ ↺ Volume: ■■■■■□□□
1:04 ────|────── 3:33
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
💭┆𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
╰┈➤ 📌┆Initial Thoughts:
➛ So this was a chore to finish, definitely not worth the hype 😮💨 I know this is an unpopular opinion, looking at all the raving reviews. It was just overwhelmingly boring. I'm sorry! Just didn't work for me. It's not common for me to write negative or harsh reviews, so buckle up.
╰┈➤ 📝┆Plot and Pacing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The majority of the plot moved so slowly. Some of the time jumps were so awkward. It didn't start getting interesting until the very end. There were a lot of plot holes, and a twist that didn’t make sense given that we follow Nina from a 1st-person POV (I actually think it would have been better if everything was just in 3rd person tbh). The rest of it was predictable from basically chapter 2. The book ends on a cliffhanger, yet I don’t care what happens next and won’t be reading the next book.
╰┈➤ 👫┆Characters: 2 stars ✰✰
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ⛰️┆Nina Harrow
➛ The main characters had no depth; I felt zero emotion towards them. And Nina was incredibly unlikable. She wanted to stay neutral in a war where one side was VERY MUCH oppressed. She had a rare and powerful power, but didn’t want to use it to help the rebellion because she didn’t want to hurt civilians. She was born and raised among the oppressed side. She watched people die throughout her life because of the actions and laws made by the artisans, but wanted to stay neutral because she didn’t want innocent people to die. Her character felt so inconsistent to me. It didn't make sense. She was neither a strong nor a fierce FMC, which, overall, weakened the story.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 🧪┆Patrick Colson
➛ His character also felt forced to me. Everything felt utterly bland. He was more likable than Nina, and at least he had a backbone with an unwavering belief system.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Romance/Spice
➛ There was absolutely no chemistry between the love interests. And the love triangle? Very superficial. I feel like I, as a reader, had to constantly fill in the gaps of what happened off the page for it to be remotely believable. It was forced. The attempt at the spice scenes was also very unnecessary. Should not have even bothered. Cut the swearing and market this as a YA because that’s very much how it felt.
╰┈➤ ✎┆Setting and Writing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The writing was easy to read, if not mediocre at times. The prose was really able to set the scene and make the reading experience immersive in terms of the world's aesthetic. The main issue I had was the whole premise, the way the world and the society are set up, was just completely, fundamentally flawed. The magic system wasn’t really fleshed out either. The FMC also does literally nothing with her powers. She apparently is the rare Earth Charmer, can move dirt, and is going to make tunnels for the rebels... sounds very exciting (yawn). The actions of essentially all characters throughout this book also lacked common sense. It was slow and shallow, and read like a YA novel rather than an adult one. The alternating POVs between first- and third-person perspectives made it difficult for me to feel immersed in the story.
╰┈➤ ☁️┆Themes: 3 stars ✰✰✰
➛ Themes revolve around class warfare, social injustice, and the manipulation of magic for political control. The narrative explores identity and belonging as characters navigate a society divided between a magical elite and a working class, while also delving into themes of romance, betrayal, and rebellion against an oppressive system.
╰┈➤ 💕┆Emotional Impact: 1 star ✰
➛ Not invested. It could've killed the main characters, and I would not have cared.
╰┈➤ ✨┆Enjoyment: 1 star ✰
➛ I almost DNF several times, and I honestly should have. I could not be less interested in the plot or the characters. I was so incredibly bored, and I was forcing myself to continue, thinking it would get better. The audiobook narration was truly horrible imo. The character voices did not match the voices in my head at all. Will not be continuing the series.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
╰┈➤ 🚨┆𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶-𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮:
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ You will enjoy this if you like a slow burn romantasy with a 1920s gangsters aesthetic, think Six of Crows x Peaky Blinders. Filled with secrets, twists, and betrayals in a world at war between magic vs non-magic users. Unfortunately, I'm growing tired of these books. I had difficulties connecting to the story and characters, leaving me feeling incredibly indifferent and bored. Just not for me. I blame the audiobook narration. It truly did a disservice to the story.
➛ ✔ 𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭? Sorry, but no!
➛ 📚┆𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼:
➷ Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
➷ Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
➷ Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
꒰ ⚒️✨🚂🔥⛰️🧪💥🥃 ꒱
🎧/🔲┆A Forbidden Alchemy
╰┈➤ ✰┆ ˗ˏˋ 𝟚 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˊˎ˗
📆┆˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Dates read: 11/3/25 - 11/9/25
𓂃🖊┆𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
⚒️ Found family 🫂
✨ Slow burn 🔥
⚒️ Love triangle ⚠️
✨ Morally gray MMC
⚒️ Revolution ⛓️💥
✨ Hidden powers 🗝
⚒️ Elemental magic 🔮
✨ Class war/political intrigue 👑
🏷️┆𝓐𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮:
➛ Adult romantic political fantasy, first in an incomplete series
➛ 1920s gangster anesthetic - Peaky Blinders meets Six of Crows
➛ Revolution with class war
➛ Slow-burning romance
➛ Mild spice 🌶️🌶️ across three chapters (open door, non-descriptive)
➛ Dual POV (1st person FMC & 3rd person MMC)
⚠️ tw: violence (war, murder, and police brutality), drug and alcohol abuse, addiction, grief, death, mental health issues
📋┆𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
「Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines, keeping the city alive.
And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.
In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when Patrick’s rebel group captures her. Despite the years and conflict that separate them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.」
“And do you love him still?” He asked it so quietly I strained to hear. His face took on the visage of a ghost, lantern light only settling on the sharpest bones. Breath weighted my lungs, and my feet sank another inch. Why did all things become heavier in the dark?
“It isn’t your business to know who I love.” But I said it to the ground, where there was no brilliant blue. Beneath my skin, blood raced. Silence. Sounds suffocated in the hot air.
Patrick waited an interminable moment until it was impossible not to look at him again. “If it’s all the same to you,” he said, low and exact, “I’m inclined to make it my business.”
🎵 ┆𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰: ♫ The One That Got Away by The Civil Wars ♪
↻ ◁ 𝕀𝕀 ▷ ↺ Volume: ■■■■■□□□
1:04 ────|────── 3:33
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
💭┆𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
╰┈➤ 📌┆Initial Thoughts:
➛ So this was a chore to finish, definitely not worth the hype 😮💨 I know this is an unpopular opinion, looking at all the raving reviews. It was just overwhelmingly boring. I'm sorry! Just didn't work for me. It's not common for me to write negative or harsh reviews, so buckle up.
╰┈➤ 📝┆Plot and Pacing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The majority of the plot moved so slowly. Some of the time jumps were so awkward. It didn't start getting interesting until the very end. There were a lot of plot holes, and a twist that didn’t make sense given that we follow Nina from a 1st-person POV (I actually think it would have been better if everything was just in 3rd person tbh). The rest of it was predictable from basically chapter 2. The book ends on a cliffhanger, yet I don’t care what happens next and won’t be reading the next book.
╰┈➤ 👫┆Characters: 2 stars ✰✰
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ⛰️┆Nina Harrow
➛ The main characters had no depth; I felt zero emotion towards them. And Nina was incredibly unlikable. She wanted to stay neutral in a war where one side was VERY MUCH oppressed. She had a rare and powerful power, but didn’t want to use it to help the rebellion because she didn’t want to hurt civilians. She was born and raised among the oppressed side. She watched people die throughout her life because of the actions and laws made by the artisans, but wanted to stay neutral because she didn’t want innocent people to die. Her character felt so inconsistent to me. It didn't make sense. She was neither a strong nor a fierce FMC, which, overall, weakened the story.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 🧪┆Patrick Colson
➛ His character also felt forced to me. Everything felt utterly bland. He was more likable than Nina, and at least he had a backbone with an unwavering belief system.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Romance/Spice
➛ There was absolutely no chemistry between the love interests. And the love triangle? Very superficial. I feel like I, as a reader, had to constantly fill in the gaps of what happened off the page for it to be remotely believable. It was forced. The attempt at the spice scenes was also very unnecessary. Should not have even bothered. Cut the swearing and market this as a YA because that’s very much how it felt.
╰┈➤ ✎┆Setting and Writing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The writing was easy to read, if not mediocre at times. The prose was really able to set the scene and make the reading experience immersive in terms of the world's aesthetic. The main issue I had was the whole premise, the way the world and the society are set up, was just completely, fundamentally flawed. The magic system wasn’t really fleshed out either. The FMC also does literally nothing with her powers. She apparently is the rare Earth Charmer, can move dirt, and is going to make tunnels for the rebels... sounds very exciting (yawn). The actions of essentially all characters throughout this book also lacked common sense. It was slow and shallow, and read like a YA novel rather than an adult one. The alternating POVs between first- and third-person perspectives made it difficult for me to feel immersed in the story.
╰┈➤ ☁️┆Themes: 3 stars ✰✰✰
➛ Themes revolve around class warfare, social injustice, and the manipulation of magic for political control. The narrative explores identity and belonging as characters navigate a society divided between a magical elite and a working class, while also delving into themes of romance, betrayal, and rebellion against an oppressive system.
╰┈➤ 💕┆Emotional Impact: 1 star ✰
➛ Not invested. It could've killed the main characters, and I would not have cared.
╰┈➤ ✨┆Enjoyment: 1 star ✰
➛ I almost DNF several times, and I honestly should have. I could not be less interested in the plot or the characters. I was so incredibly bored, and I was forcing myself to continue, thinking it would get better. The audiobook narration was truly horrible imo. The character voices did not match the voices in my head at all. Will not be continuing the series.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
╰┈➤ 🚨┆𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶-𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮:
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ You will enjoy this if you like a slow burn romantasy with a 1920s gangsters aesthetic, think Six of Crows x Peaky Blinders. Filled with secrets, twists, and betrayals in a world at war between magic vs non-magic users. Unfortunately, I'm growing tired of these books. I had difficulties connecting to the story and characters, leaving me feeling incredibly indifferent and bored. Just not for me. I blame the audiobook narration. It truly did a disservice to the story.
➛ ✔ 𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭? Sorry, but no!
➛ 📚┆𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼:
➷ Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
➷ Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
➷ Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
“He shook himself from his reverie. “Well,” he said. “That fuckin’ showed me, didn’t it?”
October 30, 2025
bumping this one to a full 5 because I can’t stop thinking about patrick <3
I loved this one so much. The class war and the two loaded guns Nina is between created such insane tension that I could not put this down. The twists and turns were so unpredictable!!!
The politics of this world felt so real. Nina and Patrick both have to make impossible choice after impossible choice, but are drawn to each other in such a powerful way even if they are on opposite sides of the war.
I loved all the characters in this one. The surprising found family took me completely off guard but I was completely obsessed with every single one (and I have a soft spot for Donny!!)
The romance in this was omg. Patrick is so completely gone for Nina and she didn’t expect him.
I can’t say much because of spoilers but I will be sitting here with bated breath until book 2 bc that ended rocked me.
I loved this one so much. The class war and the two loaded guns Nina is between created such insane tension that I could not put this down. The twists and turns were so unpredictable!!!
The politics of this world felt so real. Nina and Patrick both have to make impossible choice after impossible choice, but are drawn to each other in such a powerful way even if they are on opposite sides of the war.
I loved all the characters in this one. The surprising found family took me completely off guard but I was completely obsessed with every single one (and I have a soft spot for Donny!!)
The romance in this was omg. Patrick is so completely gone for Nina and she didn’t expect him.
I can’t say much because of spoilers but I will be sitting here with bated breath until book 2 bc that ended rocked me.
July 1, 2025
Publishing date: 1 July 2025
I think all the nerves I had were spent on this book!
The plot hooked me from the start, and I’m still trying to figure out what it reminds me of other than Peaky Blinders.
I really liked that the story starts when the characters are twelve. I got a little confused with the time jumps, but honestly, I’m glad they were there.
Would this be strangers to friends to lovers? I can’t really call them enemies. They’re enemies by circumstance, not by heart... It’s hard to explain, but I loved that it wasn’t the typical enemies to lovers (though I’ll forever be weak for that trope, haha).
Honestly, I don’t even know how to put my thoughts together after reading it. There’s still a heaviness in my chest, and for some reason, I broke out in a sweat at the end, I was just trying to get through it.
I really enjoyed the character dynamics. Sometimes I wanted to smack them, sometimes I wanted to hug them. Theo is so contradictory that I think I need book two just to make up my mind about him. I adore found family tropes, so watching them all together had me so anxious, I just wanted to keep them safe 🥹
The atmosphere was amazing. I also really love elemental magic and alchemy (even though the latter didn’t appear much)
I found this book thanks to Katherine Heigl and immediately knew I had to read it! (Honestly, I might just read everything she recommends, haha) No regrets at all!
The writing style is light and pleasant, so I’ll definitely check out the author’s other books!🙌🏻
I can’t wait for book two! And I heard it’s going to be a duology, which is actually pretty convenient (my nerves wouldn’t survive more than that)
• Elemental Magic
• Political Intrigue / Class War
• Secret Identities
• Multi POV
• Found Family
• Tension & Slow Burn
⭐️4,25/5
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!
I think all the nerves I had were spent on this book!
The plot hooked me from the start, and I’m still trying to figure out what it reminds me of other than Peaky Blinders.
I really liked that the story starts when the characters are twelve. I got a little confused with the time jumps, but honestly, I’m glad they were there.
Would this be strangers to friends to lovers? I can’t really call them enemies. They’re enemies by circumstance, not by heart... It’s hard to explain, but I loved that it wasn’t the typical enemies to lovers (though I’ll forever be weak for that trope, haha).
Honestly, I don’t even know how to put my thoughts together after reading it. There’s still a heaviness in my chest, and for some reason, I broke out in a sweat at the end, I was just trying to get through it.
I really enjoyed the character dynamics. Sometimes I wanted to smack them, sometimes I wanted to hug them. Theo is so contradictory that I think I need book two just to make up my mind about him. I adore found family tropes, so watching them all together had me so anxious, I just wanted to keep them safe 🥹
The atmosphere was amazing. I also really love elemental magic and alchemy (even though the latter didn’t appear much)
I found this book thanks to Katherine Heigl and immediately knew I had to read it! (Honestly, I might just read everything she recommends, haha) No regrets at all!
The writing style is light and pleasant, so I’ll definitely check out the author’s other books!🙌🏻
I can’t wait for book two! And I heard it’s going to be a duology, which is actually pretty convenient (my nerves wouldn’t survive more than that)
• Elemental Magic
• Political Intrigue / Class War
• Secret Identities
• Multi POV
• Found Family
• Tension & Slow Burn
⭐️4,25/5
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!
August 17, 2025
Forbidden Alchemy is an enjoyable fantasy novel that felt extremely relevant in today’s world. I don’t know about anyone else but when you were reading were some of the things that were happening (ex. the clash of “classes” and political aspects) reminiscent of today in some way? It certainly felt like that to me. I could see the parallels of their world and ours which was super interesting to me! Anyway, I enjoyed reading it. The world, the differing classes and the use of alchemy to sort of separate people was unique and drew me in. The Union (the rebels who want to do away with this class warfare) were my favorite so I’m glad we were dropped into their world for most of the story. I feel like I’d be in Kenton Hill too if I was a character in this novel. I also enjoyed the characters. Nina is a strong female lead, and I loved watching her grow through the story even though I wish she’d be more honest. Pat is the “bad boy” on the other side of the revolution who wants equality, so he was easily my favorite. Him and Nina start off on different sides but both are able to learn from each other, so we’ll see what happens… There’s certainly a big conflict in the end that leaves it open ended with a cliffy!
That being said, this is a solid fantasy read. The romance doesn’t happen very quickly and takes a lot of time but it’s there towards the end. If you’re expecting the book to be peppered with a romance, you won’t find it in this one. Perhaps the second book will have more? We shall see. It’s also very politically motivated. Some readers don’t like all the politics in fantasy, and I can understand because it’s not my favorite either, but I think it was written well enough because it kept my rapt attention!
Would I recommend it? Yes! This is worth reading!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Slow Burn Fantasy
❥ Politically Motivated Fantasy
❥ Clash of Classes and Rebellion
❥ Found Family
❥ Secrets and Betrayals
❥ Childhood Connection
That being said, this is a solid fantasy read. The romance doesn’t happen very quickly and takes a lot of time but it’s there towards the end. If you’re expecting the book to be peppered with a romance, you won’t find it in this one. Perhaps the second book will have more? We shall see. It’s also very politically motivated. Some readers don’t like all the politics in fantasy, and I can understand because it’s not my favorite either, but I think it was written well enough because it kept my rapt attention!
Would I recommend it? Yes! This is worth reading!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Slow Burn Fantasy
❥ Politically Motivated Fantasy
❥ Clash of Classes and Rebellion
❥ Found Family
❥ Secrets and Betrayals
❥ Childhood Connection
August 18, 2025
This was really excellent!! Romantic political fantasy where there's a whole lot of plot and world-building alongside a great romance. A Forbidden Alchemy has a magic system where magic is a resource quite literally mined from the ground. If you consume it, you can do magic. But the ruling class has lied to everyone, pretending to give every 12 year old a test to see if they can do magic. Then a boy and a girl uncover the truth. She manipulates her way into an elite school while he goes home and helps to start a rebellion. Years later, they meet again...
I loved this and have been recommending it to people. The class divisions are along interesting lines where the Artisans are the elite and Craftsmen who build practical things are at the bottom. And yet, while there is oppression, it doesn't reproduce things like racism or homophobia which I appreciate given it's a secondary world fantasy. It's twisty and compelling with a plot that would stand on its own, and a romance filled with longing. Fair warning, it does end on a cliffhanger! I will anxiously await book 2. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I loved this and have been recommending it to people. The class divisions are along interesting lines where the Artisans are the elite and Craftsmen who build practical things are at the bottom. And yet, while there is oppression, it doesn't reproduce things like racism or homophobia which I appreciate given it's a secondary world fantasy. It's twisty and compelling with a plot that would stand on its own, and a romance filled with longing. Fair warning, it does end on a cliffhanger! I will anxiously await book 2. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
July 25, 2025
4.25★
This ATEEEEE🙂↕️ It’s pretty hard for a romantasy to feel unique but Stacey McEwan outdid herself because this was just what I wanted
Tropes/themes/setting:
✎ Dual POV
✎ Class divide
✎ Historical setting (with a war)
✎ Elemental magic
✎ Found Family
✎ Tension, secrets, lies, betrayal
While it did feel insta-lovey, the author still managed to make it feel like a slow-burn. it was done in a way that made their connection feel genuine.
Patrick went STRAIGHT into the book boyfriend list because DAMN
“I’ve been lookin’ for you”
“I need you, Nina”
“You’re to beautiful too be real”
“Thank you for giving me that piece of yourself”
Thankfully, I enjoyed Nina as a fmc. I usually find it hard to really like them but she had depth and was actually interesting.
I’d also love to see more of the side characters (ahem Danny), they’re so fun.
This left in a huge cliffhanger, I need the second book now!!
This ATEEEEE🙂↕️ It’s pretty hard for a romantasy to feel unique but Stacey McEwan outdid herself because this was just what I wanted
Tropes/themes/setting:
✎ Dual POV
✎ Class divide
✎ Historical setting (with a war)
✎ Elemental magic
✎ Found Family
✎ Tension, secrets, lies, betrayal
While it did feel insta-lovey, the author still managed to make it feel like a slow-burn. it was done in a way that made their connection feel genuine.
Patrick went STRAIGHT into the book boyfriend list because DAMN
“I’ve been lookin’ for you”
“I need you, Nina”
“You’re to beautiful too be real”
“Thank you for giving me that piece of yourself”
Thankfully, I enjoyed Nina as a fmc. I usually find it hard to really like them but she had depth and was actually interesting.
I’d also love to see more of the side characters (ahem Danny), they’re so fun.
This left in a huge cliffhanger, I need the second book now!!
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