The first 1/4 of this book seemed very unnecessary or could have been told in flashbacks. Once we get past the exposition is engaging enough, but failed to live up to my expectations.

This book was PHENOMENAL. I'm trying to put into words how much I enjoyed reading it. The magic. The politics. The Peaky Blinders vibes. The romance. The friends to enemies to lovers. I could not put this book down. Patrick is my new favorite fictional human being and I knew he would be from the moment him and Nina met as children. I also really enjoyed Nina as an FMC. Is she perfect? No. But she is dealing with so much. The twists and turns this book takes are written so spectacularly. I was gasping out loud on multiple occasions. The side characters with their personalities and their bantering, literally gave me life. I just wanted to dive into this book and live in this world with them all. I knew like 60% in that I would be experiencing a major book hangover with this one. Not only do I have to wait until July to even talk to other people about this book, but I have to wait even longer for book 2. It'll be a struggle, but gosh I just know it'll be worth it! Cannot recommend this book enough. Add it to your TBR and actually just pre-order it now!

Absolutely perfect. No notes. This filled the Tommy Shelby-sized hole in my heart and I can’t believe I have to wait so long for book 2.

In A Forbidden Alchemy, we follow the journey of Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson. The first time Nina and Patrick meet in Belvare City, they uncover a lie and twist that launch them onto two different paths in the future!


Nina has always dreamed of becoming an Alchemist—individuals who have the ability to wield elemental powers and are destined for greatness. She envisioned herself attending the Artisan school. As for Patrick, that is the complete opposite of his dream. He has no interest in becoming an Alchemist and wants to return to his home. However, while they are in Belvare City, they discover together that the notion they grew up with—specifically, how Artisans are born—is a complete lie, and that they are actually chosen. Nina is determined to become an Artisan, but what seems like a childhood dream turns into a nightmare when she finally achieves it, after she and Patrick uncover the secret.

Once again, Nina’s dream becomes her nightmare. After years of training to become an Alchemist at the Artisan school and falling in love with another Alchemist, she runs away to avoid being used in the war that has been brewing between the Alchemists and the Craftsman community. After some time on the run, she finds herself reunited with none other than Patrick Colson, who is no longer a fellow child, but a man who now leads the rebellion. He convinces her to help him plot against the very academy she spent years training for and to become their weapon.

A Forbidden Alchemy features a truly unique class system, unexpected twists, and political injustice, making it hard to put down! The slow-burn relationship between Nina and Patrick had me yearning for them to be together. The plot was so unique and fascinating that it kept me more intrigued than the romance! I can’t wait for everyone to read this beautifully unique story!

Thank you so much to Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

Gosh, this book was SO dang good! The slow burn, the world-building and imagery, the characters... chef's kiss.
This was everything I wanted in a romantasy, and the banter and politics were both done so well and high points for me.
The pacing was on point and the action, tension, and corruption absolutely kept me invested in Nina and Patrick's journey.
10/10 no notes

A great fantasy read for anyone that likes mobsters and magic. As children, Nina and Patrick discover a terrible secret that is being kept from the people of their nation that would change everything, especially for those in the brink. Unrest grows larger every day as word begins to spread. When war breaks out, who will win?

The book started off a little slow for me for the first hundred pages, but picked up quickly after that. I enjoyed the slow burn chemistry between Nina and Patrick and look forward to the next book to see what happens.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me this amazing opportunity to read A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan. This book was incredible!!! Stacey knows how to build unique worlds, complex characters, and create tension. I swooned over Nina and Patrick's relationship and loved seeing their banter and relationship grow. The political turmoil in the story is too real and made me want to go fight things! Stacey did a fantastic job creating a unique magical system and creating characters that I absolutely love. Patrick is becoming one of my favorite love interests and I would join the cause to be with him! I 10/10 would recommend reading this book. I told my husband after I finished the book "I want the second book to be released" with him stating, "the first one isn't even out yet!" I can't help it, I'm obsessed with this book!!!! Please please please go check it out when it releases, This book is something else. Well done Stacey McEwan!

A Forbidden Alchemy
By Stacey McEwan

I honestly don’t know what kind of magic Stacey McEwan weaves into her books, but I couldn't put A Forbidden Alchemy down. From the very first page, she draws you into a world that’s as intriguing as it is dangerous, with characters you can't help but become deeply invested in. Nina, a young girl desperate to find where she belongs, and Patrick, a rebellious boy with a sharp edge and a thirst for trouble, are impossible to ignore.

Nina and Patrick come from two very different mining towns on the outskirts of their realm—Nina from Scurry and Patrick from Kenton Hill. Nina’s father is a craftsman, someone without magic, and on her 12th birthday, she joins the other children in Belavere City to take the Idium, a test that will determine if they’re destined to become Artisans or Craftsmen. While awaiting their turn, hunger drives Patrick on a quest for food, leading the two of them to uncover a shocking truth—some children aren’t given the Idium at all. Instead, they receive a mysterious liquid that grants no magical gifts. What they now know has the potential to spark a war.

As Nina and Patrick are called to the lines of children to face their futures, they must grapple with this dangerous knowledge, making A Forbidden Alchemy a fast-paced, tension-filled ride.

This book gets 5/5 stars from me. Not only is it rich with complex characters, but it also features a gritty mix of elemental magic, violence, and a hint of spice that will appeal to fans of Peaky Blinders with a magical twist. The ending? Let’s just say I’m in desperate need of a support group to cope with it.

Stacey McEwan is officially an auto-buy author for me. Every book she writes is an instant purchase. And if you haven’t yet, get on the Donny bandwagon—I love that character.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press, and Stacey McEwan for the chance to read A Forbidden Alchemy.

ARC Review: A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan

Publishes on July 1, 2025.

Have you ever finished a book and immediately wanted to reread it? This was me with A Forbidden Alchemy, which has become one of my top reads EVER.

This book felt like a really fresh take on romantasy. A slow burn romance with unique world building. Throw in rebellion politics, classism, morally grey characters, elemental magic and mix it with industrial-era England. I’m sold. Because of McEwan’s writing, you are transported to Belevere and the Brink and feel completely immersed into this story and world.

A Forbidden Alchemy explores the corruption of power and how those who hold all the power will do what it takes to keep it. You’ll find a class system designed to do just that. But what happens when the suppressed discover the very tools used to suppress them and attempt to destroy the entire system? Read it and find out!

Now, let’s talk about the characters. I’d say both MCs are morally grey and both feel like they are doing what they are doing for the right reasons. Nina is fierce, powerful, and complex. Is she willing to betray the one she loves for the greater good? Patrick Colson will make you, the reader, fall in love with a crime boss who believes protecting his people justify the crimes he commits. Whew. When I tell you that the way McEwan wrote Patrick Colson made me feel some type of way. He skyrocketed up my book husband list.

This book will have plot twists that make you gasp out loud, and you will not want to put it down. You’ve been warned.

Thank you to Saga Press and Stacey McEwan for this ARC. And an additional thank you to Stacey for the nine million tags and withstanding my obsession and excitement. I’m afraid I’m probably not done with you, and will be screaming about this book for some time to come.

I want to thank Stacey McEwan for the opportunity to read this phenomenal story, which is expected to be released on July 1st, 2025.

A Forbidden Alchemy (Book 1 of the Artisan Series) is a 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.

I loved everything about this book. The characters/character development, plot, world-building, and magic system were original and extremely interesting. I have previously read Stacey McEwan's The Glacian Trilogy, which I absolutely loved. Stacey has a magnificent way of writing her characters, where you witness them in various situations and experiences, and then see how the characters process their surroundings, which impacts how they make decisions. I was blown away by the classification of the Artisans and the Craftsman and how their dynamic and class system worked, along with the unique elemental magic system. As the reader, you are taken on a whirlwind journey from when the two main characters, Nina and Patrick, are twelve years old to the present day, where their worlds collide while facing harsh realities of an impending war. I found myself trying to pace my reading of this book because I wanted to read through it so quickly, while at the same time, I also wanted to slow down my reading to grasp everything happening. This is an extremely well-paced book because you are invested in the story and what happens to these characters. Patrick is one of my new favorite MMCs with his devotion, loyalty, and determination to Nina and his family. Nina has faced so much in her lifespan and faces an impossible choice between two sides, and we, as the readers, see how every decision she makes can impact both sides. I am still trying to wrap my head around the ending and what that means for the fate of these characters I have grown to love. I will be boasting and recommending this series to all slow-burn romantasy readers, Peaky Blinders fans, and Six of Crows fans. This was an easy five-star rating, and I loved everything about this book.

I finally want to thank NetGalley and Saga Press for allowing me to read and review this eArc.

♾️⭐️

I’m telling you right now this is going to be in my top 3 books of the year. OH. MY. GOD. I am speechless.

Peaky Blinders meets fantasy IN THE BEST WAY.

I have not read a book in so long that has gripped me from start to finish. That left me gasping at the end. I am truly obsessed. STACEY I NEED BOOK 2 RIGHT NOW!!!

Thank you Saga Press for the ARC! I will be sending you and Stacey my therapy bills 🫶

Wow, this book was amazing! Love the dual point of view with Nina's in first person and Patrick's in third person; it really helped drive the story. All the lies and secrets which I never saw any of them coming. Also so unfair to leave on such a cliffhanger.. Can't wait to see where/how everything will be solved.

I didn't expect I would like it so much because I wasn't a fan of the authors previous work. nevertheless I was pleasantly surprised. the FMC was great and not whiny at all. the chemistry between the MMC and FMC was undeniable !

I’m still recovering from this book… what a delightfully twisty and turn-y, slow burn romantasy! Patrick is an amazing, well-rounded character. The perfect story to get lost in.

Wow! I was blown away by this one! Stacey really kept me on my toes. There were so many twists and turns where I thought things were going one way and she took it in another direction and I absolutely loved it. The world building and magic system weren’t overly complicated which I really appreciated and the characters, both main and side, were so well written. Patrick and Nina have my heart! I cannot stop thinking about this book and I’ll definitely be doing a reread soon!

Thank you so much to Saga Press & Stacey for an advanced copy 🤍

This book was fantastic. Intresting characters, unique magic system, and a very well beloved FMC! I blew through this book ;) very well thought out amf well constructed world. Can't wait for it to actually be putz so it can be added to my shelf. Thank you netgalley for this fantastic ARC!

Thank you, NetGalley and Saga Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I blew through this book, it was such a fun, fast read! The plot kept me guessing, and the multiple twists were done so well! Most of all, I loved the relationship between Nina and Patrick. Their immediate connection was written well, and to see them back together after so many years was my favorite part of the book. I'm interested to see where they go in the next book, especially after that cliffhanger! The magic system was unique, and I hope we learn more in the next books about the origin of iridium and the war that led to the current class system between Artisans and Crafters.

While I really enjoyed this book, I did dock one star because I'm not a fan of miscommunication. There was a lot of miscommunication between the two main characters, this started to make things feel a bit YA as the book went on, especially when one single honest conversation could've prevented much of what happened in the end. I also would've appreciated more magic use, and hope to get more of that and less miscommunication in the next book! I will continue reading this series and recommend to anyone looking for a new fantasy romance!

Everything about this book was incredible! Truly I would give it more than five stars if I could! The writing was beautiful, the world building and magic system was clear, the romance was full of yearning and felt SO REAL!! The characters were fun and engaging and I loved having all of them (MCs and side characters in page). The pacing was so well done! Love this so much!!!

This book was so good. The class system and magic system were beautifully intertwined, and the fantasy and romance were perfectly balanced.

Stacey McEwan is so good at creating side characters that I become just as emotionally attached to as the main characters. I absolutely love that I was picturing the Colson brothers as the Shelby’s the entire time!

Patrick is EVERYTHING. I love him so much. He’s sweet and soft only to Nina, and their story is one of the cutest ever.

OMG! THIS BOOK! Did it keep me glued to the pages? Did it keep me up at night until I finished it? Am I dying for the continuation of the story? Yes, to all of the above!

This book blew me away. I had seen rave reviews but didn't check the synopsis; I only knew it was a romantasy, and I’m so glad I ventured in blindly.

I was swept into the story from the very first page. I immediately loved the magic, the world-building, and the characters.

Patrick and Nina are amazing! I now have my favorite romantasy book boyfriend: Patrick!! 💜🙌🏻💜

The story is captivating, perfectly paced and with so many twists.

Book has academy settings and war setting.

I loved every page of this book. And it will be favorite romantasy now!

I can’t wait for everyone to read this book once it out in the world on July 1st. Thank you so much @sagapress for opportunity to read it and gifted ARC.