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.
Title: A Forbidden Alchemy
Author: Stacey McEwan
Publisher: S&S/Saga Press
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Reivew:
Thank you to Saga Press/S&S Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Stacey McEwan is a treasure everyone should experience. Her Glacian trilogy was one of my favorite fantasy reads last year. I loved her writing, the pacing she introduced, the plot and plot lines, and her wonderfully developed characters. I was excited to get a copy of her new romantasy to read! And the Peaky Blinders vibes mixed with just a bit of a Hunger Games type world in this book, oh boy! While the book has elements of these things, it remains unique.
First, I need to talk about the cover of this book. It is absolutely gorgeous and creates a great vibe for the story. Not only that, once you read it and look back, you see just how it fits perfectly with the story.
I will say it took some time for me to get into the book. The beginning is a lot of childhood background which I think could have been woven into the story line in general, but McEwan chose to have us follow along as the characters got older and progressed in their lives.
McEwan chose to write this book in dual POV, The FMC, Nina, has a first person POV while the MMC, Patrick, has a third person distant objective POV. At first I wasn't sure I would like this. BUT it worked well. Nina's POV was so intense and personal. While Patrick's POV not only showed him but all the other side characters and their personalities.
I loved the world building of this book. While I felt like there could possibly be a bit more background to the magic system, it was easy to understand. I loved the Artisan's and their different powers: earth movers, metal workers, water movers, ink workers. It was all so interesting and intricate. Elemental magic at it's best.
Of course it wouldn't be proper fantasy without conflict. The government versus the common man. It gave some dystopian vibes in that way. But the layout of the world and how the population was separated was exactly what I imagined for this rebellion. Lots of secrets and turmoil. Lots of power struggles.
Then there's the found family aspect. I absolutely love a found family. While Patrick's actual family is part of his life, Nina does not have any connection with her blood family. Both characters find family in those who surround them. Found family is often such an important part of fantasy and McEwan built this one perfectly. And the banter that ensues between all these characters is top notch!
Were there twists and turns? Absolutely. Secrets revealed, some of which I guessed others that were a complete shock. I loved how the loyalties wavered and you weren't sure who was on what side. And that ending? Ugh, yes, a cliffhanger leaving me wanting book 2 right now because I need to know how things progress and what happens. I'm sure we are in for a huge battle!
If you're looking for a book with a unique magic system involving the elements, twists and turns, well developed and relatable characters, and challenged loyalty, give this one a try!
Author:
Stacey McEwan is the best-selling author of fantasy romance. Her books have been translated into four languages. Her high school English teacher once called her writing "above year level standard" and she took it far too seriously. Stacey received a bachelor's degree in education in 2012 and was a school teacher for eleven years. She is a content creator on multiple platforms, including Tiktok and Instagram. Stacey first published after book lovers of the internet encouraged her to share her story ideas. She was born and raised on the Gold Coast, Australia, and still resides in her hometown with her husband, two children and one questionable dog.
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