A Forbidden Alchemy Book Review

A Forbidden Alchemy Book Summary From Goodreads

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.

About the Book and Where to Buy A Forbidden Alchemy

Magic, rebellion, and forbidden secrets collide in Stacey McEwan’s A Forbidden Alchemy, out July 1, 2025 from Simon & Schuster. The first in a duology, that follows Nina and Patrick, who uncover a truth about the Artisans that will spark a class war against the Craftsmen and test where their hearts and allegiances truly belong.

This book is available on Amazon in hardback, kindle and audiobook.

Special Editions

• A Forbidden Alchemy Walmart Exclusive Edition
• OwlCrate
• Allurial Edition

My Thoughts on A Forbidden Alchemy

A Forbidden Alchemy isn’t your typical romantasy book. If you were obsessed with Peaky Blinders, then you’ll love this magical twist where you’re tested for magical powers and if you have them then you’re an Artisan and then divided into elemental magic types like masons, alchemists, earth, water, fire, etc and if you’re not then you’ll be a Crafter and be subjected to manual labor. The book takes place in mining towns where they have to mine for idium which is needed to use your magical powers. 

I was absolutely entranced by the storytelling, the banter between Patrick and Nina, the slowwwww burn, the plot twists (page 270 & 432), heartache, friendships and deceit.

You’ll find equal amounts plot and romance/yearning (not smut) and the cliffhanger ughhhhhhh 😱 I am unwell.

Stay in Touch with the Author

• Stacey McEwan