A Forbidden Alchemy

De: Stacey McEwan

Narrado por: Billie Fulford-Brown, Joshua Riley

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.

©2025 Stacey McEwan (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Prepare for emotional damage

This is a great story, it's a dystopian setting with a unique magic system. There's dual POV, found family, tension and slow burn🔥

The story starts of with the main characters meeting when they're 12 and learning that what they've known about their magic system is a lie. With that revelation, they each make their choices and part ways, it isn't until many years later that they meet again as adults caught up in a revolution.

Incredible from start to finish

Love the narrators, LOVE to story, love it all! Can’t wait for the next one

Alchemy, Attitude, and A+ Banter

I absolutely loved A Forbidden Alchemist! The character development was incredible—each one felt real, layered, and easy to connect with. What really stood out to me was the banter between them—it was clever, witty, and added so much charm and emotional depth to the story. Stace McEwan has a gift for making you laugh one moment and ache the next. I can't wait to read more from this series!

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT

Five stars easily for the female narrator. No notes.

3.5 stars for the male narrator - he spoke too slowly (had to speed it way up), when reading the narrative, but he did a great job with the dialogue and the different character voices.

The story itself was interesting and unique, and the pacing was well done. I was never bored or counting down the minutes to the next chapter. I thought the world building was expertly crafted, the magic element is very cool, and there is plenty of emotional twists and turns to keep you glued to your seat.

I cannot wait for book 2!

The story was great, narration not so much but it is tolerable

This Romantasy truly stood out from the rest. The book managed to hold my attention throughout its entirety. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am eager to discover what unfolds next. The world and its magic system were particularly intriguing. The emotional impact and the sense of betrayal were quite palpable. My only suggestion would be to consider adjusting the narrators' delivery or new narrators, perhaps by softening their approach. The female narrator's performance felt overly dramatic, while the male narrator's was a bit too guttural. I found myself frequently adjusting the volume.

Good but not compelling

This was very good but I am not compelled to read the rest of the series. The worldbuilding was perfection.
The narration was very good and I liked most of the characters but I found the voice of Tess to be inconsistent.
It bothered me that Nina made the choices she did. Her reasoning was beyond idiotic. Her character was not supposed to be stupid and her final action within the book was just that. I wish I could get past this but I don't think I can. I loved the Greenhollow Duology and I really wanted to feel the same about this.

Best thing I read this year

I went in knowing nothing, yet somehow I was surprised (in a very good way). Absolutely gutted I have to wait for the sequel.

So fracking good!

This book was soo amazing! It’s 3am and I couldn’t put this book down. The narrators did a fantastic job though I will say it was more enjoyable at an immersive read due to some flask backs and quick notes. The characters were well done and developed. I did guess a lot of the surprises along the way but still enjoyed the ride.
Spicy 🌶️ was probably a 1.5, I normally like a bit more but the story makes up for it.
Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
My only complaint is that the male narrator read at a much slower speed than the female narrator. So I had to keep adjusting the speed which was a bit annoying.

Surprise of the year

When the story started I was apprehensive, I didn’t want to listen to a YA story about 12 year olds. But I fell in love with the characters, and truly appreciated the young start and the way the author moved through the years to the actual story. This was one of the few recent reads/ listens that was truly well written, immersive, passionate, and didn’t feel like they were trying to force every popular trope into the storyline. But the end, my heart, I need the second book right now!

So good!

This was a fantastic story with wonderful acting and gave all the Peaky Blinders vibes one could hope for! Loved it!