A Forbidden Alchemy Audiobook By Stacey McEwan cover art

A Forbidden Alchemy

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A Forbidden Alchemy

By: Stacey McEwan
Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Joshua Riley
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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
Action & Adventure Destiny Editors Select Fantasy
Engaging Banter • Unique Magic System • Fantastic Narrators • Immersive Worldbuilding • Compelling Plot Twists

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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.

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

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

Best thing I read this year

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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.

Good but not compelling

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I shouldn't be surprised by how much I loved this novel, judging how much I've loved every Stacey McEWAN book thus far! Perhaps blasphemous, but this one may be the best yet. We start out at the reaping. The poor crafters getting their once in a lifetime lottery ticket to possibly enter the world of the rich artisans. There, two twelve year olds discover that the lottery is rigged and you make your own fate. So they did. One heads off to Hogwarts, elevated...the other back home, to their poor working class roots. We all have our own minds, don't let anyone make it up for you. Back in district 12, Pinky Blinders enters the arena. Full of intrigue, drama, conflict, love, political tension, betrayal, and so much magic! Stacey deserves praise and I deserve an early copy of the next book because of how she left me. The narrators are sooooo soooo good as well. Even the woman's male voice is fire!!!!

Hunger Games meets Pinky Blinders

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If you’re like me and are sick of reading the same renditions of the same type of story then this is the book for you! So many incredible new storylines to devour as you read/listen to A Forbidden Alchemy. The world building was immaculate, the magic system was a new spin on your typical elemental one, the love stories unfolding both on the page and within the blank spaces was best, and most of all the main characters were exceptionally written. I have been eager for a magical industrial revolution type of book and this one nailed it!! You’ll find yourself laughing, terrified, crying, heartbroken, and jumping out of your chair all at once. BEYOND excited for book 2!!!!!

FINALLY AN INCREDIBLE NEW BOOK!

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I wasn't the biggest fan of all the romance but the story does pull you in. an enjoyable listen.

great twists

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I really liked the audiobook readers! A+ . The characters and dialogue were excellent- it made me want to go buy the paper copy (even though I have no time to actually sit and read). I binged this audiobook, it has the right amount of fantasy and romance. I recommend. I hate cliff hanger endings especially when the next books aren’t out, but obviously I was invested in the story- highly recommend.

Yes, a great Romatasy Audiobook!

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Excellent performance from the narrators. A refreshingly different magic system. The story is slow paced but keeps you invested with the characters to hang on for a devastating cliffhanger ending.

Slow but worth the wait

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I stayed HOOKED from beginning to end, but those last 4 hours??? I was basically screaming into my hands the whole time.

While the ending was absolutely brutal, this book was so freaking good. The writing, the magic system, the characters.. the author really made me feel like I was on the set of Peaky Blinders and I LOVED every minute of it. I’m so invested and I can’t wait to continue the series.

The narration and the accents were so spot on and perfect. I enjoyed every minute and didn’t want it to end.

Excuse me, what?!

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Absolutely amazed! This book (audiobook specifically) pulled me out of a reading slump I had no idea I was in. This was Peaky Blinders with a new type of magical system. I fell head over heels for both narrators...just such amazing work. Each one with a great talent for different character personalities and their own voice... great emotion was shown where it was needed and right in target every time. Nothing seemed overly acted, it was very smooth.

The twists kept coming with this one the further along it went and in such a brilliant way. Not expected and with great timing, especially in the flashbacks.

Perhaps a mild spoiler:


The yearning and concealed care the main characters had for each just felt right. Both having their reasons and both hating to have to conceal it.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, which I don't particularly care for because its an overplayed hand in by author's in my opinion, but that doesn't take away from my love of this beautifully written (and told) story. Absolutely would recommend and its definitely going on my "reread because its so freaking good" list of books!

Will be going into my "books to relisten/reread because it's that freaking good" pile

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