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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I look forward to the next one!
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Believe the hype! It’s soo good, twists & turns while the last 20 mins had me in a choke hold. Desperate for book two.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can’t stop thinking about this book! Stacey has written such a fresh story following Nina and Patrick and their alchemist themed magical world. The character development of not only the FMC/MMC but side characters is incredible. I can’t wait for the next book!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Overall, I really enjoyed A Forbidden Alchemy. The insane number of twists and turns had my mind reeling and my jaw on the floor more than once. It’s one of those stories where just when you think you’ve figured it out—bam!—another secret unravels.
The beginning was a bit slow for me. I enjoyed Nina and Patrick’s first meeting, but following Nina through her school days dragged a little. I personally would have loved some glimpses into Patrick’s upbringing—it could have added a richer layer to his character early on.
That said, the story really picks up toward the end. Once the plot accelerates and secrets start pouring out, I was hooked. I didn’t even realize I’d hit the last page until I turned it and realized there was no more left to read. That’s how absorbed I was.
The slow burn between Patrick and Nina was done beautifully. Their connection built gradually, and in a way, it was almost sweet—full of tension, longing, and moments that made you ache for them to finally collide.
It’s a solid four stars from me. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A corrupt government manipulating it's people with a false narrative and generational exploitation of lower caste levels but with magical powers, enemies to lovers adjacent reconnection with a childhood acquaintance, a Peaky Blinders mob family and a strong-willed FMC. The MMC is a morally gray king and his brothers had such depth and compelling back stories that I couldn't help but root for each of them individually.
Abrupt anxiety-inducing cliffhanger ending that Stacey McEwan can fight me over but a phenomenal job at creating a beautiful story while highlighting the darker side of privilege.
Abrupt anxiety-inducing cliffhanger ending that Stacey McEwan can fight me over but a phenomenal job at creating a beautiful story while highlighting the darker side of privilege.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought this was a standalone, so my bad on that, and where it ends is gutting. 😭 Engaging all the way through, an interesting if not super fleshed out magic system, lots of politics. This gave me Divine Rivals vibes, with a dash of Peaky Blinders. I found this more to my taste than the more fantastical romantasies - I like the grittiness, the feeling that these are people you would know, and that the magic was earth based. The relationships felt more grounded too, there was time for them to develop, and felt more believable. So a great mix of tension, yearning, angst, spying, maneuvering. Just hold on to your heart those last 50 pages!