A Forbidden Alchemy

3.9(17)
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About the book

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.

Editions (4)

ISBN9781668076187
PublisherS&s/Saga Press
Publication Date07/01/25
Pages480

Reviews & Ratings

17 ratings

4 reviews

3.9

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  • josiscupofcoffee
    josiscupofcoffee

    61 Followers

    5.0

    “We’re stuck between two guns now…That’s all there is to it.” An angsty romantasy thick with tension that felt like someone gently cupping my face and whispering "Just so you know, privilege comes from generational exploitation". Nina is a powerful FMC and I loved her perspective and growth. I did like Patrick a tiny bit more, because he was more relatable, but Nina went through a lot. Readding about her past in Scurry and her relationship with Theo, I understood her a lot more. The backdrop is everything but glamorous, set in a mining town filled with morally gray, calloused-hands characters and systemic inequality designed to keep people down. Acts of love and care don't soften the story, it sharpens the contrast to the themes of power, manipulation, exploitation, classism, and the hoarding of wealth and privilege by the “chosen” elite. The dialogues felt authentic and the banter was fun. Add twists and turns, a unique magic system, conspiracies, seamless world building, and no lulls in the story or lengthy explanations you have to struggle through, just great pacing throughout the book.

    Apr 23, 2026

  • suemy
    suemy

    19 Followers

    5.0

    4,5 ⭐️😍 Ich habs geliebt. So eine gute slow burn romantasy mit einem einzigartigem Magiesystem, Themen wie soziale Ungleichheit, Klassismus werden behandelt. Und peaky blinders vibe 🤭❤️

    Aug 3, 2025

  • ichbinjill
    ichbinjill

    585 Followers

    5.0

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5 Ich hab kurzzeitig wirklich daran gezweifelt ob ich jemals wieder ein Buch beenden werde lol und hab an diesem hier bestimmt 10 Tage gelesen? Daran ist aber nicht das Buch Schuld, weil leeeeeute das hat mir richtig Bock gemacht! War mal was ganz was anderes, ich bin dezent verliebt in Patrick und freu mich doll auf den nächsten Teil. Auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung! Hat kaum bis kein Spice.

    Jan 16, 2026

3 of 4 reviews

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