Posted 07/25/2025 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
A Forbidden Alchemy by
Stacey McEwanStar Rating:
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Published by S&S / Saga Press on 07/01/2025
Genres: Fiction,
Fantasy,
Romance,
RomantasyFormat: Kindle (480 Pages) 📖
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Barnes & NobleNina 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.
Tags: Abduction, Betrayal, Competent Heroine, Dangerous Hero/Heroine, Forced Proximity, Gifted/Super Hero/Heroine, Independent Heroine, Love Triangle, Magic, Possessive Hero, Second Chances, Slow Burn, Sweet/Gentle Hero/Heroine, Tortured Hero/Heroine, War
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Series: Fire & Metal #1 Published by Saturday Books on 02/14/2025
Format: Kindle (459 Pages) 📖
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Series: Split or Swallow #1 Published by Bloom Books on 02/25/2025
Format: Kindle (525 Pages) 📖
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Barnes & NobleAbout fifteen years ago, a friend of mine showed up at my house with a DVD in hand. (Stay with me—I promise this story relates to this utterly unhinged book filled with basilisk banging.) The movie in question: Gentlemen Broncos. And if you’ve seen this cinematic fever dream, you probably know where I’m going with this. If you haven’t—add it to your watch list—you can thank me later. For the record, I watched all 90 Yeast-Lord-filled minutes of Gentlemen Broncos. I didn’t fall asleep. I didn’t pause to pee. I’m not entirely sure I blinked—or breathed. I was utterly […]
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Series: The Kindred's Curse #3 Published by Independent Publisher on 09/12/2023
Format: Kindle (1026 Pages) 📖
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Series: The Kindred's Curse #2 Published by Independent Publisher on 07/18/2023
Format: Kindle (637 Pages) 📖
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Series: The Kindred's Curse #1 Published by Independent Publisher on 06/01/2023
Format: Kindle (438 Pages) 📖
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Series: The Soulsworn Chronicles #1 Published by June Publishing on 02/06/2025
Format: Kindle (521 Pages) 📖
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Published by Independent Publisher on 12/31/2022
Format: Kindle (162 Pages) 📖
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Published by One More Chapter on 03/14/2024
Format: Kindle (355 Pages) 📖
PurchasedAdd to GoodreadsBuy on AmazonWritten review coming soon…
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Published by Dell on 09/10/2024
Format: DRC (400 Pages) 📖
NetGalleyAdd to GoodreadsBuy on AmazonCasket Case is one part exploration of grief, two parts romantic comedy, a dash of self-discovery, and a heavy helping of magical realism. Its unique and intriguing premise captures your attention, but its execution falls short, preventing it from being a higher rated read. Despite its flaws, it has a certain charm that keeps you invested in the story and curious about what comes next. After her parents’ death, Nora reluctantly returns to her teeny tiny hometown of Rabbittown, Alabama, to run Rabbittown Casket Company, her family’s casket business. It’s not an easy or glamorous job, but somebody’s got […]