A Forbidden Alchemy cover art

A Forbidden Alchemy

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Forbidden Alchemy

By: Stacey McEwan
Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Joshua Riley
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.99

Buy Now for $33.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

Australian BookTok star Stacey McEwan’s stunning new slow-burn romantasy series traces a fated pair who stumble upon a world-changing secret and are catapulted into a violent class war, finding each other amidst love, loss, and devasting betrayals.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are only twelve years old when they are whisked from their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to be tested for magical abilities. Nina’s lifelong dream is to become an Artisan, a powerful elemental mage who fulfills the city’s grand ambitions, while Patrick wants only to return to his family of Craftsmen.

Together, they discover a devastating secret: Artisans aren’t born, but chosen. With this information, they take their future into their own hands. Patrick departs for home, while Nina finds her place as one of the rarest, most coveted types of Artisan.

When a Craftsman revolution ignites years later, Nina is captured by Patrick’s rebel group–and despite the years, he hasn’t forgotten her. In fact, he needs her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City, which she reluctantly accepts, battling the sparks between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the Artisans, she faces an impossible choice that will determine the fate of their world.

©2025 Stacey McEwan (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio
Action & Adventure Editors Select Fantasy

Critic Reviews

‘Stacey once again delivers a high stakes fantasy that not only keeps you on the edge of your seat but squeezes your heart until it bleeds.’ (Amber V. Nicole, author of The Book of Azrael)

'I’m never going to shut up about this book. An epic breath of fresh air romantasy. A feat of genius magic system and banter so feet kicking good you’ll need breaks to scream. McEwan’s writing is the kind that leaves you staring at the wall wondering how you’ll go on waiting for the next installment. A Forbidden Alchemy is the romantasy book you’ll never get over.' (Hannah Nicole Maehrer, author of Assistant to the Villain)

‘Stacey McEwan’s writing has a way of drawing you in and never letting go. A Forbidden Alchemy was no exception, and I found myself gripped by these pages, following the tale of Nina and Patrick and rooting for them every step of the way. I loved the secrets, the tension and the burning chemistry. Romantasy lovers need to add this one to their TBR.’ (Nisha J. Tuli, author of Trial of the Sun Queen.)

‘This book is a pressure-corked vial crafted with the perfect romantic tension and pure gangster-style grit. I was ready to be buried beneath the mines that Stacey McEwan created. This story has mettle, raw heart and inescapable magnetism. I loved every single chapter.’ (Raven Kennedy, author of Gild.)

What listeners say about A Forbidden Alchemy

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen!!

I was hooked from the first chapter. Stacey McEwan has such a talent for balancing wit, tension, & emotional depth. The chemistry? Off the charts. The world-building? Fresh, immersive, magical. Very much looking forward for the continuation of this series! 😊
I’m honestly confused by the low reviews on Audible. Over on Goodreads, it’s flooded with 5-star & 4-star ratings, which is far more reflective of the quality of this story. The narrators were fantastic—they brought every scene to life & nailed the character voices. The poor Audible reviews feel suspiciously intentional & don’t line up at all with the actual experience. This one’s a must-listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I am not ok

Stacey can do no wrong. This was yet another beautifully written story by her and I cannot wait for the next instalment. Literally, I need it right now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Infinity stars

No notes. Pure evil and genius. I need the second book immediately. Stacey has done it yet again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

HOOKED

liked all of it sometimes a book can be predictable. so many twists and turns i didnt know were comming. i cant believe i have to wait for the next book and what a place to end the first book..

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ah McEwan, You've Done It Again

Nina and Patrick are incredible characters, crafted with depth and passion, and the way that Stacey moves this story along feels like you're being swept away.
Quite simply, I need book 2 like yesterday, because honestly WHAT THE HELL STACEY.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

intense , fast paced and I need more

absolutely loved this. stacey is an excellent writer i just couldn't turn this off. the narrators were amazing, the accents incredible. more more more!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

just couldn't get into it

unfortunately the accents ruined this book for me, I just couldn't get through it I listened for the first couple of hours but the story and the accents just didn't draw me in.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.