A Forbidden Alchemy, the first book in a new trilogy by Stacey McEwan, follows Nina Harrow, a 12-year-old girl from the Bordure, a region in a fictional world. Nina travels to Belleville, a city governed by a strict social hierarchy, for a test that determines her future power. The test involves drinking a liquid called idium, which is supposed to reveal one's destiny as a Shaper, Artisan, or Alchemist—three distinct roles with different abilities and responsibilities. However, Nina and Patrick Colson, a boy from a family of Shapers, discover that the test is rigged, with only those from influential families receiving fioles, or vials, that would grant them extraordinary powers. Nina, who is destined to become a Charmer of Earth, a rare and powerful ability, must choose between joining a rebellion against Belleville or conforming to its rule. As the story progresses, Nina grows into a young adult and is forced to flee Belleville after an attack puts her life in danger. Meanwhile, a rebellion begins to take shape among the Shapers of the Bordure, who are dissatisfied with the oppressive rule of Belleville. Nina is faced with a difficult decision: to join Patrick and those who trust her in the rebellion or to survive under the rule of the powerful city. Her journey is marked by personal growth, moral dilemmas, and the challenge of finding her place in a world that seems to be against her. The book is praised for its cinematic prose and the depth of its characters, who are not mere stereotypes but complex individuals with their own motivations and struggles. The narrative weaves together elements of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue, creating an immersive world that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Readers are drawn into a story that explores themes of power, identity, and resistance. A Forbidden Alchemy is translated by Ada Vivalda and published by Gallimard, a well-known French publishing house. The book has already sparked interest among fans of young adult fiction and fantasy, with many looking forward to the upcoming installments in the trilogy.