Seems like a Marmite book... You either love it or feel Meh. Unfortunately I am the latter.

This is book 2 in a 3 book series. There's some really good plot here but we don't get much of it in this book. It feels a bit like a filler book.

We're back with Wren and Torj as Wren tries to find a cure for the dark alchemy being used by the rebels against the royals. When she returns back to her home land for some ingredients she find a surprise there which turns the tide of the impending war. It forces her and her sister to conciser taking up their duties as royals. Which then leads to them needing allies for support.

The absolute best thing about this book is Kipp. He is hilarious and such a fun character to read.

The plot is definitely there it just gets overshadowed by the Romance element. Which I guess is ok if that's what you want from your books. I personally felt like they didn't need as much smut. A lot of the scenes could have been closed doors/fade to black.

The main character's back and forth, on again off again is really frustrating. The ending of book 1 leaves them as off, when Torj decides he needs to stay away for Wren's own safety. Which felt a bit like a weak reason to end them there, but I get what was trying to be done. Get to book 2 and they spend 2 weeks apart and we're straight back to the same angst as book 1? it just felt forced and unrealistic to me.

I did enjoy the plot that we did get away from the relationship side of the story. And the ending is promising for the next book.

This was a great follow up to the story, I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about Torj and Wren. Seeing them come back together and fight through their trust issues and personal barriers was so lovely, while also dealing with the struggle of the fate of the world resting on their shoulders. Once again we are left reeling at the ending and desperate to find out what happens next!

I love this book and series so much. It’s really got my heart strings!

The longing these two have for each other is delightful and agony at the same time. They try to stay apart but it’s like the are opposite magnetic fields attracted to each other and it’s fantastic to read. The silent devotion is what we lap up in romantasy and Helen did not disappoint.

There is so much revealed in this book! A lot of gasp moments and shocked revelations. The ending had me staring at the wall dying for the next book!

A lot of hard decisions have to be made by Embervale.

I seem to be in a bit of a minority because I didn't like Irons & Embers (book 1) all that much, but oh boy am I glad I gave Thorns & Fire a chance.

This is how you write a second instalment. The stakes are high, the intrigue is off the charts and the romance sizzles delightfully. I love the emotional ups and downs in this book, from laughing out loud to tearing up, and it was a joy to see Wren really grow as a person.

I need book 3 now please!

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I'd also like to show appreciation for publishers putting the tropes in the description, thank you!

This second instalment continues Wren and Torj’s story, and honestly, I loved it even more than book one. Their bond is so central to the plot, and I felt like the stakes were even higher this time, especially with the looming threat of war.

I really appreciated how Wren’s journey of self-discovery was woven through all the action. She’s still grappling with identity, legacy, and where she truly belongs, and it made her story feel so emotionally grounded even amidst the chaos.

I loved all of Thea and Wilder’s appearances of course (they’re still my fav OG couple). I feel like we were missing a lot of Cal this book though, so I’m hoping in the next book he’ll be a bit more central to the plot alongside Kipp - who of course, is always somehow tied into whatever is going on!

But what really made this a solid 5 stars for me was the pacing and tension. There was never a dull moment. Wren and Torj’s story had me hooked right back from Legends of Thezmarr so I’m very much enjoying their own books!

And that ending… I genuinely haven’t recovered. I’m not okay. Book three needs to be in my hands ASAP.

Okay, this book had me torn. On one hand, I devoured this book. On the other… I kind of wanted to throw it across the room.

Let’s talk about what worked first: Wren and Torj? Obsessed. Their chemistry, tension, and messy, yearning journey back to each other gave me life. I was hooked on their dynamic and rooting for them through all the chaos. Also, I love when a second half completely shifts the energy of a book — the plot definitely picked up momentum and had me speed-reading toward the end.

But, some of the writing felt… off? Like, there were moments that contradicted themselves within the same scene. Most of the twists? I saw them coming from a mile away. And don’t even get me started on the clichés. Also for me personally, there was too much smut. It started feeling repetitive and took the punch out of what were supposed to be major emotional turning points. How many times can Torj pick Wren up and have her against a solid surface? The answer is 3.

Would I still recommend it? Yeah, especially if you already love these characters or this world, but overall just if you love romantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Helen Scheuerer for this ARC!

This is an incredible sequel and being able to read about Wren and Torj again!!! This was exactly what I needed after being in a reading slump. It runs at a tad slower place than book 1 but I actually really enjoyed it as it allowed us to really get into depth with the story and the characters, creating a sense of slow burn and tension. It was everything we wanted, I would highly highly highly recommend this book!

I just need book 3 right now because I love this world and I'm already about to reread it again because I miss it already. I am so grateful and lucky to be able to read this early and just everybody needs to delve into this world, you will not be disappointed.

Some tropes that you may love

Bodyguard romance
Dark Academia
Touch her and you die *ugh, my favourite*

Adored this book. I loved being back with Wren and Torj! Helen just has an amazing way of writing characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Was also so good to see some characters from Legends. Great 2nd instalment!

I absolutely adored this new book in the series! I’ve loved seeing wren grow into herself more and become the queen we know she is! So excited for book 3

THORNS AND FIRE - HELEN SCHEUERER

Thorns and Fire is the highly anticipated follow-up to Iron and Embers, and it's the second book in the Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy. I described Iron and Embers as a fantasy book that's equal parts romance and plot, and Thorns and Fire sticks to the same formula.

On the plot side, we catch a glimpse into the opposition force's growing strength and the lengths they'll go to to produce their deadly anti-magic alchemy. The stakes certainly feel higher and I wish there had been more interaction between the main characters and the rebels, as I really enjoyed the darker turn the latter seem to be taking.

For the romance, Wren and Torj have A LOT to deal with (you'll know what I mean if you read Iron and Embers). Their inevitable draw to each other simmers throughout the book, and be aware that this is a spicy book. If you love the fated mates trope, this trilogy offers a twist on this, which is bolstered by the myths belonging to their world.

I was frustrated by the ending, as it felt like a major threat to one of the main characters came out of nowhere, forcing a chain of actions that felt rushed and confusing. But I am looking forward to book #3 to untangle the confusion, as I need to know what happens to Wren, Torj and all the other characters I've grown attached to!

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Release date: 31 July 2025

Review score: 4/5

TWs: d*ath, violence, injury detail, mental health, blood

Thank you to netgalley! 4.5⭐️

Have enjoyed every book in this universe, happy to see the alchemy and strategy side more than the fighting side!

Called a couple of things from the ending of the first book and I did feel like there was a few too many filler chapters toward the end but as usual the last few chapters absolutely blew my mind!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

If you loved Iron & Embers then this book will NOT disappoint!

It picks up right where the first one left off...emotional devastation. Wrens heartbreak, anger and confusion were palpable and the same is true for Torj's anguish.

Personally I struggle when couples are separated for a long period of time so I was glad these two idiots made it back to each other within the first 20% of the book. I will admit that I shouted at my kindle on several occasions with some variation of "for the love of all that is good and holy just kiss already!" Meaning if you love a slow burn with plenty of tension and teasing i think you will love this possibly even more than the first.

As with a lot of romantasy books things really kicked off in that last 20% and the ending once again has me reeling and desperate for the next book!

I loved seeing more of Thea, Wilder, Kipp and Cal too

I was so happy to be back in this world, because I loved the first book so so much. However, this book has fallen into the same curse as Legends of Thezmar in that the series suffers a pacing issue.

In terms of the plot, this very much felt like a filler book. There is so significant progress in the storyline. The book is very relationship-centric, with Wren dealing with the fallout from book 1 with Torj and their relationship.

Whilst I love them as a couple and this felt necessary for their development, I was hoping more of the story would unfold as well.

Overall, an enjoyable, easy and fun read. More character-driven rather than plot-driven.

I initially found this quite slow to begin with and frustrating with the pining, but the ending was really good. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for letting me have an ARC

After reading Helen’s entire backlog of work, I JUMPED at the chance to get this ARC. Absolutely incredible as always! I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series takes us

I love that we pick up exactly where we ended in book 1. I did feel like we had some chapters that while a little slower in pace were necessary to help build the tension and further the plot! This is the middle book, I understand you Helen. Love ya girl.

Wren is a queen and I adored that she got her moment to showcase this as the book went on.

Oh Torj, won’t lie, I wanted to strangle him at the end of book 1 but I adored the tension and slowwww burn.

The ending had me shouting out loud and both thankful and cursing that I’ve read it because now I have to wait 🥺😅

Now this is how you do a sequel!!!!!!!!!

This book continues straight on from the first book as we follow Torj and Wren's story. This book was full of yearning, chemistry and character development.

Themes in book:

- Mate/ Soul bonds
- Enemies-to-lovers
- Bodyguard / charge
- Touch her and you die
- Dark academia
- Forced proximity
- Heir to the throne
- Found Family

I cannot stop thinking about this book and need book 3 now!!!!

Thorns & Fire review

After the heartbreaking ending of Iron & Embers we are finally back in the Midrealms to continue Wren and Torj’s story! Thorns & Fire was an excellent middle book for this trilogy! It has less action than the Iron & Embers, but it builds perfectly up to the bigger events that will happen in the next and final book!

Heaps of secrets were revealed that absolutely blew my mind and I had no way of guessing what would happen or who was behind the People’s Vanguard👀 I tried to guess and I was nowhere close to what was revealed in this book!

I absolutely loved Wren’s personal journey and we truly get to see who she is ment to become! She has been fighting and journeying all by herself since the battle at Thezmarr, but in this book she truly blooms to a strong and independent woman❤️ And she finally learns that she doesn’t have to tackle everything by herself!

The romance in this book was so so good! If your favourite tropes is intense yearning, this one is for you! For furies sakes, it was exactly what I want in a good romantasy! And there is one particular scene that involves a tent that makes this book a must read just to read this scene! Torj will have you swooning from the first moment he opens his mouth and speaks! Aaaah that man! Why aren’t you real?😭

Thank you to Helen and Pan Macmillan for letting me read this book! It was excellent and I need book 3 right now!

This events of Thorns & Fire start right after the end of Iron & Embers, giving us more details about a certain bond we previously read about. I particularly appreciated Wren’s character growth throughout this book, she has to face impossible choices that manage to show us her resilience but also her compassion and her tender heart!
As for the romance, I always love when there a little jealousy between the characters as it helps heightening the already steamy tension between the main couple🔥
I also appreciated seeing the two main characters open up about their vulnerabilities and get closer to each other after how things had ended in book 1. The ending was particularly action packed and got me totally glued to the pages, I can’t wait for book 3!!
Bonus points also for the villain, i love when they’re well written and mysterious!

Thank you to netgalley, panmacmillan and tor bramble for a free e-arc, all opinions are my own!

Yes! the perfect follow up to Iron & Embers! Helen Scheuerer has crafted such a great series, i can't wait to see how everything turns out in the next book.