Enjoyed this overall but it was a bit too slow paced for me. I just wanted to bang Wren and Torj’s heads together at one point!
But the last third of the book definitely picked up the pace and got a lot more intriguing so I was much more invested

I read this back to back, straight after book 1 and I consumed the pair within 4days. I did nothing but read, I barely slept and every time I was forced to put it down, I was devastated. I’m shocked by well this avoided the 2nd book curse, it was just as good, if not better than book 1.

I the character develop in this is EVERYTHING, I love Kip soooo much, I don’t think I’ve ever been so attached to a character that wasn’t one of the mains.

Praying I get accepted for book 3 arc🫣

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5-4.75 stars.

Oh my heart, I absolutely love and adore the poisoner and the bear slayer. This author does romantasy beautifully creating an engaging plot with hard hitting fantasy and the most delicious spice.

I like where book 2 picks up from, the tension is THICK between our main characters and the realms is still in utter chaos. Wren is still a badass alchemist trying to figure out how to fix what’s happening. Meanwhile, Torj is trying to hide from his true feelings while being the protector we know and love him to be. There’s betrayal, secrets and conflict throughout with twists you genuinely can’t see coming.

I am beyond excited to see how our main characters play the hand the realm and their enemies have dealt them, the next book is going to break me I just know it..

Thank you NetGaelly

I was so excited to read this. I absolutely loved this book and so happy I could read this early! I can’t wait for the final book !

Loved the character, romance and plot. I was gripped from the first book.

I lived this book and ate it up so fast - I didn’t know it could get better than book one but it so did

Thorns & Fire is book 2 in the Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy, and it's a fantastic middle book - full of action and plot, still progresses the romance despite a slight regression at the end of book 1, and has no filler or slow points. It's perfectly paced and I just loved it.

The book starts with Wren and Torj separated after he ends things with her, but it doesn't rehash the same path of Thea and Wilder in book three of The Legends of Thezmarr series, Fate & Furies. I loved that Thea spoke to Wren with wisdom after her own experience of 'betrayal' and that she asked Wren to think things through and to trust in Torj. And Wren did that, which I appreciated so much. The character development was so rewarding and I loved to see them both work through things together.

The ending of this book was super strong and I can't wait to see how everything wraps up in the final book in the trilogy!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Tor Bramble and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

4.5/5⭐️

"𝓣𝓸𝓻𝓳 𝓱𝓪𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮: 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓦𝓻𝓮𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓭 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓸𝓸 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱."

It‘s always bittersweet to say a temporary goodbye to the characters that have become meaningful like family and friends.

Thorns&Fire was very much what I expected it to be.
While the plot was taking a break in the background, waiting for it‘s big appearance (and a big appearance it had), the romance was definitely romancing!

Book 2 of the 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒜𝓈𝒽ℯ𝒹 ℴ𝒻 𝒯𝒽ℯ𝓏𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓇 is mostly focused on mending relationships, mainly the one between Wren and Torj. And while some might say that this book feels like a filler book, the way I feel about it is, that the growth of the characters, not only Torj and Wren, but also Zavier, Dessa, Kipp and Thea, is essential for the story and what is about to come in Book 3.

Thorns&Fire is a mild preparation of the emotional damage we will go through in the finale book.
And let me tell you, I‘m SCARED!

Altogether I enjoyed Thorns&Fire for Wren‘s character development, the alchemy (as always) and the gripping romance, that warms my heart!

Thank you so much Helen Scheurer and Pan Macmillen for the early review copy! 💜

I adore the whole The Ashes of Thezmarr world and was ecstatic that Wren and Torj have their own story. After devouring Iron & Embers in a few days and loving every bit of it, I was really anxious to start Thorns & Fire. But gods, not only it didn't disappoint, but I loved it even more than the first book!
The story continues shortly after where the events of the previous book left us.
Searching for answers on so many levels for our main characters, while at the same time trying to prevent another war until it's too late.
Fell in love with Wren's character from the very beginning because of her drive for revenge that was absolutely justified by everything she went through. In this book, we witness her character grow and learn from her mistakes but still at the same time unapologetic about her skills and drive. Although she changed, it was fascinating to witness how Torj, little by little, came to terms and loving even the Poisoner part of her that he admonished in the first book.
Amazing and emotional chemistry between them and them tackling the bond issue back and forth was entering to read among the trails they've faced.
The ending was such an emotional rollercoaster that I wish it was prolonged so we can stew a while longer in all the ups and downs that assaulted us. The final few lines were so perfect that they stuck in your throat from the emotional charge.
Judging by the end of the book, I can't imagine the tension and the emotional charge the next book will hold, and I definitely can't wait to read what happens!

(More review links and social media posts will be added here closer to release date)

I read the first book in this spin-off romantasy trilogy a few months ago and loved it, getting fully immersed in the world building and character development, and I’m so happy that this book continued to build on that. We see more of the relationship between Wren and Torj and how it develops and grows, after quite a bit of frustration and miscommunication. Being a gardener and someone with a background in plants I did thoroughly enjoy the botanical elements of Wren’s alchemist work and my favourite chapters were when they were set in the academy. I enjoyed seeing the sibling relationship between Wren and Thea. Kip was perfection, as usual! The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I won’t say anything about, and I’m so excited to read the third book later this year.

'You stand at my side.
And we destroy them all.
Together.'

War is on the horizon yet again for the alchemists and warswords of Thezmarr, and Wren is in the thick of it. The pressure is truly on.

I tell you, I thought Torj and Wren had gone through enough, separately and together, but this book really puts them through the wringer!

I love Torj with all my heart and in this book he proves that he is THE MAN! And Embers character development is second to none in this series, it's so great to watch!

The gang is back together, Thea, Wilder, Kipp, Cal, Dessa and Zavier (I hope Kipp and Cal get their own books, even a novella each would do me!!)

New players are on the board, but remember, the Queen is the most powerful piece ...

That ending. I cannot wait to see what happens next (when is that please?!!!!)

4 ⭐️

Oh Torj, how i love thee, with all your sexy warhammer wielding and bath running.

This section of the series gives us some world building for some of the places we haven't spent much time in. I loved learning more about delmira. But where this book really shines is character development. Wren and Torj grow both individually and together, and by the end, they're ready to take on what is coming and their duties.

The tension between Wren and Torj was brimming over in this one. To the point where I was like "oh just do it already," and Helen really does write some pretty good spicy scenes. But the emotional connection is really solidified here, and I loved learning more about their bond and the abilities it gives them.

I am a little sad that we lost the more in depth aspect of the alchemy for most of the book but at the same time I love the accuracy of all the different samples and having to prove a thesis.

There were points that felt like filler, and I did predict the end reveals for this one quite early on. But I like the way that it played out. It's created a very nice build-up for the final book.

What I would like to know is when is Kipp getting his book? I need him at the centre of a story (although he does always find his way to the centre of things). I will also accept one for Cal.

I am very eagerly awaiting the final instalment of the trilogy. I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

thank you netgalley and tor for a review copy!

this is the perfect fantasy romance sequel that I cannot recommend enough! I really enjoyed how the story developed from the first book as well as the ending - I am so excited for the next book! I loved the characters and how they grew and evolved from the first book. I found this fast paced and the perfect book that was interesting with lots of twists but also fits well into the overall plot. The tension and yearning was so good and I love that this book is from multiple povs as it adds to the slow burn soooooo well! I don’t want to give any spoilers but if you loved the first book or the legends of thezmarr series definitely check this book out!! I’m

It was an enjoyable and quick read, but my least favorite Thezmarr book so far. It definitely felt more focused on the characters’ developments and their relationship dynamics rather than the plot. I also thought the relationship between Wren and Torj was too lustful to be romantic. But the writing is still compelling and I liked to see Thea again.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I wasn't sure about this book after the ending of the forst one. But it surprised me. I love this world and the characters within and I was pleased to be back with them

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thorns & Fire has definitely lived up to the success of Iron & Embers! A spicy romantasy with rich world-building and excellent plot and pacing. Full review to come!

Where do I even start!!!!
I wasn’t expecting to read a bodyguard/princess trope but it was a very good surprise. Helen Scheuerer has a way of writing tensionnnn and yearningggg (especially from the mmc) that just makes you so giddy and has you giggling to yourself while reading 🤭 Also the banter in this is so funny. I have to say Kipp may just be a favourite character of mine.

The story line carries on beautifully from Iron & Embers which just keeps you so entertained throughout. I think the pacing is done so well aswell, I didn’t feel bored at any point. Also think there’s a perfect balance of romance and plot through this. It’s the perfect representation of the Romantasy genre (in my opinion).

Helen Scheuerer just knows how to write a good MMC, because Torj has my entire heart. This man is the perfect mix of sweet/loving and possessive/grumpy. Also to see the development of Wrens character is so good. You can see how she becomes a confident woman who believes in herself compared to how she was in Legends of Thezmarr.

When I first started this book I kept thinking, how is this plot line going to play out? What more could happen after everything that that’s already happened ? (Does that make sense?😄) but again, Helen Scheuerer just knows how to keep you intrigued and keep the plot exciting. At the end of each book it just has you reaching for the next one straight away and boyyyyy do I need the next one noowwwww !!! The politics, the power dynamics, the secrets and mystery in this book just gets more and more intense in the best way possible.

The spiicceeeee 🤭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 definitely is strong but it’s not over powering. It’s just a few chapters that are spicy but boyyyy are they spiccyyyyy 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I can’t wait for the next book already and I just hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did ❤️

Jesus, can these two catch a break?

I love Helen Scheurers writing style and I love the dual POV. The romance between Wren and Torj is heavily frustrating but still you feel compelled to root for them to be together and be happy!

The plot is definitely building to something epic and I just know that book 3 will be fantastic. I'm rooting for my Alchemists and my Warswords!!

Okay, but why do you keep leaving me hanging like this, Helen? Seriously, why?

I adored Iron and Embers (and, of course, The Legends of Thezmarr) so I already knew I’d love this one, and I wasn’t even a little disappointed. (Well, maybe a little disappointed that I have to wait for the next one!) Seeing Wren truly grow into herself throughout this book was just sublime. And Torj, is there anyone cuter? And I defy anyone to tell me a giant warsword can’t be cute. He is. Facts.

It was awesome to see so much from Wilder and Althea again too! And the nod to dancing alchemists made me smile. I truly cannot wait to see where the story takes them all next. What a captivating read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, Tor Bramble and Helen Scheuerer for gifting me this eARC. This review is wholly my own personal thoughts.

Rating- 4.5 stars
(E-Arc)
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and Pan Macmillian for the E-Arc.
Honestly what a ride it has been with Torj and Wren. As much as I love Thea and Wilder, these two overtake my heart so much more and surpasses them. I knew after finishing the first book, I had to dive right back into these two and was not disappointed, Although this was a filler book, which I believe are needed in series, this book let Torj and Wren both get their self together (to put it lightly). The moments between Thea and Wren and Torj and Wilder really highlighted the way found family is such a theme through Helen's works. It is needed to undo or unravel miscommunication and the secrets that Torj was carrying. Torj I love you but you were insufferable at times. With no spoilers, I had a feeling I knew what had happened and I would have loved to playfully smack his head.. The ending really set up the finale to Book Three.

But for now, I am going to go back in my corner with my heart empty and cry while I wait for Book 3. From discovering Blood and Steel to The Ashes of Thexmarr it has been a whirlwind of a year. I can not wait to dive back into this world when the time comes for book 3.

I am so excited to be back in this world that Helen Scheuerer has created, and even more so to continue on with Wren and Torj’ story!

After an absolutely brutal cliffhanger from the first book, we are thrown right into the continuation of the story. The yearning in this one is absolute perfection, and I fell more in love with Torj as the story evolved. With Wren, we went on a little bit of an emotional journey, as, yet again, she has a lot of internal demons to face, and problems to solve.

I did find that at some points I felt frustrated with Torj as he was withholding information from Wren, and it would have made both of their lives easier if he just admitted to her the truth. And in some ways, it felt almost like miscommunication. However, it didn’t ruin the story for me.

In this book, we find Wren and Torj travelling around, and liaising with friends and allies, and it definitely does feel like it’s setting up for a very explosive third instalment. Although there was a lot of travelling, it didn’t feel lacking in any way, and I definitely didn’t get the second book blues. In fact, I actually preferred it to the first book (which is already very difficult as I rated the first very high!)

All In all, this was a fantastic sequel, and I am already desperate for the third!