I absolutely love this author! I found the original series when it was indie and I am so glad to be here for this series! One of my new favourites! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

3.5 STARS

I really wasn't sure exactly how to rate this book...

On the one hand, I felt like it was great to have that slow build-up of tension between Wren and Torj again. I often feel that this is missing from sequels, so I was glad to experience that longing again. I still really love the world Helen Scheuerer has created and it was fun to dive back into it. I find Wren to be a very interesting character. She differs from a lot of romantasy FMCs in that she isn't a warrior in the strictest sense of the word, but isn't a damsel either. She has a quiet strength and authority that resonates with me.

On the other hand, I did feel like this book lacked plot. There were large sections which were a struggle for me to get through where very little happened, and what was happening had little to do with moving the story forward. While I enjoyed the rekindling of Wren and Torj's relationship, I didn't think the book needed so much spice crammed in toward the end. I think these spicy scenes, while fun, overshadowed the most critical part of the story.

I'm still excited to see where the next book will take us, and I overall still enjoyed this series so far, but this book was a touch underwhelming after such an enjoyable first book.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!

Book 2 of the Ashes of Thezmarr series did not disappoint. Helen Scheuerer is fast becoming one of my new favourite authors.

In this book we pick up pretty much right where we left off in book 1 and you can expect a faced past, high stakes fantasy that is full of tension and angst and found family. I feel like we saw a much softer side of Wren in this book, which I really loved, you could see how much she had grown since book 1 and she was a lot more patient and understanding and it was really beautiful to see.

Torj, as always, is just everything. I love him so much - the mouth on that man!!!! omg!!!

I don't want to spoil anything, so I will just say that I absolutely loved it. The writing was great, the pacing was great, the plot was great... it's just brilliant. A must read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
Thorns & Fire is the anticipated sequel to Iron & Embers and continues to story of Torj and Wren, after the events of what happened in book 1.

“That man burns for you, Wren. The sooner you both catch alight the better, lest you set the whole world ablaze.”

Beware of spoilers for the previous books!
Iron & Embers review|⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have fallen in love with this world ever since the beginning of this year and I honestly couldn’t wait any longer after getting approved for the galley!! This book is just as amazing as the previous books, and I enjoyed every second of it!!

This book continues the amazing writing style that is addicting, and soooo easy to get lost in! I just kept on turning the pages and just kept on reading, not even noticing how much time had passed. I love how emerged I was in this series and book and how it has me in a chokehold!

The plot is greatly written and it’s such a good continuation. Nothing that happens is boring or feels as filler events. The plot works very well and also keeps setting the stage for the big bang in the third book of the series. I also love how we see more of the research and more alchemy in this book!

I adore Wren and Torj with my whole heart!! This book shows such great aspects of their characters, from the stubbornness, loyalty, and fierce love they have. I love how their vulnerabilities were so much more apparent and explored, which also showed off what strong characters they are!

The relationship between Wren and Torj ended on bad notes after Iron & Embers but the way they came back to each other was nothing less of satisfying. I love how their love isn’t linear at all, but that doesn’t dampen their chemistry, the amazing tension and how great the two of them are together!

The ending was action-packed and maybe a tiny bit predictable, but honestly the ending only makes me excited and evil laugh while waiting for book 3! It’s not the devastating cliffhanger Iron & Embers had, but still one that makes me need book 3 now!! I can’t wait to see how this story will continue!

Overall, Thorns & Fire is an amazing continuation, in terms of character growth and story progression, making me super excited for the third book!!

‘I’ve actually always wanted a cat . . .
Torj snorted. ‘I prefer dogs,’
‘It would never have worked between us, Warsword.’

-I don’t know why I am shocked at the ending because every book I read by this author is the same but yet here I am, feeling slapped in the face by all the things I never seen coming !
-I really enjoyed continuing with wren & tori’s story.
-I devoured the second half of this book so fast and Iv really been in a fantasy slump recently so it shows how good this was to keep my attention
-I do think it was a slow start especially coming from the end of the last book and I do continue to believe the books are a little too long but I always forgive that fact because this author writes some of my favourite romance and smut , there’s no cringing here !

I loved The Legends of Thezmarr but I think that with The Ashes of Thezmarr, Helen Scheuerer truly surpassed herself. This second book was just as good as the first one and Wren and Torj simply have so much chemistry. I feel more connected with these characters than I was with Wilder and Althea. I truly love this universe and will deeply miss it once this series is over. This is the kind of book that I can’t stop thinking about days after finishing it. Simply amazing!

“That man burns for you Wren. The sooner you both catch alight the better, lest you set the whole world ablaze”

That ending!! Omg, I don’t tear up much at books but that last chapter had me welling up. I love Torj and Wren and this second instalment was just perfection, there was no need for a big physical war as we had the emotional one to see us through.

There was some questions answered throughout and as much as I knew what was going to happen when that slime ball walked into that room I think there’s more to it and things will unravel in book 3

Book 3 is preordered and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!! So glad we don’t have to wait too long. Helen is definitely an auto buy author for me now and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with after this series

Thorns and Fire was everything I hoped for—and more. I’m still absolutely gutted that I didn’t read the original series first, so don’t make my mistake! This book is beautifully written, and it deserves to be experienced in full.

The romance? Utterly intoxicating. The longing, the tension, the will-they-won’t-they dynamic—it kept me on edge in the best way. A perfect blend of emotion and spice.

Then there’s the character development. The depth, the raw emotions, the way each arc unfolds—it was effortless to connect with every twist and turn. I was rooting for them all (well, the good guys anyway!).

And the plot? Enchanting. The magic system was so well crafted, seamlessly blended into a captivating storyline that had me hooked from start to finish.

So, is this worth reading? Without a doubt. I’m obsessed.

I adored Iron and Embers, so was delighted to find out that this throws us straight back into the drama. This has everything i loved about the first book while also serving up a healthy serving of YEARNING, which is absolutely the vibe for 2025. I love that so much of the plot is reliant on genuine connection with the characters as opposed to just throwing random plot twists in to keep us invested - and Tjorn and Wren are just so easy to root for. A great addition to the series - thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillian for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t think it was possible, as I rated Iron and Embers 5 stars, but this was even better. I literally could not put this down and was SO invested in every character, every relationship, every plot point, it was just incredible.

<spoiler>The whole of the Thezmarr universe has been 5 stars for me and I highly recommend these books to all romantasy readers. I cannot wait to see what Helen has in store for Wren, Torj and the rest of the midrealms </spoiler>

This book was INCREDIBLE! It picks up right where book 1 leaves off, and this didn’t disappoint. I won’t give spoilers but this book is higher stakes than the first, with even more tension and yearning from Wren and Torj. We follow Wren as she works to complete her alchemy course and graduate, along with reading about the rest of the gang, as they're facing unrest within the the councils/royals about Wren and Thea's kingdom.

Can’t wait for book 3! Thank you Pan MacMillan for the eARC, I’m excited for my sprayed edge order to arrive when the book publishes in July.

Thorns and Fire takes place immediately after the events of the previous book in the Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy, Iron and Embers. I won’t be giving a synopsis of this book, as it will spoil Iron and Embers if you haven’t read it yet.

This book is the middle book in the trilogy, and it did feel a little like a set-up book. I found the first 30% a bit slow as there was lots of travelling, but after that, the story really picked up. The mix of alchemical experiments, threats from a dangerous new villain, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance made for a fun and twisty read.

I loved getting to know Torj more in this book. I feel like Iron and Embers focused more on Wren’s struggle with grief and her need for vengeance, and this book focused more on Torj and his fear of not being enough. Underneath his tough Warsword exterior, he is a softie who just wants to be loved!

Wren became even more of a badass in this book; I love how fierce and feisty she is, but she still has empathy and compassion. It was also great to see more of lots of the side characters again, especially Thea, Wilder, and Kipp.

The tension and yearning in the slow-burn romance was delicious, and I loved reading about Torj and Wren finding their way back to each other. I really love them as a couple. However, there were a few too many spice scenes for me in the second half of the book. While they were well written, they started to feel repetitive and I found myself skimming them.

The ending was exciting (if not a little gut wrenching!), and I’m really looking forward to reading the conclusion to the trilogy later this year. I really love this world and these characters - I’m not ready to say goodbye!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Tor Bramble for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“𝔽𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪. 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕚𝕥, 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦…
𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟’𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕎𝕣𝕖𝕟. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕠 𝕓𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕪 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟’𝕥 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖.”

Helen Scheuerer does it again😭💕Thorns & Fire throws you right back into the chaos and ache left behind in Iron & Embers, and trust me, you won’t be emotionally ready. The story picks up with Wren reeling from Torj’s decisions, and from the first chapter, it’s clear: this book is going to hurt in the best possible way. Told in dual POV, we watch as Wren and Torj wrestle with fate, prophecy, and the ever tightening bond that keeps dragging them back to each other ✨even in their dreams✨

Tropes and themes I loved:
✨Soul bonds and magical connection
✨Alchemy
✨Angst & Yearning
✨One Tent
✨Found Family
✨Cameos! And plenty of ‘em
✨(tis SPICY 🫑🌶️)


This sequel is heavier on character development than explosive action, but that shift feels deliberate.It leans into the romance and emotional tension, delivering a slow burn, high stakes dynamic that left me absolutely feral. Wren continues to shine as a fierce, emotionally complex heroine, while Torj🤤brooding, loyal, and still simping proves he can match her storm for storm. Their connection is raw, electric, and filled with enough yearning to crack open stone. And yes, watching Torj grovel? A spiritual experience.

While the political scheming and fantasy world building aren’t as front-and-center as in book one, they’re definitely still simmering beneath the surface, like pieces being set for an explosive finale. The hints of academic intrigue, ancient magic, and fractured alliances build a quiet tension that makes every interaction feel loaded. Kipp’s appearances bring some much needed levity, and longtime fans will love the cameos from familiar faces that remind us how interconnected this world really is.

But let’s talk about that ending. It’s brutal. It’s dramatic. It’s everything. Helen clearly delights in leaving us teetering on the edge of a cliff, hearts in our throats, and book three can’t come fast enough. Thorns & Fire might be more intimate in scope, but it’s packed with emotional punches and unforgettable moments. If Iron & Embers lit the spark, this one fans the flames.

AHHH NOW THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A SEQUEL!!!

Omg we get right into the action that we left off in book 1 with no faffing about - straight to business of the plot and I LOVED IT!!! 🙌🙌

I loved book 1 and love this one even more! The writing, the characters, the amazing plot!!! A M A Z I N G

I love how Helen can write a beautiful story filled with an amazingly exciting plot along with a beautiful romance between our two mcs, that is just the perfect amount of both 😮‍💨🤌

We move forward with the growing unrest and all the problems wren has to face with being an heir to a fallen kingdom, a student alchemist but also a woman who is still figuring out her life after a war. And along side this we get delicious romantic tension with Torj 🤭🔥 their relationship was left rocky in book 1 and I absolutely devoured how they navigated their relationship in the entire book!

The pacing was freaking amazing!! I cannot remember the last time a book had me interested the entire time and never felt like it was dragging… oh wait I do remember, it was book 1 😌

This series has become one of my all time favourites and I cannot wait for the conclusion to this amazing story!! Especially with that ending miss girl helen!!! Like hello I need the next book like yesterday 😭🙌

This was an amazing book, the best sequel one could ever hope and I’m so excited for book 3 🔥🔥🔥

Also to my babies at Pan MacMillan and Tor Books UK, you have made my entire year with this e-arc and I love you for it 😘😘

To helen, I will read a grocery list if it’s written by you 🙇‍♀️

🔥 Thorn & Fire is the explosive second installment in The Ashes of Thezmarr series—and just like book one, it absolutely delivered!

Wren grows more powerful and determined with every page, and Torj is finally forced to face the consequences of his actions. The plot thickens, tensions rise, and the final twist? Breathtaking. I did not see that coming, and now I need book three immediately.

But what really stole my heart in this chapter were the side characters. Kipp and Zavier? ICONIC. Even though they aren’t at the center of the story, every moment they appear is rich with depth and intrigue. Their dynamic (especially Zavier and Cal 👀) has me completely hooked—I need more scenes between them!

If you love high-stakes fantasy with intricate world-building, strong character arcs, and just the right amount of mystery and angst, don’t sleep on this series.

3.75⭐️. Thorns & Fire was my sixth read by Helen Scheuerer and so I now know exactly what to expect from her books - a fun, fast paced romantasy with a great cast of characters that’s heavy on the romance while also having an interesting plot that keeps the story moving forward.

As the middle book in a trilogy, this did feel a little like a set up book. However, it was still a lot of fun and there wasn’t a dull moment. We pick up right where we ended off after book one, with Torj and Wren in conflict and a new threat facing the mid realms, as Wren tries desperately to replicate the counter-alchemy she had used to save Zavier. Wren and her friends must try to balance continuing their studies with preparing for upcoming war, and Wren herself has the additional responsibility (alongside Thea) of considering the implications for their own abandoned kingdom, Delmira.

Torj and Wren have great chemistry, although my personal preference would be for less sex scenes in the latter half of the book (I found the same with the final Legends of Thezmarr book, where the scenes just started to feel quite repetitive). There were also definitely moments where I had to suspend my belief, with some decisions being made that seemed slightly stupid at best and nonsensical at the worst 😂, and this series isn’t one for those looking for books that are high on the fantasy element, but Scheuerer’s books are always very entertaining and I’m excited to see what happens in the final book of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.

I didn’t think it was possible, but Thorns & Fire completely outdid Iron & Embers. I was hooked from the very first chapter—Scheuerer gives us even more intensity, more magic, and yes... way more spice. The slow-burn romance had me grinning like an idiot and flipping pages like my life depended on it. The emotional stakes are higher, the twists hit harder, and the characters? They’ve totally taken over my heart.

If you love fierce heroines, broody love interests, and fantasy worlds that feel alive, do not miss this one. I need the next book yesterday.

Thorns & Fire was such a rich and exciting sequel, whilst the first one still has my heart - I really liked this one!

Wren, with her fierce independence, stands out as a protagonist who maintains her identity throughout her love story. And honestly whilst Torj was withholding the truth from Wren, he wasn’t annoying and his choices made sense for his character.

Plus, the side characters - Kipp, Thea, and Zavier really steal the show, and I can't wait to see more of them.

On the flip side, the plot does take a bit of a backseat to the romance in this one. A lot of the story revolves around miscommunication, especially with Torj not being upfront about the soul bond, which stretched the conflict a bit longer than I expected. There were moments when the pacing felt slow, and some scenes didn’t have big developments. I found myself craving a bit more action or worldbuilding to create a better balance, especially after the intense events of book one.

And as with many fantasy books, the plot really kicked in the last half of the book which almost made book 2 feel like a filler one (even though I still enjoyed it).

But still, the world of Thezmarr is so interesting, even if this book feels more like a setup for what’s to come. I’m really looking forward to what’s next and can’t wait for the third installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for providing me with an e-arc!

Helen Scheuerer has done it again—Thorns and Fire is an absolute triumph, and an easy 5-star read. As someone who’s been captivated by her storytelling since Blood and Steel, I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of Wren and Torj—and this installment? Pure perfection.

This book leans deeper into their relationship and romance, giving us a more intimate look at their bond, while still driving the overarching story forward with gripping momentum. The balance between emotional depth and high-stakes fantasy is masterfully done. Scheuerer somehow makes you feel like you’re living every moment right alongside the characters. Even the intricate elements of alchemy, something I knew nothing about going in, felt natural and immersive—I genuinely felt like I understood it through her vivid writing.

What makes this book so unforgettable is the emotional rollercoaster. I went from wanting to smack Torj in the beginning to wanting to wrap him in a blanket and never let go by the end. That’s the magic of Helen’s writing—she makes you feel everything.

I’m counting down the days until the next book. That final line—“destroy them all. Together.”—left me breathless. Bring it on.

4 ⭐️

After having my heart ripped out at the end of Iron and Embers, I was ecstatic to receive this as an ARC!

We pick up right where Iron left off - picking up the pieces of Torj’s actions. Of course Wren and Torj find themselves in each others company again (sooner than expected) and there is so. Much. Yearning.

There is a heavy focus on their relationship, and much if the rest of the story is definitely more setting us up for book 3, but it managed to not feel slow.

I have mixed feelings towards the amount that Kipp is in this story - on the one hand I love him and he bring some familiar comic relief, but I feel like there was an opportunity to explore other characters more, especially because thus far it doesn’t feel like Kip’s characters have developed beyond what they did in Legends. Him and Cals presence ties this series to Legends a lot and is part of the reason I do not think this series should be read before reading Legends of Thezmarr.

Overall I really enjoyed this. I adore these characters and the world, the banter is fantastic and I cannot wait for book 3!

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for the eARC, all opinions are my own.