4.5

HELEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!!

I was so excited to dive back into this story, you want pining and yearning?? I present to you Torj and Wren. You want a woman slowly allowing herself to breakdown and feel and rely on others when she has the weight of the world on her shoulders? I present you Wren. You want a poor tortured soul angel man who just wants to protect and love and provide but doesn’t feel worthy? I present to you TORJ!!

All I know is I need the next book immediately how am I supposed to wait.

This book kicks off almost immediately from Iron & Embers, and my goodness am I glad for it because I'm still mad at the ending of book one... but we grow and we forgive.

Thorns & Fire is full of bantering, found family, academic settings, fated love, and of course: our poisoner fmc and her warsword bodyguard. The majority of this book is full of yearning and tension between our beloved Wren and Torj, and it truly makes you want to keep reading into hours of the night, screaming at them to sort of their mishaps!

However, I will be honest and say it felt like a filler book, preparing for the big finale. I felt like after 60% of reading, not much had happened and was quite repetitive in nature, especially with the miscommunication trope coming from Torj and him not being honest, for absolutely no reason (in my opinion) at all.

But don't get me wrong, everything is written for a reason and I still utterly adore this series. The ending had me hooked, and has made me even more excited to read book three and see how the trilogy concludes. I'm truly not ready to say goodbye to everyone in this world.

I was always going to love this, I love Helen’s writing and Iron & Embers was an easy 5 star from me. Thorns & Fire didn’t disappoint either and I was so glad to get back to Torj and Wren after the end of book 1.

Picking up 2 weeks after the end of Iron & Embers the pace initially felt a little off for me, it felt like too much happened in only 2 weeks with all the travelling across the realm. But regardless we started strong with the dual POV following Torj and Wren separately before reuniting. The overall pace of the book felt slower in Thorns & Fire as we’re more focused on research and you do have to get quite far to be rewarded for all of the angst and heat between our love birds. But that last 20% was complete fire and I couldn’t put the book down. Don’t expect the same action as book 1, this felt very purposeful to get the extra back story to what’s going on, and book 3 looks like it could be pretty epic. I can’t wait!

Overall I gave this book a 4.5⭐️ rating, I can’t get enough Torj and it only didn’t get the full 5 stars as I could’ve enjoyed a tad more action here and there.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

This book pulled me out of a reading slump, and I am genuinely grateful for that alone. After the emotional ending of book one, I had been eagerly anticipating returning to the story of Torj and Wren. The continuation of their journey, especially within a post-war setting, had so much potential, and some moments truly delivered.
I still love this series's psychological angle, particularly the focus on how trauma shapes identity, connection, and resilience. The world remains compelling, and the idea of healing amidst ruins continues to resonate.
That said, this sequel fell a little flat for me overall. Torj and Wren are in their mid-thirties, but much of their behavior read like teenagers caught in endless emotional circles. The miscommunication trope dominated their interactions, and while tension can be compelling, the constant back-and-forth grew repetitive and often pulled attention away from more meaningful developments.
This time, the plot leaned heavily into the romance, pushing aside the broader worldbuilding, political threads, and supporting cast. The school setting, which should have added stakes or structure, was barely present, and both characters seemed to treat it as an optional backdrop rather than a real place with expectations and consequences.
That being said, the spice scenes were a definite highlight. They were well-written and emotionally charged, adding intimacy and vulnerability that felt earned even when the pacing elsewhere was off. I appreciated how physical connection was used as a storytelling tool, deepening our understanding of the characters.
While I was hoping for a bit more balance and maturity in this instalment, I am still invested in this world and will likely continue with the series. I hope the next book shifts back toward the stronger blend of plot and emotion that made the first book so engaging.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! I was drawn back into the world as soon as I started reading. This story and the characters have their own vibe and as soon as I started reading, I knew I was in for a good time!
Themes and Tropes: Adult Epic Fantasy Romance, Hate-To-Love, Reluctant Bodyguard, Grumpy and Grumpy, Forced Proximity, Academic Setting, Found Family, Forbidden Romance, Fated Love, Prophecies, 'Touch Her And Die'

We pick up a few weeks from when the last book ended. Torj has a mission, to save Queen Reyna. He does, but it wasn't easy and things are going downhill for his side of this war, really fast.
But then he and Wren end up back together (not romantically) and the YEARNING! Oh my days!

'She had belonged to him once. For that fleeting moment, he'd been able to freely tuck her hair behind her ear, rest his hand on her thigh, press his lips to hers...Now, the chasm between them was greater than ever.'

Things are becoming more dangerous for the warswords. They start turning up dead. It sets everyone on edge and the way the rebel group leader is putting his plans in place, it doesn't look good for our characters.

Torj and Wren end up going back to her homeland to harvest some plants because she's trying to replicate the potion she created to save her friend in the previous book. What they find, changes everything. Not right away, but it changes everything.

Wren is having a hard time with being so close to Torj, given how he'd ended things before. She couldn't understand it and if there's one thing Wren can't stand, it's a mystery.
Torj gets a lot of stick for what he did to Wren, how he broke her heart and, bless him, he does try to keep things professional between them...

'He ached to touch her, to talk to her, and he fought every raging instinct to go to her, to take her pain as his own.'

He believes that what he did had been his only choice. He would do it again if it meant that she would be safe. And this is the theme for the majority of the book. Wren tries to replicate her potion, revealing answers to questions she didn't know she had. Her journey has been one of healing, first from the war and the losses. Now, heartbreak and her own self of self-worth. Her determination to recreate this cure and her devastation when it doesn't work, it's just so true to her character. But she always dusts herself off and tries to look at it from a different perspective. Her resilience and conviction make her such a badass. When she puts her regal hat on, well - she's an imposing force of nature.

This book is more about their romance than the story but I think it had to be. She and Torj participate in little battles of wills and it is an unbelievably entertaining read.These two had to get back on track in order to be stronger together. And I'm not complaining. Almost every other member of their friend group was in on the 'let's get them back together' bandwagon.

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

I loved everything about this book, the focus on the romance, the little gems of plot forwarding that didn't take away from the romance but kept the pace of the book up. If I had all three of these books in my possession, I would binge read them and then stare at the wall wondering where I go from here. As it stands, I don't have the third book and have to wait.

Other quotes that I adored:
'The heir of Delmira would break him. He had known it from the moment he'd first kissed her, and long before.'
'You're not expendable,' she said quietly, her gaze meeting his. 'Not to me.'.
"Do you know what it's like to want someone so badly you can't breathe?'.
"You are everything to me.'
'I miss talking with you. I miss your smile. I miss the weight of you in my arms. I miss...everything.'
'Elwren Embervale was made for him.'
'We were always stronger together.'

Iron & Embers was one of my top romantasy reads in recent years—it brought back that perfect balance of gripping plot and swoon-worthy romance. I was hooked from the very first lines, and by the end, I was desperate to return to the world of Thezmarr. Luckily, Helen Scheuerer is spoiling us readers and we didn’t need to wait long.

After a heartbreaking end, Thorns & Fire delivers yearning and longing in spades. Wern and Tjorn are older characters than what we typically see in romantasy (bless you again for this Helen), and this is noticeable on their interactions and on how the story, romance and conflicts unfold. Their tension and love are palpable and I am here for all of it!

Wren is the type of character I love the most: fierce, kind, and brilliantly smart! Tjorn remains an absolute dear, seamlessly shifting from saying the sweetest to the downright filthiest things. And the spice? Uff. It’s plentiful, and it delivers.

While this second book leans more into romance than action, the world-building continues to progress in the background—setting the stage for what I hope will be an epic next book filled with high-stakes and intrigue.

The ending… well, I’ll just say I need the next book immediately!

Huge thanks to Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thorns & Fire is the perfect sequel to Iron & Embers! It can be described in two words: emotionally intense!

While this series has less battle scenes and is less action-packed than the Legends of Thezmarr, it is more focused on Wren & Torj's romantic storyline, political intrigue and is full of mysteries and secrets! If you like academic environment, you will love this one!

Helen knows how to bring side characters forward, with such singular storylines that they could all have their own spin-off writing. Just take a look at Kipp, this guy is plotting so much that you could write a whole series about his schemings.

The banter in these series is always a delight, and this book is no exception.

Overall, emotions run really high in this sequel and the climax at the end is one you won't forget soon! It will leave you yearning for book 3 and you will love it!

(There is a One-Horse scene that you won't forget either....)



Thank you for allowing me to read Thorns & Fire in advance, I had so much fun ( I read that book in less than 2 days....), I love it and I hope it will get the fame it deserves!

Thorns & Fire is an INFERNO of magic, politics and romantic tension that will send every reader up in flame!

Firstly, as always I want to thank Helen for once again writing another book that captured my heart, mind and soul, along with PanMacmillan/Bramble/TOR UK and NetGalley for allowing me the honour of reading and reviewing this book early. The Ashes of Thezmarr Series is one of my most anticipated releases this year and book 2 does not disappoint!

Thorns & Fire is the second instalment in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy and picks up almost immediately where book 1 left us with its heart wrenching end. I was a woman possessed from start to end as the pace, action and tension of this book does not let up from the very first page. Utterly addicted and emotionally invested, I devoured this book and don't regret a second of it, even though I will now inevitably have to wait even longer for the series conclusion.

The yearning, angst, slow-burn romance between Torj and Wren is even more intense than 'Iron & Embers' which I didn't think was humanly possible! What I love most is that their journey's, together and separately, continue to develop in new ways in this second book, nothing feeling repetitive or drawn out. Wren really comes into her own in this book, the personal growth so raw and realistic! Not only does she evolve as the genius alchemist we've always know she is, but also as a political powerhouse as she seeks to protect those she loves and bring ruin to her enemies. I will always love the romances that Helen creates in her stories but for me, the female empowerment running through this book was just as powerful if not more so!

The plot for Thorns and Fire continued to expand upon book one with all the usual (although still surprising) twists and turns that I've come to expect of Helen's masterful writing. As always the side characters play a huge role in the narrative rather than just standing on the sidelines. It was great to once again see some familiar faces - I won't ruin the surprise - and see how Wren especially starts to realise after her traumatic past that she is not alone and has so many people ready to support and fight right beside her. The Embervale sisters together were absolute QUEENS and I am so glad we got to see more of their dynamic together. What is always so impressive is how seemlessly all these characters are woven into the narrative, giving us call back to The Legends of Thezmarr Series, yet always with a new dynamic that continues to build this incredible world Helen has created. A bit like with the first series I am hoping for some sort of epic Avengers Assemble moment in the final book!

At about 70% I was terrified to keep going! Any reader of Helen's works know that she LOVES to torture us with dramatic endings and cliffhangers as we work our way through books in a series and this had all the signs that the ending to book 1 was going to be child's play in comparison. I won't spoil anything but as usual this QUEEN delivered the unexpected and left me screaming 'F**K YES!!" and desperate as always to dive into the final instalment which will release later this year.

As always I feel my words are totally inadiquet at expressing how much I truly loved this book, this series and of course Helen herself as one of my God Tier authors. I'm in awe of how incredible these book always are and grateful that she never keeps us waiting too long for the next release (I barely cope as it is). You know a book is special when you live in the balance of needing to finish it and yet desperate for it not to come to an end. I thank the furies that I discovered both Thezmarr Series and if you haven't read them yet...RUN and get your self immersed in one of the best fantasy world created since Middle Earth.

Infinity Starts!

Thorns and fire is book 2 of The Ashes of Thezmarr series. It is a romantasy that follows the journey of Wren Embervale, princess/alchemist/poisoner after the attack at the academy where Torj severed their soul bond. Naturally their paths cross again and a majority of this book is filled with unresolved tension and yearning.

What's nice is Wren remains fierce and doesn't lose her personality after heartbreak. Love an independent girl with a life outside of her love life!

We meet some new characters who clearly have a bigger role to play in the next book. I wish we learnt a little more about some of them in the book but it feels like it's all being saved for the next one!

This plot is quite slow and this felt very much like a filler book. I feel like we could have skipped about a two thirds of this book if Torj just told the truth about the soul bond situation, but even someone as good as Torj has trouble recognising the importance of communication!

While this book is clearly a necessary piece of the puzzle, it feels more like setup for the rest of the series. There's no real plot progression or cliffhanger.

I'd say this book is best for those already invested in Thezmarr, who are in it for the long game.
I still really like Wren and Torj, though it's Kipp that has me hooked! I really hope we eventually learn more about him and his ways of working.

I think this book is lining us up for an incredible book 3! I'm hopeful, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Wren, Kipp and Thea in the next book!

The second instalment picked up where it left off from in the first book. We were plunged straight into the action from the very beginning leaving me to turn the pages at a fast speed just so i could see what the characters would do next. I found that it was a fun, easy read and ended up finishing the book quickly.

The characters were going through a lot of emotional challenges in this book. Secrets were kept and tensions were rising. Helen knows how to pull readers into her stories with her writing.

The only downside of this book is that i felt like it was more of a filler rather than contributing in pushing the plot forward. When i looked back, not much had happened and the last quarter of the book was mainly just spice (if spice is your kind of thing then you'll love it 😂). Put those factors aside, i still think it was an enjoyable read. The ending has left me craving more and i can't wait to see how it all ends.

I would like to thank Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for sending me an e-arc of this book for an honest review.

Thank you Pan Macmillan & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved the first book so I was really happy when the publisher sent me the ARC for Thorns & Fire! While this book didn't disappoint it all - for I genuinely love the story and I was just happy to see Wren and Torj grow closer again - it did feel a bit like a filler book, which is not that surprising for a 2nd book in a trilogy. However, I really like where this story is going and I'm really excited for book three, mainly after that little surprise at the end of the book. Wren's my girl 100%

Helen Scheuerer returns with Thorns & Fire, a powerful sequel in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy that expertly raises the emotional and narrative stakes. Picking up in the aftermath of the Battle of Drevenor, the story dives straight into the action, following Torj and Wren as they navigate political unrest, creeping war, and the complicated tangle of their shared past. It’s a story steeped in magic, legacy, and survival, with tension that doesn’t let up.

Wren's arc continues to be a highlight - complex, raw, and rewarding. Her strength and vulnerability are beautifully rendered as she begins to let others in, even while bearing the crushing weight of expectation. Torj, ever stoic and self-sacrificing, emerges as more than just a warrior; his quiet yearning for belonging and identity adds welcome emotional nuance. Together, their bond simmers with angst, longing, and slow-burn intensity that makes their romance both painful and irresistible.

What truly elevates this book is how it balances intimate character development with sweeping world-building. Scheuerer doesn’t fall into the “middle book” trap - instead, every chapter feels intentional, propelling the story toward what promises to be an unforgettable finale. The tension is palpable, the heartbreak real, and the final chapters deliver twists that left me reeling.

For fans of romantasy with grit, heart, and high emotional payoff, Thorns & Fire is a must-read. Scheuerer continues to prove why she’s an auto-buy author, and I’ll be counting down the days until the final book releases.

The perfect continuation to Wren and Torj’s story! After THAT ending, I was desperate for this sequel, and it did not disappoint in any way shape or form! Helen Scheuerer delivers more yearning, more tension and more action in Thorns & Fire and it’s just utterly delicious and unputdownable. And in true Scheuerer fashion, the ending will leave you in pieces and crying for the next book. Helen can do no wrong!

📚 Book Review: Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer
✨ Genre: Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy
📖 Page Count: 448
📅 Date Finished: 12 May
📆 Release Date: 31 July

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What you need to know
If you’re a romantasy fan, you absolutely must read this series. If Helen Scheuerer were a Pokemon, Thorns & Fire (and Iron & Embers) is post-evolution. The Raichu to the last series’ Pikachu. Although set in the same world, I feel like in this book Helen has grabbed pacing with both hands, in a way that means you basically cannot put it down.

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📝 Synopsis (No Spoilers!)
The sequel to Iron & Embers, Thorns & Fires starts with Wren and Tori dealing with the aftermath of Book 1. They are battling a serious threat to their post-war world - a new kind of alchemy that seems able to destroy magic, and a rebel group wanting to overthrow the existing order.

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💭 First Impressions
This was an eARC from NetGalley (thank you!) I’ve read Helen Scheuerer before so was keen to read this, but only realise when I started that I’d gotten muddled up and hadn’t read Iron & Embers yet. Cue me reading Iron & Embers and devouring it in about a day before being able to start on Thorns & Fire. Spoiler free first impression - we’ve just finished Book 1 on a bit of a cliffhanger, so open back up with Torj and Wren separate and dealing with the aftermath. Instantly gripping. But you definitely need to read Book 1 first - I quickly got very confused without!

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👥 Characters
A lot of Wren’s character development has already happened by Book 2 - but she is continuing to recover from the scars left by the first war. Torj remains constant and steady. Zavier is an intriguing character, and Dessa a sweet and needed bit of female friendship for Wren. I love her motivations, but would be good to see her develop a little more. I do love the relationship between Wren and Thea a lot - they are sisters who clearly love each other dearly, but Wren still wants to assert her own independence and individuality. Kipp continues to be great and so funny - I absolutely love that he has literally no fighting skill whatsoever but still has an individual and beneficial way to shine. Plus adding a bit of light humour. Lastly - Devereux. There’s something going on there, I can sense it; a bit more to the story. It’ll be revealed in the next book I’m sure.

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🌍 World-Building / Setting
World-building remains strong: several kingdoms, ruled by magic rulers and united since the first war. But their unity comes under threat due to growing pressure from the People’s Vanguard - a rebel group who wants to overturn the existing monarchy.

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✍️ Writing Style and Pacing/Plot
Crunchy, sharp. I’ve said above - I think Helen has unlocked something with the pacing and plot of this one compared to her previous work. It’s a real page turner. There is so much yearning and chemistry, I can’t. Also, shout out to the dedication - I loved it.

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📚 Overall Thoughts
I really loved this book. I think you’ll like it too if you liked the academia in Zodiac Academy; the banter, chemistry, politics and learning self-defence in From Blood & Ash; or the whipsmart heroine who knows how to do a bit of poisoning in Fourth Wing.

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⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars

Holy hell that ending! I never would have expected it, but I think I might like the Ashes of Thezmarr series more than Legends (don't tell Thea)! Book 2 continues right where we left off with Iron & Embers and the absolute agony you feel for Wren as she tries to make sense of Torj's terrible decision making. Throughout Thorns & Fire, we go between Wren and Torj's POVs as they literally dream of each other while the world is falling apart around them. I enjoyed the start of some political intrigue and pretty much every page we see Kipp. It was nice to get a cameo from some other OG characters too. I feel like this book set up lots to be unraveled in the final book of the trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for everyone to read it!
This is what you can expect and all I'm gonna say is hold on to your butt!

🗣️Dual POV
🥵Angst
👩‍⚖️Political intrigue
👯‍♀️Found family
🥸Hidden identity
✨Magic
💘Soul bonds
🔮Prophecies
🌶🌶.🫑 Spice
🙌Fake dating
🤝💕Allies to lovers
📚Academia
🧗🏼‍♀️Cliffhanger (damn you Helen!)

I'm not sure where to begin as parts of this book I thoroughly enjoyed but others fell flat, especially in predictability.

I really loved how Wren's character developed, however some side characters felt very underdeveloped.

Also the slow burn was at times infuriating, I just needed them together!

Thank you NetGalley, Pan MacMillan and Tor Bramble for this ARC!

The book was exactly what I hoped for in a sequel—so much more worldbuilding (which I loved), new characters to obsess over, and even higher stakes. Wren’s character development has been massive since Iron & Embers, and by the end of this book, she truly feels like the queen she was meant to be.

I was completely hooked by the dynamic between Wren and Torj—the push and pull, the unresolved tension, and the bond that, thankfully, wasn’t fully severed. It gave their story so much emotional weight. Though a part of me wishes Wren had given Torj a harder time for trying to sever the bond and taking that choice away from her, alas, they are messy, powerful, and totally captivating together.

Also, can we talk about Kipp? He’s such a dark horse—always five steps ahead, even when it frustrates everyone around him. His conversations with Wren near the end (especially about claiming the throne of Delmira) were some of my favorite moments in the book.

The expanded worldbuilding was one of my favorite aspects of this sequel. Helen Scheuerer brilliantly draws us even deeper into Thezmarr, layering new lands, political intrigue, and magical systems in a way that feels both immersive and urgent. With this comes the introduction of new characters and their roles but without compromising the central narrative of the book.

Overall, Thorns & Fire is everything you want from a second book, and this series is shaping up to be a standout in the romantasy space, and I cannot wait to see what book three holds.

I will read anything this lady writes!
Top read of 2025 so far!
This was even better than the first book in the trilogy. I do recommend reading the original legends of thezmarr before diving into this spin off. You don’t have to but I feel to get a feel for the emotions of these characters you should.

Thank you to Netgalley.com for providing me with an ARC of this title.

We are back with Wren & Torj in the 2nd instalment of The Ashes of Thezmarr series.

I'm not sure where to begin with my review as parts of the story I really enjoyed and other parts felt too predictable and boring.

I love how Wren really comes into her power & steps up for Delmira, the midrealms & everyone she loves. She's fierce, intelligent & determined. I enjoyed the magic regarding her power & how it created blossoming life in the wastelands of her home. She is definitely made to be Queen. 👸

I loved seeing more of Thea, Wilder & Kipp! Kipp needs protecting at all costs as he brings some light heartedness!

We lost the comradarie of Xavier & Dessa in this book though. They sort of faded into the background. I knew Xavier's brorher was the villain, but I'm interested to understand why he wants the Embervale crown!

Some of the story dragged a little, and i found myself losing focus. It was also repetitive in parts.

I wanted to tear my hair out with Torj & Wren. They clearly both love eachother but it takes until 80% of the way through to finally resolve things! I understand it's needed to create tension & suspense but I think it dragged on a bit too long & it just became irritating.

We get brief, soul bonded happiness until we near the end! I hope Wren has a fantastic plan up her sleeve because I felt wrung out by that ending! God it was a kick to the teeth! Not just with the inevitable war coming but I hope Torj & Wren can come through it all! I think a certain Darian Devereux will enjoy the torment though!
I'm looking forward to reading book 3, I need to find out how this all ends!

I ADORED THIS BOOK!!! I am extremely lucky and thankful to have received an arc of this book for an honest review!

Thorns and Fire is everything I wanted/needed the sequel to Iron & Embers to be!! the story progression, the character development of both Wren and Torj was wonderful, the world building continues to engage me and I cannot wait for the next book (already!!). I love the magic system, the world, politics, lore and where I see the book going in the rest of the series. I cannot recommend this book more and I loved it so much! Helen Scheuerer’s writing is addictive and I cannot wait for more!!