I had no idea what to expect going in to this - it had a slower romance burn as promised, the world is really well built and the alchemy plot is beguiling. Ended up really into it, unable to put it down. This is the first in a new series, connected to the writer’s existing series and it speaks to its strength that I still loved it without the prior reading.

3 Stars

IRON & EMBERS is a difficult book to rate. I found it hard to continue this book as it was a continuation/spin-off from the author's previous series, The Legends of Thezmarr. It picks up 5 years after the conclusion of the former series.

With fiesty characters like Wren Embervale who is technically a queen, she turned from alchemist to assassin. The opening scene was great, but with the inclusion of other POVs and characters, it tended to be a little confusing. It didn't help that we jumped straight into scenes with not much of an explanation. It would've helped if there was an author's note explaining more about the world in the beginning.

Overall, it is indeed an enemies-to-lovers book, and is pretty long at over 500 pages according to the website - which felt longer due to my eReader's size. What kept me reading was the character's motivations and funny side-characters which made IRON & EMBERS worthwhile.
I've no doubt it will find a suitable audience, but I'm a little disappointed with this one.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Absolutely fantastic! I read the series before this and I have been reading this author since I got my first arc! I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait for more! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Slow start figuring everything out. Love how male protagonist understands that the female protagonist needs space to heal and "face her monsters alone".
I can see how her constantly pushing him away could be annoying but I also understand why she does.
Not actually enemies to lovers at all at the start, More like friends to lovers and some second chance mixed in but that changes abruptly.
Throughout the book there are sudden changes in character behaviour, one chapter they're kind and understanding and the next they're enemies, it is super confusing and derails the flow. The story is a great idea but just does not seem to flow easily, it's abrupt and uneasy.
Unfortunately not one for me.
One of the few things I did enjoy was the lqbtqia+ representation.

If you love tension, angst, and a ‘who did this to you moment, plus you liked blood and steel by Helen Shcueurer, then you will love Iron and Embers!

This is set 5 years after the Legends of Thezzmar series so I would recommend reading this afterwards because there’s not loads of world building and character introduction as a lot of that is in the previous series. Also, characters from the previous series are also in Iron and Embers so it might spoil some things if you don't start with the Legends of Thezzmar.

I really enjoyed the setting at the deadly alchemy academia and loved Wren the female main character, she’s independent, stubborn, thinks that she can do everything by herself - I love a female main character with all those traits! She's struggling with some trauma from the Thezzmar war and you really connect to how she's feeling and her struggles throughout the book.

The two main characters are supposed to be older as well, late twenties to mid thirties, so it’s nice to read about someone other than 19 year olds in a lot of romantasy books.

Someone also told me Torj, the MMC, reminds them of Thor so if that doesn't persuade you - I don't know what will!

It was just a really fun romantasy read and definitely worth a spot on your TBR

This was a great book, and great characters. I loved all the alchemy side of this story, great world building and obviously the spicy scenes.

I’m so glad this is my first book by Helen - now I’m heading to read her entire back collection!

I loved Torj and Wrens story from the start, it was full of tension, banter then happiness leading to heartache. The world building was fantastic, and considering I haven’t read the LoT I wasn’t confused in the slightest.

The use of alchemy and warfare in this story was phenomenal and seeing the characters come into themselves was a joy to read

I can’t wait for book 2!!

An intense and captivating read that hooks you from the first page. With strong character development and a plot that never lets up, ‘Iron & Embers’ is perfect for fans of high-stakes fantasy.

Loved loved lovedddddd this book!

Cannot wait to read the next one in the series, it can’t come soon enough!

I think that this book is just isn’t quite for me. I only made it about 40% thru before I dnf’d. The plot was a touch slow for personal preference for the first 30%. but then when it did finally pick up, I had a really hard time caring about the characters.

5 🌟
3 🌶️

- forced proximity
- Bodyguard Romance
- Dark Academia (Alchemist Academy)

AMAZING
I had high expectations due to my love for The Legends of Thezmarr series, and this delivered!

I loved Wren & Torj bond, their banter, their longing for each other. I loved the world building, the academy setting, the size characters (Special mention to Kipp and Cal)

Cant wait for the next book, as this series has my heart.

(it is book 1 of the new series but I would recommend reading The Legends of Thezmarr so you get the full story, but also that series is amazing too)

Thank you Helen & Netgalley for this early review copy.

R E V I E W

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble via Netgalley

Well, folks, she's done it again. Helen Scheuerer has effortlessly shown us that it is possible for a romantasy series to go from strength to strength without the dip in quality we tend to find when reading a multi-book narrative. And make no mistake, whilst this book is technically the first in the Ashes of Thezmarr spin-off series, it is very much a continuation of the Legends of Thezmarr and I feel you would be doing yourself, and the characters, a real disservice if you didn't read the previous series first.

Iron & Embers is set five years after the Battle of Thezmarr, where the midrealms are still healing from the havoc that King Artos and his daughter wrought. We immediately get glimpses of our favourite Legends characters but it is Thea's sister Elwren who is at the forefront of this narrative, sequestered away in the ruins of Delmira, only leaving to exact her revenge on those who escaped justice after the war.

When Wren 'the poisoner' is dragged back to Thezmarr, it is to receive long-awaited news: she has finally been accepted to study at the famous Naarvan Academy of Alchemy, Drevenor. But her relief is short-lived when she realises two things. First, her invitation comes with strings attached. Someone is raising a force hellbent on destroying all those with royal magic, and they're using her Warsword-capturing alchemy of the past to do so. Wren must use her time at Drevenor to seek out a cure for this substance, something to counteract the subduing of royal magic and in turn, protect the monarchs of the Midrealms. Second, she will not be attending the academy alone. Alongside Kip, Cal and Farissa, Wren will be joined by noneother than the lightning-kissed bear slayer himself as her very own Warsword bodyguard since she remains a royal heir herself. With five years of animosity between them, Wren and Torj's reunion is fraught with discomfort, rage, and unacknowledged feelings as the pair attempt to move forward as primary and bodyguard despite the burning tension and magical threads that bind them together.

This book was initially quite dark, dealing with themes of grief, loneliness, and vengeance versus justice. However, once we finish with the flashbacks and the story remains focused on the present, we see Wren begin to emerge from her darkness with the help of her stalwart Warsword, her new friends, and her studies. This book retains all the things we loved about the Legends series, even going so far as to bring Kip and Cal on board for some much needed levity, whilst also telling a whole new story centred on alchemy rather than Warrior prowess. The only reason this didn't gain the full five stars from me was the reasoning behind Torj's actions during the final skirmish, with the last-minute excerpt from that book as an explanation feeling a little half-baked when a simple sacrifice and hidden wound might have been more effective. Regardless, I am now desperate for the next instalment.

This book had me hooked from the first page. The romance and the chemistry between the two protagonists, the tension and the twists, the world-building and the magic, and that fantastic ending that left me eagerly waiting for the sequel.

The two protagonists are Wren and Torj. Wren is an alchemist, still haunted from the trauma of the war and from seeing her sister and best friends brutally killed which has set her on her own path of vengeance. All her life she’s dreamed of being accepted into the alchemy academy and her dream is finally coming true. All she has to do is find the cure to a new poison and accept the bodyguard assigned to protect her. Torj is a warrior and war hero and their past history can be better defined as quite complicated. Wren doesn’t want him shadowing her every step and being near her gives him conflicting feelings. However, they don’t have any choice. And between deadly trials, cursed wounds, and hidden enemies and allies, they must learn to trust each other.

It was a good thing that I read Iron & Embers during my Christmas holidays as I couldn’t put it down. And I was so engrossed in the story that it took me a while to figure out that Iron & Embers is actually the first book in the sequel of The Legends of Thezmarr series, so now I need to get my hands on the other series. The plot is intriguing and addictive and I loved the slow-burn romance, the found family theme, the forced proximity, and also the flashbacks to the past that gives a glimpse of the tension and attraction that has been burning for five years between Wren and Torj.

The ending was explosive and completely unexpected and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s full of unique world building, magic, alchemy and poisons, an academy with a gruelling gauntlet to pass and a passionate romance. I went into this one blind and didn’t realise there is a series before this one which focuses on the events of the Shadow War from a few years before this book is set. After reading this one I don’t think it’s necessary to read that series first as this one focuses more on Elwren and Torj but if you do want to read the first series then this one does have spoilers for that (I still want to go back and read it though!)

This is how you write an amazing fantasy book! It was immersive, filled with plot twists and so much tension one could cut it with a knife. And the way Helen managed to keep the reader’s attention…

The characters were complex, their dynamic so well thought out. And don't let me start on the chemistry between our MMCs - I couldn't do their enemies to lovers act enough credit even if I wanted to. It was simply delicious

This was good but also it was kinda obvious that its a spinoff series. Its written well though, and I’ll probably give the original series a chance once I forget what happened in this book

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer is a masterpiece in book form. This is so so good. I rated it 5 stars because it's that good. The characters are fantastic too.

I received this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5*
Tropes: Fantasy romance, alchemy academy, touch her and die, deadly trials, slow burn, forbidden love, who did this to you.

Well. That was. Something.
I will preface this by admitting that I haven't read the previous series. But that most certainly didn't spoil this book!
I was immediately captivated by the characters. Wren and Torj have wanted each other for years but with the results of the war, the losses Wren especially went through, cut things off quickly. They mostly moved on with their lives for a few years before crossing paths, and boy did that not end well.
Wren is consumed by her grief and Torj just wants to move on. When the book begins, he really resents Wren and what she decided to do following the war.

But of course, not all is as simple as that. Torj is assigned as Wren's bodyguard, her being royalty and all and Wren resents it. Wren finally gets admittance to the alchemy school she's wanted to attend for years and that's where it all begins.
The world building is perfect. I was sucked right in. The brutality of the school and the descriptions of poisons and the use of the ingredients just brought a genuine quality to this book. Poor Torj has his own problems and fears, ones that Wren is the cause of, not the solution.
The secondary characters are distinct and fell well rounded. There were plots and subplots and yet everything blended so seamlessly and flowed so well that i just flew through this book.
The tension between Torj and Wren was just perfect. He is bound by his duty as her bodyguard and she is trying to figure out how good of an alchemist she really is, on top of a side mission from her superiors. The romance was so satisfying and the banter and interactions between not only Wren and Torj, but the secondary characters as well was just so good.
I also love a dual POV. I appreciated being part of Wren's journey, becoming strong and coming out of the grief that gnaws at her at the beginning of the book, as well as witnessing Torj's inner thoughts and struggles. I find the dual POV heightens romantic tension and it was very effective in this book.

That ending though? Well I need the next one because my heart needs fixing.

4⭐️
I went into this book blindly and it was such a pleasant surprise. Right from the start I was completely captivated by the fantasy world. It was so immersive and well build.

As a romance girlie I was so excited for the romance! Fierced alchemist and her hot protective bodyguard, but they don’t want to be around each other!? All the ingredients for great dynamic and burning tension.
Torj is everything I want in a book boyfriend, the cocky overprotective mmc.
Wren was a little Nesta Archeron coded. I was deeply moved by her character growth and seeing her overcome her traumas.
The slowburn between those two was so worth the wait.

After all the twists and turns, I can’t wait for the next installment in this series. Now I need to go back and read The Legends of Thezmarr as soon as possible!!

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

This book has really great potential but I just couldn't get into it. The first 20% of the book could have been just a couple of chapters, and I really wanted it to move forward with the storyline a lot sooner.