Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75 STARS

Im so happy we are getting more stories that take place in the Legends of Thezzmar universe.

I love the series and really liked Iron & Embers as well. Very similar but very different in all the right ways.

Great dialogue that felt like it flowed natural between Wren and Torj. We are here for a slowwww burnnnn romance!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy
Tropes: Dual POV, Academia, Forced Proximity, Bodyguard, Found Family, Touch Her You 💀, Enemies To Lovers, Nickanme (Embers), Trials, One Horse, Protective MMC, Who Did This To You, Fated Mates

‘No games. No secrets. You’re what has been missing all my life. And I intend to keep you. Consequences be damned.

‘Go up in flames with me, Embers.’

The war may be over, but Wren remains vengeful but that will have to wait.. Wren is offered a placement at the much coveted alchemy academy of Drevenor. As a rather talented alchemist she has been tasked with finding a cure for the dark magic threatening the kingdom & its rulers. Her safety is important to the realm, enter her bodyguard Torj Elderbrock..
But they have history…
A steamy, enemies to lovers with an academia setting.

Firstly, I read this & listened to the audiobook alongside each other. I thoroughly enjoyed both! The voice performances of both narrators were amazingly done! The quality of the writing in the book is also high quality. So it makes for a great experience whether you’re reading or listening. I recommend both.

I loved the back & forth with Torj & Wren, the building of their relationship to each other. I also really liked the side characters in this story, I cared for them & what happened to them.
And let’s be honest the bodyguard storyline is always a hit! It just works!!

If you want solid, well written fantasy/ romantasy this is it. I think you’ll love this if you loved Fourth Wing. Hey, it’s perfect for that Onyx Storm hangover!!

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, Dreamscape Media (Audiobook), Pan MacMillan & NetGalley for the review copies in exchange for an honest review.

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer - Publish date 6th Feb 2025 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a huge fan of Helen's work and The Legends of Thezmarr was my favourite romantasy series I read in 2024. I absolutely devoured the series in less than a week and I was a bit bereft when it finished.

When I received the arc for Iron & Embers it felt like stepping into a world so familiar and comforting. One that I'd missed!

Torj and Wren's chemistry is amazing and I loved that in Legends you could feel that flirty tension building so to get their own series following the pair of them is just exciting!!

Helen's world building is superb. I loved that we see a different part of the realm, we see the university and we see the characters in a different dynamic as we saw in Legends.

I was so excited to see some of our favourite characters back - Cal & Kipp. Just being back with their banter is brilliant. We see Thea and Wilder again and some of the others from Legends.

Despite there being so many familiar faces we get to meet exciting new characters, allowing Wren to go on a journey to find friendship again after so much hurt and trauma. There is also a completely different storyline for Wren in her pursuit of Alchemy. I loved that we see this topic explored so much more in Iron & Embers. We see that's where her passion lies. We start to see her become her own person, develop as a character and thrive in this new life.

The trials and tests in this book are so much fun. Literally poisoning your own students is a whole other level of hands on learning.

The tension between Wren & Torj. Let me tell you I was kicking my feet at points in this book. How do you make such lush Warswords, Helen?!? I adore their dynamic in this book. I can't wait for where this series leads them.

Helen is an absolutely fantastic romantasy writer. I was wrapped up and transported into this story, I couldn't get enough of the characters, the tension, the suspense and just the story in itself.

I had already preordered this book before the arc. If Helen writes it, I'm reading it. I can't wait for book two!

Thank you to Helen and NetGalley for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book,

This was fast-paced, slow burn, alchemy excitement!!

We pick up with our FMC Wren 5 years after the shadow wars, dropping us back into the action of the midrealms with our FMC grappling the effects of grief, trauma and isolation.

I loved the direction the plot took in Iron and Embers, it felt both developed and intriguing without being too trope-filled or predictable!

Torj was our brooding warsword MMC, taking on the role of bodyguard to Wren after attacks on the royal members of the realm leave her in need of protection. Of course, this also fuelled the tension and yearning for a slow burn romance with plenty of history, after hinting at a potential romance in previous books.

I really enjoyed the quieter moments with Wren and Torj, where they helped each other through their trauma and healed aspects of their grief by supporting one another, it was really beautiful to see them heal and learn to face their struggles together.

The side characters in Cal, Kipp, Zavier and Dessa also provided some comedic relief and much needed camaraderie in between the tension of the trails set before Wren and her teammates. I’d LOVE more Kipp cameos, he just makes me giggle any time he’s on the page!!

The plot and pacing were the strongest of any of Helen’s books in my opinion, and I loved how we went through every step of Wren’s journey to train in becoming an adept alchemist - it was interesting, insightful and entertaining to hear about her progress. I also loved how the romance took more of a backseat in this book, and gave room for Wren to shine in her role as a budding alchemist.

My only point of contention was the last 10%, where i felt things were really rushed to tie up a cliff hanger ending and provide some strife for book 2.

I didn’t love the direction it took, and it felt cheap after taking so much time to develop Wren and Torj’s already difficult journey to falling for one another. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel, but wasn’t happy with the way the story wrapped up, which is a shame.

This is overall a fantastic start to a new romantasy series and I can’t wait to see where we go next in the Ashes of Thezmarr ❤️

Thank you to the publisher Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and the author Helen Scheuerer for an arc copy of this book, I was honoured to have recieved it!

Another fabulous new-to-me author with a kickass fantasy romance!

Wren and has never denied the attraction to Torj...to herself at least. But to everyone else they're prickly allies at best. But Wren feels incapable of letting down her defences to let anyone in and refuses to be anything other thana ONS. That will never be enough for Torj and they part ways after the war is won.

A few years later and Wren has finally been given the one thing she wanted, admittance to the Alchemical College of her dreams. One slight fly in the ointment, Torj is now her bodyguard! Can Torj keep his never diminished attraction to wren on the back burner whilst he protects her? Can Wren rid herself of the ghosts of her past to allow love to enger her heart?

Warswords, Alchemists, secret royal heirs, a gut wrenching trial to claim status as an adept - Wren is going to have to put all her knowledge and bravery on the line. The small group of friends she has made at the college become a new family to Wren and I couldn't help but enjoy the way they test and annoy each other but still have each others backs. The camaraderie between the Warswords is also very bromancy and Kipp and Cal are a hoot (even though they nearly come to blows a time or two!)

Wren is a really great FMC. She is smart, loyal - sometimes to her own disadvantage, and passionate. She may not be as much of a physical soldier as the warswords but she is deadly with her potions and new that she has some delf-defence under belt she'll be fearless! Torj is the epitome of a fantasy MMC, tall, grumpy, protective and very THAD! My heart did break for Wren and Torj during the gauntlet - that was a torment I'd never survive.

I did enjoy the ending, leading us nicely to the steps of book 2 but I did want to scream a little that Torj and Wren only had that fleeting moment of peace and then they were torn apart once again.

This was incredible and utterly heartbreaking at the same time.
I loved Wren and Tori’s chemistry in the legends of thezmarr and was beyond excited to see them get their own series, and man was I not disappointed.

We are 5 years after the shadow war and the realm is still suffering the aftermath of the battle and slowly rebuilding.

Our alchemist, Wren, still grief stricken by her loss, sought to take revenge on anyone having responsibility in the war, taking them down and earning herself the title of poisoner while our warsword, Torj on the other hand had taken hunting down monsters all other the realm and killing them.
The story is told in both their perspectives but also from past to present, allowing us a glimpse of what happened in the last 5 years.

When Wren finally gets accepted into the academy of her dreams, her path crosses with the warsword again as he is set to protect her against a new menace threatening the royals…

I loved every second of it, I love their bond, their banter, their longing for each other, and I loved seeing our son of the fox back!!! The ending was gut wrenching though and I’m still completely devastated by it. 😭

Anyways, Helen has a way of telling stories that makes you fully invested and always keeps you wanting for more so I’ll be here anxiously hunting down the next installment …


Thanks a lot Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Helen Scheuerer for the ARC!

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Caution: This is my first book by Helen Scheuerer, and I haven’t read The Legends of Thezmarr series. Please keep that in mind while reading my review! 💕

This book was an emotional, romantic rollercoaster, and I was here for it. From the start, the mutual attraction and longing between Wren and Torj were palpable, but post-war trauma, status, and pride kept getting in the way.
One aspect that stood out to me was how the story explored the aftermath of war. It’s rare to see heroes dealing with the psychological toll after the battle is over—coping with the horrors they’ve witnessed and the ones they’ve inflicted themselves. That layer of depth added so much to the story.
The romance itself was beautifully done. The tension, the buildup, and the eventual payoff were so satisfying—it left me giggling way longer than I’d care to admit!
That said, I did feel like the world-building and character descriptions were lacking. I struggled to picture the characters, as their ages and physical traits weren’t clearly outlined. For fans of the previous series, this might not be an issue, but as a newcomer, I felt a little lost.
The plot surrounding the uprising occasionally felt flat, taking a backseat to the romance. While the romantic elements were stunning, I wish the fantasy plotline had been stronger or more engaging throughout. That said, the last 15% of the book completely changed the pace—the tension and stakes skyrocketed, with the ending breaking me a little. I will definitely continue this series!
What I’d wished for:
A stronger, more developed fantasy storyline and more detail about the characters. That being said, the romance was incredibly well-executed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book overall.

Finally, thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillian for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you love romantasy with the Princess x bodyguard trope, you’re gonna love this one! The slow burn forbidden romance was perfection, I adored the forced proximity and all of the yearning. It was one of the most tension filled books I’ve read in a long time. I was so excited for this one and it didn’t let me down! Yay for Torj and Wren!

From the start, I was absolutely invested in the world & characters, the first two chapters were outstanding in introducing us to our two pov characters. Wren & Torj were fully formed characters with their own motivations & problems before we even met them. I found this really immersive and well done, the events that brought these two together were sprinkled throughout the story. I really loved this, the relationships between all characters, main & side, were all grounded, well established and believable.

Wren's mastery of poison, outwitting her target and just general demeanour was fantastic and instantly cements her as a great protagonist. Torj, a battle-hardened warrior with more emotional depth than meets the eye. I really appreciated that both are already somewhat masters of their craft, sure there's room for improvement and space to learn but having well established characters was a nice change of pace.

We follow them as Wren goes to further her Alchemy knowledge at an academy whilst investigating an attack on one of the royals, using a unique form of alchemy that suppresses magic. Torj is responsible for protecting Wren due to her own royal lineage. He's also investigating the after effects of a scar he received from Wren during the war. The tension between the two is apparent from the beginning thanks to their previous history (which we glean through a couple of flashback chapters near the start) but with Torj's new position as her bodyguard this reaches new heights.

Overall, I really liked the protagonists, the world building, the romance and adored the cast of characters. I can't wait for the sequel and hope it keeps up with the fantastic quality of this one.

Also, I'd heard this was a spinoff in an existing universe. I haven't read any others in this series and it really stood well alone, so don't hesitate if that's something you're concerned about! It's only made me want to pick up the previous series but the character introductions and back stories are all well told naturally as you read.

Thanks to Netgalley & Pan Macmillan for this arc, I loved every page!

I'll confess that I've only read the first book in the Legends of Thezmarr series. I liked it well enough and will eventually get around to the rest of the series but admittedly I have tired of the wannabe female warrior falling for her teacher/ mentor who happens to one of the most (if not the most) powerful warrior out there trope so having the main character be an alchemist/ poisoner while not completely original was a nice change.

I liked Wren and Torj well enough and I thought they had decent chemistry but the book was let down by the plot. There is a new poison and they need a cure so Wren gets sent to the Alchemy Academy so she can find a cure. However it seems contrived, she goes to classes and then works on a cure by herself in her room. It doesn't seem like she even needs the help/ guidance of any of the professors/ her team and frankly if there wasn't the occasional comment on her progress, I'd have forgotten her purpose. As part of her time at the academy she has to face 'deadly trials' but considering she survived the horrors of war and then spent the next five years assassinating people the stakes were laughably low. It just felt like the academy was just a backdrop for Wren and Torj's romance. The cynical part of me thinks that given the academy trope is popular right now, the author just hopped on the bandwagon. It felt forced. Her former teacher was a professor and one of the guest lecturers was someone Wren fought alongside in the war so would have been more believable if Wren was a guest lecturer. Even better if the author scrapped the academy plot. I think it would have worked far better if the plot centred around Torj finding and dragging an unwilling Wren back to Thezmarr to find a cure for the mysterious new poison.

The other issue I had was characters acting like immature stroppy teenagers. At one point it was a struggle not to roll my eyes every few pages. I was shocked to find out towards the end that Wren was 30 and Torj was 40 years old! It meant that Torj's actions at the end of the novel were even more ridiculous.

Overall a decent fantasy romance and probably one of the better ones I've read in the past few months but felt very derivative. Saying that, I'm a sucker for a poisoner heroine so I'll continue with the series

As a fan of The Legends of Thezmarr series, I had high expectations for this book, and it did not disappoint. It was such a treat to dive back into this world with Wren and Torj, and I absolutely loved seeing how their relationship evolved. Their banter was such a highlight, adding a perfect mix of humour and heart to the story.

The setting was another major draw for me. I’m always a fan of books set in fantasy schools, and seeing Wren join Drevenor Academy with dreams of becoming a master alchemist was so exciting! I enjoyed exploring the academy’s inner workings and watching Wren navigate her way through the challenges she faced. Her growth, both in skill and character, kept me hooked from start to finish.

This book was so addictive—I couldn’t put it down! I’m already eagerly awaiting book two!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for this early copy to review.

4.5*

Oof this one hit me hard. I adored the Legends of Thezmarr series, so I of course, jumped at the chance to ARC read Iron and Embers. This one follows Wren and Torj in the aftermath and years following the war in the Legends of Thezmarr books. We see most of the original characters pop up, which made it feel familiar and cozy, like popping on a comfortable cardigan.. At least until Helen drops your heart from a great height.. Semi-comfortable then, for a while at least.

If you loved the Legends, you’ll love this. It’s just as gripping, just as action-packed and just as edge-of-your-seat emotional. I absolutely cannot wait to see how Wren’s story progresses. And Torj.. No, we can’t speak of Torj without tears. It’s too soon, man. Too soon..

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, Tor Bramble and Helen Scheuerer for gifting me this eARC.

I received an ARC directly from the publisher, Pan Macmillan, for Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer, and I was hooked by the premise: “I’ve made no secret of what I want... You. It’s always been you.” Plus, the beautiful fanart they sent me was a bonus. It took me a lot of time to read it because life happened, and then I had the publishing date right before me. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to get the ACL from Dreamscape Media, which helped me sit down and read and continue doing other things while listening.

I have to say—and beware, I will add spoilers [that this book felt like a second installment to me. I’m missing the whole shared history between Wren and Torj. I was hoping to see more of their connection, maybe with flashbacks or time jumps, to truly understand them beyond that whole "He wielded my magic like it was his" vibe, you know? While the tension was there and the tropes were perfectly written, I wanted to learn more about their backstory and connection. Perhaps there was a novella I missed, or maybe I just pushed through too quickly, but I couldn’t feel the bond as deeply as I’d hoped. (hide spoiler)]

Iron & Embers follows Wren Embervale, an alchemist-turned-assassin who finds solace only in seeking vengeance for the death of her friends. Though the wars of the past are over, her thirst for revenge is far from quenched. For years, she has been content with her poisons and potions for company, but when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the midrealms, Wren’s time in the shadows comes to an end. She’s offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor to find a cure for the dark magic threatening the kingdoms. To win her spot, she must conquer the Gauntlet—a grueling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity or her life. Meanwhile, magic wielders are being targeted, and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk. The biggest threat, however, might come from Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero assigned to protect her, who has hated her ever since she assassinated his last charge. Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both. In a world where peace is fragile, trust is scarce, and enemies lurk around every corner, Wren must decide: Will love heal all wounds—or will it become the most lethal poison of all?

Overall, while I appreciate the intriguing premise and the strong elements of tension and mystery, I just couldn’t connect with the character’s backstory and relationship as I’d hoped. I truly love Helen Scheuerer's work, so it saddens me to say that this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan, Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and Helen Scheuerer for sending me this ARC, ACL, and the beautiful fanart. I really appreciate the opportunity.

4⭐️

The premise: Thor who looks like the Witcher has to protect a princess who goes to Hogwarts for adults.

What‘s up with all these fantasy schools? Why are they so adamant on killing their students?

But I digress… This book takes place 5 years after the war and Wren (Thea‘s sister) spends her days poisoning her enemies. One of them is the charge of a certain Warsword and so Torj no longer has the hots for Wren, but „despises“ her instead. I loved the buildup of their relationship in the previous books and was so keen to read their story because they seem so much more interesting than Thea and Wilder. I wasn‘t disappointed.

It‘s less smutty than the first series (thank god) and while they have the hots for each other, the development of their relationship had a good pace.

The ending was solid and a bit of a twist and I‘m keen to see where this is going.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for providing me with a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

First of all, thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!

When I first read the premise of Iron and Embers, I was completely sold and knew I wanted to read it. However, I somehow missed that the book is the first book in a sequel series to the Legend of Thezmarr series, which I haven’t ready (yet). I still gave Iron and Embers a try because most people claimed you could read it without the other series.

I immediately fell in love with the writing style and it was pretty easy to get into the world building, even without having read the Thezmarr series. I also really loved our female main character. Wren was such a badass and strong lead and I had so much fun reading her story. There were many great moments that kept me engaged and I also liked that she was kind of unpredictable. It was definitely refreshing and Wren really felt like her own character. I also liked our male main character, but I did not really feel connected to the romance. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read the prequel series and therefore haven’t seen the beginning of their story, but he was just too cocky in my opinion and their connection seemed to be solely based on their physical attraction. I still enjoyed their banter a lot though I didn’t necessarily root for them.

The plot was promising, and I loved the academia setting as well as the alchemy aspects. Nevertheless, the middle part really dragged on and altogether, the story could have been much shorter because barely anything happened. The ending was better and engaged me much more. Still, the “big reveal” at the end fell flat for me as it was extremely rushed.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Iron and Embers because of the well written characters and the complex world building. The romance disappointed me, but I truly believe that that is on me and that I should have read the prequel series first. (which I will do soon). Still, the pacing and the end reveal let me down, which is why I give Iron and Embers 3.5 stars. But this is definitely not the last book I’ve read by Helen Scheuerer.

"Iron and Embers" by Helen Scheuerer is a captivating addition to the fantasy genre, skillfully weaving together themes of resilience, love, and the struggle for power. Set in a richly constructed world.

Their writing is both lyrical and engaging, drawing readers into the intricate details of her world. The character development is one of the book's strongest aspects, with well-rounded characters who evolve throughout the story. I found myself invested not only in the protagonist's quest but also in the supporting cast, each bringing their own complexities and motivations to the narrative.

The world-building is impressive, with a well-thought-out magical system and a history that adds depth to the plot.

One of the standout features of "Iron and Embers" is its exploration of themes such as sacrifice and the moral dilemmas faced by those in power.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the books in The Legends of Thezmarr and was thrilled to be accepted for an ARC of Iron & Embers.
The Legends of Thezmarr is one of my favourite series so I was over the moon to be able to return to an amazingly crafted world, with exceptional characterisation and an engrossing plot. The twists and turns, the action and the slow burn will grab you and not let you go.
Helen Scheuerer has the ability to make you forget you are reading a book and she takes you by the hand to live in the world she has created, a rare talent.
Iron & Embers can be read easily without reading any of the Legends of Thezmarr books but why would you ?

This was my first Helen Scheuerer read, and it did not disappoint!
I will most definitely have to read The Legends of Thezmarr because wow I just need to know how Thea and Wilder came to be!

We follow, Wren, a poisoner/alchemist and Torj, the "Bear Slayer" Warsword who keep fighting their attraction for one another, but they could never work because she poisoned his old master and she's a royal. They are hoping to escape each other after fighting side by side in the previous war, however when Wren is finally accepted into a prestigious academy for alchemists, Torj is sent as her protector.

This academy is ruthless towards their students, so as Wren fights to survive, attempts to make friends and discovers many secrets, Torj wants to find out what happened between them during the war and why he still has scars (why I need to read the other series)! I did enjoy the world in this book however it did feel like I was missing on some important bits that were probably mentioned in her other series. I did find that sometimes how the characters thought of each other almost all the time felt a bit too much with how other bigger things were going around them, other than that I really enjoyed it! And that ending!! I will need the second one asap please!

Thank you to PanMacmillan and Netgalley for sending me an ARC!

Thank you, MacMillan and NetGalley, for this ARC—I really enjoyed it!
As far as I understand, this book is a sequel series to the Blood & Steel trilogy. I haven’t read the original trilogy, but that didn’t dampen my experience at all. In fact, I think if I had already been attached to the characters, this could have easily been a 5-star read for me. However, as a new story with fresh worldbuilding, it’s still a solid start. The author does a great job of welcoming new readers who haven’t read the previous series, making it accessible without feeling lost.

What I Loved:
📖 The Vibe: This book has an incredible atmosphere, and that’s what hooked me the most. I started it right after finishing Onyx Storm, and I couldn’t help but notice some similarities between Wren, our protagonist, and Violet (Fourth Wing). They both have a deep knowledge of poisons and lightning-based abilities. But that’s where the comparisons end.

⚗️ Wren’s Character: Wren is an Alchemist, the heir to a fallen realm, and completely devastated by grief and loss. She’s still mourning the deaths of one of her sisters and two of her best friends in the war (which I assume happened in the original series). Instead of moving on, she spends the next five years taking justice into her own hands, becoming the infamous Poisoner—hunting down those responsible for their deaths. She’s a brilliant, complex, and morally gray heroine, and I loved her.

⚔️ Torj’s Character: Okay, hear me out—this man walked straight out of a Henry Cavill Witcher fan cast, and I am absolutely not mad about it.
Torj is a warrior, one of the few personally chosen by the power of the gods. He’s a man obsessed, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and the girl who captured his heart but refused to love him back. But, of course, fate has other plans, and he’s forced to become her personal guard when a new threat emerges against the royal line.

💀 Academia Vibes, Poisoning, & Romance: This book blends dark academia, alchemy, court intrigue, and forbidden romance in the best way. The angst was palpable—even though it reads like a slow burn, we know from the very first chapters that the characters are already in love. What makes the romance compelling is watching them navigate their fears and past wounds to see if they can truly be together.

And that ending… 👀 Now I just have to patiently (or not so patiently) wait for book two!

I've heard about this author a lot but this is the first book I picked up from them and i really enjoyed it. This book was everything i wanted in a fantasy romance and i cannot wait to continue the author's other books!