Helen Scheuerer has a real gift for creating incredible romantasy. She is one of my favourite authors and I promise you that you wont be disappointed. But there is a warning, once you start you will not be able to put this book down. So be prepared to put aside anything else until you’ve finished it.

I loved the premise for this, the characters are so well thought out, the plot was interesting and layered. This book has so many strengths with complex historical world building. The spice ruined it for me personally, which I never thought I would say, especially for these tropes, maybe just not my style for descriptors but it felt very teenage and could do with some variance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Scheuerer and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Good plot and easy to follow with some great world building. I’d definitely recommend picking this one up, even if I would have liked a little more exploration of the characters and their development

To say I am unwell over this book is an understatement. I love Helen Scheuerer’s writing and this by far has been her best yet and I didn’t think anything could EVER beat the legends of Thezmarr. I loved this book whole heartedly.

I went into this eARC missing the characters from the previous series and wondered how Helen would tie them into the next and she did not disappoint. I loved everything from the beginning and not giving anything away if you have not read her first series please do. I hate seeing readers read this without no context to her writing or what came before.

I LOVED this whole book. Wren and Tori may have surpassed as my favorite couple. I loved the whole bodyguard trope that came with this but I also just love Wren as a character. I feel that this book had such a unique plot and Helen carried this out so well.

I thoroughly am counting down the days to book 2.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and PanMacMillan for this early eARC for this wonderful book. I can’t wait to help Helen reach her targeted audience and get just how well done this book is out there. She is a wonderful author and I am so thankful that a publisher took notice to her.

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

4 stars rounded up!

This book had an extremely compelling premise, an interesting FMC and a nice start. I was genuinely enthralled by everything happening and by the promise of the whole 'curse' thing going on with the main couple. The only things (details, in the grand scheme of things) that stopped me from giving this book 5 stars were that, for one, the relationship and the MMC sometimes fell a bit flat - mainly considering their obvious potential - and that, for another, there were too many loose ends to my liking. I am completely aware there will be more books in this series, but I still felt like this was more of a prequel than a first book of a series. Would also like to mention that I'm a bit at a loss to the MMC's actions in the last chapters? And there was an attempt at explaining them but I felt like it didn't really work that well? Can't wait to see what happens next, to be honest.

All in all, I still enjoyed this book quite a lot - even if it did have the misfortune of being read during my last week of college - and I will be posted to read whatever this author releases next (hopefully the sequel to this book because, once again, there is a lot to be resolved).

If there's one book you need to read in 2025, it has GOT to be a Helen Scheuerer book. When I tell you I have loved every single one of her books so far, I am not kidding you. Helen must put real magic in her books to make them so unbelievably addicting.

In Iron & Embers, we follow Wren, a tortured soul, through alchemy school to help find a cure to the dark magic threatening the realms. However, Wren is no innocent alchemist, but instead an assassin who poisons her enemies for revenge. Whilst battling her past trauma, she is also resisting attraction to her handsome bodyguard, Torj, who she shares a tension filled history with from five years ago.

I loved every second of Iron & Embers. Diving back into this world after loving Blood & Steel was so fun and exciting, but also refreshing because we finally learnt more about Wren, and also the feared warrior, Torj. From start to finish, we saw the push and pull between our two main characters, as well as the hatred and the love they both felt for one another. The tension between them was honestly perfect, and the ending? After such a long slow burn? Torturous.

Helen truly knows how to write a captivating and well written fantasy, and I cannot wait for book two already! If you love assassins, poison, dark magic, revenge, enemies to lovers, slow burn, academy settings and so much more, you need to read Iron & Embers!

4/5 stars.

I truly enjoyed this one. It was the first Thezmarr book I read, but that didn't bother me at all. It was easy to follow and well paced.

All the bickering and banter were written amazingly. I liked that part a lot. And the relationship dynamic overall between fmc and mmc reminded me at first Gideon and Harrow in Gideon the Ninth (one of the best parts in that book imo). I also was a fan of the slow burn and pull and push they had throughout the book.

I have also always been interested in the idea of alchemy, so this book felt like it literally was made for me. The cutthroat alchemic academy was very intriguing and I just hoped I had seen more of the classes due to my interest in the subject. The stakes were really high, which I also appreciated.

When I get a chance I will for sure visit the other Thezmarr series, and gladly continue this one also. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Really good introduction to Helen Scheuerer. Solid characters, interesting plot, and the perfect slice of tension. Would like more plot progression and really exploring the depth of the characters more!

4.75🌟

Wow wow wow WOW was this book absolutely amazing. From the plot, to the world building, to the badass FMC, the swoon-worthy MMC, the action packed scenes & the interesting backstory, this book was everything.

Wren has got to now be one of my favourite FMC’s ever. The way she holds her own, always finds another way, didn’t allow her grief to weaken her but instead strengthen her??? She is such an admirable & inspiring character.
Torj was just absolutely everything. His patience, care, protectiveness, understanding & love when it came to Wren had me feeling so giddy and warm inside. Wren and Torj are IT for me😩

The found family, strong friendship groups & firm relationships definitely added to the story and my enjoyment of the book! The setting was so atmospheric and just fit the vibes perfectly, Drevendor added that element of unease yet excitement that was so exhilarating!!

The way this book ended????????? This book isn’t even published yet and i already need book 2 ASAP!!!
My only critique was the unnecessary breakup….? And the gauntlet was built up to be something scary but it felt utterly underwhelming..

Regardless i LOVED this book, this story, these characters and i can’t wait to read more!!

4.5 STARS

I think I found a new obsession!!

I absolutely loved this story and especially Wren and Torj's blossoming romance. As characters I found them both really interesting and I wanted to learn more about their lives. (I think I would have benefitted from reading the author's Legends of Thezmarr series first for this exact reason, but not reading it didn't impact my ability to connect to the characters and story at all.)

The tension between the characters was tangible and really well done. The author used the shared history of these two characters to really help add a sense of deep longing to their romance.

This book was very character driven, so I felt like there wasn't a huge amount of exciting action taking place. This is the only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars. This book has, however, set this series up for a lot more action going forward.

What an incredible book!
I know I might be biased, since I absolutely ADORE Helen Scheuerer's work, and the Legends of Thezmarr is in my top 10 reads of the year.
So i was waiting for this book to come out, and it did not disappoint!
This book is set 5 years after the Legends of Thezmarr's last book, so I really recommend to read those incredible four books before embarking on this journey.
Wren is an Alchemist, but also has a secret identity as the Poisoner, seeking revenge after some very traumatic events that take place in the Legends of Thezmarr. She gets accepted to a very prestigious alchemy school, but being a very important person in her realm, she gets assigned a bodyguard, and who else then Troj Elderbrook, our own very silver-haired warsword. I love the absolute tension that's between Wren and Troj, the fact that they never acted on their feelings and they "hate" each other is ADORABLE, and the one shared bathing chamber might be my new favourite trope.
The spice was absolutely DELICIOUS, the story, flashbacks and foreshadowing were amazing, and the ending left me destroyed.
Also, Cal and Kipp are back!!! I love them! :D
I need the Second book, right now!

~ this is my new favourite fantasy book!! ♡ ~

“iron & embers” is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world that is suffering with the aftermath of the shadow war. the story revolves around two rivalling characters, a future queen & her bodyguard.

wren embervale; deadly assassin. poisoner. alchemist. future queen of delmeria.
what an incredible protagonist. she is the embodiment of rage. her extensive knowledge in poisons & cures lands her in the ancient academy of drevenor & is tasked to find a cure to the dark magic that threatens the kingdoms.

torj elderbrock; the silver-haired bear slayer. a saviour of the midrealms. warsword. bodyguard.
torj was an absolute dream of a mystery to read about. him & his charming words will plague my brain for the rest of my days. he is mysterious, dangerous & flirty all in one.

this book was so brilliantly captivating & the imagery was incredible. the fantasy element was so, so well written and beautifully executed. there is such an ethereal quality to helen’s writing.

the romance was sizzling and filled with tension & pining. the slow burn was almost tortuous! the banter!! they bounce off each other SO well! i loved this book so much!

book 1 isn’t even officially released yet and i’m already prepared to beg for book 2! became you see that ending? yeah i need 3-5 business days to recover😩‼️

a huge thank you to panmacmillan & bookbreakuk for sending me a gorgeous proof copy of “iron & embers” which is set to release on 06/02/2025 ❤️

I read this book as part of a BookBreak readalong, and all I can say is WOW! Fans of Fourth Wing will absolutely love this—it delivers those irresistible fantasy college vibes but with a fresh twist that feels completely unique.

The story centers on Wren, an alchemist—a concept I adored as a scientist. Her alchemy skills add a fascinating layer to the plot, but what truly hooked me was her complexity. Wren is not just grappling with the intricacies of alchemy and poison; she’s also haunted by the shadow of a past war and her status as the descendant of a royal line. This legacy puts her in constant danger, requiring protection from Torj, a fearless warrior with whom she shares a complicated history.

The close-proximity dynamic between Wren and Torj is executed to perfection. It’s charged with tension, vulnerability, and chemistry that will keep you turning the pages.

This book isn’t just a fantasy adventure—it’s an emotional ride packed with action, intrigue, and heart. If you’re looking for your next obsession, this is it. Add it to your 2025 TBR, and let’s reconvene in February to gush about it together!

In the meantime, I’ll be diving into The Legends of Thezmarr series to uncover more about this incredible world. Don’t miss out!

oh my god. what an amazing story this was.

I have to begin by saying that I was not familiar with the original series, ‘The Legends of Thezmarr’, before reading this. I know it’s not required but I recommend for anyone wanting to pick up ‘Iron & Embers’ to at least consider reading the original series first. the beginning felt a bit like starting a book in the middle of the series and having no idea who the characters are or how they know each other.

that being said, once I got past this initial hurdle, I couldn’t put this down. the plot is so gripping and the characters so well fleshed-out that you have no choice but to be fully invested in the story.

I really appreciated the fact that Wren and Torj had a solid history, a foundation which was used to build their relationship on. also, the few spicy scenes are incredibly well written 🔥

regarding the setting, having the plot play out at an academy for alchemists was a really nice touch, one that’s not often encountered in fantasy books. I do wish the Gauntlet would have been a tad bit more complex.

I was initially thinking of giving this 4 stars but what makes the book shine is the immaculate slow burn. the tension was everything. it truly sets the book as one of the greats, in my opinion.

and that ending 😫 I’ll be waiting patiently for the next book.

Iron & Embers is a spinoff of the Legends of Thezmarr series and follows Wren and Torj.

Now, let me start by stating that I couldn’t get enough of Wren and Torj in the Legends of Thezmarr series. They were EVERYTHING! I had such high hopes for their own story and maybe those expectations were too high because this book fell flat for me. I really enjoyed that they actually got to know each other and didn’t immediately get together after the war and the passage of time. However, I felt like everything was just low stakes and filler. Even the soul bond and then Torj breaking it…. Not enough time had passed from us learning about it to when it was wielded as a weapon with an immediate killing blow. I feel like we didn’t get enough time for anything to truly matter or feel grave enough or important enough.

'She needed to face her monsters alone. And only once she'd fought them amid the flames could she rise from the ashes.'

In this story, we follow Elwren Embervale, an alchemist who became an assassin after the shadow war. She lost friends, family and herself in this war and now only lives for one thing: revenge. She becomes known as "the Poisoner" and is determined to kill everyone she hods responsible for the death of her loved ones. After a few years of this life and unforeseen events, she is offered a place in Drevenor, an ancient alchemy academy. While in Drevenor she needs to not only find a cure to the dark magic threatening the kingdoms, but also confronts her past while being forced to reconnect with Torj Elderbrock, our MMC, a war hero who has the task to keep her safe.

The relationship between Wren and Torj is the definition of slow burn. I loved that they have already known each other for years at the beginning of the book, but still have so much to discover about themselves and each other. There is a lot of tension between them and they both are very guarded at the beginning.

I loved the academic setting and the different trials the students had to go through. If you love the "found family trope" then you will love this book. Kip and Cal were so funny and it made me want to read the previous series to be able to see more of them.

This book is fast paced and I loved seeing Wren's evolution and how she was dealing with loss and grief while learning to trust others and her heart again.

I'm not a big fan of the ending; in some ways it felt like we were back to square one, but I'm excited to see what will happen in the next book!

Thank you Helen Scheurer, NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the e-ARC of Iron & Embers :)

*ARC READ

“In the aftermath of the war, where the world was muted in ash..
𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓.”

I have no words for how much I loved this book and I am so thankful to have been approved for this arc read, as Iron & Embers is my most anticipated release of 2025.

From the very beginning of The Legends of Thezmarr series I was completely invested in the story unfolding for Torj and Wren, which this book gave me everything I wanted and more for the two of them.

I absolutely adore Wren Embervale. She is such a strong and resilient fmc, yet remains kind and compassionate despite all she has been through. Torj Elderbrook is just😮‍💨 I loved him before but getting his pov and seeing just how protective, loving and supportive he is for those around him that he cares for is so heartwarming (he’s officially in the top 3 book boyfriends).

The ending though!?😭 not quite sure I can handle waiting so long for book two when this is yet to be released!

Honestly though, already I cannot wait to read this book when it officially releases in February 2025 (UK) and I recommend everyone reads The Legends of Thezmarr before then so they can enjoy the truly wonderful world Helen Scheuerer has created with her writing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a fan of The Legends of Thezmarr series, I was excited for this one.

The book starts 5 years after the last series but is now told from the perspectives of Wren and Torj. After the Shadow wars and losing so many people close to her, Wren has spent the years since off on her own, taking revenge in her own way.

A threat against a royal brings Wren and Torj back together as she makes her way to Drevenor, the prestigious school of alchemy. There, she joins other novices as they go through their learning, all leading up to gauntlet at the end to determine which novices can proceed to work their way up the ranks. The outside threat against royals also brings threats to Wren as the heir of Delmira, even whilst within the walls of Drevenor.

I loved this book and finally got more of Torj, who was a favourite of mine from the first series. Seeing him and Wren fight their feelings and each other whilst also working together to fight external threats hooked me! Even if the ending of the book broke my heart and has me needing the next book already!

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the arc of this book for my honest review ❤️

This review has been added to goodreads and will be added to retailers on release.

Set 5 years after the events in the final book of the Legends of Thezmarr series, Wren is struggling to deal with the aftermath of the shadow war, and the deaths of her childhood friends, Sam and Ida, and her sister Anya.

I loved being back in this world and, although you don’t need to read The Legends of Thezmarr series before picking this up, I would recommend it, as many of the characters (including the FMC and MMC) appear in those books, adding to the nostalgia/found family aspect.

There are a couple of central plot elements that sit alongside the relationship development of Wren and Torj. One is Wren’s attendance at a prestigious academy for alchemists, and the trials the novices must face in order to graduate, and the second is the “People’s Vanguard”, a group protesting the power of the rulers, who believe that “Magic, in the hands of the elite few, is an imbalance in power.” This book, like The Legends of Thezmarr series, strikes a good balance between plot and romance.

I love Cal and Kipp being key characters in this book, although I do find it hard to really buy into Kipp as a master strategist as we see the tavern seeking, fun loving side of him, but are only told about him being a strategist, we don’t ever really see it. Of the new characters introduced, I’m really intrigued to know more about Zavier, which I think (after the dramatic events at the end) will come in book two.

- Academy setting
- Trials
- Fast paced
- Short chapters
- Bodyguard trope
- One horse trope

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the e-ARC of Iron & Embers.

Iron and Embers is the first book by Helen Scheuerer that I’ve read, having since discovered that it is part of a spin off from her original series Legends of Thezmarr. I can truly say that from the start I was totally pulled into Wren and Torj’s story and didn’t find myself at a loss or completely confused for not having read the first series. Although I definitely intend to correct that omission!

Wren’s life and family were devastated by the war and five years later, Wren is wreaking her revenge on those who, in her opinion, never answered for their war crimes as the ‘Poisoner.’ She lives a solitary life mourning the family and friends lost and taken from her during the war, pushing away all who attempt to get close. The solitary hope in her heart is that one day she will be accepted to study as an alchemist at Drevenor Academy but, she knows that right now that hope is blocked, however, following the war not all are content with the outcome and a new threat to the realm and those who rule it has arisen from the ashes of destruction.

Wren unexpectedly finds herself at Drevenor Academy, on a mission to save the realm and discover the secrets of her enemies, posing as an alchemy student but, much to her dismay, she’s not alone on this mission, with Torj assigned as her bodyguard. The last time Torj and Wren worked together was during the war when Torj fought as a Warsword in partnership with Wren, channeling her magic through him. And thus begins a scorching romantasy, filled to the brim with a love/hate relationship, forced proximity, scorn and banter and explosive chemistry amidst a truly magical academia setting.

I absolutely loved Wren’s character, stubborn, determined, scarred and beautiful, walled off and flawed, she is in direct contrast to Torj. He is most definitely the grumpy warrior type, honest and truthful, emotionally aware where Wren is walled off, and of course conflicted - torn between his mission and his feelings! I was totally rooting for them to admit their feelings but, I also absolutely loved their slow burn, spicy and action filled path to romance!

This series has totally introduced me to a fascinating world, Scheuerer has established a multi faceted magical world that transports you between battleground, villages and academic settings. And tells an enthralling story that grips, hooking you in from start to devastating end.

Iron and Embers is an epic romantasy that transports you to a magical post war world and a truly scorching plot that is totally irresistible!