I love it when a new to me author just blows me away, and that's exactly what happened here! Intriguing, captivating and absolute ride of a book - loved it!

This book is excellent! The romance, the tension, the magic, I was engrossed from page one and quickly devoured the whole book. Only downside was I realised about 40% in that this is a sequel series and I haven't read the earlier books in this world, so I shall be promptly fixing this as I am now very intrigued by this worlds and the events leading up to Iron & Embers

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.🫑

I am absolutely distraught and feral for the next book. Helen has outdone herself 🙌 I loved Legends of Thezmarr but this has raised the bar! Full review to come, I need time to emotionally recover from that ending 🫠🤯😭

Ok so full review time. From the moment I met Wren and Torj in Thezmarr, I adored them. They are such great characters and to go through the devastation of Thezmarr with them to Iron & Embers is such a unique experience as a reader. We often get our characters already damaged and learn retrospectively what has hurt them but with this, Wren in particular, you knew the girl before the trauma and the impact it has had on her in the present. Through Iron & Embers, Torj and Wren's found family help her to heal and to come into her own with absolute ferocity. There is so much growth for both her & Torj that is just so beautiful to see. I don't want to give too much away but Helen's angsty af slow burn was 🤌 Torj is definitely being added to the book boyfriend list, despite some of his questionable decisions towards the end. Below are what you can expect & a tiny piece of advice, make sure you're in a safe place with a furry friend and a stiff drink to finish the final 50 pages 😭🤯

🗣️Dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️.🫑 Spicy with LOTS of angst
👯‍♀️ Found family
😂 Banter
📚 Academia
⚠️ Forbidden romance (bodyguard + ward)
😭 So. Much. Emotional. Damage.
🌳 Growth + character development
🫣 Hidden identity
🧪✨ Alchemy + magic


✨Thank you Helen & Netgalley for this early review copy. My views are my own and I feel so lucky to have gotten read this ahead of it's release ✨

3.75 so rounding up to 4⭐️! Thank you NetGalley and PanMacmillan for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Iron & Embers is EXACTLY what you expect when you pick up a Romantasy read! A magical world, political unrest, reluctant allies to lovers, and TENSIONNNN! The tension is off the charts, so good!

This story takes place 5 years after the Shadow Wars. Elwren Embervale has been keeping to herself since the war ended, enjoying her solitude and spending her time with her potions and poisons. Content in her secluded home, she receives news of a new form of alchemy being used to target the royal families of the neighbouring kingdoms. Knowing that she must help find the cure for this new form of poison, she is offered a spot in the most prestigious academy in the realms, Dravenor. Securing her studies will not be easy, as only those who pass The Gauntlet will be awarded a spot. Being a royal herself, her own life is in danger… queue the bodyguard!
Torj Elderbrock is the war hero tasked with protecting Wren. The only issue is… they really do not get along! Their shared history makes their interactions less than ideal, and they will be stuck together for the foreseeable future…

The story is well planned and it keeps the reader engaged throughout. I had not read the original trilogy before diving into Iron & Embers, so I found the first couple of chapters a bit hard to follow, especially because there are tons of flashbacks! I wasn’t sure if the flashbacks were new information, or whether it was something previous readers might already know. The story wasn’t difficult to follow once all the main characters were introduced, and once we get to the Academy setting it’s a very easy read!

I really liked both Wren and Torj, I thought they had distinct monologues and their end-goals were clear from the beginning. Their interactions were SO FUN! I couldn’t wait to get to their scenes, the tension was very well executed.

I think the plot and side characters were a bit weak. It gave me the impression that the author really wanted to tell Wren and Torj’s story and built the rest around that… which made the more action-packed scenes and the climax fall flat. I also wasn’t greatly interested in any of the side characters, but I am hoping we will have that found-family feeling in future books.

The story is definitely more romance than fantasy, but it is entertaining nonetheless! Extra points for making me want to read the Legends of Thezmarr trilogy :)

Helen knows how to create an Epic Fantasy that pulls you into its pages, weaving the romance in such a way that it is present yet never over takes the story.
witty dialogue, deadly trials and a slown burn romance.
a must read if you like those tropes and want to step into a lush and exciting world.

Wow just wow, I am so happy to be back in this world with these characters. I’m rating this 4.5 stars.

The tension has been building between these two characters since the war & I’m so glad in this book that it all finally comes to a head. Torj and Wren are a new fav of mine, the banter and connection is elite.

In this book Wren feels burdened by the past and the shadow war, still trying to achieve feats through alchemy that others could only dream of, but Wren only dreams of attending the academy but Farissa & Audra seem to stand in her way.

Torj is reeling from the war with the magic he experienced and shared with Wren. The two characters are thrust together in a new battle of wit, alchemy and the royals appear to be at the heart of it all again.

Fantastic read, this author is an auto-buy author for me and I cannot wait to read more by them.

This was my first Helen Scheuerer book and i’m happy to say it lived up to the hype! I loved how the fantast and romance elements were evenly balanced, plus this book had one of my favourite tropes for fantasy books: deadly trials!!
The romance between the main characters Torj and Wren was high-stakes, emotional and full of yearning. They’re both maddening and stubbord characters, which made their push and pull all the more enjoyable🤭

The worldbuilding was also so fascinating that I will be reading the Legends of Thezmarr books as soon as possible.

Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher PanMacmillan for a free earc of this book!

HS can do no wrong! Absolutely adored Wren and Torj’s story - thank you so much to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and the author for my advanced reader copy!!

Full review to follow ♥️

I had such high hopes when going into this and I wasn’t disappointed at all! It has everything that you could possibly want from an epic romantasy book (and I’m pretty sure that this one relates to another series that the author has written?)

Its full of pretty simple tropes yet they’re done in such a way that the story feels really unique and interesting, and even though the tropes are ones we’ve read about a thousand times they still had such a positive impact on the story.
Were talking; bodyguard romance, forced proximity, fated love, trials and touch her and die. The other aspect that just made this even more of a joy to read was that it was DUAL POV!!! I love nothing more than when authors give us both sides of the story, in particular when it has romantic elements to it. Idk there’s just something about it and the story feels so much juicier when you can read about what each sides are feeling about the other and you get to experience all of the pining and tension almost first hand.

Having not read any of the authors other books I can really say that I don’t think you need any of the context or history to be able to dive into this one. It might make the story richer and I’m sure there are a lot of callback to other characters and events, but you can for sure enjoy this one on its own. Even more so because it does follow the standard “romantasy” formula, so if you want to read an epic fantasy that is easy to read/follow, not a great deal of complex things to understand, and a healthy dose of romance then this is definitely the book for you!

a huge thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for giving me the chance to read an arc copy of this!

Iron & Embers is top tier epic fantasy romance. This series is literally everything you need from a romantasy. I adore the characters this author creates, we have a morally grey poisoner seeking revenge, Wren, who is attending an academy involving deadly lessons to become an alchemist. Then we have a war hero, Torj, who becomes a reluctant bodyguard to her.
I have read absolutely everything by this author and at times I can see the all tropes she is adding in. I worry it’s too much but then I’m absolutely addicted and fully invested yet again. In this one there’s forced proximity, deadly trials, fated love and one horse (to name a few). With the way the characters are written, the complex back stories, relationships and Easter eggs we get from the other series I do sometimes wish this could be stripped back slightly and more raw/less formulaic. I want to be surprised by a book and the plot, especially the end was clear to see. Saying this I need the next instalment after that ending!!
So my one criticism, which I know I’m going into detail with, is that I want the story to feel less tropey/standard romantasy formula. I still rate this book highly, I will never forget these characters, I believe this will be an incredible trilogy and if you read romantasy and haven’t picked up this series then you should. But sometimes the tropes are taking away from some absolutely brilliant characters and scenes. The academy setting for example is amazing, we get the perfect blend of the lessons, mixing with other students and then general day to day living. The found family is amazing, plenty of banter not just between our love interests but the friends too. I could honestly read a story of the friends just living their lives with no peril in the pub and having a joke.
Also the dual POV is great. We get to experience all the pining and tension. The romance has that chemistry that just makes sense! Overall brilliant, also great you can jump in and start from here, but obviously I would recommend reading the other series first for a fuller experience. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

It took me a while to pick up, but once I did I read it cover to cover! It was fun and suspenseful, a fantastic start to this series. I absolutely recommend this book to lovers of Fourth Wing, and ACOTAR!

WOW THIS WAS AMAZING!!

I enjoyed every single second of this book and devoured it!! Literally read it anywhere I could just to get to the next chapter 🤩

This was a beautifully written book about loss, anger, love and all those strong emotions that sometimes are too hard to deal with and makes us lash out or be completely silent. Absolutely loved this queen!! Her character development is amazing and you can relate to her on a completely other level😩🙌

Now I love me a brooding man and wow this book delivered!! Going from pretending they hate each other to developing a real friendship over their time together was beautiful! And yess let’s be real I lived for the steamy scenes 😮‍💨🤌

Now I’m gonna have to read the previous series as I want more of this amazing world and I bet the books are just as good as this one 🏃‍♀️💨

Looking for your next romantasy obsession? Iron & Embers is the perfect book if you're looking for:
- Enemies-to-Lovers🥵
-"Who did this to you?"🥺
- LOTS of angst and yearning🔥
-Morally Grey FMC
-Broody but Sweet MMC
-Alchemists and Assassins💀⚔️

The ending was a bit of a let=down as it fell to a trope I really dislike in romantasy novels, but otherwise this was AMAZING. Such a thrilling story and characters, I cannot wait to see where the next book leads to!!

Thank you Tor Bramble for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was everything I wanted and more! I love Wren so much. She has been through so much and deserves every happiness. Deeply traumatised after the Legends of Thezmarr series, Wren has built up walls and shut down rather than face her grief. Seeing her build new friendships and rekindle old ones is so emotional! Despite her pain, she remains witty and feisty. Her character is so well done and so complex!

Where to start with Torj 🥵 a grumpy, overprotective bodyguard so full of yearning! The Witcher but with banter. And the side characters! Kip is still a firm fave and never fails to have me actually laughing out loud.

” You look like you’re going to kiss me.” “You look like you’d enjoy it.”

My fave thing about Helen’s fmcs is how they fight their own battles. The mmcs are fiercely supportive without trying to take over or lead.

”Now your woman is fighting to achieve something she has wanted her whole life. Your role, your only fucking role here, is to support her.”

(Ps, this book/series can definitely be read without reading the Legends of Thezmarr first, but it does have spoilers and link back to events in the earlier series.)

— 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 614 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Helen Scheuerer
⏳ 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: Trilogy
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Bramble, Tor UK
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 6 February 2025

What you can expect:
— Adult Epic Fantasy Romance
— Third Person X Dual POV
— Royal Alchemist X Warsword
— Hate-To-Love
— Reluctant Bodyguard
— Grumpy X Grumpy
— Forced Proximity
— Academic Setting
— Found Family
— "Who Did This To You?"
— Only One Horse
— Forbidden Romance
— Fated Love
— Deadly Trials & Prophecies
— 'Touch Her And Die'

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: sexually explicit content, death, violence & gore, PTSD rep, threats of sexual violence, domestic abuse (discussed/side character), suicide (mentioned), dementia (referenced) and adult language.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Iron & Embers is the first instalment in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy by author Helen Scheuerer. Whilst this series is advertised for its ability to be read separately from The Legends of Thezmarr series, I personally recommend reading that series prior to this one for better emotional impact and understanding. This book recounts the need-to-know events from that series for better understanding, however I personally think you'll achieve a much fuller reading experience with a better understanding for all of the characters by having direct knowledge on their origins which leads to the events throughout this book. I don't know what kind of sorcery Scheuerer puts into her writing because I need somebody to explain to me how I have devoured the entirety of the Legends series and its companion standalone alongside this book in less than a week. I'm a woman addicted and I'm already clawing at the walls for the release of the sequel which is mere months away and yet feels infinitely longer after that jaw-dropping ending. New favourite auto-buy author? Absolutely yes. I was immediately immersed into the expansive setting and ongoing world-building that takes place within this universe as we explore corners of the world we've not yet seen. I've always been a huge fan of an academic setting and I had a lot of fun exploring the cut-throat environment that is established within the walls of Drevenor Academy. The story felt well-paced as it seamlessly balanced the explosive forbidden chemistry between our two main characters and the ongoing threat that develops throughout the duration of the plot. The addictive character interactions and emotional vulnerabilities that are explored offer an intimate insight into our cast of characters that left me unable to put the book down and vying for more. I adored seeing the return of fan favourite characters within a found family unit whilst leaving ample space for the introduction for new characters to be welcomed and explored. I truly could not recommend this author any further as her seemingly effortless writing will leave you enthralled and desperate for more and I'm so unbelievably excited for the release of the sequel, Thorns & Fire, which is due sometime July 2025.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
The plot in Iron & Embers takes place five years after the events of The Legends of Thezmarr series as we follow Wren on her academic journey towards securing her dream as a Master Alchemist whilst battling with the rage and grief she has experienced post-war. When a King of the Midrealms is attacked by an unknown group who have used a never before-seen form of alchemy in their attack, Wren is tasked with uncovering a cure for the dark magic that once again plagues the kingdom by attending the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor. Per the laws of the Midrealms; an attack on a Royal is an attack on them all and therefore, Wren is assigned a bodyguard to protect her during her stay at Drevenor. It's unfortunate that her assigned bodyguard is none other than Torj Elderbrook, a legendary Warsword and the very man she has spent the past five years trying to forget. I absolutely loved how the plot in this book developed over time whilst acting as a support for the character dynamics and development. Wren's task for developing a cure whilst putting everything she has towards passing the Gauntlet helped to showcase her ambition and drive which was vital for the ongoing plot. As somebody who has loved the previous connecting series it was a lot of fun to see how the past and the present connect whilst also standing apart on its own. Getting to see the focus on Alchemy was an interesting exploration as it shows that there is as much value in the power of the mind and intelligence, arguably if not more, as there is to physical strength and prowess. Wren's strength has always been her mind and keenness towards her pursuit for knowledge and I loved getting to see her grow in support of the ongoing plot. The suspense and intrigue was addictive as we investigate the building dissent across the kingdoms which is lead by a secret nefarious group who's ambitions very much still lay in the unknowns. I'm very excited to explore this group further and the alluded personal connection that definitely has me trusting a certain character significantly less than what I initially felt.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Elwren 'The Poisoner' Embervale is a morally complex woman who we see undergo a great deal of change and development throughout her journey in Iron & Embers. The shadow war has left its scars externally and internally upon Wren and it truly broke my heart to see the largely self-imposed suffering that she has endured since. The survivor's guilt is strong within Wren's character and her self-loathing that she carries as a result was heart-wrenching as we follow her on her path for vengeance with a determination to rid the world of those who contributed to the wrong side of the war. Revenge becomes her sole-focus after continually being rejected from the academy that holds her dreams within its grasp, and it was interesting to follow a woman largely trained in healing and using alchemy for good suddenly use her talent for morally complex desires. The significant loss that she faced during the war results in Wren emotionally closing herself off and refusing to let people in out of fear of having to face that loss again. Her journey is not linear and I really connected with Wren throughout her struggles and determination to finally achieve her goals after being granted the opportunity to study Drevenor and once again help rid the world of dark magic. I loved following a main character who's main strengths lay within her mind as opposed to physical strength and there's no denying that Wren is not a character you want to find yourself on opposite sides of. She's a fierce and headstrong woman who is willing to do whatever it takes for the side of good no matter the personal cost. Wren's journey towards healing was a desperately slow-burn and it was a beautiful transition to see her finally come to terms with all that she has lost and endured. Seeing her slowly begin to emotionally lower her walls and once again let people in was such a rewarding sight to see and I cannot wait to see Wren continue to grow and learn in the next book alongside her peers. Her refusal to accept less than she deserves was everything I had hoped to see from a consistently strong character, and I have nothing but respect and belief in Wren in her pursuit for the truth. Elwren is a far from perfect character who makes a lot of mistakes and choices which we see her ultimately become forced to face the consequences of those actions. I could not love her more for it as her complexities only seek to add to her humanity and I just know that she is on the path towards growing into a woman that she can feel proud of becoming.

Torj 'The Bear Slayer' Elderbrock is the standard for all love interests and I will die on this hill defending my stance. You're telling me that this man has been pining for this woman for over five YEARS amidst all of the pain, trauma and circumstances that kept them apart? You're telling me that when given the opportunity to spend one night with her... he refuses knowing that one night will never be enough and he painfully walks away with the silent hope that she'll someday be ready to offer him everything? I didn't think it was possible to swoon whilst simultaneously wanting to cry and yet... here I am. Torj was one of my favourite side characters throughout the Legends series and I was thrilled to see him become a central focus in his own journey. His familial backstory took me by complete surprise and whilst my heart broke for his experiences, I was really grateful to be offered a deeper emotional insight into his character. Learning his backstory helped me better connect with Torj's character whilst having a better understanding for his actions and motivations. Torj is a protector at heart and it was hilarious to see his struggles trying to protect a headstrong woman who was adamant that she didn't need his help. His loyalty to the people he cares about was admirable and I adore how Torj is a man that can be depended and relied upon. What surprised me the most was the inner tenderness and softness that a man like Torj possessed despite being known for his fierce and aggressive nature on the battlefield, and yet at the same time I really shouldn't feel surprised. The way Torj is able to build up the people around them and encourage the best from them was everything I hoped he would be. His steadfast willingness to stand up for what is right and determination to protect innocent lives made him an easy character to fall in-love with and I'm very keen to see where his journey will lead in the next book. Torj's selflessness emotionally gutted me because all I wanted was for this beautiful soul finally achieve his every want and hope that he's carried throughout his life... but in Helen Scheuerer we trust because I refuse to accept any other alternative for his character. Honestly, I just wanted to give this man the biggest hug and reassure him that everything will (hopefully) work out for him in the end. I don't think I've ever emotionally rooted for a character as fiercely as I have Torj Elderbrook, and I cannot wait to see what more pain and torment this man endures as he fights for the life that he wants and deserves.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
Iron & Embers is the epitome of an angsty forbidden romance filled with delicious longing and yearning which will leave you on the edge of your seat and vying for more. I swear I was tempted to bite my knuckles from the second-hand anxiety that I was feeling on behalf of these two characters. There's no doubting that Wren and Torj are bound by unknown forces despite their determination to hate one another as a result of past circumstances. I probably shouldn't have found it as funny as I did... but it was genuinely hilarious how at odds both characters were and the banter that manifested as a result. Their continuous attraction and sizzling chemistry left me swooning and desperate to see where their tumultuous dynamic was building towards despite how desperately both characters fought against their natural chemistry. There's a lot of pre-existing hurt and history between Wren and Torj and I was thrilled to see the deeper insight that was offered during past recounts and discussions. At their core, Torj and Wren are two deeply hurt individuals who were forever altered by the shadow war and ultimately don't know how to cope with and address those changes. Seeing their relationship develop and evolve through patience, understanding and vulnerable communication was a beautiful progression to follow and I loved every moment of it. Seeing them begin to lean upon one another during moments of strife was everything I had hoped to see and I loved how their peers were able to predict their growth before they ever could. There's still so much hurt that exists between both characters with a lot left unsaid so I'm very excited to see what comes next for Torj and Wren after that explosive ending. The insight into what their relationship can become over time was addictive and I'm truly rooting for them to heal independently and as a couple. There's no denying the strength that Wren and Torj possess as a couple and I cannot wait to see them grow into potentially the most powerful couple within the Thezmarr universe.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Iron & Embers has left me shell-shocked with an eagerness for the next book after this book offered the perfect balance between providing answers whilst leaving enough things left unsaid. There's so much unknown about the fate of the characters and the world that they reside in and I cannot wait to see the truth begin to be discovered. There's one character in particular that I'm feeling untrustworthy towards so I'm keen to see if my feelings are right or if I'll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The world of Thezmarr has continued to grow in strength and I cannot wait to delve further into the author's mind with the release of the sequel, Thorns & Fire, which is due sometime July 2025.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

This is a ♾️/5 book.

“𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘”

This is nothing short of a masterpiece. Picture this: slow burn enemies to lovers tension so thick you can feel it, high stakes trials that kept me on edge, and banter sharp enough to cut glass.

Let’s talk about Wren Embervale—our lethal QUEEN. She’s an alchemist-turned-assassin with a dark, vengeance filled journey that earned her the name The Poisoner. Now, she’s battling her way through the deadly Gauntlet at Drevenor Academy (think The Hunger Games but with alchemy), all while dealing with Torj Elderbrock—the emotionally guarded, silver haired war hero she hasn’t seen in years but is now her assigned bodyguard. Their chemistry? Explosive. Their tension? Unmatched. And when that slow burn finally ignites? Perfection.

“𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝒾𝓈𝓈 𝓂𝑒.”
‘𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊’𝒹 𝑒𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝒾𝓉.”

Tropes and themes I loved:
🧪Alchemist and Warsword Bodyguard
🧪SLOW burn full of angst
🧪Nightmare comfort
🧪One Horse
🧪He trains her
🧪Forced Proximity
🧪Fu€k it moment
🧪Despise to love
🧪Brutal ending

Set five years after The Legends of Thezmarr, this story reunites Wren and Torj in an academic setting filled with intrigue and danger. The plot is engaging, but the real magic lies in the characters and their relationships. The romance between Wren and Torj is beautifully drawn out, with every glance, touch, and moment of angst building to a breathtaking payoff.

“ɪ’ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴇᴍʙᴇʀꜱ.”

Seeing familiar faces like Kipp and Cal brought so much warmth and humor to balance the intensity of the story. I loved seeing Thea and Wilder again too, and the little pep talk Wilder gave Torj made my heart grow three sizes.

Whether you’re new to this world or already a fan, this book delivers. While you can jump in here, I’d STRONGLY recommend starting with The Legends of Thezmarr series for the full emotional impact. Helen Scheuerer has outdone herself again, this ending is literally giving me a book hangover and I am physically unwell with that ending- I need book two like I need air💨

I could not have ended my 2024 reading season on a higher note. Iron and Embers by @helenscheuerer is a contender for one of my top favorite books of all time and do you want to hear the kicker?!

I HAVEN'T EVEN READ THE PRE-SERIES. (Immediately moved to the top of my tbr, I like doing things backwards I guess?)

This book was everything my little vindictive, witchy heart wanted. It's like... If a magical school was just Snapes potions class, but add in vikings and a dash of smut.

Wren is angry, she is mad and vindictive against those responsible for the death of her loved ones. She will kill them all, even if it holds her back from her dream, they will pay. All she has ever wanted was to be a master alchemist, graduating from the prestigious alchemy school, but her anger holds her back and prohibits her from stepping foot on the school grounds. When disaster strikes and royals start being targeted, including Wren, the school knows they need Wren's insight and finally allows her to enter their grounds. If she is to become a master alchemist, she must face all matters of danger, physical, emotional, mental, the biggest one being love. When an old flame is assigned as her body guard at the school, their hatred for each other festers at the surface but something bigger is going on within their souls.

I cannot tell you how much I adored this book. It felt like coming home. I found myself giggling, kicking my feet, yelling at the characters (see previous video) and crying at the end. It is a CARDINAL SIN that the second book isn't in my hands immediately.

3.25 rounded down for goodreads and netgalley.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book to read. The main female character was mostly interesting even though I wished I had more of her, in a way. The main male character, however, was too cocky for me. I did not enjoy reading his chapters very much. The return of some characters from the Legends of Thezmarr series was nice, especially for two of them — no spoilers but they are male characters. I thought the plot was not present enough, I wanted more of it. The trials and the ending felt quite flat and anticlimactic and that’s quite a shame. The relationship between the two main characters was only sexual to me. It wasn’t the biggest issue of the book, but their feelings are not believable. And I wanted some other relationships and friendships to be developed more.
The writing is still engaging and so is the universe, but I thought the balance between the plot and the sexual relationship was not remotely even. That’s my main issue; but if you prefer character-driven romantasies I would very much recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

✨"Iron & Embers" by Helen Scheuerer✨ is a chef’s kiss 🔥 masterpiece. I’m talking slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension so thick you’ll need a knife to cut through it, deadly trials that had my heart pounding, and banter so sharp it left scars. Let me break it down for you 👇:

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Wren Embervale? QUEEN BEHAVIOUR 👑
Our girl Wren is an alchemist-turned-assassin with a past drenched in blood and vengeance. She's called The Poisoner for a reason, y’all. 😤💉 She’s out here trying to survive the Gauntlet at Drevenor Academy—think The Hunger Games meets Alchemy 101—all while wrestling with her stormy history with Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired, emotionally constipated, walking war legend 🐺.

Wren’s vibe: Stubborn, fierce, full of fire.
Her motto: "I didn't fight in the fucking shadow war so a man could tell me where my place is." 👏
And honestly? Same, girl. Same. 🙌

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Torj Elderbrock? UGH, I’m OBSESSED 🫠
This man. THIS MAN. He’s broody, loyal, and hiding secrets so deep, even he’s drowning in them. His protective streak? Chef’s kiss. 😩 His history with Wren? Messy AF in the best way. The tension between them could fuel a thousand thunderstorms. 🌩️⚡️

Torj’s vibe: “Go up in flames with me, Embers.”🔥
Also Torj: “Do you mean to kill me, Embers? Because if you’re to be the end of me, it’s an end I’ll greet with open arms.” 🥵
Me, melting: Sir, stop. 😭💔

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The SQUAD? ICONIC ✨
The side characters? 10/10, no notes. Kipp Snowden = the moment. 🦊 He’s got sass for days and lines that had me cackling:
"Not if I can help it, Flaming Arrow. Life is short, and you’ve gotta die from something." 💀🔥
Zavier and Dessa were ride-or-die teammates who grew on me like poison ivy (in the best way). 🌱💔

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The World-Building? IMMERSIVE 🗺️
Dark magic, ancient alchemy, and a war-torn world filled with assassins and warriors? Scheuerer didn’t just write a book; she built a freaking realm. The Gauntlet was deadly and cinematic, and I felt every blade, every storm, every heartbreak. ⚔️🌪️

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THE ROMANCE? SLOW-BURN PERFECTION 🥵🔥
Listen, the enemies-to-lovers trope is already my kryptonite, but this? This was a whole new level. Wren and Torj’s chemistry isn’t just sizzling—it’s a full-on wildfire. From their bickering to their stolen moments of vulnerability, I was 👏 fully 👏 invested 👏. Their shared scars and whispered promises? Ugh, my heart. 💔🔥

Favourite moments:
- "You look good in lightning." ⚡
- "In the aftermath of the war, where the world was muted in ash, Wren was a burst of colour."🎨
- "For theirs was a story told in scars." 🥀

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THE ENDING? RUDE 😭
When I tell you the last few chapters wrecked me—I mean, I’m still picking up the pieces of my soul. Wren’s journey was all about survival, but that ending? It was pure devastation and hope rolled into one. Book two cannot come fast enough. Helen, please. I’m begging. 🛐

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Final Thoughts
If you loved The Witcher, The Bridge Kingdom, or The Serpent and the Wings of Night, you NEED this in your life. It’s got everything:
✅ Sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance 🔥
✅ Dark, twisty magic 🪄
✅ Deadly trials and political intrigue ⚔️
✅ Banter that cuts deeper than blades ✂️

"Iron & Embers" = 5/5 stars. Absolute perfection. 🖤 Go read it. Like, now.

Helen has done it again 🙌🏻 This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it did not disappoint in the slightest!!

I highly recommend starting with Legends of Thezmarr before starting this series, as you will get some major spoilers to the overarching storyline during Iron and Embers, and honestly once you finish this book you're going to want to go back and read Helen's whole back catalogue.

If you love epic fantasy with female characters at the forefront of the story, you will adore Helen's writing. This book is slightly heavier on the romance aspect, but in a way that adds to the story, and creates a second shocking plot of its own.

I devoured this book, and I cannot stop thinking about it almost a month later. The story and these characters have me in a chokehold and I need to know what happens next for Torj and Wren! If I wasn't already so far gone over Wilder Hawthorne, Torj would absolutely have a shot at top book boyfriend!

There were moments I just wanted to shake these characters and bang their heads together, which shows just how invested I was in their story! I laughed, I cried, I threw my kindle, I screamed into the void. This book is easily one of my top reads this year and we're only a week in!