Thank you so much to Helen and the publishers for approving me to read this ARC

❤️‍🔥 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆... 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒑 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 ❤️‍🔥

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

I was a ＨＵＧＥ fan of The Legends of Thezmarr series but this….. Helen has outdone herself. This book is 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 and I’m absolutely FERAL for Torj Elderbrock.
I will be reading again with you all on the official release date.

Oh wow! I wasn’t ready…..

I don’t even know where to begin, but I guess I could start but saying Helen is quickly becoming one of my absolute favourite authors. The epic love stories, the action, the world building, it’s all just perfect and the reason I love fantasy romance so much. Her writing has this amazing ability to suck you in and make you forget you are even reading.

It was so great to go back into this world and I’m so glad some of the beloved characters from the legends of thezmar played so much of an active role in this story. I can’t wait to see where else this story goes and I just know it’s going to blow the damn roof off- as always!

I will forever be obsessed. Will I still go right on ahead and buy a physical copy when it comes out? of course. One must always have the trophy for something this good.

Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending me this ARC!

Iron and Embers is the first book in a new Romantic Fantasy series from Helen Scheuerer, a spin off series of her Legends of Thezmarr (but it can be read separately) and OMG Helen really outdid herself with this book, I loved Wren and Torj’s story and already can’t wait for book 2.

5 years after the war Wren is a Poisoner, secretly killing people who never answered for their war crimes and still struggling with grief about her dead friends and family and pushing everyone away. When she is sent on a mission to the Drevenor Academy to become an alchemist and find out more about a new dangerous substance threatening the royals, Torj is assigned as her bodyguard and their forced proximity makes their scorching attraction to each other come back to live, even when they hate each other after everything that happened in the past.

I loved the Legends of Thezmarr series and it was amazing to come back to this fascinating world and I really liked the academy setting. I was hooked from the first page, the plot is interesting and perfectly paced and all the slowly uncovered secrets and plot twists had me on the edge on my seat. I must admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of Wren in the previous series, but I absolutely loved her here. She was so strong, but in a completely different way than her sister, she was always so stubborn and determined to archive her goals. Torj was an amazing MMC, he was a grumpy warrior, but the way he always supported and put Wren first was beautiful, despite their complicated history they were truly perfect for each other and I was rooting for them to find a way to be together and give in to their feelings and I loved their slow burn and spicy romance, they both have gone through a lot and I just want for them to be happy and together. I also loved seeing all the familiar faces, I missed them and hope to see them again in book 2.

Iron and Embers is an amazing romantasy book and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys this genre. And after that cliffhanger, the next book can’t come soon enough!

Iron & Embers is a spellbinding start to The Ashes of Thezmarr series, blending dark magic, sizzling enemies-to-lovers tension, and high-stakes action. The chemistry between Wren and Torj is electric, driven by mutual disdain and undeniable attraction. Scheuerer crafts a world filled with intrigue, danger, and passion, with a heroine who is as fierce as she is vulnerable. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, dark magic, and a world on the edge of war, Iron & Embers is your next must-read.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Unputdownable!Iron & Embers is a stunning read that had me hooked from the very first page. The world-building is rich and immersive, pulling me into a world of magic, danger, and unforgettable characters. The plot is full of twists, and I loved how the tension built with every chapter. The characters are complex and their journeys are both emotional and empowering. If you enjoy a story with action, heart, and a bit of magic, Iron & Embers is definitely a must-read. I loved every moment of it!

<b>To the women who rewrite the rules, one page at a time. Your potential is the plot twist the world never saw coming.
</b>
This was so addicting!
Short chapters, self-defence lessons, forced proximity, slow-burn HIGH tension, academy setting, dangerous trials!!

Wren is the lost Delmirian heir who’d refused her throne and killed the traitorous former Guild Master of Thezmarr.
Five years after the Shadow War, Wren is known as the Poisoner, administering vengeance for the corruption in the noble houses and politicians.
Following an assassination attempt against a member of royalty, Wren is assigned a bodyguard - Torj, the silver-haired Bear Slayer, a saviour of the midrealms; and someone she has a testy history with.

Bodyguards should not fraternise with their charges, but Tori and Wren are connected by more than their duty…

HE CALLS HER EMBERS!!! The sweetest nickname.
They are fire and ice. They know exactly how to get under the other’s skin. They also care deeply for the other but don’t dare admit it.

<b>Elwren Embervale might have been his, but she also belonged wholly to herself.
</b>
Like I said, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. There is dual-pov, great banter, found family, dealing with grief and guilt.

Wren is also such an introvert and clutter bug, yet the academy setting makes her go outside her comfort zone and start to rely on others, make friends, not poison visitors to her rooms.

<b>‘All that anger has to go somewhere, Elwren. To turn it inwards is to poison oneself as effectively as taking a dose of your beloved nightshade. To turn it outwards is to eventually poison the ones you care for. Either way, a path of destruction is created, and you will be at the helm.’
</b>
I admit, I saw the plot twist I saw coming miles away and actually included it in my review notes before I reached the end and realised it was a huge spoiler.

The ending…. UGH!
I hate it when romantasy books do this! I think this almost made it lose a whole star, but in the end I rounded up… this might change.

This is a follow on from her previous series from what I understand. I have not read that. Whilst I did feel like I missed out on Easter Eggs and previous connections, you can jump into the series without reading the prior. Just be aware it will spoil everything about the previous series considering it occurs five years after!

Arc gifted by BookBreak Panmacmillan.

A complete whirlwind of a story that brought with it risk, danger, slow burn romance and humour throughout. Wren is a woman you can’t help but root for - she’s skilled with alchemy, determined, dangerous and powerful. She’s not someone you want to mess with and you certainly don’t want to be on her bad side. I loved that this story was dual POV, meaning we also had plenty of insight into Torj’s thoughts and feelings as well as understanding a few secrets that could change the course of his changing relationship with Wren. I’m always here for a story where the mmc is completely gone for the fmc and this one delivered!

Outside of the romance, I enjoyed experiencing Drevenor through Wren’s eyes from her first day in the deadly and competitive school for the most promising novice alchemists. In her time there we get to see Wren’s character grow and change, building friendships, altering her priorities, and relaxing back into a life with people - ones who care for her. Though I haven’t read The Legends of Thezmarr series set five years before this book, it’s not necessary to enjoy this book (though I’m definitely circling back to them since I enjoyed this so much). Within this story we have flashbacks that add context to different relationships in the book and to the character’s history, offering enough understanding without delving too much into the past. It was nice to see the bond between old friends, with Kipp and Cal (a strategist and Torj’s Warsword apprentice) bringing some lightness and humour to what can be a fairly dark story with danger, and past trauma shadowing the characters.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this - the chemistry, the mysteries, the characters! Plus, with an ending like that, I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next book. At least it gives me time to pick up the first series and immerse myself in Wren’s sister’s story.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

FIVE STARS.
This is my favourite book in the Thezmarr world. I absolutely devoured it in 2 days and I loved every second.
Having alchemy as the weapon of choice in this story made me feel represented as someone who is more academic than physical (in real world scenarios, never been in a battle).
The tension was absolutely insane and I would liken this book to ACOSF in the sense that Wren battles inner demons whilst denying herself the relationship she’s yearned for.
I loved seeing the Thezmarr characters grown up, especially Cal and Kipp.
You don’t need to have read her first series to appreciate the plot, as all relevant information is presented steadily in a way that enriches the story (no info dumping).
I DID NOT predict the ending and I have actually cried and been left reeling.
I loved it all.

Now THIS is what Romantasy is all about. Perfect tension, amazing world building, great characters, and nail biting high stakes! I enjoyed every second. My only issue was that it needed a bit more information on how their magic worked and how it manifests differently in each character. I couldn't quite grasp other than Wren's power being storm magic- if everyone else had storm magic too? Or is it different per family? I hope the next book clarifies this.

This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025, and to have the opportunity to read it early in 2024 is beyond special.
The previous series, The Legends of Thezmarr, was highly enjoyable and through them I fell in love with both Wren and Torj. I've been so excited to see how their story would play out.
Let me tell you - Helen Scheuerer has the formula for an incredible romantasy perfected! The longing, the tension, the high stakes drama. It's all here and done so well. There is so much brewing under the surface of these characters, especially in the aftermath of the war which takes place five years prior to this book. I really felt the personal stories of the characters was interspersed well with the action throughout the book, and we also get a healthy dose of some fantastic side characters. Wren has already secured herself the spot as my favourite character from both series. So many elements of her journey and her reactions to things are incredibly relatable and I felt them to my core.
I loved the strong ending and I am genuinely so excited to see where the story goes!

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the arc via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.