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.

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!

*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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

*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.

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 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.