This was soooo great!
My first Helen Scheuerer book, but definitely not my last!
The story had me hooked from the beginning and the tension was lit!
If you like Romantasy, you need to read this!

Oh and the vocie of the MMC, blew me away!
4,5 ⭐️ and a thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook, and I will definitely recommed this book on IG :)

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced listening copy of Iron and Embers! This is the first book in the spin-off series to Legends of Thezmarr, focusing instead of Elwren and Torj. I loved their will-they-won’t-they energy in the Legends of Thezmarr series, and was very much a fan of both the evolution/development of Helen Scheurerer’s writing in this book as well as the enemies to lovers storyline. This book is perfect for fans of romantasy!

Some of the tropes and themes we get to see in Iron and Embers:
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- he falls first
- magical academy
- magical trials
- touch-her-and-die
- smart and snarky FMC
- fun banter

We return to the world of Thezmarr with Wren as our main character, who has finally been accepted to Drevenor to train as a master alchemist. Due to her royal status, she is forced to accept the protection of a War Sword if she will be leaving the fortress of Thezmarr. Enter Torj, stage right. Wren is the last royal that he would ever ask to be assigned to, after she spurned their chance at a relationship. He still can’t stop thinking about the alchemist who leant him her power to wield storms during the battle of Thezmarr at the end of the war, and Wren reluctantly can’t stop thinking about the Bear Slayer with his rugged good looks and thick muscles. We get yearning, we get fierce protection, we get hot romance.

I really think that Scheurerer’s strength as an author shines in Irons and Embers, and it’s been so fun to see her develop into the author that she is today.

I really loved this book! The alchemy and guard notes at the beginning of every chapter really added to this, I loved getting those. I liked Wren a lot during the Legends of Thezmarr series so I was super excited to get to read her book and see how her mind worked and more importantly, how the war affected her. I knew when they talked to the Queen Reyna in Shadow & Storms that this series wasn’t going to be the last of it for this world and I’m so glad for that. I felt like this was a dark, adult Harry Potter in certain aspects of this book.

It was nice getting to see Wilder and Thea in this series as well as getting to see them from a different point of view. I knew when we first met Tori that we were going to get more from him, and he exceeded my expectations. Just from those few lines he had in Legends I knew he was going to have my heart.

Honestly I was not prepared for that ending, it made me hurt for them both and I will be stressing until I read the next book. I can’t wait for it!

I think it needs to be made much clearer that this is a new series extended from another series. I think it requires the knowledge from the previous series to fully deliver.

Many thanks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I try to get to at list about 20% of a novel before DNFing. But this was a struggle to get to 10%. I keep trying romantasy because I do like romance in my fantasy. It's just been difficult to find one that is a good fit for me. Just based on the reviews, it looks like this is a hit for others and I'm in the minority. So, it clearly works for others.

That said, my specific issues were with how the romance was being written. The female love interest actively pursues vigilante justice against criminals by executing them. The male love interest disapproves and actively judges her, drugs her to take control of her at one point, and wants her to change to fit his preferences for a relationship between them. That means their incompatible and therefore the romance portion of the romantic fantasy has already failed. I really dislike the theme that seeking justice is bad and will cause a woman to be "too far gone" to be deserving of a man's love.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm giving this book 3 stars because it is an extension to another series that I didn't read so at times I was a like confused. Befire going into this book I didn't know their was a connecting series until the looked up the author. Overall, I found this fantasy world to be interesting but I was missing a bunch of world building and character backstory to really enjoy it.

With that being said I did enjoy this story and was very interested in the alchemist school setting. This book definitely has an enemies to lovers feel but really is a princess and her bodyguard book.

I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the performance because I'm not sure if I would have been able to pronounce some of the names.

I really enjoyed returning to the world of Thezmarr! We get to spend time while the cast of characters that we know and love from the Legends series. Though our main characters are Wren and Torj, there is still a lot of interactions with our side characters from Legends. I definitely think you should read the Legends of Thezmarr series prior to starting the Ashes of Thezmarr series. There is so many little (a a couple) of big spoilers to that series. Plus you get a lot of added backstory on our main and side characters. This series is set up to be another epic story line where our badass FMC helps take down the enemy. I’m really looking forward to the next installment.

I didn’t realize until halfway through the book that this is another series in about universe. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read the other series first. That being said, excellent story and great characters. Lots of good tension and an interesting alchemy school. Can’t wait to read the next one. Narrators were also fantastic.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer is the first book in the fantasy romance trilogy “The Ashes of Thezmarr” and it is set five years after the events of the Legends of Thezmarr series.
If you did not read this series yet, I recommend it, as this can be considered a continuation and it would be easier to understand the world and the characters. Also there are references to events that happen in the past.

Thank you The Realm Studios for the e-ARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is for you of you like:
- academy setting
- deadly trials
- alchemy and potions
- magic
- forced proximity
- bodyguard/princess
- strong FMC
- broody MMC
- slow burn
- found family

In the beginning of the book we find how the ending of Shadow & Storms affected the kingdoms and that people are still healing. Wren and Torj were also affected by the war.
Wren is an alchemist turned assassin that still grieves the loss of her friends and suffers from trauma.
Torj is a warrior that is charged with her protection. There was a connection between them for a long time and now that they are some much time in close proximity, it is harder to deny it (as much as they try).

The romance is a very slow burn, but filled with angst, tension and a lot of banter.

Listening to the audiobook is a plus as I could multitask when needed. The narration is dual, done by Matt Haynes and Emilia Bauer that did a good job. My only comment is that the voice of the narrator through Torj’s lines was a bit too low, but I enjoyed his narration overall. By listening to the book I felt some of the emotions of the characters even stronger.

I also liked that the chapters are short. The plot is engaging and there is enough action, mystery and tension to keep me reading.
The side characters are great, especially Kipp and Cal that provide the funny side of the book.

The ending was intense and Torj’s decision made me angry. Now I am (im)patiently waiting for book 2.

As always, Helen is a masterful world-builder and storyteller. The evolution of the LOT world was so clear and believable and it was so nice to be back in something familiar but changed. I knew from the start that Wren was going to be my kind of character. I loved how prickly she was and the yearning. My gods! The yearning in this book. I am dangling from that cliffhanger ending, anxiously awaiting book two.

Y’all I absolutely devoured this book. Helen for sure has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She has this unique talent of crafting such an engaging story, compelling and realistic characters with a build up of spice that when it finally blows up, it’s exquisite.
The narrators absolutely hit it out the park. They embodied Wren and Torj with such precision that I fell in love with them. Their back and forth quips were one of the main highlights of this book. Seeing them circle each other in this sexy, hilarious and intense dance had me swooning.
This is a Romantasy that needs to be on your TBR and moved up to the top. I know it’s early but this book is sitting pretty as my number 1 book of the year and it’s going to be tough to knock off its perch.☺️
Make sure to check it out on 1•28•25 when it takes the world by storm 🤘🏻

Iron and Embers features Wren, assassin and alchemist, and Torj, War Sword. Wren has recently been accepted into a secret school for alchemy and needs a bodyguard assigned to her for protection. Torj is the unlucky War Sword assigned to Wren. They have never been on the same page and have had animosity for years. Now, they are forced to interact daily as Wren trains.

This. Was. Incredible. I was lucky enough to get an ALC and throughly enjoyed the story and the audiobook narration. Helen Scheuerer has created something magical here and I loved every minute. This is the first book in a new series, but set in the same world as a previous series. You don’t need to have read the previous series in order to enjoy this one, I haven’t, but I am going to now!

Wren is an incredibly strong character, who is still living through her grief from the war. She is determined to do well at her studies and I loved seeing her brain work. I also loved how much Torj got under her skin (and vice versa). Torj, meanwhile, has silver haired Witcher vibes and all the growly grumpy bodyguard vibes. I loved being in his head and living through his unrelenting focus on Wren.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series, to see what happens next!

Overall, highly recommend and the audio was incredible!

"Iron & Embers" by Helen Scheuerer takes place in a dark world trying to recover from the last war and preparing for the next. Wren Embervale as earned her reputation, both as strong wielder and as an assassin. She has spent years honing her craft of alchemy and taking out her enemies by poisoning them. However, that time has come to an end as she has been invited to attend her dream school - Drevenor Academy. It is only here she will be able to further push herself and master alchemy. But, there's a catch, she may only attend Drevenor if she agrees to have a body guard. The bodyguard assigned to her is no other then Torj Elderbrock, war-hero and her sworn enemy (since she killed his last charge). The tensions are high and Torj has his hands full trying to keep Wren out of trouble, but maybe shes the type of trouble he likes...

This is such a fun romantasy with it's quick banter and well developed characters. I really enjoyed my time in this world and look forward to seeing what happens next.

This book immediately kicks you off with our main character being her viscous self showing off her skills with trickery poison and alchemy, you can tell from the beginning that she is going to be clever and entertaining and keep you on your toes.

Over the next little while it’s important to pay close attention, especially if listening in audio format, as we have several time jumps and it can be easy to get lost whilst trying to familiarize yourself with the world and the characters. I will admit that I did get lost a few times and had to keep rewinding to figure it out, however I will say the fault is mine and not the narrators as I was trying to multitask and listen at the gym 😂 it is likely a lot easier to follow when reading in physical format.

If you like a slow burn romance with a ton of longing and tension in a fantasy setting then this definitely could be a great choice for you. The characters definitely long to be together yet circumstance isn’t allowing it and we get all the juicy drama that entails.

I would recommend to read the related series first so that you have a better concept of the world, characters and political wars etc that are happening; however if you decide to jump straight into this one first you’ll still have a good time reading.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Helen Scheuerer for the ALC!

Publish date - January 28th 2025

This book was Amazing! I am a huge fan of The Legends of Thezmarr series and this book is a continuation of that series. While you don’t have to read it I would definitely recommend it.
I love Wren and Torj. I already loved them but now all I can say is wow. Wren and I have had a rocky relationship but she has really grown into herself. Torj on the other hand has always been a favorite. Together? Just perfection.
This book was everything I wanted it to be. Action, spice, great characters, and a fantastic story. I would definitely recommend this to everyone!
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And I really did enjoy the narrators.

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer and Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC.

A beautiful fantasy series! If you haven't read The Legends of Thezmarr already, I suggest doing that before picking up this series only because I did not know about the War of the Midlands and felt like I was missing a lot. Wren is a princess turned poisoner; she has lost those she loved most and vowed revenge. She has only wanted to be an alchemist, but she has been denied for 5 years to attend the school of her dreams. But, now that they need her help with a new alchemical magic targeting royals, she is finally in on one condition. She must let the war sword Torj protect her. The two have been dancing around each other and the attraction they feel for each other for years. Will they finally throw caution to the wind and allow themselves to love one another?

In terms of the narrators, they were both incredible. Make sure that you pay close attention at the beginning of the book as there is some time hoping, and it can be a little confusing when only listening and not being able to flip back and forth. The narrator's tone, however, was on point, and the male's voice reminded me of a dead Mr. Darcy, all rough and longing.

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer has truly blown me out of the waters! The world, characters, plot, and romance are all so amazingly done that I was completely immersed in Wren’s story (And don’t even get me started on Torj). The tension, pining, and yearning between these two are just the cherry on top! Oh, and the ending will tear your heart out, so fair warning.

I would say if The Witcher and From Blood and Ash had a baby Iron & Embers would be it! If you are a reader who loves an epic romantasy with the perfect amount of spice AND deadly trails I would absolutely recommend you pick this one up! Book 2 can’t come soon enough! I will definitely be checking out the other Thezmarr series by Helen after finishing this one! I am hooked!

Thank you to Helen and Dreamscape Media for providing the ALC.

A vengeful alchemist and a vicious war sword. What more could you ask for in this slow burn romantasy that takes place in an alchemy academy?!

I throughly enjoyed this and the love story between Wren and Torj is one for the books. So excited for the next book!

WELCOME WELCOME to one of my all time favorite reads! Iron and Embers by Helen Scheuerer is phenomenal 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 and crying at the end. It is a CARDINAL SIN that the second book isn't in my hands immediately.

i would like to say it started off strong, but it felt like I was thrown into a second book in a series. however, this is the first book. i was very interested in this book and thought i would love it but it lost me within the first half. it got boring for me as it felt like i was stuck in a loop of nothing, yet feeling in danger the whole time.