A fabulous sequel featuring Elwren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock. I had to dive into this straight after reading Iron & Embers, due to the heart wrenching cliffhanger, and this certainly did not disappoint.

'His pain was her pain, and hers was his...We were always stronger together.'

I enjoy the connection between Wren and Torj, particularly as the yearning, tension and romance felt more authentic in this book. I enjoyed the plot twists, new political players and the varying friendship dynamics. I am keen for book 3!

‘there was no reassurance for something like this. They had rid the midrealms of monsters years ago, only to find there was so little humanity left…’

I was fortunate to access the audiobook, which is well narrated by Emilia Bauer and Matt Haynes.

I love the dedication - ‘To every woman who was told to make herself smaller and chose to burn brighter instead. Your fire can light up the world. This one’s for you.’

With thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy, in exchange for an honest review

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ALC; all opinions are my own.**

4.25 ⭐️
3 🌶
🎧

"That man burns for you, Wren. The sooner you both catch alight the better, lest you set the whole world ablaze."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Firstly, this world that Scheuerer has built is excellent, & the narrators do a brilliant job. I love getting to learn more about the side characters from the first series and expanding on a world recovering from a terrible war. This one has a lot of pining due to the ending of book 1, and it was 10/10- really enjoyed Torj grappling with his choices and Wren making him regret it. There's a lot of mystery in this one, but that's to be expected. BUT THAT ENDING. I AM FUMING. OMG. Can't wait to read the next one and find out what happens!!!

If you like:
☆ friends-to-lovers
☆ fated bonds
☆ magic & alchemy
☆ "my wife"
☆ dark alchemists
☆ secret heirs
CHECK THIS ONE OUT!

Wren and Torj are such a beautiful match. They have the best chemistry and give that soul-deep feeling of love and trust. The romance was so much better in this than book 1.
Wren is my favorite fmc in any fantasy. She is becoming a truly strong leader, even while up against multiple impossible decisions. I am excited to see where she goes and how she and Torj keep building.
Emilia Bauer does Wren justice and gives me all the feels! Matt Haynes provides just the right amount of frustrating Torj energy as well.

I love when the next book picks up where the last one left off. Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock work to navigate the fallout of Torj’s actions and the weight of their bond. Their world teeters on the brink of war, and both must confront new political threats as Wren hones her alchemy magic at Drevenor Academy, a magic that has the potential to reshape kingdoms.

Their relationship is ripe with slow-burn intensity, raw honesty, and growth. Their personal scars and fears are fully confronted and negotiated in their journey. The tension, steam, and emotion are *chef’s kiss* - something the author masters! The prose is flowing and engaging and shifts well between POVs. But that ending…oh man, that ending was brutal lol (in a good way)! I need the next book!

With heartfelt romance, political complexity, and magical danger woven throughout, it’s a compelling sequel that leaves you reeling and desperate for the conclusion. I loved every minute of it!

For fans of emotionally driven fantasy, slow-burn romance, and immersive worldbuilding, don’t miss this one.

i love books by Helen Scheuerer! this was such a fun spicy time and i really enjoy where this series is going!!

I love this whole world, but there was alot of random stuff going on...

Description
A golden thread joined them, a bond that went deeper than love—and it had nearly destroyed them.
Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock share a dark and bloody history. On the brink of another war, and overwhelmed by the force of their feelings for one another, Torj discovers there is far more to their bond than mere passion. The legendary warsword is determined to protect Wren at all costs, even if it means lying to her… Even if it means losing her forever.
Meanwhile, Wren is struggling to find her place in the world both as an advanced student of alchemy at the ancient academy of Drevenor, and as one of the heirs to a lost kingdom. With the midrealms once again facing destruction, Wren must decide: loyalty or liberation? Legacy or love?
As new political players emerge, Wren discovers that her storm magic is more powerful than she ever imagined and that it could tear the kingdoms apart.
Will she and Torj find their way back to each other, or will the ancient magic that binds them become their undoing?

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Mesia for the ALC of this book!

Thorns & Fire
by Helen Scheuerer
Narrated by Matt Haynes; Emilia Bauer
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
DURATION 13 Hours, 13 Minutes

AHHHHHHHH. @helenscheuerer writing is just SO. FREAKING. GOOD. I am beyond excited to be on the street team and get early access to see what happens to Wren and Torj.

I absolutely despise the miscommunication trope, and although the first half of Thorns and Fire feels very "miscommunication-y" it was a hurt and a torture that had to happen in order to get to the healing. This is the ONLY time I have ever (enjoy is a strong word, but for lack of a better one) enjoyed the miscommunication trope. And BOY OH BOY is it just as spicy as the first one! If you are new to this series please see my review of my all time favorite book, Iron and Embers, on our page.

**SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 BELOW**

Wren is utterly heartbroken because of the end of the first book. She is throwing herself into her work, trying to find a cure for the magic-sucking curse that has been thrown into their world. How had she healed the prince last time?

After searching for this answer she is thrown on a course (which of course intersects with Torj) to find the right ingredients to save the world.... again.

A huge thank you to Anne and Helen for putting me on the street team and @torbooksuk for providing the ALC which was phenomenal! The audiobook is just so freaking good! 😍

Ahhhhh, every Thezzmar book gets better and better. Wren’s story continues here with all the alchemy, all the plot twists, and allllllll the yearning.

The narrators of this series are amazing. Every time I start one of the audiobooks and hear their voices I’m instantly transported back to this world ✨

Quick thoughts I had at the end: I am so invested, I ❤️ Wren and Torj so much, I need the next book now 👏 (be prepared for a massive cliffhanger, folks 😭)

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the copy to review!

I’m completely obsessed with this series! Book 1 was great, Thorns & Fire is a phenomenal second installment to the series. The world-building is just as good, if not better than book one, and we see more side character development in this one, which I absolutely love.

The plot thickens in book 2 of this series, with more secrets, betrayals, and scheming underway. The twists and surprises are executed so well that I definitely didn’t see some of them coming.

The relationship between Wren and Torj is perfect; they fit together like puzzle pieces, and it melts my heart. The longing, pinning, and tension between them is mouthwateringly good.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed and devoured this one and can not wait for book 3!

After being meh on the first book, I devoured the second. There was so much going on, and the tension was perfection. I thought the pacing was much stronger in book 2, and the narration on the audiobook has also improved. I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds in book 3!

At this point, I could 100% read Helen’s grocery list. She makes me laugh and cry every single time.

I’ve been counting down the days to dive back into Wren & Torj’s story since I finished Iron & Embers (in absolute shambles, might I add). And while I spent half the book yelling at Torj—“just tell her the truth already!”—I loved every single second.

The way this story is building toward the final book has me so hyped for Silver and Smoke! And the fact that we’re getting it in November? I’m already clearing my schedule.

Reuniting with this little family felt like coming home. Six books in, and these characters are everything to me. Honestly, I just want to go to the Laughing Fox and have a few pints with them 🥹.

Like in Iron & Embers, I adored following Wren’s journey. Her growth is so inspiring. I always knew she’d become an independent, fierce woman, but what touched me most was when she finally realized she didn’t have to carry everything alone.

The yearning in this book? Next. Level. 😳

The ending wrecked me (again), because of course it did. I knew it was coming… my babies can’t stay happy for more than two minutes 😭.

The narrators captured Wren & Torj’s emotions beautifully!

Thank you Helen, Anne, Pan Macmillan, and NetGalley for the ARC, this is my honest review.

My thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of the Audiobook.

This is the 2nd book of The Ashes of Thezmarr series and I am loving the development of this storyline so far! You get romance, political intrigue, magic, alchemy, action, some twists and a whole lotta heart!

We left off with Torj severing the soul bond he has with Wren to save her life and ending things with her without her knowing why.

Throughout this book Wren is trying to figure out what went wrong between her and Torj, while also being tasked to finding a cure to a magic stealing poison. With each thing she uncovers in her quest, her and Torj are constantly being forced together, begrudgingly. Wren doesn't want to show that she's hurt and Torj can't stop longing for her. There was a lot of push and pull and I just wanted to push them together because they just work and I love them together. The angst was real though.

Luckily it didn't feel like it lasted that long and they resolve to be together no matter what. The plot thickens as this mysterious cloaked rebel alchemist is trying to lay claim on Wren's kingdom that they just discovered is starting to flourish again after decades. The lands were the most sought after due to its resources. Wren then makes the heavy decision to take the burden of the crown to fight for her land and the mid realms.

Some more plot twists unveils itself and I don't want to spoil it entirely but I am so ready for the next book!

I enjoyed the narrators and their ability to really bring out the characters and their personalities.

Anyone else laughed at the "I'm too old for this shit" line? No, just me? I immediately thought of die hard and snickered at it.

ALC—Book Review—Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer—Spoiler Free

Thorns & Fire picks up right after the gut wrenching ending of Iron & Embers. We keep following Wren as she continues her alchemy education at Drevenor and Torj as he endures the consequences of his choice when he saved Wren in the attack at her graduation. While Wren and Torj both want to keep their distance from one another, fate brings them back together as another war looms on the horizon.

Iron & Embers left on so much heartbreak, but I was glad that while events still caused problems for our main characters the story in Thorns & Fire felt hopeful. I enjoyed the conflicts and the pacing of the story. I think anyone who liked Iron & Embers will like this continuation of the story. I’m happy to see that this is a trilogy because I want to know what happens next.

Listening to the book was great. The speakers were clear and I liked having both a male and female narrator for Wren and Torj. The only thing I’ll say could have made the audio better was if it was done as a duet so the male was always doing Torj and the female always doing Wren, but they did great voicing the opposite character.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

I was given an e-arc to review by Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own.

This series is so good! I can’t get enough of this world that Helen Scheuerer has created. The writing is fast-paced, and the dialogue/banter between characters is witty. I love the dynamic of the friendships in the group!

It was nice to see Torj and Wren resolve that little hiccup of a cliffhanger from the last book and I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here. The passion between these two is fire!

I love listening to this series on audio, but I find that when both narrators go into Torj’s speaking voice it’s awkward and takes me out of the story. It’s like they have made his voice SO gruff and low that it’s challenging for the narrators to achieve it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Helen Scheuerer for an early listening copy. These are my honest thoughts.

OMG... I am LOVING this series! Helen Scheuerer has completely pulled me into this world, and I honestly didn’t want Thorns & Fire to end. The dynamic between Wren and Torj had me constantly torn. I wanted to shake some sense into both of them, but at the same time, I got them, and that made me love them even more.

Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock are bound by a dark, blood-soaked past. As Thezmarr teeters on the edge of another war, their powerful connection grows deeper, revealing a bond that’s far more than just passion. Torj is willing to sacrifice everything to protect Wren. But Wren is still searching for her place in a world that demands too much from her alchemical studies and being an heir to a forgotten kingdom.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators were absolutely phenomenal. I was so immersed in the story that I didn’t even realize I was at the end until I heard, “This recording of Thorns & Fire was presented by Dreamscape Audio…” and I literally screamed “NOOOOOOOO!” I need Book 3 like yesterday.

This series has completely captivated me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved The Legends of Thezmarr, but so far The Ashes of Thezmarr is on another level. Thorns & Fire really solidified that for me. I was so much more emotionally invested , and I can already tell I’ll be doing a full re-read when the third book drops.
My 2 cents:
1000% recommend reading The Legends of Thezmarr first! I couldn't imagine not having that foundation first. But THIS series... It’s next level and absolutely amazing.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75)

This was very enjoyable! However, I was so excited to begin that I didn't read Iron & Embers first. I could tell I was missing a layer of depth—especially in the worldbuilding. That said, this was pretty good! It does stand firmly on its own with powerful emotions and standout character development.

The tension between the leads is electric. The yearning? Top-tier. Every brush of a hand, every glance, every word is charged with emotion. It’s a slow burn done right—painful, beautiful, and deeply satisfying. These are two broken characters who desperately want each other but are held back by fear, trauma, and responsibility. Watching them grow individually while navigating their connection was incredibly rewarding.

And let’s talk about the heroine—clever, courageous, and powerful, all while bearing the immense burden of leadership and striving to heal the Midrealms. She’s everything I want in a strong female lead.

Now, for the audio—absolutely excellent. The dual narration by Matt Haynes and Emilia Bauer adds so much emotional nuance and really brings the characters to life. Their performances are perfectly matched, and the production quality is top-tier: crisp, clean, and immersive. I genuinely enjoyed the audiobook experience and would recommend it without hesitation.

Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC. This review is based on my personal listening experience—and I can’t wait for the next installment!

3.5/5

I really like how this book expanded upon what happened in the first one.

This book was definitely more focused on the relationship and how that was developing.

I did find that that this book dragged at times, it just felt long (and it is long, but sometimes long books don't feel long, ya know).

I really like how this story has such a strong poison theme and how prevalent that is, I think that makes this quite a unique fantasy. In my experience, poison isn't a focal point really.

This book felt a little more like a filler fantasy. I think a lot of that feeling for me is because I really liked the setting of the previous book so much more than the setting in this one. This one is more about them traveling (I imagine it would have meant a bit more if I read the prequel series that I did not know existed until after I read the first book in this series, that is an oopsie on my part).

There is a lot of world-building, especially the political side of things, in this book. I do love learning about that in fantasy novels, but I prefer if it is done in more of a show-don't-tell sort of way.

I can definitely tell though that this book was setting up something huge for the rest of the series, so I am very excited to see what that is and how that all works out. So I will be continuing this series, for sure!

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This sequel was so much.

My heart? Shredded.

My emotions? In alchemical chaos.

Things I loved:

* The bond between Wren and Torj. It’s like a golden thread, but also a golden noose because OUCH.
* The academic vibes at Drevenor. Give me ancient libraries, weird magical studies, and a sprinkle of dark secrets, and I am thriving.
* The slow but steady unraveling of Wren’s magic and her realising just how powerful (and dangerous) she is.

Things that broke me…

* Torj and his noble, infuriating “I must protect her at all costs even if it destroys me” energy. Sir, please! Therapy!
* The political manoeuvring and all the new players…..literally no one is safe.

This was an absolute rollercoaster of loyalty vs. liberation, legacy vs. love, and a romance that just refuses to die, no matter how bloody things get.

If you like your romantasy with found family, storm magic, and a bond that feels like fate and doom all at once, add this to your TBR!

Now, I will be over here waiting (impatiently) for book 3 while whispering, Helen, why must you hurt us like this?

I love this series so much! Do yourself a favor and don't be like me-- go read the Legends of Thezmarr series first! I was given an advanced copy of the book and was so excited to dive right in. I read Iron & Embers then Thorns & Fire. I knew it was a spinoff from the other series, and I think I missed some things by not reading Legends of Thezmarr first. BUT that being said, this series is phenomenal on its own. This book picked up right where the first book ended. There is so much tension between the main characters. This book was very much character forward as world building had already been done. At point it felt like it was just getting the reader from the first book to the third, though it definitely has its own place in the series. Can't wait for more!

If I could give this book 6 stars, I WOULD!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes to Expect:

⚒️Bodyguard MMC

🧪Fierce Alchemist/Princess FMC

❤️‍🔥Forbidden Love

⚒️Forced Proximity

🧪YEARNING like there's no tomorrow

❤️‍🔥Academic Setting

⚒️Political Intrigue

🧪Found Family

❤️‍🔥Only One Tent

Thorns and Fire, book 2 in the Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy by Helen Scheuerer, was everything I wanted in a sequel and more. From page one, it felt like I never left the Midrealms and diving back into Wren and Torj's journey was like coming home.

This book was such an adventure. Yes, some of the plot points were a little predictable, but in the best possible way. Not every twist needs to come out of left field, especially when the emotional payoff is this satisfying. Sometimes I want to see the dominoes fall in a way that makes my heart race, and Helen delivers that with such confidence and clarity.

Torj is the ultimate tortured soul (brooding, broken, and deeply devoted) and yet punishing himself because he believes he doesn't deserve love. Meanwhile, Wren continues to embody everything I love in a strong female lead, she's clever, brave, powerful, and navigating the heavy burden of leadership while still trying to cure the Midrealms.

And the yearning? OH, the yearning. It's mutual, it's agonizing, it's so deliciously well done. This is top-tier yearning going on here, where every glance, every brush of the hand, every moment of tension is filled with emotion and longing. The slow burn between them isn't just about physical attraction, it's about two broken people desperately wanting each other, but feeling like they can't. It's painful. It's perfect. It's everything and watching them grow both individually and together was so rewarding.

And of course, in true Thezmarrian fashion, the found family vibes are PERFECTION. We get all our faves back: Cal and Kipp (my favorite duo), and much more page time with Thea and Wilder than in book one, which honestly filled my heart with so much joy. Zavier and Dessa also quietly wormed their way into my heart, proving once again that no one writes 'side characters' like Helen.

Now let's talk about the spice. This one is a solid 3-chili-pepper read and let me tell you, when Helen writes spice, she writes it well. It's emotional, intense, and just so well done.

As a sequel, this book struck the perfect balance between action, romance, and worldbuilding, while also setting the stage for what I know will be an unforgettable finale. And OF COURSE it ends in a cliffhanger, because Helen Scheuerer lives to keep us suffering in the best way. I am counting down the days until the final book drops.