Thank you NetGalley and DreamScape Media for the Audio Arc!
The narrators did an amazing job bringing this to life.
Helen Scheuerer is one of my autobuy authors and this books was a refreshing dive back into her world!

Thank you NetGalley and DreamScape Media for an Audio Arc of this story!

Diving back into the Midrealms healed part of my soul. The story was absolutely fantastic! It grabbed me right from the start and never let go. Helen’s story telling always top tier. Went through all of the emotions!

This is an absolute must read/listen.

The narrators yet again brought the story to life.

4 stars

I always enjoy Helen Scheuerer's books, and this was no different! I love that this series is bringing up all the unresolved things from the legends of thezmarr series. After reading this, I’m very glad I read it first.
This does feel a bit like a filler book in the fantasy department. With the way book 1 ended, it was needed to lean more into the development of their romance. I do think the reveals make it worth it and I’m excited about the direction the series is going in! I def think book 3 will be my fav of the series bc of how this ended!!

I have no words…this book was the perfect sequel to continue wren and torj’s story. it picked up right where book one left off and that was a painful reminder in of itself but then there was comedic relief, forced proximity, crazy reveals, and scenes that kept me on my toes. ofc that ending gave me no sense of relief and I need book three in my hands now.

not including any quotes for obvious reasons but let’s just say I highlighted a LOT of great quotes 🤭 huge thank you to helen and team for giving me an e-arc and for allowing me to be apart of the thorns & fire street team! and thank you to net galley for the sending me the audiobook.

Scheuerer delivered another smash hit with Thorns & Fire. I read this book start to finish in under 24 hours, and it would’ve been less but life got in the way of my reading time. This picks up following the ending of Iron & Embers as Torj and Wren are forced to navigate the fall out from Torj’s decision. I felt that Scheuerer handled the pacing in this book incredibly well. There was a lot that needed to happen in terms of character growth/relationship growth, but it was balanced beautifully with political machinations and fight sequences. I felt that the relationship between Wren and Torj was thought out and approached with care. Both characters needed to put in work, and I appreciated that it wasn’t an easy path to each other. I really appreciated that we got to see another side of Wren - she felt more vulnerable and relatable in this book while struggling with trying to get her alchemy just right. I also adore the cameos that Scheuerer adds to the story. I especially loved getting to see ore of the sisterly moments between Wren and Thea. I don’t think I can review a Thezmarr story without mentioning Kipp. He may be a side character but he brings so much to the story with his masterful strategies and expertly delivered comedic moments. I read this via audiobook and enjoyed the narration by both Bauer and Haynes. The narration was clear, easy to understand, and thoroughly immersed readers in the story. I was fully engaged and did not want to stop listening. Both Bauer and Haynes captured the essence of their respective characters and build on their chemistry. This book will rip your heart out by the end and have you begging Scheuerer to do it all over again.

*ARC and ALC review*
release date: 31 July

4,5 ⭐️

"Thorns & Fire" by Helen Scheuerer is the second book in the fantasy romance trilogy “The Ashes of Thezmarr”

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

You should read this series if you like:

- fantasy books with romance (and spice)
- academy setting
- magic, potions and alchemy
- prophecies
- hate-to-love
- bodyguard x princess
- forced proximity
- forbidden romance
- slow burn with a lot of angst

The book continues the story immediately after the end of "Iron & Embers".
I did not know how things will develop after Torj's actions, but I am glad that he did not stay away from Wren for long.
Wren is my favorite character in this series and she has such a great development.
She is physically stronger, but also became a leader with more confidence.
Torj is so protective, but also possessive and jealous. He tries to fight his feelings, but their connection is just too strong.

The book has a slower pace but we get new information, there is still action with a few twists and the tension between Wren and Torj is amazing.
I love Helen's world and that characters from the initial series are still an important part of the story (especially Kipp).
With short chapters, alternating Wren and Torj's POV, the story kept me engaged and interested.

The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Matt Haynes and Emilia Bauer and it was a good experience listening to it while reading the e-book.
Emilia Bauer is great as Wren and she also acts well in a male voice.
During the previous book I was not convinced by Matt Haynes as Torj, but now I liked it more.
He manages to switch from narrator voice to Torj's dialog so easy and it feels like a different person. Same when he narrates other characters.

The ending was full of revelations and made the connection with events from the beginning of the book.
I am so glad that the next book comes out this year because I need to know what happens next.

I absolutely looooved the Thezmarr series and Iron and Embers and was so excited to get an ALC for this. I absolutely loved it. Torj and Wren are amazing. I binged this. 5 stars!

Helen Scheuerer does it again! Thorns & Fire throws us right back into the brutal, breathtaking world of Thezmarr, where stakes are high, magic runs deep, and emotions cut sharper than any blade.

Tropes:
💙Soul bond
💙Found family
💙Grumpy x determined
💙He falls first
💙Morally grey villain
💙Slow burn romance
💙“I’ll protect you even if it kills me” energy
💙Dual POV / dual narration

The political tension, dark alchemy, and emotional gut punches are perfectly woven into a story that never lets up. And that villain?? Creepy, complex, and unforgettable. Add in subtle spice, zero miscommunication (thank you, Helen), and an ending that had me screaming, yeah, I’m unwell.

Special shoutout to the dual narrators in the audiobook, they nailed the emotional tension and brought Wren and Torj’s POVs to life in the most immersive way. Truly one of my favorite listening experiences this year.

And the side characters? Chef’s kiss. Kip, Cal, and that Bloodteller name drop had me begging for a spin-off.

Helen is releasing all three books in a single year, and somehow, each one just gets better. If you’re into dark fantasy with heart, rich worldbuilding, and slow-burn romance, Thorns & Fire is your next obsession.

I have been waiting on this book for what feels like forever (when in actuality it wasn't that long I just love this created world so much). Now that I've finished it, I want to go back and reread the series again, and probably not just Ashes of Thezmarr but Legends and the novella too.

Our story picks up not long after book 1 ends and we're right back in the tension and mystery. I loved every bit of this book, it's the perfect blended romantasy and the world-building leading up to this book helped give it so much more depth and allow for the characters to grow more naturally with the story. Plus we were introduced to some intriguing new characters, some of them I'm looking forward to getting to know more.

🎧 Emilia Bauer does a fantastic job narrating Wren's chapters, and while Matt Haynes doesn't do my favorite voices, it was a great listen overall.

Will definitely be rereading and looking forward to book 3! I can't believe book 2 left where it did - ahhhh!

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Iron & Embers was my favorite book so far from Helen, so I was eagerly awaiting Thorns & Fire. Sadly, I was a bit underwhelmed. These books are still imminently bingeable and easy to devour though. The plot doesn't move forward a ton here, but we do get lots of character work on Wren & Torj as she seeks to mend what he broke in the last book.

We get tons of angst here. I was so relieved when the truth about what Torj did finally came to light. The man was a giant idiot for keeping those secrets. His actions may have been right, but OMG the lying about them was tedious. The good news is the spice was SPICIN, especially in the latter half of the book. Whew, these two set fire to the pages.

The ending sets up what will hopefully be an action-packed third book. And thank goodness Wren & Torj are on the same page too. I'm still hooked on this series and can't wait to see what happens next!

Rated 4.5 Stars

Thorns & Fire took my emotions on a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. I didn't know it was possible to get whiplash from a book but here I am standing as living proof that it is in fact possible. I'm going to be in serious recovery mode until the finale. I will be counting down the months, days, hours, minutes and seconds to its release. This book was packed with twists and turns, action, adventure, steam and much more. It had me on the edge of my seat eager to know what would happen next. I loved it, throughly enjoyed and most certainly recommend it. The narrators were a joy to listen to first and foremost. They did a phenomenal job with this second book in the series. They voiced the hell out of these characters and their journey. I truly loved listening to them through the highs and lows, ups and downs and everything in betweeen. I can't wait to listen to them in book three.

Between The Guardians of Thezmarr and Ashes of Thezmarr, I’ve completely fallen for the world Helen Scheuerer has built. I wasn’t sure what direction the story would take after the ending of Iron & Embers, but I was eager to dive back in—and this sequel did not disappoint.

The romantic tension? Off the charts. Equal parts swoony and exasperating (in the best, slow-burn kind of way). Wren and Torj are complicated, emotionally charged characters with so much chemistry—and I loved every moment of it. I was also so happy to see familiar faces from the Guardians series (Thea and Wilder continue to own my heart. Forever. No notes).

Wren is a fantastic lead—fiery, stubborn, determined—but she definitely has her moments where I wanted to reach into the page and give her a little shake. Still, that’s part of what makes her feel real, and I’m completely invested in where her journey goes next.

ALC review. 4,25⭐

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?

I liked it! The story was more characters based, not a lot of plot this time. But it was fun to read, since almost all characters came back. And the cliffhanger was... Poor Torj🫂 but everything is going to be okay, right, Helen?

I am not going to lie, but the MVA did a better job, then FVA. MVA showed more passion the FVA. But overall the audiobook was good!

Can't wait for the last book in the series!

Thank you for choosing me!

Between the Guardians of Thezmarr series and Ashes of Thezmarr, I’ll be the first to admit—I love the world Helen Scheuerer has created. I wasn’t sure where the story would go after Iron & Embers wrapped up, but I was excited to find out. And this was a great follow-up!

The romantic tension in this installment was intense (and a little frustrating—but in the best way). Wren and Torj are such layered, compelling characters, and I was thrilled that we still got generous doses of my favorites from the Guardians of Thezmarr books (Thea + Wilder FOREVERRRRR).

Wren, as a protagonist, continues to shine—though she definitely has her moments that make you want to shake her a little. She’s fierce, stubborn, and complex, and while she occasionally makes choices that had me yelling at the page, I’m still rooting for her every step of the way.

Can’t wait to see where this story goes next!

Sadly, this felt more like a filler book in terms of plot - to work out the fall out of book one regarding Wren and Torj’s relationship and the secrets Torj is hiding.

Saying that, the ending sets up beautifully for book three and I have better hopes for that. Especially because there will be a whole lot more of Kipp. Oh, and Wren and Torj tension.

<b>‘You’re playing with fire, Embers . . .’ he warned.
‘You’re forgetting how much I like to go up in flames,’ she whispered in his ear.
</b>
Wren is learning she is not alone.
Kipp still meddles in their relationship.
There’s a one-tent troupe.
There is a lot of jealous possessiveness.

I missed the academia setting, the trials, the bantering. There is a lot of travelling and catching people up on what happened in the previous series, Blood and Steel.

But, like I said, it sets up an explosive finale.

Arc gifted by Tor Bramble.

4 Stars

Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer

As soon as my NetGalley approval came through, I put everything else on hold—I had to know what came next after the emotional cliffhanger of Iron & Embers. Thorns & Fire picks up in the aftermath of the Battle of Drevenor, where grief, broken bonds, and political tension hang thick in the air.

Torj’s choice to sever his soul bond with Wren in an effort to protect her is the emotional heartbeat of this book. Their connection may be fractured, but it’s not gone—you feel it humming between them in every scene. This sequel doesn’t rely on constant action to carry the story. Instead, it focuses on political maneuvering and the emotional growth of its characters. It’s slower paced, but never boring. Every chapter moves the story forward with quiet intensity.

Wren’s arc continues to shine. Her inner conflict—between legacy and love, duty and self—is so raw and human. She’s growing into her power, not just as an alchemist, but as someone learning to trust herself. Meanwhile, Torj remains the tortured warrior type who refuses to say what he truly feels. His love for Wren lingers in every choice he makes, even when he thinks he's doing the right thing by keeping his distance.

This book might not be as explosive as book one, but it’s packed with tension, introspection, and a deepening of the world and characters. It’s very much the calm before the storm—and I’m absolutely ready for what book three is about to bring.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book for an honest review.