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.

Wren and Torj navigate life without each other, Wren so confused at Torj's decision. Torj dealing with his guilt and loss over breaking the soul bond.
But souls gonna do what souls gonna do. They are thrown together against a common foe again. War is coming and unless they stand together, they will all pay the price.
This is spicy and racy but also sweet and loving. I love thepl political intrigue and all the alchemy.
There is a twist at the end that I really liked and can't wait for the final installment to the Ashes trilogy.
The audio is done so well...the dual narration really works to give depth to the emotions for the main characters. Matt Haynes and Emilia Bauer sound great together and both are exceptional voice actors. The production quality is top tier and super clear. I definitely enjoyed this audiobook!
My Rating is 4.25
Thank-you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ALC. This review is based on my own experience.

Helen has done it again. Kept me on the edge of my seat til the last page and still wanting more. I’m a no-spoilers reviewer, so for a second book in the series I don’t want to give anything away.
🎧 Emilia Bauer and Matt Haynes are the narrators for this story. I immersive read most of the story since my preorder came in early. You can see all the tabs I put in my book. I had to keep pausing to annotate but I didn’t want to stop listening. I’m always going to love yearning, and the narrators really made me feel it. Overall a great audio and you wouldn’t go wrong picking it up!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Thorns and Fire. I really like the main characters and love all the recurring characters from the first series. Not sure how many books this spin-off will be but I’m here for it!

I binged the Legends of Thezmarr series in a month and quickly moved onto Iron and Embers. Thorns and Fire was just as good!

The narration was chef’s kiss 💋

10 out of 10
No notes needed.
Helen can do no wrong.

Thank NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this ALC in exchange for an honest review 🖤

🌟🌟🌟🌟

A bond deeper than love… and far more dangerous.

Thorns & Fire is a sweeping, emotionally charged continuation of Helen Scheuerer’s Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy, and I couldn’t stop listening. The audiobook brought Wren and Torj’s story vividly to life—each chapter pulsing with tension, heartache, and that aching thread of fate that binds them together.

Wren’s struggle to balance her powerful storm magic, the heavy weight of legacy, and her place at the Drevenor academy made her journey incredibly compelling. She’s caught between duty and desire, and I really felt for her as the stakes continued to rise. And Torj? The ever-loyal, ever-brooding warrior trying to protect her by pushing her away—it hurt in the best way. Their chemistry and shared history gave the book a constant emotional undercurrent that never let up.

Scheuerer doesn’t just craft a romance—she weaves political intrigue, ancient magic, and found family into a high-stakes narrative that feels both epic and intimate. I especially appreciated how the magic system deepened in this installment, and how new characters added more layers to an already rich world.

While this is very much the middle of a trilogy and leaves plenty of questions hanging, it sets the stage beautifully for what’s sure to be a powerful conclusion.

I received the audiobook as an advance reader copy from NetGalley, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

If you love emotionally complex romantasy with high stakes, a heroine coming into her power, and a bond that might just burn the world down—don’t miss this one.

Thorns & Fire is hands down an audio book I would recommend to a friend. It is action packed right off the hop, so much so that I had to double check my phone to make sure the audiobook hadn’t somehow skipped ahead. I find that, sometimes, when books are plot heavy or action packed, the romance tends to be back burned. The author effortlessly gave us the action of a Michael Bay film without sacrificing the tender love we’re all really here for.

And GOD, that love. It’s sweet and heady and raw and painful. It’s equal parts soul wrenching and squeal-inducing. It is pure, then transformed by betrayal and hurt into something so profoundly realistic that I just can’t get enough of it. Through the lens of that love, we see Wren and Torj find themselves as they find each other. We see hope birthed from that love and it’s beautiful.

The narration of this book is *chef’s kiss*. There was consistent intonation, emotion, and nuances relevant to each individual scene. The narrators for Torj and Wren brought the characters to life in a way that made it so, so easy to slip into the story and experience it in an almost intimate way; like I was really there. I’m particularly fond of the narrator for Torj. It’s not often that banter can be effortless executed in a battle scene.

My only problem with this book is that I am DEEPLY offended that I now have to wait for the last book.
Absolutely outstanding plot, characters, narration, and world building.

I really enjoyed this second installment in the series—it continues to deliver on the strengths of the first book with rich world-building, evolving character arcs, and a fantastic cliff-hanger ending that sets up the next book beautifully. The way secondary characters are integrated into the main storyline adds even more depth and momentum.
Around the halfway mark, though, the story starts to rely heavily on miscommunication to sustain the conflict. For me, this weakened both the sexual tension and the fun, dynamic interplay that made the first book so engaging. Following that, the main characters shift into an overly sweet tone that feels a bit cloying and takes the edge off their chemistry and emotional complexity.
A smaller but recurring issue was the overuse of the phrase “sheathed herself in me” and its variations—it became repetitive and detracted from the intensity of the spicy scenes.
That said, the audiobook version is excellent. The narrators do a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, capturing not just their voices but the emotional nuance behind each scene. Their performance adds a whole new layer to the story and makes it an even more immersive experience.
Still, despite a few bumps, this is a strong continuation of the saga. If you enjoyed the first book, there's plenty here to love—and the ending will definitely leave you eager for the next chapter.

Thorns & Fire is a continuation of Torj and Wren’s story, which started in the initial series Legends of Thezmarr. Torj is a warsword sworn to protect the people and the land, while Wren is a princess and poisoner attempting to complete her schooling. Where book one tore them apart, book two is about bringing them back together as Wren puts her poisoner knowledge to use to try to find a cure for the alchemy being used to poison them.

I loved the Legends of Thezmarr. I am constantly recommending it to others. I love that this series is a continuation of that story, because lets be honest, I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Wren is different from her sister Thea and both her strengths and weaknesses are highlighted in this book. Working through the heartbreak brought about from the previous book, Wren is easy to sympathize with. She and Torj end up in all sorts of uncomfortable predicaments, but overall, I love them best when they are on the page together.

My absolute favorite part is Kipp! There wasn’t quite enough on him in this book but I sense that the next will make up for it. Kipp, though a side character, steals the show every chance he gets. The author made sure that with all the battles, death, and destruction, we have some comic relief.

The narration was enjoyable and added to the overall depth of the story. Listening to this made the story fly by. I think it only took me two days to complete this entire book, it was so enticing and hard to put down. I can’t wait to see where book three takes us.

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

Helen continues to deliver top-tier romantasy, and Thorns & Fire was no exception. The second I picked it up, it felt like coming home. The stakes are so freaking high, with the huge theme being consequences of actions. I listened to this book like a woman possessed. I could not put it down and was devastated when it was over.

🎧 Narration:
The dual POV was flawless. I listened (with a bit of immersive reading at the end), and the narrators nailed Wren and Torj’s emotions. The dual POV was perfection and narrated beautifully, giving insight to both Wren and Torj’s minds as they battle through their feelings for each other after the ending of book 1 and the land brought back to turmoil. The pacing of the narration was perfectly executed, the tone and inflection was delivered in such a way that made me feel I was walking alongside Torj and Wren in the Midrealms. I loved every second.

🖤 Characters:

Helen excels at making you feel every raw, aching emotion her characters experience. Wren and Torj’s internal battles, their yearning, their vulnerabilities are absolutely unmatched. Wren’s journey continues to be a force of nature (quite literally). She began as unrelenting feminine rage, and slowly, layer by layer, we see her unravel—revealing hope, some softness, and the realization that she is loved, that she can rely on others. It was beautiful to witness.

And Torj? I have no words. He is heartbreakingly tender, achingly human. His “not enough” mantra gutted me—and resonated deeply. The found family in this series is everything. Kit, Cal, Thea, Wilder, Dessa, Zavier—they’re not just side characters. They breathe life into this world and have carved a permanent place in my heart.

🔥 Plot & World:

What I love about Helen’s writing is that her worlds are rich and layered, but never overwhelming. We’re thrust into the Midrealms back in chaos and then thrown into Drevonor, still with academia vibes but urgent and laced with ticking-clock tension. The contrast heightened everything.

And that ending? HELP. I am unwell. I am emotionally wrecked. And I am so grateful we don’t have to wait beyond 2025 for the final book.

If you’re looking for soul-stirring yearning, fierce growth, and unforgettable characters, Thorns & Fire will wreck you—in the best way. 🖤

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMs03q8pJKD/?igsh=MWNucHczaTc3Mzk3Mg==

So, I binged the whole 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘻𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳 series and 𝘐𝘳𝘰𝘯 & 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 way back in January, so some of the specifics had left my recent memory stores, but it did slowly came back to me as I listened, and I actually think the author did well reminding us of certain aspects and plot points without banging us over the head with rehashed information, so kudos for that! 👏

The ending of 𝘐𝘳𝘰𝘯 & 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 had definite *ramifications* for this one, and I will say, it added a lot of tension, especially in the first half+ of this second installment.

Just as with the other books set in this world, there’s some fun action and twists and turns, and although I felt some of the middle was a bit on the slow side, I still enjoyed the ride, and the ending really took some turns that I’m excited to see hashed out in the third and final book.

The side characters are always a highlight in these series, specifically Kipp, who I’m not so secretly hoping will get his own series…🥺

Overall, I just really love this world Helen has created, and I can’t wait to visit again!

Audiobook notes: I said it in my review of 𝘐𝘳𝘰𝘯 & 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴, and I’ll say it again: Matt Haynes’ voice for Torj…🫠🥵 But really, the whole audiobook is great; definitely recommend.

What this book is giving:
✅ Romantasy
✅ Dual POV
✅ Slow Burn
✅ Bodyguard
✅ Research
✅ Mystery
✅ Skirmishes
✅ Stewing Rebellion

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

A solid second book in The Ashes of Thezmarr series! The narrators were fantastic! I stayed immersed in the story the entire time and I felt they portrayed their characters very well.

Thorns and Fire continues the series focusing on poisoner and princess Wren and broody warsword Torj. This instalment focuses on their reconciliation and Wren’s quest to discover a cure for weaponized alchemy being used against them.

I honestly don’t think it’s fair how Helen Scheuerer can be this amazing of an author. I flew through this book and didn’t want to put it down. The plot is fabulous, the relationship full of longing, the spice is so spicy… it’s just perfectly written and I have absolutely no complaints.

Wren is a little more tempered in book two, and I liked her growth. I assumed she would still be so fiery and on a warpath but the broken heartedness hurt me so bad. Torj as well, I just wanted everything to be fixed, since we’re in his head knowing how much he loves Wren.

The audiobook for this is beyond amazing. The narrators are both fabulous but the narrator for Torj is so well done. I loved hearing his voice and that definitely helped me fly through this book the book. The only thing that’s stopping me from giving this a full five stars is that I wept uncontrollably with book one and this one didn’t give me that same feeling. Loved it, fully cannot wait for book three, but didn’t get destroyed.

Please start this series if you haven’t, you’re missing out.

The world of Thezmarr is one of my favorite places to be and I couldn’t wait to dive back into Wren and Torj’s story! If you haven’t started your journey to the midrealms, you need to bump this up your TBR list immediately! I loved Thea and Wilder but there’s just something about Wren and Torj that have me in a chokehold. The tension and yearning is palpable, the drama and action is enticing, and the magic system is fantastic. I felt allllll the emotions while reading their sequel story and need the next book ASAP.

𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
⚔️ Epic Romantasy
⚔️ Slow Burn Fated Love
⚔️ Alchemist x Bodyguard Romance
⚔️ ‘ᴡʜᴏ ᴅɪᴅ ᴛʜɪs ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ?'
⚔️ Possessive ‘ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅɪᴇ’ MMC
⚔️ Secrets and Betrayal
⚔️ Forced Proximity / ᴏɴᴇ ʜᴏʀsᴇ
⚔️ Found Family
⚔️ Brooding Hero
⚔️ Lightning Magic
⚔️ Deadly Trials
⚔️ Delicious Banter

“𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓻. 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼, 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓮𝓻,"

Like its predecessor ,The Legends of Thezmarr , Thorns & Fire book 2 of The Ashes of Thezmarr is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of the year.

Wren and Torj are sure a dynamic couple. Their chemistry is unmistakable, their adventure thrilling , and their romance is full of yearning! While this book is more character and relationship driven than plot, I’m not mad about it. And that ending leaves you craving more. I am just so glad that Silver & Smoke will be out later this year.


I was blessed enough to get an ALC ( thank you @dreamscapemedia) of this a fit was amazing. Matt Haynes and Emilia Bauer were perfect. They really make the story come alive.

If you're a romantasy fan, Helen Scheurer is a much!!