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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How does she do it!?!
Helen Scheuerer is a phenomenal writer. Every book in The Legends of Thezmarr series is packed with raw, honest emotion—whether it's grief, rage, joy, or love. Each feeling hits hard and feels real. I’m reading this series in what Helen calls “Emotional Impact Order,” and let me tell you—it works.
Slaying the Shadow Prince has everything: found family, enemies-to-lovers, shadow daddies (yes, really), and more. But what truly sets this book apart is how the male main character is so clearly written for the female gaze. It's the little things—like quietly washing their adventuring clothes while the FMC sleeps—that make him so deeply endearing.
Getting more backstory on our regular cast from previous books was both brilliant and utterly heartbreaking. Helen expands the emotional depth of these characters in a way that makes every return feel like coming home—painful, beautiful, and unforgettable.
This is epic fantasy at its finest: immersive world-building, brutal, weighty combat scenes, and high-stakes conflict that grips you from start to finish.
Helen also handles sensitive topics with such care and heart. Her stories are full of powerful representation, and the women in them are smart, capable, and fully fleshed out. No tired tropes here—no "ditsy virgin" FMCs, thank the gods.
Oh, and there’s a pet bird. What more do you need to know?
5/5. Go read it. Now.
Helen Scheuerer is a phenomenal writer. Every book in The Legends of Thezmarr series is packed with raw, honest emotion—whether it's grief, rage, joy, or love. Each feeling hits hard and feels real. I’m reading this series in what Helen calls “Emotional Impact Order,” and let me tell you—it works.
Slaying the Shadow Prince has everything: found family, enemies-to-lovers, shadow daddies (yes, really), and more. But what truly sets this book apart is how the male main character is so clearly written for the female gaze. It's the little things—like quietly washing their adventuring clothes while the FMC sleeps—that make him so deeply endearing.
Getting more backstory on our regular cast from previous books was both brilliant and utterly heartbreaking. Helen expands the emotional depth of these characters in a way that makes every return feel like coming home—painful, beautiful, and unforgettable.
This is epic fantasy at its finest: immersive world-building, brutal, weighty combat scenes, and high-stakes conflict that grips you from start to finish.
Helen also handles sensitive topics with such care and heart. Her stories are full of powerful representation, and the women in them are smart, capable, and fully fleshed out. No tired tropes here—no "ditsy virgin" FMCs, thank the gods.
Oh, and there’s a pet bird. What more do you need to know?
5/5. Go read it. Now.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
one of those books i could lowkey see being bumped up to 5 stars on reread. this was honestly so romantic and beautiful?? i can't WAIT to see talemir & drue back in the legends of thezmarr series omg
Slaying the Shadow Prince was my third read in the Legends of Thezmarr series, following the so-called “emotional impact order”—and let me tell you, I highly recommend it. While I liked Wilder and Thea in the main books, their immaturity sometimes made me want to bonk their heads together. Then this book came along, featuring Wilder’s mentor, Talemir, and his love interest, Drue, and suddenly—this was the story I’d been waiting for.
These two? Absolute perfection. I shipped them so hard I practically capsized. Unlike the usual fantasy pairings of barely-20-year-olds running headfirst into miscommunication tropes, Talemir and Drue are grown adults—mature, self-assured, and actually capable of talking like reasonable people. What a concept! Based on context clues, they seem to be in their mid-to-late thirties, and their age shows in the best ways. The depth of their decisions, the weight of their experiences, and the sheer competence they bring to the table? Chef’s kiss.
And the banter? Absolutely off-the-charts. Their initial hate and constant back-and-forth is golden. It’s sharp, it’s cutting, it’s laced with tension so thick you could slice it with Talemir’s swords. Every interaction crackled with the kind of energy that had me grinning like an idiot. The best thing ever? Quite possibly.
Talemir’s struggles with self-doubt due to his condition were beautifully handled—he wrestles with his demons but doesn’t let them define him. And Drue? A warrior out of necessity, strong yet undeniably feminine, which is a balance that often feels rare these days. Their dynamic was everything I wanted—mature, intense, and packed with the kind of tension that physically hurts in the best way possible.
And oh, the angst. The “F*** it” moment where they finally almost go all the way? And then they stop. I was ready to launch my Kindle into orbit. The tension was unbearable. Sweet, torturous agony—but it made perfect sense for their characters and their journey.
Beyond the romance, this book adds so much to the world-building and backstory of the main series. I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could read the series without it (looking at you, my friend who somehow missed this). The emotional beats hit even harder, especially with glimpses of Malik (cue heartbreak) and a much younger, even more immature Wilder—who, while still occasionally annoying, benefits from this added context.
And Adrienne? I was ready to hate her on Thea’s behalf, but I just couldn’t. She’s strong, confident, and an incredible leader and a phenomenal friend. I ended up loving her.
Honestly, I might love this book even more than the main series. It was everything I wanted—intense, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Five stars, a top-shelf trophy book, and a desperate need to read it again
These two? Absolute perfection. I shipped them so hard I practically capsized. Unlike the usual fantasy pairings of barely-20-year-olds running headfirst into miscommunication tropes, Talemir and Drue are grown adults—mature, self-assured, and actually capable of talking like reasonable people. What a concept! Based on context clues, they seem to be in their mid-to-late thirties, and their age shows in the best ways. The depth of their decisions, the weight of their experiences, and the sheer competence they bring to the table? Chef’s kiss.
And the banter? Absolutely off-the-charts. Their initial hate and constant back-and-forth is golden. It’s sharp, it’s cutting, it’s laced with tension so thick you could slice it with Talemir’s swords. Every interaction crackled with the kind of energy that had me grinning like an idiot. The best thing ever? Quite possibly.
Talemir’s struggles with self-doubt due to his condition were beautifully handled—he wrestles with his demons but doesn’t let them define him. And Drue? A warrior out of necessity, strong yet undeniably feminine, which is a balance that often feels rare these days. Their dynamic was everything I wanted—mature, intense, and packed with the kind of tension that physically hurts in the best way possible.
And oh, the angst. The “F*** it” moment where they finally almost go all the way? And then they stop. I was ready to launch my Kindle into orbit. The tension was unbearable. Sweet, torturous agony—but it made perfect sense for their characters and their journey.
Beyond the romance, this book adds so much to the world-building and backstory of the main series. I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could read the series without it (looking at you, my friend who somehow missed this). The emotional beats hit even harder, especially with glimpses of Malik (cue heartbreak) and a much younger, even more immature Wilder—who, while still occasionally annoying, benefits from this added context.
And Adrienne? I was ready to hate her on Thea’s behalf, but I just couldn’t. She’s strong, confident, and an incredible leader and a phenomenal friend. I ended up loving her.
Honestly, I might love this book even more than the main series. It was everything I wanted—intense, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Five stars, a top-shelf trophy book, and a desperate need to read it again
"If that's not enough, then carve out my heart, wildfire. It's yours."❤️
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Me encantó! Amé conocer la historia de Talemir. Amé entender el por qué de ciertas cosas que pasan en la saga de Thea y Wilder. Fue un libro muy entretenido. Lo podría haber leído en nada si no fuera porque tengo cosas que hacer (facultad ;-;). Me quedé con ganas de saber más de estos personajes. Espero que haya una sorpresa y aparezcan en los próximos libros de Thea y Wilder.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes