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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
I loved everything about this!
It has everything i want in a romantasy and i loved the writing and the world that the author created.
Being someone who hasnt read her original series set in this world, i do think that if you read that series first then there would be a whole new level of impact. Despite that i hadnt, i DEVOURED this and will be going back to read everything else she has ever written!
It has everything i want in a romantasy and i loved the writing and the world that the author created.
Being someone who hasnt read her original series set in this world, i do think that if you read that series first then there would be a whole new level of impact. Despite that i hadnt, i DEVOURED this and will be going back to read everything else she has ever written!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A solid beginning to a sequel series! The relationship between Wren and Torj feels far more complex than the one between Thea and Wilder in the original series, making this truly feel like a growing and evolving world. The academy is a fascinating setting and I appreciated the mix of new and old characters blending together. Definitely keeping an eye out for the next one!
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
No
I cannot sing praise for this author enough. I will be honest - after an epic love like Wilder and Thea's, especially considering I was so invested and Wilder is my book husband, I was a tad nervous returning to this world yet focusing on a new couple. That being said, even though this takes place a few years later, it feels like I never left. I'm home once more!
Oh Wren, my heart bleeds for you. This book is not only a love story but also an exploration of grief and I appreciated that not everything was just magically OK because the war was won at the end of Shadows and Storms. Wren's growth in this book is amazing but still fragile and after the ending, I'm right back feeling all the feels with her.
Torj, you are such a goner my friend. In several senses which I will not delve into because you need to find out for yourself. As a reader, I most definitely have a type. That type is 100% Wilder. I'm constantly falling in love with the tall, dark, strong, morally grey or villainous character with a dirty mouth and all the banter. That being said, I also fell in love with Torj throughout this story. In a quieter way but I feel like the reader really gets to understand him and his motivations throughout this book and seeing this side of him let to me appreciate him so much more!
I'm so happy to find several characters I came to love still present throughout this book. The found family is so strong in the previous series and I'm happy to see it is still in this one. I'm super curious about the new characters we met as well - looking at you Zavier!
The academic setting and the deadly trials are definitely some of my favourite aspects of this book.
I don't want to give anything away but there is also something new in this book that is relatively common in fantasy and that ending is an intriguing take on things, no matter how much emotion it wrung out of me.
I can't wait to see where this goes!
Oh Wren, my heart bleeds for you. This book is not only a love story but also an exploration of grief and I appreciated that not everything was just magically OK because the war was won at the end of Shadows and Storms. Wren's growth in this book is amazing but still fragile and after the ending, I'm right back feeling all the feels with her.
Torj, you are such a goner my friend. In several senses which I will not delve into because you need to find out for yourself. As a reader, I most definitely have a type. That type is 100% Wilder. I'm constantly falling in love with the tall, dark, strong, morally grey or villainous character with a dirty mouth and all the banter. That being said, I also fell in love with Torj throughout this story. In a quieter way but I feel like the reader really gets to understand him and his motivations throughout this book and seeing this side of him let to me appreciate him so much more!
I'm so happy to find several characters I came to love still present throughout this book. The found family is so strong in the previous series and I'm happy to see it is still in this one. I'm super curious about the new characters we met as well - looking at you Zavier!
The academic setting and the deadly trials are definitely some of my favourite aspects of this book.
I don't want to give anything away but there is also something new in this book that is relatively common in fantasy and that ending is an intriguing take on things, no matter how much emotion it wrung out of me.
I can't wait to see where this goes!
Wat was dat voor einde? De miscommunicatie (of niet eens communiceren) trope doet pijn aan mijn ziel, ik haat het zo hard
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am so glad I had this to follow up Legends of Thezmarr with! Though, reading LOT before this series isn't necessary. Helen Scheuerer does a wonderful job of filling you in on all things Thezmarr without burdening the beginning of this new story.
I love the movement of the story switching between past and present, especially in the beginning of the book, and between Wren's and Torj's points of view throughout.
Wren is struggling and the change in her is fascinating to see. I enjoy her dark side, but don't want to see her suffering. She already was a bad@$$, but this book shares the journey of her rebuilding after the Shadow War and takes her fierceness to the next level.
Torj 😮💨, the silver-haired Bear Slayer, gives Cassian in ACOSF vibes. . . 🥵 Is saying more necessary? lol And his nickname for Wren? Just another reason he has me melting!
While Legends of Thezmarr focused on using the body as a weapon, Ashes of Thezmarr is focused on using the mind as a weapon and I absolutely love that! Iron & Embers is like Basgiath + potions! It is SO fun!
The romance aspect of the story is a tension filled, spicy slow burn giving gleeful, feet-kicking moments. BUT, as a romantasy reader you know to be weary when everything is sunshine and rainbows with 50ish pages left in the book. You just know it's the calm before the storm and what a storm Helen has brewed for us!
"A war hammer to the heart," to quote the book is an extremely accurate description of how this ending has me feeling. I know the emotional rollercoaster is going to continue as the series progresses and I am ready for all of it! I know it will be painful, but I know it will also be incredible!
As I told my husband, along with ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, Legends of Thezmarr and Ashes of Thezmarr are getting their own shelf on my new bookshelf because these books are THAT F⚔️CK🗡️NG GOOD!!!
I love the movement of the story switching between past and present, especially in the beginning of the book, and between Wren's and Torj's points of view throughout.
Wren is struggling and the change in her is fascinating to see. I enjoy her dark side, but don't want to see her suffering. She already was a bad@$$, but this book shares the journey of her rebuilding after the Shadow War and takes her fierceness to the next level.
Torj 😮💨, the silver-haired Bear Slayer, gives Cassian in ACOSF vibes. . . 🥵 Is saying more necessary? lol And his nickname for Wren? Just another reason he has me melting!
While Legends of Thezmarr focused on using the body as a weapon, Ashes of Thezmarr is focused on using the mind as a weapon and I absolutely love that! Iron & Embers is like Basgiath + potions! It is SO fun!
The romance aspect of the story is a tension filled, spicy slow burn giving gleeful, feet-kicking moments. BUT, as a romantasy reader you know to be weary when everything is sunshine and rainbows with 50ish pages left in the book. You just know it's the calm before the storm and what a storm Helen has brewed for us!
"A war hammer to the heart," to quote the book is an extremely accurate description of how this ending has me feeling. I know the emotional rollercoaster is going to continue as the series progresses and I am ready for all of it! I know it will be painful, but I know it will also be incredible!
As I told my husband, along with ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, Legends of Thezmarr and Ashes of Thezmarr are getting their own shelf on my new bookshelf because these books are THAT F⚔️CK🗡️NG GOOD!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, War
4 ⭐️
We need more male main characters with war hammers. It is my new favourite thing.
I really enjoyed getting to learn so much more about alchemy within this world. The different uses for it were very interesting, and I especially liked the focus we get on how vital it can be in a war. I actually liked how ruthless the academy was in its teaching methods. They train just as hard as warswords.
I went into this knowing I liked Wren and Torj as characters and very interested in their connection after the events of the first series. I personally was not disappointed. I think the reminders that they've had 5 years since the end of that series with a very clear attraction helped balance out the speed at which the relationship moves within this book, i love them together.
I was very glad that cal and kipp remained part of the cast for the book. Their banter remains top-tier. The new characters like Dessa were great additions, especially with all the male energy that wren winds up surround by with all the bodyguards.
Plotwise, it was a bit slow to begin with, and I feel like the blurb implied Wren was a master assassin when she's only killed 7 or 8 people in 5 years. I actually liked the spice in this one. It didn't feel like it took over the plot too much. I did think certain aspects towards the end should have lasted a little longer, but once I finished the book, I appreciated why they did not.
I have an ARC of book 2 and I'm very excited to dive straight in.
We need more male main characters with war hammers. It is my new favourite thing.
I really enjoyed getting to learn so much more about alchemy within this world. The different uses for it were very interesting, and I especially liked the focus we get on how vital it can be in a war. I actually liked how ruthless the academy was in its teaching methods. They train just as hard as warswords.
I went into this knowing I liked Wren and Torj as characters and very interested in their connection after the events of the first series. I personally was not disappointed. I think the reminders that they've had 5 years since the end of that series with a very clear attraction helped balance out the speed at which the relationship moves within this book, i love them together.
I was very glad that cal and kipp remained part of the cast for the book. Their banter remains top-tier. The new characters like Dessa were great additions, especially with all the male energy that wren winds up surround by with all the bodyguards.
Plotwise, it was a bit slow to begin with, and I feel like the blurb implied Wren was a master assassin when she's only killed 7 or 8 people in 5 years. I actually liked the spice in this one. It didn't feel like it took over the plot too much. I did think certain aspects towards the end should have lasted a little longer, but once I finished the book, I appreciated why they did not.
I have an ARC of book 2 and I'm very excited to dive straight in.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A decent start to this new spin-off series. I felt like there were a lot of parts of other books kind of smashed together into this one but it was still good. Definitely would have wanted more action and less sitting in class time.
POV: dual third person
You can expect: magic, assassin FMC, warrior MMC, flashbacks, pining, vigilante FMC, reluctant bodyguard, alchemy, friendship, school, caretaking, sacrifice, e falls first, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, “just once”, “you’re mine”, opposites attract, soul bond, fated mates, “who did this to you”, “it’s always been you”, age gap.
Rep: PTSD, grief, panic attack
Spice: 3/5
CW: discussions of war, mention of suicide, mention of past domestic violence (not by MCs), kidnapping, torture
POV: dual third person
You can expect: magic, assassin FMC, warrior MMC, flashbacks, pining, vigilante FMC, reluctant bodyguard, alchemy, friendship, school, caretaking, sacrifice, e falls first, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, “just once”, “you’re mine”, opposites attract, soul bond, fated mates, “who did this to you”, “it’s always been you”, age gap.
Rep: PTSD, grief, panic attack
Spice: 3/5
CW: discussions of war, mention of suicide, mention of past domestic violence (not by MCs), kidnapping, torture
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes