1.1k reviews for:

Iron & Embers

Helen Scheuerer

4.17 AVERAGE

eclecticbychoicereads's review

4.0

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I have been in love with the world Helen Scheuerer has created ever since I read Slaying the Shadow Prince and met Talemir Starling. He was and is one of my favourite MMCs. Then, I met Wilder. I loved him, but Talemir still kept his no. 1 stop. But then came Torj. And, oh boy, he is here to stay. Stay and share the top with Talemir.

Torj is everything I love in a romantasy MMC. He is tough, brave, commands respect. He will do anything to protect those he loves, even to his detriment. He carries his trauma deep within but will share the burden with the one meant for him. He loves fiercely. He is the epitome of a romantasy MMC, and I know you will love him as much as I do.

Helen knows how to write romantasy, plain and simple. She knows how to make us cheer for the characters, swoon over them, and despise those who deserve it. She weaves a story full of devotion, love, (self)sacrifice, pain, rage, betrayal. She paints such a vivid picture of the world and its light and its blackness. Sho knows how to make and break my heart.

Iron and Embers, Book 1 in her Ashes of Thezmarr series, is set in the same world as her previous series. While you can read it without reading The Legends of Thezmarr, I recommend against it. You will miss so many details, world-building specifics, and character introductions. Take your time, and immerse yourself in the world of Thezmarr with Helen Scheuerer. You will never want to leave it, trust me.

Also, Helen, that ending?? I need the sequel now.

Iron and Embers will be released on January 28th, so prepare yourselves to be ensnared by the Bear Slayer. I know I am.

sarahseesthis's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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: Complicated

ratedromantasyreviews's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious 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: Yes

sbloss92's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

fantasy_fi's review against another edition

3.25

tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sarah_eliz's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

wildflowersoul's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous 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: Yes

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Finished in 24 hours,  I couldn't put it down.

ashley_reads_05's review against another edition

4.0

emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I’m going to start this with do not try reading this if you have not read The Legends of Thezmarr series. You absolutely need to read that first to understand a lot of what’s going on in this book. There are so many references to the previous series, flashbacks, etc. 

Okay, so I don’t really like Wren as much as I liked Thea in The Legends of Thezmarr but I already kind of expected that because I didn’t like Wren’s character much in the other series either. I don’t completely dislike her either though. She’s a bad ass in her own right, in a way much scarier than a brute with a sword because a lot of times you never even see her coming. 

I do, however think I like Torj a bit more than Wilder. He’s broody, but I don’t think we get the grumpy x sunshine with him. He’s got a traumatic past, but he doesn’t feel like a tortured soul either. I enjoyed the banter between him and Wren, she’s got a quick wit and a sharp tongue. That being said, the romance was lacking. 

I know this was an academic setting, but the setting as a whole kind of fell flat for me. Cal and Kipp are still two of the very best people in this entire series universe. For the longest time, it felt like there was really no point to the plot other than her going to this alchemy school to try and find a cure for some poison. I was bored at times. The stuff with the rebels didn’t make much sense, especially at the end bc obviously the leader of these people is a master alchemist. 

This definitely didn’t hold my attention the way the previous series did, but over all I enjoyed it. It will be interesting to see how things play out with Wren and The Bear Slayer, and like she mentioned a war of minds and alchemy!

shelbyypurv's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

livsliterarynook's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional mysterious 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