A review by buriedwithinpages
Iron & Embers: An epic fantasy romance by Helen Scheuerer

adventurous emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Tropes & what to expect:
Fantasy romance
Alchemy academy
Princess x bodyguard
Forced proximity
Forbidden love
Slow burn romance
"Who did this to you?"
Touch her & you die
"It's always been you"
Dangerous trials/a gauntlet
A "Fck it" moment
One horse
One room
YEARNING

This is one of the most tension filled fantasy romances I've ever read. This man quite literally yearned for her FOR YEARS. 🥹

Wren wants to be the best alchemist there is. She goes to an alchemy academy to learn how to make and cure poisons.

Torj is a broody warrior (warsword) who has to protect her and act as Wren's bodyguard.

These two have history which you learn about in the previous series - Legends of Thezmar. 

The plot was so intriguing. There's a gauntlet/dangerous trial that Wren must face with some of the other students at the academy.

The tension between Wren and Tori has been built up over like 5+ years and then we get forced proximity so when they finally give in.. it is EVERYTHING.

I would also like to mention that the ending is a bit brutal.. and I require book 2 IMMEDIATELY.

I keep going back and forth between a 4.5 ⭐️ and a 4.75 ⭐️ I REALLY liked this one and I can't stop thinking about it.