You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
26nmb 's review for:
Iron & Embers
by Helen Scheuerer
Let me start by saying this: Wren and Torj were my absolute favorites in Legends of Thezmarr, so when I found out they were getting their own story, I had to seriously hold myself back from skipping ahead. I practically had to force myself to finish the main series first—even though it’s great—because the anticipation for Iron & Embers was unreal. (And yes, you do need to have read the main series beforehand, including Slaying the Shadow Prince. No shortcuts here.)
Once I finally got to this book, I was fully invested—and it did not disappoint.
Their dynamic is hard to sum up neatly. If I had to, I’d call it friends to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies again. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster. While “enemies” is a loose term (they’re not villainous toward each other), the emotional friction is intense. The tension between them is palpable—every interaction crackles with unresolved feelings. From an outside perspective, their reasons for falling out may seem a bit thin, but the way it’s written? You feel every second of it. It’s masterfully done.
Both Wren and Torj are shaped by deep emotional wounds, and their inner struggles are portrayed with care and nuance. Their growth is realistic, their pain is tangible, and their connection? Absolutely electric. The yearning, the hesitation, the slow and excruciating build-up—it’s everything I crave in a forbidden love story. And the brilliance of it is that it’s scorching hot without needing constant physicality. The looks, the near-touches, the aching restraint—it’s sensual without ever being gratuitous. In fact, one of the spiciest moments in the entire book happens with no contact at all, and it’s wildly effective.
I’m a sucker for a slow burn, and this one is exceptional. That rising tension, the denial, the emotional push and pull—it’s some of the best I’ve read in the genre. This is top-tier forbidden romance.
That said, once they finally get a moment of happiness, I started getting nervous. Everything felt a little too good, a little too easy. And sure enough, it all falls apart soon after. Narratively, it makes sense. The development is logical and true to the world and the characters. But emotionally? I was devastated. They deserved more time. More softness. Just more.
What really frustrated me, though, was the direction Torj’s decisions took. We’re back to the tired old “I have to protect her from myself” trope—and while I understand the intention, it still grates. Especially because Wren has consistently proven she can stand on her own and make her own choices. To see that strength reduced, even temporarily, felt like a betrayal. And not just of their relationship, but of her character. They promised to face things together. Choosing for her isn’t protection—it’s control. And frankly, I’m not sure I can forgive him for that just yet.
To be clear: this isn’t a complaint about the book itself. I loved it. Truly. The writing is stunning, the emotional payoff is immense, and the characters are unforgettable. I’m just furious on Wren’s behalf—and honestly, that’s a testament to how deeply I care about these two. Their story is powerful, messy, beautifully human, and I’ll be counting the days until the next book tries to piece my heart back together.
Once I finally got to this book, I was fully invested—and it did not disappoint.
Their dynamic is hard to sum up neatly. If I had to, I’d call it friends to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies again. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster. While “enemies” is a loose term (they’re not villainous toward each other), the emotional friction is intense. The tension between them is palpable—every interaction crackles with unresolved feelings. From an outside perspective, their reasons for falling out may seem a bit thin, but the way it’s written? You feel every second of it. It’s masterfully done.
Both Wren and Torj are shaped by deep emotional wounds, and their inner struggles are portrayed with care and nuance. Their growth is realistic, their pain is tangible, and their connection? Absolutely electric. The yearning, the hesitation, the slow and excruciating build-up—it’s everything I crave in a forbidden love story. And the brilliance of it is that it’s scorching hot without needing constant physicality. The looks, the near-touches, the aching restraint—it’s sensual without ever being gratuitous. In fact, one of the spiciest moments in the entire book happens with no contact at all, and it’s wildly effective.
I’m a sucker for a slow burn, and this one is exceptional. That rising tension, the denial, the emotional push and pull—it’s some of the best I’ve read in the genre. This is top-tier forbidden romance.
That said, once they finally get a moment of happiness, I started getting nervous. Everything felt a little too good, a little too easy. And sure enough, it all falls apart soon after. Narratively, it makes sense. The development is logical and true to the world and the characters. But emotionally? I was devastated. They deserved more time. More softness. Just more.
What really frustrated me, though, was the direction Torj’s decisions took. We’re back to the tired old “I have to protect her from myself” trope—and while I understand the intention, it still grates. Especially because Wren has consistently proven she can stand on her own and make her own choices. To see that strength reduced, even temporarily, felt like a betrayal. And not just of their relationship, but of her character. They promised to face things together. Choosing for her isn’t protection—it’s control. And frankly, I’m not sure I can forgive him for that just yet.
To be clear: this isn’t a complaint about the book itself. I loved it. Truly. The writing is stunning, the emotional payoff is immense, and the characters are unforgettable. I’m just furious on Wren’s behalf—and honestly, that’s a testament to how deeply I care about these two. Their story is powerful, messy, beautifully human, and I’ll be counting the days until the next book tries to piece my heart back together.