A review by thelitraccoon
Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice 

Caution: This is my first book by Helen Scheuerer, and I haven’t read The Legends of Thezmarr series. Please keep that in mind while reading my review! 💕 

This book was an emotional, romantic rollercoaster, and I was here for it. From the start, the mutual attraction and longing between Wren and Torj were palpable, but post-war trauma, status, and pride kept getting in the way. 
One aspect that stood out to me was how the story explored the aftermath of war. It’s rare to see heroes dealing with the psychological toll after the battle is over—coping with the horrors they’ve witnessed and the ones they’ve inflicted themselves. That layer of depth added so much to the story. 
The romance itself was beautifully done. The tension, the buildup, and the eventual payoff were so satisfying—it left me giggling way longer than I’d care to admit! 
That said, I did feel like the world-building and character descriptions were lacking. I struggled to picture the characters, as their ages and physical traits weren’t clearly outlined. For fans of the previous series, this might not be an issue, but as a newcomer, I felt a little lost. 
The plot surrounding the uprising occasionally felt flat, taking a backseat to the romance. While the romantic elements were stunning, I wish the fantasy plotline had been stronger or more engaging throughout. That said, the last 15% of the book completely changed the pace—the tension and stakes skyrocketed, with the ending breaking me a little. I will definitely continue this series! 
What I’d wished for: 
A stronger, more developed fantasy storyline and more detail about the characters. That being said, the romance was incredibly well-executed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book overall. 
 
Finally, thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillian for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.