beccaannekent 's review for:

Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-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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Firstly, when I originally requested this ARC, I was blind to the fact that it’s the follow on series to another. I had Iron and Embers ready to GO and read once approved…and then realised it was a bit of a bigger task to prepare for it!

So here I am, 6 books & 1 Novella later, utterly captivated and obsessed with this world the author has crafted.

Never have I been so absorbed in a fantasy world, every page turn I feel like I’m there. Wishing I could experience every smell, taste and touch. (And hoooo boy, those touches are STEAMY).

Wren’s growth and journey in this book is exceptional. Gone is the angry, grieving poisoner and here instead stands a Queen. She’s unafraid to speak her opinion, she’s smart and she’s incredibly witty. I’ve really grown to love her as a character. She’s changed so much from Legends of Thezmarr, the Shadow War really taking that toll on here (and it shows).

Naturally, the side characters are equally as loveable as the main characters. I love that we still get to spend time with Kipp, Cal and occasionally Wilder and Thea. Yet have been introduced to a host of new ones in I&E who are strongly developed with excellent backstories themselves. Their inclusion in the story never feels false or forced - they fit perfectly within Wren’s story and I cannot imagine reading it without them. 

The relationship between Wren and Torj is incredible. Building from Legends, that spark between them builds and builds into an inferno. One that Torj thinks he has quenched. However, throughout it is clear to everyone but them it seems in places, that they are inevitable. 

I cannot quite believe that Helen is managing to release THREE books in a series, completing it, within a year. Especially with books of such high calibre writing. It almost beggars belief that such a thing is achievable, but I am so very glad it is. I need the third and final ASAP!