Publication: 31st July 2025 – Tor Bramble
A golden thread joined them, a bond that went deeper than love – and it had nearly destroyed them.
Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock share a dark and bloody history. With Thezmarr on the brink of another war, and overwhelmed by the force of their feelings for one another, Torj discovers there is far more to their bond than mere passion. The legendary Warsword is determined to protect Wren at all costs, even if it means lying to her . . . Even if it means losing her forever.
Meanwhile, Wren is struggling to find her place in the world – both as an advanced student of alchemy at the ancient academy of Drevenor, and as one of the heirs to a lost kingdom. With the midrealms once again facing destruction, Wren must decide: Loyalty or liberation? Legacy or love?
As new political players emerge, Wren discovers that her gift for alchemy is more powerful than she ever imagined – and that it could tear the kingdoms apart.
Will she and Torj find their way back to each other, or will the ancient magic that binds them become their undoing?
Perfect for romantasy fans, Thorns & Fire, Helen Scheuerer’s spellbinding sequel to Iron & Embers, delivers heart-wrenching choices, a found family to root for and a love that defies the odds.
In this fantastic and gripping sequel to Iron & Embers, we are back right where we left off, as the protagonists face all the consequences from the end of the first book. The relationship between Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock is more complicated than ever, and there are more intrigue, secrets, and conspiracies and I loved every single moment of it.
The story is well-paced and action-packed with an intricate plot and complex characters. The author masterfully delves into the emotions of the two protagonists as they face not only rebellions and the risk of a new war, but also their fears, their insecurities, and their heartbreaks. Wren is a strong heroine determined to do what is expected of her and face her future despite a stubborn and sometimes frustrating (but also sweet) big man in an overprotective state of mind. I loved how both the characters and their relationship developed throughout the novel and that surprising ending left me really looking forward to the next book.
The Ashes of Thezmarr series is a spin-off of the The Legends of Thezmarr series. I haven’t read the first series (yet!), and I can assure that you don’t need to read it first to read The Ashes of Thezmarr. The author gives a lot of background about the previous events, the first war, and also Wren and Torj first meeting. However, I am definitely going to read it not only because I love this fantasy world, but also because I have become a fan of its protagonists, Thea and Wilder, who we meet both in Iron & Embers and Thorns & Fire (especially Thea, who is as tough as her sister Wren).
Overall, Thorns & Fire is an addictive and compelling read, full of suspense and twists, political intrigue and magic, slow-burn romance and found family. I love the author’s writing, the world-building, and the characters and I can’t wait for more!
A huge thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.
Helen Scheuerer is the author of the bestselling fantasy series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Master’s in Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand, where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.
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