Reviews

One line review – Do not read unless you've read the previous series (Blood and Steel)

Iron and Embers was an enjoyable read, and I particularly loved the characters and their development. However, I can't help but feel disappointed by how this book was marketed. It was pitched as a standalone set five years after the Blood and Steel series, focusing on side characters. Given that description, I expected a self-contained story that could be enjoyed independently.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. There are numerous references to the previous series. Certain events and characters were mentioned repeatedly. Because of this, I would not recommend reading Iron and Embers without first reading Blood and Steel. Despite being marketed as a standalone, it heavily makes reference to characters and events in the previous series, making it feel more like a sequel than an independent novel. I know I’m not alone in this opinion, as many other readers have expressed similar frustrations.

That being said, if you’ve already read Blood and Steel, you’ll likely appreciate the continuation of the world and the development of familiar characters. But if you’re new to the author’s work and were hoping to start here, I’d strongly suggest picking up Blood and Steel first for a much better reading experience.

There is no rhyme or reason to why people are taken from us.
No greater meaning,
no justice.

➼ dark academia
➼ forced proximity
➼ bodyguard romance
➼ dual POV
➼ alchemist
➼ found family
➼ slow burn

evereads01's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I’m so angry at the ending. I was beyond excited about this book because I thought Wren and Torj (who is literally Thor, magic hammer and all) deserved their chance to shine. And yes, I was interested to see what they’d been up to in the five years after the war; they went through serious trauma, and Wren feels like a different person because of it. I couldn’t wait to see how their new dynamic would develop.

But then it just dragged on... and on... and on. Sure, you could call it a slow-burn romance, which some people love, but the whole book felt slow for me. There was a heavy focus on character development, while the plot took a back seat and only appeared sporadically. And as for the ending? I’m just so damn angry that this is what all our hard work led to.

Content Warnings

foxjessi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I hate to say I’m disappointed in this book because I’m NOT! I did enjoy it but for me it definitely doesn’t compare to the original series. I just didn’t feel much of a connection between Wren and Torj. It seemed like a lot of telling the reader how much they wanted each other but I’d rather be shown.

I was also somewhat annoyed by the “self-sacrifice/push her away for her own good” move by Torj at the end. I get that it’s his protective streak coming out. He doesn’t know how else to keep her safe. But I would have enjoyed something less predictable there. I fear the whole second book is just going to be that situation drawn out for far too long.

I’m making it sound like I hated this book and that is not the case! I think my expectations were just way too high to be met. And I think my love for the original characters is just too strong.

oiwb's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

brittanydenomme's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bookishspy's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-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

4.0

This was a ride! But one that I'd definitely recommend you read The Legends of Thezmarr series before even touching.

I went into this blind, having not read the previous series. While that was possible to do, and this book was amazing, it didn't feel read like a standalone at all. It read more like a next book in a series after a time skip.

Sure, there was a bit of backstory, thankfully, but I don't think I felt for the characters the way I would've with the full previous series behind it.

Also, I will say, this seemed to spoil a lot of major moments about said previous series, so... if you dont want that, read that series first 😅

Despite that, I loved Wren and the other characters. Torj was also great, but his indecision was even starting to grate on my nerves a bit 🫠

But by far, the most interesting character to me was Zavier! Absolutely loved him, and I need to know more about him immediately!

Overall, this was a great start to a series, I just wish I'd read Legends of Thezmarr first

➛ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

jlogsdon3's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

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