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jlogsdon3's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
emmalyn_kay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Fury, power, and want entwined as he warred with himself. Heir. Ward. Poisoner. Off limits. But it was a force bigger than him, bigger than them both. And he was helpless against it. “Fuck it,” he muttered.
Thank GOODNESS we have a new series for Wren and Torj because Legends of Thezmarr had me in a chokehold. What blossomed in the first series fully bloomed in Iron & Embers.
I have never felt so equally frustrated and enthralled by two characters. Wilder and Thea during Legends of Thezmarr were fine, but the banter… the tension…Wren and Torj are on another level. I relished that build-up throughout the book but was a tad disappointed in the ending. However, knowing that book 2 is on the way gives me something to look forward to.
Some of the beloved comedic relief from the first series is woven into this book– Kipp and Cal– and it’s for the plot! Numerous scenes with excellent conversation and banter featured these characters, which helped the storyline flow from the first series.
Miss Helen, you knew exactly what you were doing. I wasn’t sure where you were taking me at the beginning, but consider me sat for the duration of this ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Gore, Torture, Blood, Alcohol, and War
klaudiao's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
sammykat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me laugh out loud then sob my heart out. Every time is came to a climax, there was somehow more afterwards. I need to read more of Helen Scheuerer's work asap. Although I read this book with no context of the other books set in this world, I am keen to learn more of the backstory to this one.
Wren's story is heartwrenching, and I loved the way her PTSD from the war is portrayed. Her love for alchemy shines clearly and the passion made me feel passionate about it for her.
I also love Torj and his steadyfast feelings and dedication. Some characters like him would be two-dimensional, but Torj feels well rounded and fleshed out.
The slow burn romance was amazing. The way the love story played out, and the hints that it was fated throughout were intoxicating. I guessed when Torj didn't say about the soul bond that there would be consequences, but I cried so hard at what they were.
The worldbuilding was also excellent. The school felt fresh and alive, with enough description to imagine the dubgeons, gardens, greenhouses and library clearly.
I can't wait to read the next book!
This book was an ARC, but all views are my own.
Wren's story is heartwrenching, and I loved the way her PTSD from the war is portrayed. Her love for alchemy shines clearly and the passion made me feel passionate about it for her.
I also love Torj and his steadyfast feelings and dedication. Some characters like him would be two-dimensional, but Torj feels well rounded and fleshed out.
The worldbuilding was also excellent. The school felt fresh and alive, with enough description to imagine the dubgeons, gardens, greenhouses and library clearly.
I can't wait to read the next book!
This book was an ARC, but all views are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
dhrutibc's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and War
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Suicide
kitkatkatdog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Iron & Embers is the perfect book for anyone into spicy romantasy stories especially based in an academic setting.
Wren Embervale is an alchemist turned poisoner who is finally accepted into the alchemist school of her dreams, Drevenor, just one catch though. She’s accepted only after the Royals of the mid realms start dying and she is forced to find a possible cure. Her bodyguard, a Warsword she has a tangled past with, is accompanying her and hopes the two of them can make it out alive. It takes all his willpower not to kill her. Or fall in love with her.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Emilia Bauer and Matt Haynes in dual POV chapters. They brought fantastic voices to each character that shaped the story into the adventure it is. Helen Scheuerer created a wonderful spin off series from her original series The Legends of Thezmarr. This story was fairly easy to dive into even without previous background, I do wish there was a bit more context added for extra understanding. It will be interesting to see how this new series progresses. The spice level was easily a 5 with those descriptions. The friends and side characters were entertaining and I had such fun with the unexpected twists and turns.
Thank you Libro.fm and Dreamscape Media for the ALC and the opportunity to hear this story.
Wren Embervale is an alchemist turned poisoner who is finally accepted into the alchemist school of her dreams, Drevenor, just one catch though. She’s accepted only after the Royals of the mid realms start dying and she is forced to find a possible cure. Her bodyguard, a Warsword she has a tangled past with, is accompanying her and hopes the two of them can make it out alive. It takes all his willpower not to kill her. Or fall in love with her.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Emilia Bauer and Matt Haynes in dual POV chapters. They brought fantastic voices to each character that shaped the story into the adventure it is. Helen Scheuerer created a wonderful spin off series from her original series The Legends of Thezmarr. This story was fairly easy to dive into even without previous background, I do wish there was a bit more context added for extra understanding. It will be interesting to see how this new series progresses. The spice level was easily a 5 with those descriptions. The friends and side characters were entertaining and I had such fun with the unexpected twists and turns.
Thank you Libro.fm and Dreamscape Media for the ALC and the opportunity to hear this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and War
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
Another fabulous new-to-me author with a kickass fantasy romance!
Wren and has never denied the attraction to Torj...to herself at least. But to everyone else they're prickly allies at best. But Wren feels incapable of letting down her defences to let anyone in and refuses to be anything other thana ONS. That will never be enough for Torj and they part ways after the war is won.
A few years later and Wren has finally been given the one thing she wanted, admittance to the Alchemical College of her dreams. One slight fly in the ointment, Torj is now her bodyguard! Can Torj keep his never diminished attraction to wren on the back burner whilst he protects her? Can Wren rid herself of the ghosts of her past to allow love to enger her heart?
Warswords, Alchemists, secret royal heirs, a gut wrenching trial to claim status as an adept - Wren is going to have to put all her knowledge and bravery on the line. The small group of friends she has made at the college become a new family to Wren and I couldn't help but enjoy the way they test and annoy each other but still have each others backs. The camaraderie between the Warswords is also very bromancy and Kipp and Cal are a hoot (even though they nearly come to blows a time or two!)
Wren is a really great FMC. She is smart, loyal - sometimes to her own disadvantage, and passionate. She may not be as much of a physical soldier as the warswords but she is deadly with her potions and new that she has some delf-defence under belt she'll be fearless! Torj is the epitome of a fantasy MMC, tall, grumpy, protective and very THAD! My heart did break for Wren and Torj during the gauntlet - that was a torment I'd never survive.
I did enjoy the ending, leading us nicely to the steps of book 2 but I did want to scream a little that Torj and Wren only had that fleeting moment of peace and then they were torn apart once again.
Wren and has never denied the attraction to Torj...to herself at least. But to everyone else they're prickly allies at best. But Wren feels incapable of letting down her defences to let anyone in and refuses to be anything other thana ONS. That will never be enough for Torj and they part ways after the war is won.
A few years later and Wren has finally been given the one thing she wanted, admittance to the Alchemical College of her dreams. One slight fly in the ointment, Torj is now her bodyguard! Can Torj keep his never diminished attraction to wren on the back burner whilst he protects her? Can Wren rid herself of the ghosts of her past to allow love to enger her heart?
Warswords, Alchemists, secret royal heirs, a gut wrenching trial to claim status as an adept - Wren is going to have to put all her knowledge and bravery on the line. The small group of friends she has made at the college become a new family to Wren and I couldn't help but enjoy the way they test and annoy each other but still have each others backs. The camaraderie between the Warswords is also very bromancy and Kipp and Cal are a hoot (even though they nearly come to blows a time or two!)
Wren is a really great FMC. She is smart, loyal - sometimes to her own disadvantage, and passionate. She may not be as much of a physical soldier as the warswords but she is deadly with her potions and new that she has some delf-defence under belt she'll be fearless! Torj is the epitome of a fantasy MMC, tall, grumpy, protective and very THAD! My heart did break for Wren and Torj during the gauntlet - that was a torment I'd never survive.
I did enjoy the ending, leading us nicely to the steps of book 2 but I did want to scream a little that Torj and Wren only had that fleeting moment of peace and then they were torn apart once again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
abiofpellinor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Murder, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping and Grief
Minor: Medical content and Medical trauma