Character dynamics are main focus, spice level is appropriate, and over all really enjoyable! There were a few scenes that I felt could have been developed better hence not the 5 stars.

I didn't like Ren as much as I liked Thea, and it made the book a little harder to get through. I know she's the younger sister, but at this point she's older than Thea was in the Legends books, so her immaturity was just annoying. Lots of stupid and selfish decisions that just made me roll my eyes. I wanted to spend more time in Torj's POV, but not just him brooding over Ren. Having some of the other established characters involved was fun, too. 

I love the larger world and seeing how things are changing after the events in the Legends of Thezmarr series. But I do think that if this were the first book I read in this world, I'd be less likely to continue the series. I like the author's writing style and the twists-and-turns that kept me on my toes, this book just felt a little more trope-heavy with an annoying FMC who thinks she knows better than literally everyone. And since it didn't feel like she grew much by the end, it'll probably continue in the next book. 

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.