Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 2)
By: Helen Scheuerer
Publication: July 31, 2025 by Alchemy
448 pages
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Fae
Source: Personal Kindle Library
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Goodreads description--Perfect for romantasy fans, Helen Scheuerer’s spellbinding sequel to Iron & Embers, Thorns & Fire, delivers heart-wrenching choices, a found family to root for and a love that defies the odds.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?
From the author of the bestselling The Legends of Thezmarr series, Thorns & Fire by Helen Scheuerer is the second book in The Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy.
Iron and Embers was one of my most anticipated books from 2025. Yet, I ended up disappointed with the ending, mostly. That being said, I knew I wanted to continue the series, but I also knew I wasn't thrilled about starting Thorns and Fire because of where the characters left off in the previous book. So I didn't run out to pick this one up. I guess this is probably one of those series that it might be better to wait until all of the books are published and then binge-read them one after the other.
Thorns and Fire starts immediately where Iron and Embers left off. Wren has to replicate the solution she made that nullified the alchemy that takes away royal and warsword power. She's under a time crunch as the people's vanguard is gaining traction and followers.
Wren and Torj are broken up. Wren doesn't accept Torj's answers or non-answers, more like. She is determined to get to the bottom of why he broke things off with her. I don't want to spoil anything, but when she does get to the bottom of the answers, I really wasn't happy with her reaction. I'm not saying it wasn't justified or that I would have had a different reaction. But the nature of her search indicated that she knew Torj wasn't being entirely honest with her. So for her to feel betrayed by what she found, I just found that to be too convenient for conflict to drive the plot forward and didn't feel entirely authentic.
Overall, I will say that Thorns and Fire was better than Iron and Embers for me, Language is still a lot. And spice is on page. You can skim that as I do. I do plan to finish this series as I already have book 3, Silver and Smoke in my possession, but so far I've been less impressed compared to The Legends of Thezmarr series which The Ashes of Thezmarr is a spinoff of. Thorns and Fire gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Thorns and Fire? What did you think? Let me know!
This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.
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