We’ve been covering Aussie author Helen Scheuerer here for a hot minute, all the way back to debut series The Oremere Chronicles – and yes, I remain a devoted Swinton girlie. So we were naturally very excited when Scheuerer announced Iron & Embers, the first in The Ashes of Thezmarr series, and her first novel with a major publishing house.
Iron & Embers follows alchemist-turned-assassin Wren Embervale and silver-haired war hero Torj Elderbrock, and picks up five years after the end of previous series, The Legends of Thezmarr. Wren has finally secured entry to the ancient academy of Drevenor, and intends to use the school’s resources to find a cure for a deadly new alchemy that’s threatening the magic-wielding rulers of the surrounding kingdoms – herself included.
But of course, with her safety under threat from that same alchemy, she’ll need protection as she conducts her research. Unfortunately for her, it comes in the form of famed Warsword Torj, a man with whom she has more history than she’d care to admit – little of it good. And as the threat rises, the tension between them follows suit…
Engaging and near impossible to put down – I read half in one sitting, and this was WELL before Cyclone Alfred left me with only my books for company for a weekend – it’s a sizzling start to the series, with a gut-punch of a finale that will have readers counting down the days to sequel Thorns & Fire‘s release in July.
The will they, won’t they, oops they almost did of Wren and Torj is almost torturous, in all the best ways of course, and there’s something so delicious about their mutual distrust and dislike being tinged with such yearning. There’s a heady level of spice here, so if you’re a “fade to black” reader, be sure to steer clear.
For the seasoned romantasy fans playing along at home, here’s just a handful of the tropes Iron & Embers is working with: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a heavy dose of “touch her and die”. Suffice to say, we’re already eating pretty good in this series.
The story outside the spice is great too, with Wren using all her skills as an alchemist and poisoner to find out the truth behind the attempts on the other rulers’ lives. Drevenor is no safe haven either, despite the protections of both Torj and the school as a whole, so rest assured that there’s still plenty happening in the larger plotline too.
Given the connections to previous series Legends, it’s important to note that new readers needn’t panic – knowledge of past series isn’t required, with every backstory and returning character fleshed out more than enough to ensure comprehension. Just don’t be surprised if you end up wanting to go back and read more, if only to stay immersed in this magical world a little longer. And with a romantasy landscape absolutely dominated by US-based authors, that can only be a good thing.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Helen Scheuerer’s Iron & Embers is out now, through Pan Macmillian. Grab yourself a copy from your local bookshop HERE.
Find out more about Scheuerer’s previous works at her website HERE.
