From the author of the Legends of Thezmarr series, Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer is the first book in The Ashes of Thezmarr series. Perfect for fans of The Witcher and The Bridge Kingdom, Iron & Embers is filled with a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, dark magic and a world of assassins and warriors. Alchemist. Poisoner. Storm wielder. Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends from wars past. But when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the war-torn midrealms, Wren is charged with finding a cure for the strange new poison. Offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor, she must claim her spot by conquering the Gauntlet – a gruelling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life. Yet the biggest threat of all might come from the man assigned to protect her – Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero who has hated her since she assassinated his last charge. Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both. With peace between the kingdoms as fragile as ever, and enemies lurking around every corner, Wren will discover whether love can truly heal all wounds – or if it is in fact the most lethal poison of all . . . Set five years after the events of the Legends of Thezmarr series, Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer is the breathtaking first instalment in an epic new fantasy romance trilogy.
Review
Iron & Embers was one of my favorite reads of 2025. Helen doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the aftermath of war, and I loved the care and deep respect Wren and Torj have for each other. Torj’s gentle patience and touch-her-and-die energy kept me reading late into the night, while Wren is a fascinating, fierce FMC I couldn’t help but root for. I can’t wait to dive into book 2! -- Stacia Stark, author of A Court This Cruel & Lovely
With epic adventure, this is a romantasy that ticks all boxes for fans of the genre -- The Sun
Torj Elderbrock has ruined all other book boyfriends for me . . . Iron & Embers has rocketed its way up to the top of my fantasy series list and now I need book two STA! -- The Debut Digest
Blood & Steel is an emotional masterpiece . . . romantasy fans will love this enthralling tale of a plucky young woman desperate to prove herself, make her mark, and leave her legacy in a world stacked against her -- Meg Cowley, USA Today bestselling author of Flight of Sorcery and Shadow on Blood & Steel