Review of ‘Iron & Embers’ (The Ashes of Thezmarr #1) by Helen Scheuerer. Discover the explosive start to a dark and magical fantasy series filled with deadly trials, alchemical secrets, and the fierce bonds of found family. Perfect for fans of magical academies, slow burn worldbuilding, and stories where nothing is quite as it seems, Iron & Embers introduces a richly imagined world where survival comes at a cost and trust is the most dangerous gamble of all.
‘Iron & Embers’ by Helen Scheuerer is a gritty magical academy fantasy with high stakes and alchemical intrigue
Synopsis
“I’ve made no secret of what I want… You. It’s always been you.”
Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends. The wars of the past may be over, but her thirst for revenge is far from quenched.
For years, she has been content with her poisons and potions for company, but when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the midrealms, Wren’s time in the shadows comes to an end.
She’s offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor to find a cure to the dark magic threatening the kingdoms. To win her spot, she must conquer the Gauntlet, a grueling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life.
More is at play than sabotage from fellow competitors. Magic wielders are being targeted and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk.
But 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.
Peace is fragile, trust is scarce and enemies lurk around every corner… Will love heal all wounds—or will it be the most lethal poison of all?
Review
I received a free copy from bol.com and Pan Macmillan in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my review. Thank you for this review copy.
Step into a world of deadly trials, hidden identities, and gritty alchemical magic. Iron & Embers kicks off a new fantasy series full of danger, found family, and secrets that simmer just beneath the surface. Wren, an assassin with a royal past, is forced to flee and ends up at the prestigious and brutal Academy of Thezmarr. There, alongside a group of unlikely allies, she must survive a series of magical tests while guarding the truth of who she really is.
I really liked the story and was immediately drawn to the setting. I am a huge fan of magical schools and this one had all the intense, high-stakes vibes I wanted. The tests the students had to face were thrilling and creative, and they added so much momentum to the plot. But what really stole my attention was the alchemy. The poison, the potions, the lightning-based magic… I loved how fresh and gritty it felt. It gave the magic system a unique twist that stood out from other fantasy reads.
That said, I was pretty confused at the beginning. The main characters already knew each other, and I genuinely thought I had started reading in the middle of the story. For a second I even thought my copy was broken. Then I found out this is a spin-off of The Legends of Thezmarr series by the same author. Once I figured that out, everything started to make more sense. You can read this without the previous series, like I did, but I think having that background would help a lot with the worldbuilding and relationships. It is not necessary, but it might make you appreciate the setup and characters more right from the start.
Speaking of characters, Torj and Xavier completely stole the show for me. Wren was okay, she did not totally click with me at first, but I warmed up to her eventually. I especially liked the tension between her and Torj. Their dynamic had so much potential, and I am excited to see where it goes in the next book. I also really loved the group dynamic. Wren, Xavier, and Dessa had such strong found family energy. Their loyalty and connection were some of my favorite parts of the story.
Plot-wise, I found myself more drawn to Torj’s story than Wren’s at times. While the hint of Elwren’s royal background is intriguing, we did not get much detail on that in this first book. I really hope the sequel gives us more of her backstory and how it ties into the larger conflict.
The ending absolutely delivered. It pulled everything together in a way that left me eager to keep going. That final section had all the intensity and payoff I had been waiting for. The only downside is that the book felt a bit too long overall. There were moments where the pacing slowed, and I think a slightly tighter structure would have made it even more engaging.
Final thoughts
Iron & Embers is an exciting and promising start to a fantasy series filled with alchemy, betrayal, and fierce friendships. While the beginning can feel disorienting if you are new to this world, the story builds into something rich and compelling. If you love magical trials, layered characters, and slow-burn reveals, this one is worth picking up. Just maybe read The Legends of Thezmarr first if you want the full experience.
Rating
7/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: This book contains graphic depictions of violence, gore, torture, blood, and war.
- Themes: The novel explores themes of survival, trust, identity, and the pursuit of knowledge within a perilous magical academy setting.
- Representation: The story prominently features a theme of found family, highlighting the deep bonds formed between characters as they navigate the challenges of the academy.
- Genre: Romantasy (adult)
- Pages: 586
- Publication date: January 28, 2025
- Publisher: Bramble (Pan Macmillan)
- About the author:
Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.
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