Description

Alchemist. Poisoner. Storm wielder.Epic, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romantasy, set in a world of dark magic, assassins and war, Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuereris perfect for fans of The Witcher and The Bridge Kingdom.

Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends from wars past. But when she is 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 . . .

With over 4,000 five-star reviews on Goodreads, Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer is the breathtaking first instalment in The Ashes of Thezmarr series. Continue Wren and Torj’s story in Thorns & Fire.

Tropes include . . .

Bodyguard romance
Academy
Forced proximity
Touch her and die

Readers love Iron & Embers . . .’Truly one of the best, well-written and executed romantasies that I’ve read’

‘The characters are just . . . perfection’

‘Wonderfully complex, just when I thought I had things figured out, she threw more at us’

Publisher 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 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 Blood & Steel is the kind of book that grabs you by the heart and pulls you in for a glorious all nighter . . . if you like enemies to lovers, found family, training sequences and stories packed full of steam you’re going to devour this just like I did — Sacha Black, bestselling author of Keepers on Blood & Steel