Kiss of the Black Flame: A Novel (The Bookbinder's Bargain)
Helen Scheuerer
Silver & Smoke
by Helen ScheuererCategory
About this book
Alchemist. Poisoner. Reluctant Queen. Wren Embervale knows her duty demands a crown, even if it means a strategic betrothal to the influential Lord Darian Devereux. Their arranged marriage promises the formidable army she needs to wrestle her kingdom from the clutches of the tyrannical usurper, Silas. Yet, Wren’s heart still belongs to Torj Elderbrock, her soul-bonded Warsword. Torn between her pragmatic alliance and the visceral pull of her bond with Torj, Wren must navigate a treacherous landscape of courtly intrigue and looming war. As Silas’s shadow alchemy tightens its grip on the midrealms and a creeping poison steals Torj’s strength, Wren’s carefully constructed facade begins to crack. Can she play the dutiful fiancée to secure her throne, while her body and soul yearns for the warrior who would lay down his life for her? Or will the tangled threads of political necessity leave her kingdom—and her heart—in ashes? From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Iron & Embers, Silver & Smoke is the blistering finale to the Ashes of Thezmarr series.
Available Formats
Mass Market Paperback: $7.99 Audiobook: $0.00
What readers are saying
Megan BajorekA Grand Finale I Enjoyed So Very Very Much
"I’ve been along for the ride with the characters and realm of Thezmarr for a while now. Initially I was drawn to the character of Thea, from The Legends of Thezmarr because she was strong, motivated, persistent and a truly good FMC. I laughed and cried with her. I swooned and raged with her. Her series wrapped up so very well but naturally I wanted more. Which was why I was ecstatic when news released about the Ashes of Thezmarr series which would follow Wren, Thea’s sister, in the aftermath of the Shadow War documented in the previous series. Wren was always a strong motivator for Thea and through her eyes I fell in love with Wren’s wit, cleverness, fierceness and determination. Wren, a “normal” person by most fantasy standards, has magic but prefers to funnel her energy into alchemy, specifically poisons which I found both engaging and educational. Without knowing it, I learned a good deal about plants and horticulture by reading alongside Wren as she attended classes at the renowned Drevenor Academy. Enter Torj, The Bear Slayer, a warsword, as from the previous series, who was always a bit more playful than the seasoned veterans around him, but now the war has changed him and he is serious, passionate and unyielding. Wren and Torj are forced together in a bodyguard + protectee relationship and I love it! It’s a subtle trope that is becoming one of my favorites. But it isn’t just their working relationship tying them together; no they are bonded together by ancient magic no one can explain as a result of their final actions against the shadow magic and villainy in the previous series. In a final, heart pounding moment, Wren funnels her storm magic (that she has only just discovered) into Torj to give him the power and strength to defeat their biggest foe. In doing so, they have become magically linked and it is unclear as to what that means. This third and final installment is the BIG finale where all the ties come together. Torj and Wren must work together with unlikely allies and friends thought lost to defeat the villain known as the Kingsbane, an alchemist who has been mixing alchemy with residual shadow magic from the past. In doing so he hopes to rid the realms of it’s royalty and dominate over everyone from the seat of a land thought barren and destroyed; a land that belongs specifically to Wren. This book is amazing. It is incredibly well written, well developed and enjoyable to read. The love and friendship that grows between all the characters is mature and deep; giving new meaning to the “found family” trope. Torj and Wren have a love story and journey that is as beautiful as it is heart wrenching to behold. The characters that surround them, Cal, Kip, Dessa, Xavian, Thea, Wilder and Darien make for truly some of the best developed supporting characters I’ve ever read. The story concludes in a truly satisfying way and makes me even more eager to see what Helen is cooking for her next series. ["
December 9, 2025 Verified Purchase
E. Maddalenihigh-stakes action
"5 stars for some parts, but certain aspects fall short for me. At times the story doesn't seem as focused as the previous book, and a bit of the spicy imagery pulls me out of the story--a little awkward, or maybe just "over-seasoned," so to speak. Sometimes the grammar/style choices seem a bit off, but the writing flows, one of many things I love about this author's writing. Otherwise, this book offers some truly captivating action. The author impresses me with her battlefield tactics and her alchemy world. I love the characters, and the evil villain majorly stresses me out! Props to the author:) ["
April 7, 2026 Verified Purchase
