Thorns & Fire: The Ashes of Thezmarr, Book 2

Megan Bajorek

FIRE, STEEL, HURT, FURY, STRENGTH, ACCEPTANCE, PASSION!

"I have loved every page written by Helen Scheuerer. This book has changed that love to obsession over every page Helen has written. This woman should never be silenced because her prose, world building and character development is beyond compare. The sequel to Iron & Embers, our characters are left in uncharted territory with broken hearts and fear closing in. The second of three books, it's easy to see that somehow the two will resolve their significant issues and come back together in a beautiful yet slow burn, passion filled journey. Is that journey smooth? Heck no! Do both of them make decisions for the other from a place full of good intentions and yet disregard each other's automony? Yup! Do they finally cut the crap, talk things out and come together in a beautiful moment of passion and heartfelt declarations? An enthusiastic YES!! Wren as a character is one of depth, pain, love and determination; a combination of which brings out the best of all of the characters around her. Her dedication to her friends is what makes her stand out as possibly the best characters of this series and previous series! She is logical, pragmatic, clever, feisty and passionate about those she loves and her ability to make change. A driving force for this installment is Wren's unyielding desire to save the realms through her alchemy and intellect because if not her, who? Torj's conflict between what he wants and what he thinks is right, haunts every step Torj takes; constantly challenged by factors around him to change his mind! The depth of his feelings about Wren fog and cloud his perspective as to what is possible if they remain together. Life is fraught with risk but also fraught with the opportunity for the sweetest reward. Quickly Torj's love for Wren is solidified when he realizes she is his perfect match regardless of the danger; it is her wit, savage quips, passion and determination that is the equal match to Torj's sarcasm, dedication, strength and understanding. His support and love allows Wren to step into her power and Wren's choosing Torj gives him the confidence and certainty that together they will change the world. And when they finally come together, absolute fireworks and squeals of joy over here! I tip my hat to Helen for writing the absolute best slow burn tension followed by mind-blowing, appropriately positioned, spine tingling spice! I would be remiss if I didn't extend an additional round of applause for Kristopher F-ing Snowden who definitely deserves his own spin off!! I cannot wait to see how Wren and Torj execute their plan to save their friends, the innocent, the realms and the future together they both deserve!!! ["

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November 2, 2025 Verified Purchase

Lynn Brown

Great book 2!

"Once more I was pulled into this world and did not want to leave it. After the cliffhanger mess between our main characters in book 1, I was anxious to see how book 2 will go.... It starts right off where we left in book 1 and we begin to learn more about Torj and Wren's connection. Plus we've got the new mysterious baddy that the realm needs to identify and defeat. This was a page turner with so much tension and banter, I loved it! And I loved Wren's character growth even more, she continues to be a badass, who I think we will learn in the next book, you don't want to mess with. I also enjoyed that our friends from the Legends of Thezmarr continue to make an appearance & are still a part of this story. ["

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March 31, 2026 Verified Purchase

lindsey

Epic, Emotional, and Utterly Unforgettable

"Thorns & Fire is a fierce, beautifully written fantasy that completely captured me from the first page. Helen Scheuerer delivers a story that is rich with heart-pounding action, deep emotional resonance, and characters who feel real in every triumph and struggle. The worldbuilding is immersive and vivid, pulling you into a setting that’s as dangerous as it is mesmerizing. The characters are complex and compelling, their relationships layered with vulnerability, tension, and meaning. Every twist kept me turning pages, and every quiet moment was just as powerful as the battles and adventure. This book balances intensity and emotion perfectly—making victories feel hard-earned and losses truly impactful. Whether it’s the fiery stakes, the heartfelt connections, or the breathtaking journey, Thorns & Fire delivers on every front. An easy five stars and a must-read for anyone who loves dark, gripping fantasy with depth, passion, and heart. ["

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January 25, 2026 Verified Purchase

Tara J. Hughes

Absolutely phenomenal!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I have been DYING for the next book in this series, and Thorns and Fire was all I hoped for and more! It accomplishes everything that a good “book 2” should, but does so in an extremely satisfying way without stumbling into the “exposition dump/filler book” trap to which a lot of second books in a series fall victim. In terms of the romance, the yearning between Wren and Torj is just top notch, and nobody does “hurts so good” romantic tension like Helen Scheuerer. Torj trying to protect Wren by withholding information is so blatantly the wrong approach that I just wanted to shake him, but it’s faithful to what we’ve seen of his instincts this far. Wren’s hesitation to fully forgive Torj is equally frustrating but also absolutely on par with her character. When the love finally ignites, it’s a grand explosion. This book is significantly spicier than the first and I love it. Can’t get enough. I really appreciated how the plot broadened and we were able to venture outside of Drevenor in this book. It was interesting to see the political machinations of the world from a different perspective than we did in Legends of Thezmarr. Rather than a loud and intense story featuring sword fights and war (which I also love!) we see a quieter but almost more sinister situation in Thorns and Fire, and I’m here for it. The true identity of villain kept me guessing throughout and I was thoroughly surprised when it was finally revealed. This book spent a great deal of time examining Wren’s internal struggle with her legacy, how she feels about her responsibility to reclaiming her birthright, and coming to terms with her own dangerous potential. Her ultimate decision sets us up for a fantastic finale when Silver and Smoke arrives, and I’ll be waiting with my Kindle in hand, ready to download the instant it hits! All in all, this was another five star read from Helen Scheuerer!!!! ["

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September 18, 2025 Verified Purchase