Helen Scheuerer

Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer is the first book in The Legends of Thezmarr series, an epic romantic fantasy. It looks like book 2 is due out at the end of October 2023. The female main character, Thea, dreams of being a warrior legend in her realm and only has three years left to accomplish this. Never mind that due to a prophecy, women cannot even train to be warriors. A rather surly warrior, Wilder, is thrown into her life path and she learns her history may not be as it seemed. Tropes show more include enemies to lovers (well, more like reluctant/forbidden lovers since they really weren’t enemies for long), found family and who-touched-you.

The Lovely: There is so much to love in this book - the characters (and their growth), the plot, the spice and the world. Probably my favorite were the characters - especially the main character (she’s no wallflower!) and her romantic interest. But, the other non-main characters were fleshed out as well. The spice was written in a way that it seemed believable to the characters relationship at the time and there was tension leading up to the spicy scenes. I even loved how the monsters were written - dark, almost ethereal, but deadly.

The Mundane: With so much going on in the book the pacing and tension held steady and each scene flowed. The author also skillfully handled the multiple (two) POVs - the switches didn’t feel jarring or disjointed.

The Dreadful: The only negative of this book is I now have the biggest book hangover and have to wait nearly six months for book 2.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Recommendation: I’m picky about what I deem a five star but I knew this one met the criteria before I even closed the book. I finished the book (all 532 pages) in two nights. The world, and to some extent the characters, have Witcher and Game of Thrones vibes. The ending is what I hoped for plus a twist I didn’t see coming. I’m obsessed with this series and had to go stalk the author’s website to see when book 2 would be out. That’s where I learned there’s a free prequel novella for the series available if you sign up for the author’s mailing list. This book is a definite 100 percent recommend. show less

Respectfully, what the actual fuck?! I’ll be certain to tell my therapist about how I was kicking my feet and giggling only to immediately start sobbing in the last 10(ish) chapters. IYKYK.

I loved every single thing about this book. I don’t often make comparisons, and I never make them to diminish one persons light. So hear me out… Wren is for the Nesta girlies. We got to see so much growth in Wren and witness her internal struggle and the ways she dealt with her trauma.

Anyone show more sensing a potential rebound love interest in a certain lost heir? It certainly makes me nervous but also, ya’ girl loves drama. show less

📖 Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer

💭 My Thoughts

So after hearing about this book so many times, I finally picked it up and I’m mad at myself for not reading it sooner! I’m so glad I listened because wow, this was such an incredible romantasy.

Althea was such a strong and beautifully written main character. She knew what she wanted, she had honor, and she stood up for herself without me ever feeling like it was over the top or hard to like. I loved how she was fierce and loyal but show more still friendly and funny with her close peers. She just felt all around real and I was with her every step of the way, rooting for her.

Wilder was the perfect grumpy warrior. You could feel his strength and leadership but there was still so much depth to him (you’ll have to read to find out what I mean 😉). When he and Althea’s worlds collided at the beginning of the book, the tension built at such a believable pace and by the time things finally happened 🔥 fireworks exploded in my mind.

The side characters added so much personality too. Cal and Kipp made me laugh so many times. And the world itself has such a good mix of people. Some are kind and honorable, others are cruel or just plain mean.

There were so many different stakes at play that kept me hooked the whole way through. Of course, there was a cliffhanger ending, so I’m already excited to dive straight into book two. I have no doubts it’s going to be just as good as the first one. show less

Vows and Ruins by Helen Scheuerer

Book 2 was everything I needed it to be. Everything in this story just works for me. The plot, the world-building, the characters… all of it. I loved Thea even more in this one, and Wilder? Don’t even get me started. The side characters too! Gosh, I love Kipp, Cal and Torj 😍

I enjoyed this book just as much as I loved book one. And that ending? I’m still not okay. It left me desperate to grab book 3 immediately. But I’m jumping into Slaying the show more Shadow Prince first to get some of the backstory and connections, and I’m already seeing how everything ties together. It’s seriously so satisfying.

Helen’s writing is honestly addicting. She knows how to build a world that has complex characters you actually care to read about. Oh, and can’t forget all that spice. Definitely turned up several notches in this one. Delicious 🔥

Thank you, Helen, for giving us this world. I can’t wait to keep going with this series ♥️⚔️ show less