Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher, BLOOD & STEEL is an epic romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn spice, found family, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters.
With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend. Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.
The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but
even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.
All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms. Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as
a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?
If you like fierce sword-wielding heroines and brooding, tortured heroes, you will devour this sexy, addictive fantasy adventure.
Blood & Steel is the gripping first book in the heart-pounding, epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr.
*Review*
I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Scheuerer, and that includes her upcoming release, Blood & Steel.
The characters were fantastic.
Althea had some of the best character growth I’ve see in a single book in.. I don’t know how long. She started out as this almost single minded, immature girl who couldn’t see past her own selfish wants and grew into this admirable warrior. She had an epiphany moment and did a 180. She’s definitely a badass female character you need to meet!
Wilder Hawthorn.. *sigh.* He is such a jerk in the beginning; he is so grumpy but omg he is such a loveable character. I love the “touch her and you die” vibes, but I love the “touch her and you die by her hand because I won’t tale vengeance away from her” even more… oh so sexy.
I need more from him. He has some of the most raw emotions in the book, the scenes from his POV are so poignant. One even had me shedding some tears.
Kipp was fantastic. He is the levity needed in the darker moments wrought throughout Blood & Steel.
And Malik. He is such an understated character, and honestly, he’s the best. From the get go you know that he’s going to be someone near and dear.
The romance is a slow burn, but no less epic.
Again, the protectiveness, the connection, the enemies to lovers, and the forbidden-esque feel. *squee*
It doesn’t take multiple books to get to some spice, which is greatly appreciated. The spice isn’t overly descriptive and if it isn’t your cup of tea, you can easily gloss over those bit. That being said, the push through the physical barrier of their relationship does help the romance plot and what ensues afterwards.
I really enjoyed the training aspect of the story. You can an almost academy feel, but with more action. There is plenty of action throughout but really amps up when the wraiths break through the veil and battle arises.
The magic is interesting, both through the royal lines, as well as the magic.. bequeathed.. to the warswords.
Mind the cliff – book two can’t come soon enough!
Tropes:
Badass FMC
Enemies to Lovers
Found Family
Good vs Evil
Magic
Forced Proximity
Touch Her You Die
Vengeance
Mentor/Mentee
Forbidden Romance
Woman in a Man’s World
Prophecy
Content Warning:
Violence
Death
*Meet the Author: Helen Scheuerer*
Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. Her books have often been likened to Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass series, and the epic #girlpower film, Wonderwoman.
Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Writing, majoring at the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Publishing at the University of Sydney. Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ TikTok
Title: Blood & Steel
Series Title: The Legends of Thezmarr
Number of Books: 1 (of 4+)
Page Count: approx 550
Author: Helen Scheuerer
Publisher/Imprint: Alchemy
Genre: Epic romantic fantasy, dark fantasy
Formats: ebook, paperback, hardcover (audio TBC)
Audience: Suitable for adults (18+)
Head over to Helen’s website to download your FREE copy of An Alchemist’s Vow, the prequel novella to The Legends of Thezmarr, before the release of Blood & Steel on February 16, 2023.
Check back soon for an interview with Author Helen Scheuerer!
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