Thorns & Fire

Paperback Published on: 12/03/2026
Price: £9.99
Free UK delivery on orders over £25, otherwise £3.99
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Make and edit your lists in your account
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop

Bookseller Reviews

View all
Thorns & Fire
Everything I needed in a sequel
Someone get me a 6ft blond warsword who will literally bash the ground because it made you trip. Because that is what Torj would do for Wren because he lov... READ MORE
Elodie from Waterstones Deansgate

Synopsis

A golden thread joined them, a bond that went deeper than love – and it had nearly destroyed them.

Heart-wrenching choices, a found family to root for – and a love that defies the odds. From bestselling author Helen Scheuerer, Thorns & Fire is the spellbinding sequel to the romantasy phenomenon Iron & Embers and the second instalment in the Ashes of Thezmarr series.

Wren Embervale and Torj Elderbrock share a dark and bloody history. With Thezmarr on the brink of another war, and overwhelmed by the force of their feelings for one another, Torj discovers there is far more to their bond than mere passion. The legendary Warsword is determined to protect Wren at all costs, even if it means lying to her . . . Even if it means losing her forever.

Meanwhile, Wren is struggling to find her place in the world – both as an advanced student of alchemy at the ancient academy of Drevenor, and as one of the heirs to a lost kingdom. With the midrealms once again facing destruction, Wren must decide: Loyalty or liberation? Legacy or love?

As new political players emerge, Wren discovers that her gift for alchemy is more powerful than she ever imagined – and that it could tear the kingdoms apart.

Will she and Torj find their way back to each other, or will the ancient magic that binds them become their undoing?

Tropes include . . .

  • Bodyguard romance
  • Enemies-to-lovers
  • Academia
  • Forced Proximity
  • Touch her and die
  • Found Family

Readers love Thorns & Fire . . .

‘A captivating romantasy with a slow-burn which will keep you hooked until the end!'

‘The chemistry between these two is electric and there were numerous points when I was giggling and kicking my feet’

‘The yearning in this one is absolute perfection’

‘I am still completely and utterly obsessed with Wren and Torj’s story’

‘This book has everything: aching romance, sharp banter, gut-punch reveals, and a heroine who refuses to break no matter how much is stacked against her’

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • ISBN: 9781035067336
  • Number of pages: 448
  • Dimensions: 200 x 130 x 27 mm
  • Weight: 302g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

View all
Thorns & Fire
I really wasn't sure exactly how to rate this book...
3.5 STARS On the one hand, I felt like it was great to have that slow build-up of tension between Wren and Torj again. I often feel that this is missing... READ MORE
Becca381
Thorns & Fire
ALL OF THE STARS!!!
ALL OF THE STARS!! Infinity stars! Helen Scheuerer does not miss! I wish I could wipe my memory so that I can start this series again for the first time
Jojo F
Thorns & Fire
A great book 2!
Helen writes another epic fantasy book, following on from the cliffhanger that left us reeling after Iron & Embers, we dive straight back into the world of... READ MORE
Hannah L
Thorns & Fire
Romantasy at its finest!
Bravo Helen! Coming back into this world is just a joy. I can't get enough of the Midrealms! We head into Thorns & Fire after the events of Iron & Embe... READ MORE
Lisa Hoare
Thorns & Fire
Addictive Romantasy that delivers on every front
Iron & Embers was one of my top romantasy reads in recent years—it brought back that perfect balance of gripping plot and swoon-worthy romance. I was hooke... READ MORE
Sara Machado
Thorns & Fire
I love this!
I have, and will continue to read, everything Helen Scheuerer has published. Thorns and Fire continues Wren & Torj’s story from Iron and Embers, and sets u... READ MORE
Molly D
Thorns & Fire
Lovely sequel!
This events of Thorns & Fire start right after the end of Iron & Embers, giving us more details about a certain bond we previously read about. I particular... READ MORE
Sofia Pa
Thorns & Fire
A great sequel!
Thorns & Fire is a fantastic sequel to Iron & Embers! I really enjoyed diving back into Wren and Torj’s story and watching their relationship and journey c... READ MORE
Lauren Gudgeon
Thorns & Fire
I'm so ready for book 3!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "He would do it all again to keep her safe. He would do it a hundred times over if it meant Wren still walked the midrealms, even if he coul... READ MORE
Tina
Thorns & Fire
This is the stuff sequels are made of
I sped through the first instalment of this series, and I can safely say I did the same with this. It’s been so long since a romantasy series has stuck wit... READ MORE
EJ
Thorns & Fire
Romantasy at it’s finest
5 stars!!! (But even that doesn’t feel like enough) Thank you so so much panmacmillan and netgalley for providing me with an arc of this highly anticip... READ MORE
Bente Kato Braaksma
Thorns & Fire
AHHH NOW THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A SEQUEL!!!
Omg we get right into the action that we left off in book 1 with no faffing about - straight to business of the plot and I LOVED IT!!!
Klaudia.k_bookish
Thorns & Fire
A truly epic fantasy romance, filled with spice and yearning!
Helen has absolutely smashed it again! Iron & Embers left us with so many questions and desperate for answers as to what comes next for Wren and Torj, and ... READ MORE
Talia Green
Verified Purchase
Thorns & Fire
And right when I thought the tension and yearning couldn’t have been more intense than in Iron & Embers, I was proven wrong...
After the brutal and heartbreaking ending of book 1, I had to read this book. And right when I thought the tension and yearning couldn’t have been more int... READ MORE
pageosaurus
Thorns & Fire
Absolutely incredible
Helen remains the undisputed queen of Romantasy! This next chapter was everything I could have hoped for and so much more! The Legends of Thezmarr remains ... READ MORE
1000 Books 1000 Lives
Thorns & Fire
Helen Scheuerer reminds us why she is the queen of romantasy!
In Thorns & Fire, Helen Scheuerer reminds us why she is the queen of romantasy! The highly anticipated sequel to Iron & Embers continues Wren and Torj's st... READ MORE
Batya’s Books
Thorns & Fire
Stunning tension-filled Romantasy!
Following Torj’s ultimate sacrifice, breaking their soul bond to save Wren’s life, it appears that the two are destined to remain apart. However, as dark s... READ MORE
Rachel Elizabeth
Thorns & Fire
OMG I need to read Silver & Smoke!
The second part did not disappoint either; it had everything you need for a good read: conspiracy, anger, teasing, humor, espionage, a fight against time, ... READ MORE
Csilla
Thorns & Fire
Great sequel
Dedication - “To every woman who was told to make herself smaller and chose to burn brighter instead. Your fire can light up the world. This one’s for yo... READ MORE
Donna Healey
Thorns & Fire
Way better than the first book, give it a shot!
I seem to be in a bit of a minority because I didn't like Irons & Embers (book 1) all that much, but oh boy am I glad I gave Thorns & Fire a chance. Thi... READ MORE
Rhianne
Thorns & Fire
Helen Scheuerer does it again!
well, well, well… Helen Scheuerer has done it again. this amazing woman really understands the assignment when it comes to slow burn yearning because she d... READ MORE
Kinga
Thorns & Fire
”The mind is a blade, but many minds make an army.”
I have so much on my mind, but there are some prevailing thoughts amongst all the shock, pain and hope after having finished Thorns & Fire literally half a... READ MORE
Ida
Thorns & Fire
Book 2 in the series continues where book 1 finished.
Book 2 in the series continues where book 1 finished. We are following Wren and Torj as they figure out the bond and the cure. This was a fun read but i... READ MORE
Samantha
Thorns & Fire
I love these two
‘I’ve actually always wanted a cat . . . Torj snorted. ‘I prefer dogs,’ ‘It would never have worked between us, Warsword.’ -I don’t know why I am shoc... READ MORE
Rebecca Ma
Thorns & Fire
Fantastic 2nd book
Another fantastic entry which picks it up right as Iron & Embers finished. Full of yearning, intrigue, fantasy road trip, undercover marriage, one tent and... READ MORE
Leah
Thorns & Fire
Amazing sequel
Wow wow wow.. I cannot believe I have finished this masterpiece already and have to wait for the next one. The spice was really turned up and I loved see... READ MORE
Heather LT
Thorns & Fire
Loved it!
I just finished Thorns and Fire and I’m honestly a mess, in the best way. After loving Iron and Embers, I had high hopes for this sequel, and it completely... READ MORE
Evan Fitzgerald
Thorns & Fire
Review
I read the first book in this spin-off romantasy trilogy a few months ago and loved it, getting fully immersed in the world building and character developm... READ MORE
BookishSteph1
Thorns & Fire
My favorite book of the Thezmarr series
"You loved her then as you love her today, and will for all the days that come after. You will always love her. That is the only thing that matters" The... READ MORE
JennyOBookMusings
Thorns & Fire
Solid romantasy entry
Thorns and Fire is a strong entry in adult high fantasy/romantasy, picking up directly where the first book left off. Scheuerer’s writing is elegant, the p... READ MORE
Denise R
Thorns & Fire
And right when I thought the tension and yearning couldn’t have been more intense than in Iron & Embers, I was proven wrong
After the brutal and heartbreaking ending of book 1, I had to read this book. And right when I thought the tension and yearning couldn’t have been more int... READ MORE
pageosaurus