I am fully invested in The Legends of Thezmarr series. I had seen hype about Iron & Embers and decided I needed to read Blood & Steel. And I am 100% committed. This is a fun unique, and slightly nostalgic, series! Keep reading this book review of Blood & Steel for my full thoughts.
Summary
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?
Review
I’ve been reading Helen Scheuerer books for a while now, but I’m just getting into The Legends of Thezmarr series. And I can’t believe I didn’t read sooner! From the beginning, I fell in love with Althea. I loved her power, her strength, and her banter. If you love underdogs and training montages, this is for you. The character development in this one is chef’s kiss. It’s full of yearning, chemistry, and tension. Additionally I adored the found family friendships and friendship she makes.
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Blood & Steel delivers a fun and unique world while immersing me in the nostalgia of the fantasy I grew up on. If you read Alanna by Tamora Pierce as a child or teen, then this has to be on your TBR. I enjoyed Blood & Steel. And now I have to read the entire series before the sequel to Iron & Embers. Find Blood & Steel on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon & Libro. fm.