The Iron Hex

Iron Hex Trilogy #1

by Victoria S. Walsh

She doesn’t remember her past. But some memories come with a cost.

Eira Eckhart has spent years building a quiet life in a small town at the edge of a recently overthrown kingdom. Her memory is fractured, her past a blur—but with her shop, her loyal rabbit familiar, and practicing only the potions magic still legal under the watchful eye of the Iron Empire, she’s managed to remain unnoticed by the empire’s witch hunters.

Until Hugo Venton walks through her door.

Brash, clever, and infuriatingly handsome, Hugo is searching for something…and seems to know more about Eira than she knows about herself. But when a terrifying encounter with an unnatural, deadly new breed of soldier puts a price on her head, she has no choice but to join Hugo on his quest.

Their hunt for a missing princess pulls Eira across the continent—and deeper into a past she can’t recall. As buried memories, mysteries in the Iron Empire’s capital, forgotten feelings, and the truth behind her identity begin to surface, Eira realizes the forbidden magic simmering in her veins might be the very thing that could save them from the Iron Empire’s forces as they draw ever closer…if she can remember how to control it in time.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Witches

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Victoria S. Walsh is the author of The Iron Hex Trilogy. Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, she earned an honors BA in English and History from McMaster University. When Victoria isn’t writing she’s creating self love, fashion, and book content on social media under @victoriashaz. She spends her free time relaxing with her Westie, Obi-Wan Kenobi, gaming and cooking with her husband, expanding her fantastical wardrobe, or playing D&D with her friends and family. You can visit her online at www.victoriaswalsh.com

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this, and I think it’s pretty great 💃🏼

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to HTP for an early ARC and Harlequin Audio for the ALC of this Read. All opinions are my own.

The Iron Hex (Iron Hex Trilogy #1) by Victoria S. Walsh
Book Blurb: She doesn’t remember her past. But some memories come with a cost.

Rating: *****
Feels:
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Witches, Fantasy Romance
First published August 4, 2026: 400 pages

Themes & Setting: Knowing yourself and growing into what you feel you should be were strong themes in this story and I really loved how each character personified their development. There were some definite dark themes from the previous royal family being overthrown and the events that lead up to the start of the book which were very well handled. The setting is of a nation recovering from a regime change but also a shift in theology with witchcraft being thought of as outlawed and wrong. It brought on some very powerful insights and conflicts for the characters !
FMC: Eira Eckhart's memory is fractured and she can not recall her past. This sets everything up for so many interesting things to happen. I love how she has to blend her ideas of what she feels now with what people tell her about her past and navigate everything as it crashed together.
MMC: Hugo knows how to yearn !! It was just super hot and I already love the whole body guard vibe. His story is tragic on sooo many levels and I love his character so much.
Conclusion: Witches , hidden identities, memory loss and a body guard romance!!! Yah I ate this up. I’m all in for the vibe of the persecuted witches and a kingdom in turmoil. I loved all the twists and turns this story took us on and all the surprises !! Soooo much pining between our girl and her bodyguard!! Like I need more of that background !! Loved the setting were basically they have outlawed witchcraft and overthrown the government to “make a better world “ yet things just aren’t adding up it seems to alot of people. The sapphic sub plot between one of the knights and someone at court was also spicy delicious!! Just all the longing fun in this between so many characters !!! I can’t wait for the next book cause I want to know all the things !!!

Audiobook Review:
Narration Style: Solo
Listener Rating: *****
Audiobook Notes: I listened to this as an audiobook and just fabulous!!! Total immersion and wonderful tension!! Was easy to follow along with and fall into the story and I did not want to stop listening at all !!! Easy to know whose POV we were listening to and who was talking each time. I typically listen at 1.5 to 2.5 and listened to this at 2.0. Tone, pitch and accent were all amazing as well as speed. Highly recommended as an audiobook.

This book has:
Hidden Identity
Bodyguard Romance
Politics and Intrigue
Magical System
Persecuted Witches
Touch her and Die
Forbidden Romance
Lots of Tension !!!

[Samantha Gaudious · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4⭐️
This is SUCH a good time!!!
I will forever be a lover of a memory loss trope
and this definitely did it for me! 🙌

We have witches, a witch hunter, knights, and lots of mystery. I really enjoyed more of the cozier fantasy vibes and the ending was perfect with the twists!

This is definitely more Romance forward, the yearning ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 but overall a great balance and I really enjoyed this!

Definitely looking forward for what’s to come!

[suonnahbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iron hex by Victoria S. Walsh
ARC from harlequin audio
Release: Aug 4th 2026
-this world is so cool
-THE COVERRR 😍
-I love Ira and the shop, eating up this fantasy small town
-the rabbit 🥰🐇
-Hugo sounds fine and cool
-the tension / back and forth is chefs kiss
-this adventure is funnnn
-I’m eating up the potion making/ herbs 🌿 I find it so cool
-the memory gaps add a mystery element I love
-there were moments that felt long which disconnected me
-the magic is so cool and badass ngl
-also we love a curvy FMC
-this was very fun and intriguing I can’t to see how this series will continue
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! The world building felt cozy and real while still having incredibly high stakes and some dark elements. The pacing was EXCELLENT and the way it ended , definitely a perfect build up for book two. Cannot wait for it to come out! There’s a lot going on , lost memories, witch hunting, impending war, secret identities, lost princesses…. But it never feels like too much , it just effortlessly keeps the story moving along! Loved it. The narrators did a fantastic job as well! Thanks to Netgalley, the authors and the publisher for my alc.

[Dadreadsanreviews (james) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Net Galley for the early review copy! The Iron Hex brings together familiar tropes of Romantasy, epic fantasy, and YA banter. Walsh brings multiple story lines to paint the picture of a kingdom after a populist coup. Where magic is outlawed and witches are hunted. She brings together slow burn romance and yearning with action, adventure, and self discovery. The story is engaging, the romance is touching, and the politics crates for a real world feel.

Some things that pulled me out of the story were the vocabulary and resolution of tension. Thinks more of a personal feeling, but modern vocabulary and speech patterns often throw me in fantasy. This is not a slight on the author or story, but part of my reading experience. Walsh does a good job of crating tension between characters, but she often resolves the tension within the scene. I would love to see the anger, disappointment, fear, and betrayal last longer between scenes..

Overall, it is a wonderful debut with an engaging story with layers and threads to be resolved

[Joseandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

The Iron Hex by Victoria S. Walsh completely surpassed my expectations. It’s hard to believe this is a debut because the writing felt so confident, polished, and immersive from start to finish.

Set in a world where dangerous magic, ancient secrets, and political intrigue collide, the story follows a determined young woman whose life is forever changed after she becomes entangled in a conflict much larger than herself. As hidden truths come to light and powerful enemies emerge, she must learn who she can trust while navigating a growing attraction that complicates everything. The blend of magic, mystery, action, and romance kept me invested from beginning to end.

I absolutely loved both main characters. Their chemistry developed naturally, and I found myself fully invested in their journey, both individually and together. What impressed me most was how original the plot felt. With romantasy being such an oversaturated genre these days, this story managed to carve out its own identity instead of relying on familiar tropes.

I also had the opportunity to experience this as a NetGalley ALC, and the narration did a fantastic job bringing the characters and emotions to life.

This is an amazing debut, and Victoria S. Walsh is definitely an author I’ll be keeping an eye on. I already can’t wait to see where the story goes in book two!

[Danielle Strona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Harlequin Audio for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The Iron Hex follows Eira, Hugo, and Rhona on a journey that’s packed with romance, twists, and, more importantly, only one bed! I mean, come on. Who doesn’t love a one-bed trope? Eira’s memory is fractured, leaving her with little memory of her life before. She now lives a quiet life running a small shop and keeps to herself. Rhona, a knight in the Iron Retinue, dreams of something more than being a guard, while Hugo, a former guard, is on the run. When Eira and Hugo’s paths unexpectedly collide, they find themselves thrown into a journey together, while also accompanied by Eira’s familiar, her adorable pet rabbit.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the multiple POVs. I always love being able to get inside different characters’ heads and understand their motivations and reactions. While the story primarily follows Eira and Hugo, I especially enjoyed Rhona’s POV. I liked the world-building in this book, and the magic system felt fresh and unique. In this world, magic is outlawed, forcing those with magic abilities to hide them. The only acceptable form of magic is potion-making, which is how Eira gets by.

If you love forced proximity and the one-bed trope, then this book is absolutely worth picking up. The forced proximity was chef’s kiss, and the banter between Eira and Hugo was fantastic. Their relationship developed naturally, making the romance feel real rather than something driven by circumstance.

The narrator also did a wonderful job bringing the story and its characters to life. My only wish is that there had been a second narrator to help distinguish the different character perspectives. Still, I really enjoyed both listening to and reading this book. The audiobook added another layer to the experience and made the story even more immersive!

Overall, I liked this book, and I highly recommend it!

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited for this one: a plus-size FMC, romantasy, and a Canadian author whose content I’ve enjoyed. While I did enjoy The Iron Hex, I didn’t end up loving it as much as I had hoped.

The worldbuilding was one of the strongest parts for me. There’s a lot of lore and an interesting magic system, but it never felt overwhelming or difficult to follow. It managed to capture that cozy fantasy atmosphere while still telling a larger story.

Eira was easily my favourite part of the book. She’s feisty, intelligent, older than your typical romantasy heroine, and refreshingly confident in who she is (considering the memory loss). I appreciated the representation throughout the cast, especially having a plus-size FMC whose entire personality wasn’t centred around her body.

Hugo, on paper, has so many of the qualities I usually love in an MMC: loyal, protective, dependable, and clearly devoted to Eira but also flawed and made makes. A little grey if you will. He should have been a character I adored. And yet, for some reason, he never fully clicked for me. I found him lacking a certain depth or spark that would have made me truly invested in him as a character or as a romantic lead.

Unfortunately, the romance didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped. The memory loss trope is always tricky, and because Hugo already knew and loved Eira before the story began, it felt like readers missed out on the moments that made him fall for her in the first place. As a result, parts of the romance felt closer to insta-love than earned emotional development, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship.

I found parts of the story became repetitive, with a surprising amount of the plot revolving around taverns and something inevitably going wrong there.

By the end of the book, I found myself becoming less invested in both the story and the characters. The ideas, premise, and major plot points were all there it just didn’t fully connect with the execution. That said, this is a debut novel, and I think Victoria has a lot of potential as an author and an exciting future ahead of her.

I was also lucky enough to receive an audio ARC, but unfortunately the narration didn’t work for me. With three POV characters, I was hoping for stronger differentiation between voices, and I ultimately enjoyed physically reading the book more than listening to it.

Will I pick up book two? Honestly, I’m not sure. Part of me wants to know what happens next, but another part isn’t quite invested enough in the characters or romance to commit just yet.

[Gabby Dinsmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Hex starts off feeling almost cozy and magical, then slowly tightens the screws until I was way too emotionally invested and honestly a little mad it was over. The magic here feels old and rooted, more unsettling than flashy, and the atmosphere really carries that through from start to finish.

Eira is exactly the kind of main character I always root for, soft in some ways, steel in others, and clearly carrying more history than she’s ready to face. It took me a minute to fully settle into the characters, but once I did, I was locked in. The relationships build naturally, and the tension simmers in a way that keeps everything feeling just slightly off-balance.

I also loved how the story takes its time. It’s not fast-paced, but it works. The world expands gradually, getting bigger and messier while that underlying unease keeps creeping in.

By the end, I was completely in and already counting down for book two.

Thank you Mira (HTP) , NetGalley and Victoria S Walsh for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the billionth time, I am not a fantasy reader let alone a romantasy one, but here I am again. I follow Victoria Walsh on Instagram and her self-love platform has helped me with my own body confidence and love for my curves. I have seen her posts progressive through this novel from drafts to editing to starting the second book, and now her debut is out. I knew I had to read it and I’m honoured to have the ARC.

(And she’s a fellow Canadian). This reading and review is one curvaceous goddess supporting another.

My points are in no particular order:

So, one of my gripes with fantasy novels is that I find that so many of them are just a slew of world-building lore at once that I cannot be bothered to remember and, a lot of the time, aren’t important. In this book, it’s simple. Details and lore are given to the readers in pieces and spread throughout the book, when it relevant to the part that’s about to happen. I greatly appreciate that from The Iron Hex.

It’s quick-paced, adventure-filled, romantic, magical, cozy—and it all works so well together.

I also loved how there were aspects of more modern prose, notably the dialogue, where the language present wasn’t so olden or fantastical. For instance, it was cool to see the words “ale” and “tavern” while also having characters say “yeah.” It was a wonderful blend that I know a lot of people aren’t fond of when reading fantasy, but I, an infamous contemporary reader, applaud it.

Pennyroyal was such a little sassy cutie. I debated if the rabbit here actually counted as an enchanted creature for the prompts … but once I got to that halfway point … I won’t spoil it but I love what the reveal we got there. This book was full of amazing twists. I tried to guess them as I read and got super close to some, but not exact.

I adored the characters. Eira and Hugo? Hot. Amazing chemistry. A man who yearns and is protective and cherishes his curvaceous lady? A slow burn with a past she can’t remember and he can’t tell her but they slow let fall in love again? Both of them on an adventure? Y E S. (My boyfriend says Sir Rhona is hot and I agree). I love how both sides of the story, Eira/Hugo and Sir Rhona showed up both the characters and the Iron Empire. They were woven so well and I can’t wait for them to cross paths one day.

Back to tropes for a second, I got ones I love and more—one bed, princess x guard (close enough, times two but iykyk), the tending to wounds while shirtless, fake husband and wife covers, etc. I won’t drone on but let you read for yourself. I can’t see what other ideas are in the series as well as Walsh’s next books.

Also, that cliffhanger at the end? Emotionally diabolical. (I loved it).

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

✨💜Taylor Swift Readathon: Speak Now💜✨
Enchanted - A Book with Magical Creatures

[BookishKB]

🖤The Iron Hex 🖤

📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full review coming closer to release.

🪄What to Expect
• Outlawed magic
• Romantasy
• Witch FMC
• Guard MMC
• Quest Adventure
• Witch Hunters
• Memory loss
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[ChronicallyYou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Victoria S. Walsh, MIRA, and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Iron Hex is an epic fantasy romance (with a hint of cozy) that completely swept me away, and then left me staring at the wall in shock and longing for book two when it ended.

From the very first pages, Victoria delivers a world that feels both expansive and intimate. Eira Eckhart is a powerful FMC: a plus-size potions witch who is sweet as pie, resilient to her core, and carrying a past she can’t remember. Her fractured memories, magic, and desire for a peaceful life under an oppressive empire create an emotional tension that hums beneath every chapter.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the multiple POVs and dual storylines. The Eira/Hugo arc is layered with adventure, longing, and aching restraint, while Sir Rhona’s storyline is filled with her unwavering morals, love of knighthood to the Iron Empire, and partnership with the sharp and noble Maeve. Rhona's POV adds depth, a view into the realities of the Iron Empire, and a powerful exploration of honor in a man-ruled world. Watching these storylines slowly gravitate toward each other was truly phenomenal storytelling.

Hugo is a fascinating, tortured character. He's haunted not only by the secrets he keeps, but also by what he has done in the name of the Iron Empire. The yearning between him and Eira is top-tier: quiet looks, loaded silences, and moments that had me absolutely feral when they finally paid off. And yes, there is a sassy as hell side character (unnamed for spoiler reasons) who nearly stole the show and had me laughing out loud.

Reading this book during the Minneapolis ICE protests added an additional emotional weight. The Iron Empire’s control through fear and sanctioned brutality felt uncomfortably familiar. When Maeve projects, "I suppose it’s not surprising that those who incited a violent uprising would choose to use violence as a primary source of education" it perfectly captures how power justifies cruelty while calling it order. When ordered to potentially torture a prisoner, Rhona’s reflection that it was her duty to protect the Iron Empire, not to torture people further highlights the moral fracture between service and complicity. What makes this so effective is that Victoria never bludgeons the reader with commentary. These moments live naturally within making the story feel deeply relevant without losing its sense of wonder.

The twists had me cackling one minute and yelling the next, and the ending? Absolute emotional damage. I was not okay. Still am not okay.

Knowing this is a debut makes The Iron Hex all the more impressive. It’s a story about reclaiming power, embracing both softness and strength, and choosing who you become even when your past is lost or dangerous. I originally followed Victoria for her body positivity; now I’m following her as an auto-buy author.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Iron Hex ⭐️ ⭐️.5
Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Iron Hex follows Eira as she becomes entangled in a dangerous magical conflict, forced into close proximity with the brooding and secretive Hugo—whose past and loyalties are far more complicated than they first appear. As tensions rise and truths come to light, Eira must navigate shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and a romance that’s meant to burn just as intensely as the magic surrounding them.

I was really drawn in by the premise—there’s a lot here that should have worked for me. A fantasy setting with high stakes, layered characters, and a bodyguard-style dynamic is exactly my kind of story. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite land.

One of the biggest issues for me was Rone’s POV. It felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the overall story or emotional depth. Instead of enhancing the narrative, it often pulled me out of it and slowed the pacing.

I also found the characters, overall, didn’t stand out as much as I had hoped. While there were interesting elements to each of them, none felt especially distinct or memorable, which made it harder to fully invest in their journeys.

The central romance between Hugo and Eira also fell flat for me. Their chemistry felt underdeveloped, and I never fully believed in their connection. The spice, rather than adding tension or emotional weight, felt disconnected from the story and didn’t contribute much to their relationship or the plot.

I also struggled with the Evangeline/Hugo storyline. The reveal and its implications didn’t fully make sense in the context of their actions, and it left me with more confusion than impact. Given how significant it was supposed to be, it ultimately felt underwhelming.

Another aspect that didn’t quite land for me was the handling of the murdered witches. This felt like a major plot point with serious emotional and narrative weight, but it ultimately seemed to be brushed aside too quickly, without the depth or attention it deserved.

Overall, this is a book that reached for something compelling but didn’t quite get there for me. There’s definitely potential in the concept, and I can see how other readers might enjoy it more, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley ,Victoria Walsh, and the publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Astrophel Beeneedssleep · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an arc. All opinions are my own.

★ Rating: 2/5
Genre: Romantasy
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅

I was really excited for this one, but I just could not enjoy it.

Narration: 4/5 - Easily the best part of this book is the narration. Jeremy Carlisle Parker gave a great performance which made it way easier to get through this book even when I wasn't enjoying the story.

Characters: 1/5 - Evangeline and Rona where the only characters I was even vaguely interested in, but they could not make up for how much I despised Hugo. I found him utterly irredeemable, not for the atrocities he committed (though I will get back to those later), but because I never once believed that he respected Eira. Like, it's easy to believe that he loves her, and he definitely desires her, but he never really treated her like an equal in their relationship.

Also, I genuinely cannot imagine why you would write a man we are supposed to be rooting for behaving the way he does at the beginning. I know he isn't aware that she lost her memories, so I totally get why he would be kind of rude and snappy with her. However, regardless of whatever history is between you, if a woman is telling you that she doesn't want to be around you because you've kidnapped her, and you supposedly like this woman you should never be putting your hand around her waist and trying to white knight around other guys. Like there's literally a moment where she is yelling at him to back off and he grabs her, then has a moment where he's like oh no, this probably looks bad like dude it IS bad. Another woman in that scene even does the thing where she's trying to check in on Eira to make sure she's okay, because Hugo is acting like an abusive controlling partner. WHY would that be one of the first introductions with the love interest?

And back to his atrocities, I feel like most of this was pretty easy to infer based on his first interaction with the Iron Retinue, but Eira sure is surprised when we figure it out later, so I guess it's a spoiler. Hugo used to be a member of the Iron Retinue who's whole thing is killing witches, and Eira is a witch. I don't have any issues with this premise, I actually thought Rona's relationship was pretty okay, but I don't really like how it was handled here. We are told that he needs to live with the guilt and consequences of his actions, but narratively we are being shown that those things shouldn't be held against him. Eira, who has one million reasons to distrust him, keeps saying that the people who resent him "don't know that he's not that person anymore." But like, he IS the same person. He's holding your potion-crafting hands in the same ones that took countless witch's lives. Every time he opens his mouth it is a masterclass in shifting blame. He says at one point that he wants to help take down the empire that "made him" do those things, but like, this dude helped establish that empire. Your guilt does not absolve you if you're still refusing to actually take the blame.

Plot: 3/5 - The plot was fine. I wasn't desperate to know what happened next, but I was fairly engaged. This is the first book in the series, and I could definitely see some irons being put in the fire for later; however, most of this book's runtime was focused on establishing the romantic relationships.

Worldbuilding: 2/5 - My main issue with the worldbuilding was the magic system. It's super underdeveloped, and I know this is the first in a series, but I don't feel like we established a strong foundation. Magic is mostly innate except when it's plot convenient for it not to be.

Overall: This book didn't work for me, and I can't see myself recommending it.

Will I be continuing the series?: ❌

* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t usually read much fantasy, but The Iron Hex turned out to be a great way for me to get into the genre. I liked that our FMC is 30. It was nice to follow a heroine who’s a bit older than usual, and I got invested in her story right away.

I liked the multiple points of view in this book. Eira and Hugo’s journey is the main story, but Rhona’s perspective gave us a look at what was happening inside the Iron Empire's capital. Sometimes extra POVs feel unnecessary, but here they made the world feel bigger without being confusing.

I also liked how the worldbuilding was done. I usually struggle with fantasy books that throw a lot of lore and history at you all at once. The Iron Hex gives you information bit by bit, only when it matters. That made the story easier to follow and kept me interested.

The forced proximity and bodyguard-like dynamic were fun, and the pacing made me want to keep reading. There were a few plot twists that really surprised me. The ending did what a first book should, it left me wanting more. I’m definitely planning to read the next one!

My main complaint is that I still have a lot of questions about the world, especially why witches and magic were outlawed. That seems like a big part of the world’s history, and I wanted the book to explore it in more depth. I hope the next book goes into that.

There were also a few moments where the writing felt a little repetitive, with certain ideas or sentences being repeated back-to-back. The overall writing style occasionally felt very YA, and some modern phrases pulled me out of the story. Hearing things like "no worries" in a fantasy setting felt a little strange. At the same time, as someone who doesn't read fantasy often, the more modern language sometimes made the story feel more approachable.

The Iron Hex is a great pick if you want to try fantasy or romantasy without getting overwhelmed by complex worldbuilding. It’s a solid first book and sets things up well for the next one. It wasn’t a perfect read for me, but it kept me hooked, and I’m looking forward to book 2.

[Alyx Gough]

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

Unfortunately, The Iron Hex was a bit of a middle-of-the-road read for me.

The premise was intriguing, and I enjoyed the mix of magic, mystery, and a forgotten past, but I struggled to fully connect with the story. The writing felt like it needed another round of editing, and I found myself repeatedly noticing characters asking questions and then answering them in the same sentence, which pulled me out of the narrative.

The romance also didn’t quite work for me. The yearning felt more forced than natural, so I never fully bought into the connection between Eira and Hugo. I also had a hard time with the level of animosity directed at Hugo for being a witch hunter when it seemed clear he wasn’t fully aligned with the empire and would have walked away if he could.

That said, I did enjoy the world-building and the mystery surrounding Eira’s lost memories, and I think readers who enjoy fantasy adventures with magic, hidden identities, and slow-burn romance may have a better experience than I did.

Overall, this one was just okay for me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Iron Hex is an incredible debut novel; a fast-paced, high stakes read that kept me hooked from the beginning!

One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that we get three different character POVs and dual storylines. I felt this added depth, intrigue, and a better understanding of the world, politics, and the magic system.

Despite losing her memories, Eira is an independent, sassy, and resilient potions witch. She yearns for a simple, peaceful life, alongside her pet rabbit, despite existing under a powerful and oppressive regime that uses violence to destroy almost all forms of witchcraft and associated magics.

Hugo stumbles into Eira’s life and immediately turns it upside down. He is a broody (ex)witch hunter, on the run from the Iron Empire, and is a secretive and tortured MMC. Hugo whisks Eira across the country as they seek to recover her memories, evade capture, and try to figure out how to move forward with the knowledge they uncover.

Sir Rhona was one of the highlights of the book for me, as I felt like her character development added depth to the plot, a raw and emotional level of self-discovery and morality, and clarity to my understanding of the Iron Empire.

The reader also gets DOUBLE the amount of yearning between the characters! The yearning between Eira and Hugo is dynamic and electric, whereas the slow burn between Sir Rhona and Maeve is tension filled and emotional, leaving me gasping, squealing, and kicking my feet. The dual storylines coming together throughout the book were fantastic and a refreshing experience within the romantasy genre.

I loved the author’s positive and empowering portrayal of several characters, despite their weight, height, appearance, or sexuality. As a fellow Canadian, I also connected with the similarities and commentary of the Iron Empire’s rise to power, operating tactics, and prejudices and the current situations and conflicts happening today, especially in North America.

Jeremy Carlisle Parker did such a fantastic job narrating the book; keeping the pace consistent, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to an already tense storyline, and distinctly performing the three MCs, as well as the other side characters.

The Iron Hex is a story about self-discovery, resistance, accountability, and reclaiming power, and I cannot wait to read book two!

Thank you to Victoria S. Walsh, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Paige Wuerdemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and Victoria S. Walsh for the ALC of The Iron Hex.

I've been seeing this book just about everywhere and the synopsis (and the amazing cover) pulled me in! Book two cannot come soon enough for me because I need to know where the plot line is going!

Jeremy Carlisle Parker did an amazing job bringing this story to life in the audiobook. For a debut novel from Victoria S. Walsh, she's knocked it out of the park! From the opening lines I was absolutely hooked and could not wait to see where Eira's story went. The way Walsh has created this story is refreshing in that we're experiencing the world first hand, as someone who has no idea of the secrets lurking in the dark. Each secret uncovered has readers feeling like they're right in Eira's shoes and experiencing it for themselves.

The Iron Hex follows Eira, a potion witch who has no recollection of the last three years, but that doesn't seem to bother her too much. That is until the mysterious Hugo walks into her store. With him comes the knowledge that he knows more about Eira than he's letting on. And slowly but surely, the pleasant life Eria has constructed slowly comes crumbling down.

I love the fact that not only does the story focus on Eira and Hugo, but we also get an inside look into the Iron Empire's knights and what they get up to. At first I was curious as to why we got the POV of Rhona, but as the story progressed I understood why it was so important. I became just as invested in her storyline as I was with Eira and Hugo's.

The twists and turns that Walsh takes the reader on are ones I never saw coming. If this is what the debut is, I cannot wait to be part of the journey into the second book.

[Savannah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

outlawed magic? memory loss? forbidden love? sign me up pls 🙂‍↕️ i absolutely loved eira, hugo, & rhona!! i also loved that eira’s familiar was a bunny!!! how cute. this has such a fun magic system that pulled me in immediately. another major selling point of this one for me was all the pov’s we get! enough to add so much depth and excitement to the story without it getting confusing. this was such a cozy read and i feel like the witch aspects would make this a fabulous fall fantasy! this had the perfect amount of tension and yearning and really kept me rooting for the main characters to get together!! and personally i LOVE a good cliff hanger that’s going to have me foaming at the mouth for book 2 & this has just that!!! such a fun and exciting read that you won’t want to miss!

[Dayle (the literary llama)]

DNF: This one will probably find a lot of love when and where it finds its audience… but that was unfortunately not me. The writing style and plot progression just weren’t working and I had no motivation to discover more or resolve the story or characters. I bounced before apathy could turn to antipathy.

* I received a free early copy from the publisher

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun time that reads like a Disney princess adventure movie but with smut.
*THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE FREE ARC*
The book got repetitive with the horse riding to a tavern then an inn then being ambushed and sword fighting over and over and over. The Iron Hex is an easy read.

[Kimberly Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Romantasy with a plus size fmc? Count me in! The Iron Hex is full of whimsy and adventure! If you love cozy fantasy like Legends and Lattes, you will love this book.


Thank you NetGalley for the ALC 💚

[madi ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about a potions witch without her memories & the guard that’s been in love with her for years?? I’m obsessed.

Genuinely the best debut novel I have ever read & Victoria’s characters have absolutely blown me away.

We have Eira who is soft, gentle, and still a badass when she needs to be, with a rabbit companion who stole my heart from the beginning.

Hugo is protective, broody, and has a way with words that I don’t know how Eira wasn’t all over him from the second he walked in the door.

This was full of twists and turns, and kept my eyes glued to the page the entire time. The romance was beautiful; the storyline was fantastic. Prepare to fall in love with Eira & Hugo!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review 🩷

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Victoria S. Walsh and NetGalley for the ARC copy.

Eira, who’s lost her memory, and her little bunny sidekick go on an adventure of life and death when they meet up with the ex-commander of the Iron Retinue, Hugo.

Witch’s magic is forbidden under the rule of the Iron Retinue. And they came into power 3 years ago, killing off the royal family. They’ve made it their life’s goal to hunt down every known witch in the kingdom. No witch is safe… except for the Potions-style witch. That’s what Eira is.

One night while in her shop, she meets Hugo. He takes her when knights of the Retinue come after him. Igniting their life or death adventure and their search for the lost princess.

A lot of action and adventure. A quest to find the princess and save the remaining witches from death. 2nd chances on what could never be. Join Hugo, Eira and her little rabbit as they transverse the continent in search of a Memory Witch and save the rest of the witches in need. There will be death. There will be pain. Will there be hope?

[Alexandra Morales · Rating 2 out of 5]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

2 Stars.

I think if the publisher had labeled this YA a lot of things would have been smoothed over for me.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, I found this author and short videos of her vast collection of beautiful dresses and saw she got her book published so I rushed to see if I could land an arc. I am sad to rate this so low.

When I read a book labeled Adult there are certain things as a well established reader for over 20 years now that I expect with that label. Detailed world building, 3 dimensional characters with rich backstory, mystery's that I can't guess early on, conversations between characters that actually produce something in addition to the world building etc. I am sad to say this book had none of those characteristics.

I am a huge fan of info dropping in fantasy books, how else am I supposed to know where I am at in this story? I got extremely minimal information about the Astra in general. In one of the authors videos explaining her book she states "Eira is a potions witch who just wants to enjoy her peaceful if lonely life". I'm thinking to myself "okay, I am looking forward to a few chapters detailing her daily life in Cerilian". NOPE, we get 1 chapter of her life as a potion witch with literally stark ass details...I find after finishing this book I'm still HUNGRY FOR MORE.

The lack of any old language is atrocious, I am reading Hey's or Hi's (not even Hello). The random cursing that are oddballs out of nowhere. I think what literally killed me was THE Lord General Kerrigan. Honey please pick one because using both titles makes me not take this man seriously. It's like if I used Princess Captain Morales as my title. It sounds silly and not at all serious.

One of the authors videos describes this book as massive yearning which I can believe from Hugo's POV but for Eira it was entirely insta-lust which is so overwritten I was bored to tears. 8% in yes I understand this stranger is HANDSOME, how could I possibly forget within the few pages in between that it is mentioned.

The Iron Empire, I needed to know more about how, when, why this uprising even happened! It wasn't until 60% or so I learned that it was a group of people in Astra that rebelled against the monarchy. That means for 60% I thought the Iron Empire was an invading force from a different country... Is the Iron Empire run with an Emperor? Is it a Republic? Do we have a council who helps make decisions for Astra? I needed answers and I am left hanging for most.

Look, I am all for the different body type FMC. I think it's great that Eira is different from 70% of other romantasy FMC's but the amount of times I read curves got old real fast. It was repeated enough times that I rolled my eyes every time it was brought up. Yes girl we get it, thick thighs save lives but can we stop bringing it up? The author in a previous video of hers say's her FMC isn't all about her body but she clearly is because it's constantly brought up.

The drunk man in the tavern saying "We don't see pretty ladies like YOU around these parts much."

"There's something about a NEW pretty girl that makes her seem prettier than the others". -Drunk man at the tavern

"You're too beautiful of a woman to have tied yourself to a man who can't retrieve your baked goods for you in the morning." Your stupid hips, Eira thought always getting you into trouble.

"If I see your husband at the tavern tonight I will give him a talking to about how to treat a beautiful woman like you". - Retinue Guard

"You are far to pretty to be traveling with a traitor like Venton... Are you working with Venton pretty lady?... Your pretty mouth can't distract me..." Retinue Knight? I think

"You had so many suitors at court. Princes and nobleman, all of them in love with your curves and your wit and your beauty" - Evangeline

And many many more examples that I won't waste my time writing, you get the picture. At the constant rate I am reading these praises it comes off almost snobbish? I GET IT. She is beautiful and curvy. You can bring this up in so many different way's other than having people say it out loud and it being just plain obnoxious.

Hugo was okay? Again I think he fades into the never ending line of Romantasy MMC's like the previous lives of the Avatar... Tall, Scarred, Long Luscious hair, growls and helplessly in love with the FMC. Victoria does write the yearning from Hugo fairly well, it is believable in his case at least.

Rhona, I really wanted to like Rhona's POV, she was perfectly placed in the story so the reader could get more in depth information regarding the Iron Empire and that just didn't happen. I would personally like to know why just a Sir Knight is privy to the Lord General's contemplation of war when that seems like something I don't know only commanders and leaders high up in the army would be a part of.

Rhona and Maeve also speaking out loud in the palace corridor "oh so how did talking with the prisoner go?" EJKLEFJIOEJFLDSMC<:SK. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YOU ARE IN YOUR ENEMIES PALACE IN A HALLWAY OPENLY TALKING ABOUT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES THAT YOU ARE DOING?!
Where is the concern for being overheard?? Do we possess no spying skills whatsoever?? I had to put my Kindle down in concern.

Also the instant fall in line with whatever Maeve is telling Rhona to do is ridiculous. You mean to tell me the Big, Bad Rhona who ravenously hunted witches is now reconsidering when an attractive witch asks for help? Because she is beautiful and kind?? Um what about the other witches out there that probably possessed those very same qualities and had families? The way the witch hunts are described does not seem to have the reverence that something that serious should have.

Like when Eira, Hugo and Evangeline are up North in a town where Hugo is recognized and the villagers are rightfully upset and Eira seems to think that filling a glass up with water magically and saying "He's changed" would fix everything is just so juvenile it hurt my head to read. I was writing my side-note down thinking it wouldn't change anything and then I finished reading the paragraph and I was like "Wait it fucking worked?!" LMAO.

I needed MORE for this to be labeled adult, how it stands right now this is YA. She could stayed on the cozy side and removed the Iron Empire since we really didn't learn more about it anyway and inserted some more details, wrapped this in a nice ribbon and called it good.

Instead I read a fanfic about her and her husband in a D & D atmosphere that contains only taverns, roads, vague castle's and even vaguer magic. I was told things over and over, the modern language kicking me out the little storyline I could get into and over telling of the character features. Down to the little copy from Tangled about the wanted posters of Hugo always getting the nose wrong..

1 Star for the bare bones that could have been something good and 1 star for not pushing any agenda which is honestly shocking in this day in age.

[Samantha Westphal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I’m sharing my honest review!
I absolutely adored this book. From the very beginning, it pulled me in with its energy, tension, and immersive storyline - I genuinely found myself sneaking in extra pages and sometimes completely ignoring my responsibilities just to see what would happen next.

Eira is such a compelling main character - strong without ever losing her humility or kindness. She feels grounded and real in a way that makes you immediately root for her. Evangeline is exactly what you want in a best friend: stubborn, fiercely protective, and loyal.

And Hugo… he brings that irresistible “touch her and you die” energy, but what stood out most to me was how genuine and safe his love for Eira feels. That balance made their dynamic especially satisfying to read.

I also really enjoyed the multiple POV, particularly Rhona’s perspective. Watching her come into the truth of what’s happening within the Iron Retinue added another layer of tension, and I’m so intrigued to see where her story goes next.

Overall, this was an addictive, emotionally engaging read with characters I truly cared about - and I’ll be very eagerly waiting to see what happens next!!!

[Aliss (gracedby_books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive the ARC and ALC.

The world-building, pace, and character development were easy to follow along with and just fun overall. Devouring both the ARC and ALC was not hard to do. Eira and Huga have amazing chemistry that I could feel the tension. I am all about tensiona and banter this year, so this book delivered.

Having multiple POV's help keep the pace and attention to the book that I didn't get bored. More, I was waiting for the next moment to happen. Reading this book I would never think that this is Victoria's debut novel. She will make a huge impact in the book community either through her books or confidence she puts out there on social media.

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I think the author did a solid job with the premise, and created a distinct cast of characters. On the other hand, the pacing felt off, the dialogue didn't quite match the setting, and there were some major plot issues. I wasn't surprised to find out this book was a debut (and I suspect the author will be able to improve some of these issues in her next book).

I didn't mind the alternating POVs, but did find one character (Rhona) unnecessary. I think her POV in particular made the first half of the book feel slow. Her scenes also fell into the classic trap of not advancing the plot early in the book. I think the book would've been stronger without her POV, but it seems likely she'll be a more important character in the next installment.

In terms of plot issues, there were a few things that really threw me off. Prime among them was the fact Hugo was implicated in the deaths of many witches, and yet Eira is content to console herself that he is working on himself, so she forgives him. An insane level of "I can fix him" - I would've preferred she be a bit more conflicted about falling in love with a man who killed others of her kind (even if he didn't directly kill the women, but even that is unclear).

To that end, this book tonally is a weird mix of cozy fantasy and hard fantasy - which is to say, the mass killing of witches across the society is bloodless and glossed over. We are told witches were killed, we are shown family members who are mad their witch relatives were killed, and yet, the magnitude of the killings feels neutered (which is part of the reason why Eira is able to fall in love with Hugo - it feels like no one cares much that witches were killed?).

Furthermore, the timeline of events and the reasoning for witch hunting in this world were incredibly muddy. At one point, we're told the Iron Empire is installed three years prior after an uprising, but at another point, it's implied witch executions happened prior to the Iron Empire. Yet, at the same time, the prior monarchy was mentioned as being incredibly witch-friendly, going so far as to rely on seers to keep themselves in power. As a result, it's unclear even why witches were hunted, and I wish there had been a clearer explanation.

The romance between Eira and Hugo was fine - I didn't find myself particularly invested, but it didn't detract from the story. I did find the way that Eira's body was described to be slightly annoying. It was overly body positive, for lack of a better description. It felt like every man Eira encountered instantly fell into lust over her voluptuous body, which felt a bit unrealistic, and there was an overemphasis on her curves/plus size body during the spicy scenes. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the plus size representation, it just could've been a bit more subtle in my opinion.

While the twist of Eira's father being the Lord General was a solid plot twist, the reveal at the very end when Eira gets her memory back that Hugo was meant to kill Evangeline fell incredibly flat. Eira knew Hugo was supporting the Iron Empire this whole time, why is it a stretch for her to accept he previously had orders to kill Evangeline? Furthermore, he didn't try to kill Evangeline at any point during their travels together, so clearly something about his priorities changed (otherwise he could've killed her at any point). I think it would've been much more compelling for the reveal to have been Hugo killing someone or playing a part in killing someone Eira cared about, but I don't think the author could've rehabilitated his character going forward, but the stakes of the story suffer as a result.

With all the above said, I think many readers will enjoy this book more than I did, and I think many readers will go on to read the next installment. The premise is strong, the execution is a little rocky, but that is likely to improve in future books. Readers who are looking for a bodyguard romance in fantasy setting should give this book a try, and perhaps not focus too much on the finer points of the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic, beautiful curvaceous witches, female knights, a handsome fugitive, lots of sexual tension, and a rabbit familiar. What more can you ask for in a fantasy novel?

The Iron Hex is the debut novel for Victoria S. Walsh. This is a very female forward fantasy novel following three different points of view. Eira is a potions witch in a small town who is mostly satisfied with her simple life with her rabbit familiar. That is until Hugo (a handsome stranger) comes crashing into her life causing her to question everything she knows, including why she can’t remember anything prior to 3 years ago. Alternately, Rhona is a loyal knight of the Iron Empire guard and is anxious to move up in rank since the Iron Empire overthrew the corrupt ruling family 3 years ago.

This was an enchanting story, especially considering it was a debut novel. The story was interesting and complex enough to provide several twists and turns along the way. I especially enjoyed the storyline of Rhona including her humble backstory of coming from a poor farming family, desiring to be a knight and being turned away because she is a woman, all leading into why she is initially so blindly loyal to the Iron Empire’s cause. As the story went on, it flowed smoothly as Rhona develops doubts about the Iron Empire due to Lady Maeve (who Rhona is magnetically drawn to) and her questions that lead Rhona to new revelations and force her to question all her own understanding and beliefs.

With the storyline for Eira and Hugo, I was a bit less invested as it was somewhat easy to see where some of it was leading. While I was able to see the Pennyroyal reveal coming, I liked that part of the story. And what good fantasy novel wouldn’t be complete without a few spicy scenes. The spice level is 2/5.

I was somewhat disappointed that the book ended somewhat abruptly with very little resolution. With a series, it would be better to have some smaller story arc that is resolved within each book while the overarching story continues into the next. It is somewhat difficult to be invested when you need to re-read the previous books to remember what happened and where exactly it left off when the storyline just stops abruptly and then continues when picking up the next installment months or even years later.

One critique of the writing style for me was inconsistency with the name of characters, Lady Maeve Heathecote specifically in some of the earlier parts of the book. Within the same paragraph often, the author refers to the same character as Lady Heathecote and Lady Maeve interchangeably, but this seemed confusing and I had to remind myself constantly that they were the same person as it almost comes off sounding like it is referring to two different people.

“I could arrest you here and no for committing an illegal act,” Rhona retorted, saying the first thing she could think of. She would is what she should have said. But…Lady Heathecote was so beautiful and kind, and would condemning someone who used her abilities to make sure Rhona saved someone really be the right thing to do? Lady Maeve had only used her abilities to warn Rhona that Lord Wilmer was going to fall to his death. Was that truly evil?

The audiobook of this was well constructed and narrator did a great job at elevating the story with distinct voices for several of the characters. I also loved having the playlist for Spotify available to enhance the mood of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and the world it created and I look forward to the second book, The Iron Oath that is scheduled for release in 2027.

Thank you Victoria S. Walsh and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.