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.

FOR FANS OF:
• Yearning
• The guard that falls in love with their assignment
• Enemies to friends to lovers
• Forbidden magic
• Memory loss plotlines
• Spark of the Everflame and A Fate Inked in Blood
• Plus sized main characters (whose weight is the least important thing about them)
• Powerful women in romantasy

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy

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 💃🏼

[BookishKB]

🖤The Iron Hex 🖤

📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full review coming closer to release.

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

[ChronicallyYou · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

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

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definitive women centered style dungeons and dragons adventure with a witch trying to find her way after her kingdom has been subject to a darker rule. Her trusty rabbit companion is just one of the cutest little adventurers you will meet in this story. An adventure of courageous heart and true spirit of pursuit of self. A romance with character’s with real chemistry – a testament to her creating great personalities and strong dialogue. Every step of this adventure is full of magic, lore, and maybe a battle.
Eira is the heroine we did not know we needed – as she stands between the witches path and the Iron Hex Kingdom. She learns to rediscover herself as she battles her memory loss amidst the takeover of the kingdom. There is a lot to learn about yourself when you are unwilling to let yourself falter. A quest that really has her discovering herself, her desires, and maybe a seductive interest along the way. There is a sense of camaraderie and fighting against evil empires. A commentary on the way we must prevail in the wake of the current situation in reality.
Fantastical story telling that shows Walsh takes her time to really show us what this kingdom looks like. Dual perspectives that slightly change the kingdom based on how they interact with the world around them. Readers will be introduced to the full scope of this fantasy world that it is beginning of a long battle. An ending with a cliffhanger that keeps you wanting more. What will happen next in Eira’s adventure’s?
A woman can love an elaborate dress and still carry a dagger with a hint of magic to fight her way to her salvation. This is a story about taking your power and really embracing it. A medium-paced writing style that keeps you consistently engaged and wanting more without giving too much away in each character. Pay close attention to the dialogue to really immerse yourself in this quest. Thank you Victoria Walsh, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Visit my blog for more tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews here, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/

[Nikkireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strong and engaging start to the series, and I really enjoyed my time with it. The worldbuilding immediately pulled me in, particularly the presence and influence of the Iron Empire, which looms heavily over the story and adds an oppressive, high stakes atmosphere that constantly shapes the characters’ choices.

The dual perspectives of Eira and Hugo worked especially well for me. Their dynamic, the gradual build of trust, and the underlying yearning added emotional depth and tension to the story. I also really loved that Eira is a strong female lead who can fully take care of herself, yet that strength never diminishes Hugo’s instinct to protect her.

While I appreciated what it added to the broader plot, Rhonas’ perspective didn’t resonate with me as much, and I felt the story could have stood just as well without it (don’t come for me).

The magic system is one of the strongest aspects of the book. It’s intricate, and carries real consequences if you’re a known witch, you’re executed, and those who survive are forced to hide their powers. The rule of the Iron Empire, combined with witch hunters, forbidden magic, and constant danger, keeps the tension high throughout.

Another compelling and darker aspect of the story is the rot, along with the disturbing experiments being carried out by a doctor under the Empire’s control. What begins as experimentation on prisoners gradually escalates, with victims later being taken at night and transformed into terrifying creatures. This storyline adds a layer of horror and unease that deepens the stakes and reinforces just how cruel the Empire truly is.

I also loved the inclusion of an animal familiar, which added warmth and charm to an otherwise tense and dangerous world. Also can we talk about the cover? It’s stunning!

Overall, this was an immersive and well paced romantasy with a compelling FMC, strong emotional undercurrents, and a thoughtfully constructed magical system. I’m excited to continue the series and see how the Iron Empire, the characters, and the world continue to unfold.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Sasha Haggerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Hex perfect for fantasy readers who don't want to spend a huge chunk of the story with an info dump on world building and politics. Those elements are woven into the story. From the very first chapter you are instantly transported into the story alongside Eira. And not long after Hugo walks through the door.

This is an entertaining story with some surprising twists. If you're a fan of the one horse trope and one room those elements hit early on. There's some fun bickering between all the characters as they interact. I was particularly found of Eira Eckharts familiar, Pennyroyal. A seemingly stubborn rabbit with her own agenda who later on goes on to play a major role within the story. I'm particularly found of Eira (even though she seems to ask for trouble in certain situations.) Rhona opens our eyes to the inner workings of the Iron Empire. I thought the line, "May the iron in your blood strengthen the iron in your sword.” As for Hugo, I honestly feel like he has honest intentions and I'm not mad with him come the ending of the novel. So, the ending doesn't feel like a major cliff hanger. I feel satisfied until the 2nd installment of the trilogy.

However, I took a Star off because the story overall feels a bit predictable. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But, I would have enjoyed some more conflict. Push and pull.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really engaging and entertaining. It felt like an easy, witchy read I could just sink into. We follow our FMC, Eira, who has been trying to evade the witch hunters of the Iron Empire when things begin to unravel around her. Secrets surface, tensions rise, and dangerous magic comes to light. A big part of the story revolves around Eira’s fractured memory and the mystery behind it, especially as Hugo has been searching for her and seems to know far more than she does. Slowly, we piece together how their past connects them.

I loved that Hugo and Eira’s relationship wasn’t rushed. The tension built naturally, and I could genuinely feel it growing between them, which made it so much more satisfying. As Eira’s memories begin to return, it adds even more depth to their connection.

While I didn’t hate Rhona’s POV, I’m still not totally sure why it was needed. Maybe that will make more sense in the next book. Honestly though, I’d be perfectly happy just reading about Hugo, Eira, and Evangeline.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was honestly so bored with this. The constant, repetitive arguing added absolutely nothing to the story. After a while, it felt like the characters were just having the same fight on a loop, and my eyes started glazing over every time they went at it again.

The POV structure was also a mess. Two POVs are more than enough, and Rhona’s easily could have been condensed or summarized without losing anything important. Instead, it just made the story feel cluttered.

And Rhona’s POV specifically? So weird. After about the 20% mark, her chapters are supposedly from her perspective, but they’re written in third person. It was confusing and pulled me out of the story every time. It really needed to commit to either first or third person — the in-between thing did not work.

Overall, the pacing dragged, the conflicts felt recycled, and the structure made an already slow read even harder to stay invested in.

[Peek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Hex pulled me in with its darkly magical world and morally grey characters. Victoria S. Walsh crafts an atmosphere that’s gritty, unpredictable, and pulsing with danger — perfect for readers who lean into edge, tension, and tangled alliances.
What I loved most was the emotional push-and-pull between the leads. Their connection crackled with friction, secrets, and raw vulnerability. It wasn’t a love-at-first-sight dulce; it was messy, tense, and earned, and I appreciated the layers of mistrust slowly unraveling into something deeper.
The worldbuilding was immersive, rich with magic that felt dangerous and unpredictable. However, I sometimes found the pacing uneven — chapters that dwelled on lore or heavy exposition could slow the momentum, while big revelations occasionally rushed by before I felt fully absorbed. Still, those high-stakes moments hit hard and kept me invested in turning the page.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I received an ARC for this story! It gave Dungeons & Dragons, but with super cozy vibes (that is the best way I can describe it). It's the first book of a series too, and I genuinely feel that it's off to a strong start. I like fantasy stories that feel immersive from the beginning, and you just lose yourself in the words. That's what I experienced and it was amazing. The only thing I did struggle with were Rhona's chapters. I felt like I was being pulled out of my trance (sounds a little silly, I know). Those chapters felt like awkward points that disturb the flow of things, so I wasn't a huge fan. Besides that, everything else was wonderful. The characters were enjoyable, the magic system was laid out perfectly, and it was super interesting, and there were familiars!!! I feel like every good witchy story needs a familiar that you just absolutely love.

[Jessica Kelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried sooo hard to be into this but at 48%, I’m throwing in the towel and DNFing it.

In my opinion, dialogue is the most important part of a book so if that falls flat, it absolutely ruins it for me. The dialogue in this book was very dry and almost robotic at times. The two main characters continued to have the same bland arguments chapter after chapter and I didn’t feel any of the chemistry or yearning that I was promised.

There were also several mistakes I noticed—slang mixed with proper English, Eira somehow elbowing Hugo in the ribs while riding behind him on a horse, and repeating phrases multiple times in quick succession.

I don’t like leaving negative reviews and I try to pick out at least a couple things I liked about the book but…I got nothin’.

[Kelly Gomez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the arc!

I was very intrigued by the synopsis of the book. What came as a surprise was the multiple POV's. That knocked it down some stars because I felt some POV's were just not needed (Rhona). It made me struggle with the pacing and dialogue of the book. I, unfortunately DNF'ed at 40%. I felt like if it was just the two main character's POV that would've been a lot better.

The writing style was off as well. I do not like books that just tell you things instead of showing. Let it play it out, don't just tell me x,y, and z happened. I want to feel a rollercoaster of emotions. I will not be continuing the series.

[Ashley Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! The main character has lost her memories and the author did a great job of pacing the story to drop little nuggets of information consistently. It made the book hard to put down because something new had developed and I needed to know more! The characters were also well done, loveable but a little sassy - just perfect! This has a lot of potential and I’m so excited to see where the next installment goes!

I am so thankful to have been chosen to read an advanced copy of the book. Thank you NetGalley for supplying me with this fantastic ARC!

[Hope Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and cannot wait to see where the story goes. So many twists and turns. Loved how the story of Eira’s familiar unfolds. The love that Hugo has for Eira is so real and raw, but he made so many terrible life choices. The road to finding memories is not nearly as hard as accepting them upon discovery. So many hard truths for so many characters, including Rhona. I am so invested in each and every one!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Hex is a good story, with fun characters and it is well written. There are some good ‘surprise’ moments and I feel like the relationship between Eira and Hugo develops at a good pace. I am very interested to see where things go for Rhona in the next book and of course to continue with Eira, Hugo and Evangeline.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun fantasy adventure! It was exciting watching Eira navigate uncovering her past due to her memory loss. There was great world building and I can’t wait to see the characters journey through the rest of the series! I wish books 2-3 were already out 😅

Note: I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley.

[Gabby Dinsmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review closer to release on Aug 4. But Loved it !!!!

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