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Legends of Thezmarr [Dramatized Adaptation] #1
Blood & Steel [Dramatized Adaptation]
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.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
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.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
12 pages, Audiobook
Published January 21, 2026
7 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Helen Scheuerer
48 books6,767 followersHelen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots.
Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.
Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Did not finish
February 7, 2026don't think it's for me
February 3, 2026
4.75
I’m always drawn to fantasy novels with strong female main characters, and Blood & Steel did not disappoint. Thea is fierce and compelling, navigating a deeply patriarchal society that doesn’t shy away from critiquing gender inequality and the glass ceiling women face. A layer that adds real depth to the story.
The plot is highly intriguing and makes for a strong start to the series, pulling you in from the very first pages. One standout moment was when Thea is struck by lightning, a true goosebumps scene ⚡️.
The tension between Thea and Wilder is incredibly well done. Their banter is sharp, the chemistry is off the charts, and lines like “Come on, do it.” “What? Kill you or kiss you?” had me completely undone 🫠🥵.
I also loved the dynamics between Thea, Kipp, and Cal, which bring great found-family vibes and balance the intensity of the story.
A small but amusing observation: why are all the jerks in fantasy novels always called Barlow by their last name? Is this some kind of unspoken rule? 😅
And that ending...what a cliffhanger. What a book. Experiencing it in graphic audio made it even better.
Overall, Blood & Steel is a gripping and powerful fantasy read that left me desperate for the next installment.
I’m always drawn to fantasy novels with strong female main characters, and Blood & Steel did not disappoint. Thea is fierce and compelling, navigating a deeply patriarchal society that doesn’t shy away from critiquing gender inequality and the glass ceiling women face. A layer that adds real depth to the story.
The plot is highly intriguing and makes for a strong start to the series, pulling you in from the very first pages. One standout moment was when Thea is struck by lightning, a true goosebumps scene ⚡️.
The tension between Thea and Wilder is incredibly well done. Their banter is sharp, the chemistry is off the charts, and lines like “Come on, do it.” “What? Kill you or kiss you?” had me completely undone 🫠🥵.
I also loved the dynamics between Thea, Kipp, and Cal, which bring great found-family vibes and balance the intensity of the story.
A small but amusing observation: why are all the jerks in fantasy novels always called Barlow by their last name? Is this some kind of unspoken rule? 😅
And that ending...what a cliffhanger. What a book. Experiencing it in graphic audio made it even better.
Overall, Blood & Steel is a gripping and powerful fantasy read that left me desperate for the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
Another world with Blood Woods!
In a world where woman can no longer wield blades from a prophecy about women wielding blades will unleash darkness causing women to outlaw female warriors.
FMC, Althea “Thea” Voltaire, had one dream her whole life to become a Warswords but with the laws she can’t, she only gets her chance after being caught with a weapon by one of the last three war swords was sent to the kingdoms to petition to become a Thezmarr warrior, a shield-bearer! Becoming a trainee and facing the harsh treatment and sexism of the other trainees and creating a team with two of the more delightful characters Kipp, a trainee thats talent lies more with strategy of war and not physical strength and Cal, another trainee who is one of the best long range weapons expert. And a sister, Wren Embervale who is an alchemist!
The MMC, Wilder Hawthrone, one of the only remaining Warswords left was assigned to be her guard/escort on her trip to/from the kingdom. While he is a grumpy closed off gruff warrior his brother Malik- with dog and his friend/fellow warsword Torj Elderbrock who is the golden retriever to Wilder’s grump!
From Tears in the veil and Reapers and Wraths coming through, to Kidnapped friends, to finding totems! One of my favorite scenes was the battle to hold off the Reapers while the war swords tried to end them, and then I loved the trials to get the totems!
I really loved this first book the details into the world and the detail into not only the main characters but a well balanced cast of side characters!
In a world where woman can no longer wield blades from a prophecy about women wielding blades will unleash darkness causing women to outlaw female warriors.
FMC, Althea “Thea” Voltaire, had one dream her whole life to become a Warswords but with the laws she can’t, she only gets her chance after being caught with a weapon by one of the last three war swords was sent to the kingdoms to petition to become a Thezmarr warrior, a shield-bearer! Becoming a trainee and facing the harsh treatment and sexism of the other trainees and creating a team with two of the more delightful characters Kipp, a trainee thats talent lies more with strategy of war and not physical strength and Cal, another trainee who is one of the best long range weapons expert. And a sister, Wren Embervale who is an alchemist!
The MMC, Wilder Hawthrone, one of the only remaining Warswords left was assigned to be her guard/escort on her trip to/from the kingdom. While he is a grumpy closed off gruff warrior his brother Malik- with dog and his friend/fellow warsword Torj Elderbrock who is the golden retriever to Wilder’s grump!
From Tears in the veil and Reapers and Wraths coming through, to Kidnapped friends, to finding totems! One of my favorite scenes was the battle to hold off the Reapers while the war swords tried to end them, and then I loved the trials to get the totems!
I really loved this first book the details into the world and the detail into not only the main characters but a well balanced cast of side characters!
February 15, 2026
The story is a perfect balance between action and emotion, an immersive and tense universe with epic action scenes. Althea is fierce, determined and unflappable... surrounded by a group of great supporting characters.
The graphic audio adds great depth to the book.
The graphic audio adds great depth to the book.
February 2, 2026
My first 5 star read of 2026! From start to finish this one had me hooked. Perfectly performed and such a compelling story. I look forward to continuing this series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews