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The Bookbinder's Bargain #1
Kiss of the Black Flame
๐ From the internationally bestselling author of the Legends of Thezmarr series comes an epic romantasy trilogy about a gifted bookbinder and a cursed immortal bound together by a deadly bargain. ๐ฅ
Some bargains are sealed with bloodโฆ Others with fireโฆ The deadliest are sealed with a kissโฆ
Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal โ even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, sheโs learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other peopleโs treasures while trying not to fall apart herself. But when the man she owes decides her rare talent is worth more than her payments, Saige is traded to the Azkari โ an immortal race forged by the gods for war โ and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold.
Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her โ cursed, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return, Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book. But the book is made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil โ or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous โ both in the realm and within her.
As their enemies close in and buried memories resurface, Saige and Archer must decide what theyโre willing to their freedom, their fragile trustโฆ or the spark that could ignite the world.
Some bargains are sealed with bloodโฆ Others with fireโฆ The deadliest are sealed with a kissโฆ
Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal โ even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, sheโs learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other peopleโs treasures while trying not to fall apart herself. But when the man she owes decides her rare talent is worth more than her payments, Saige is traded to the Azkari โ an immortal race forged by the gods for war โ and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold.
Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her โ cursed, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return, Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book. But the book is made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil โ or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous โ both in the realm and within her.
As their enemies close in and buried memories resurface, Saige and Archer must decide what theyโre willing to their freedom, their fragile trustโฆ or the spark that could ignite the world.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Helen Scheuerer
45ย books7,959ย 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.
Helenโs 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.
Helenโs 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 - 30 of 1,774 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
LUSTY BOOKS are not my thing. After 3 disappointing fantasies, this marks my 4th. I was very excited to dive into my first Helen Scheuerer book and I know she is a very well loved author, but this story didn't work for me at all.
1. Despite being marketed as a slow burn, this is very much an insta-love story where the MMC by 19% is stating that this woman is the bane of his existence and the FMC has already sexual thoughts of him. By 25%, the MMC says she makes him feel alive.. Calm your horses down, you just met.
The emotional stakes were LOW, the romance overall is surface level. There was absolutely no chemistry, itโs all spice spice spice. If thatโs your thing, this book will be for you! I donโt want to waste my time reading books that absolutely do not deliver.
2. This is a fantasy.. so where is the world building? What is the threat? Where is the sense of urgency? There is a 'villain' in the story ... but WHY is he absent in the book? What is he actually doing? what is a larger political situation??
3. Unnecessarily clunky and middle drags.. what is actually happening? Lots of repetition.
I will justify my low star review in my expanded review when I have a chance to sit down and write it out.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Helen Scheuerer for an early copy!
Publication: September 22, 2026
1. Despite being marketed as a slow burn, this is very much an insta-love story where the MMC by 19% is stating that this woman is the bane of his existence and the FMC has already sexual thoughts of him. By 25%, the MMC says she makes him feel alive.. Calm your horses down, you just met.
The emotional stakes were LOW, the romance overall is surface level. There was absolutely no chemistry, itโs all spice spice spice. If thatโs your thing, this book will be for you! I donโt want to waste my time reading books that absolutely do not deliver.
2. This is a fantasy.. so where is the world building? What is the threat? Where is the sense of urgency? There is a 'villain' in the story ... but WHY is he absent in the book? What is he actually doing? what is a larger political situation??
3. Unnecessarily clunky and middle drags.. what is actually happening? Lots of repetition.
I will justify my low star review in my expanded review when I have a chance to sit down and write it out.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Helen Scheuerer for an early copy!
Publication: September 22, 2026
September 25, 2026
2.75โญ๏ธ I am disappointed. I wanted to love this SO badly, but it fell very short of my expectations. I almost DNFโd but ultimately decided to push through.
Letโs start with what I did enjoy. I loved the FMC, Saige. As someone living with chronic illness, I found the chronic pain representation very accurate. I appreciated that the author made Saigeโs pain a recurring part of her journey rather than a label haphazardly added for inclusivity points. Her struggles were relatable, and I admired her relentless optimism and maturity despite everything life threw at her.
On the other hand, I struggled to like the MMC, Archer. Iโm usually a fan of broody MMCsโฆ as long as thereโs a good reason for it! Archerโs initial harshness and coldness toward Saige felt unjustified and didnโt make much sense within the context of their relationship, which made it difficult for me to empathize with him.
And I know Iโve mentioned this before, but I despise fast-burn and insta-lust romances. I was caught off guard when Saige and Archer were lusting after one another after knowing each other for barely 10 minutes. Itโs not necessarily a flaw of the book, but more so a matter of a personal preference. Archer also constantly flipped between flirting with Saige and suddenly pushing her away, insisting he wasnโt โgoodโ for her, which gave me major emotional whiplash.
The world-building was extremely lacking, and the main antagonist was absent the entire book. I probably could have guessed the plot twist at the end if I wasnโt so frustrated with everything else. I can understand how other readers might enjoy this, but unfortunately, it just wasnโt for me๐
Letโs start with what I did enjoy. I loved the FMC, Saige. As someone living with chronic illness, I found the chronic pain representation very accurate. I appreciated that the author made Saigeโs pain a recurring part of her journey rather than a label haphazardly added for inclusivity points. Her struggles were relatable, and I admired her relentless optimism and maturity despite everything life threw at her.
On the other hand, I struggled to like the MMC, Archer. Iโm usually a fan of broody MMCsโฆ as long as thereโs a good reason for it! Archerโs initial harshness and coldness toward Saige felt unjustified and didnโt make much sense within the context of their relationship, which made it difficult for me to empathize with him.
And I know Iโve mentioned this before, but I despise fast-burn and insta-lust romances. I was caught off guard when Saige and Archer were lusting after one another after knowing each other for barely 10 minutes. Itโs not necessarily a flaw of the book, but more so a matter of a personal preference. Archer also constantly flipped between flirting with Saige and suddenly pushing her away, insisting he wasnโt โgoodโ for her, which gave me major emotional whiplash.
The world-building was extremely lacking, and the main antagonist was absent the entire book. I probably could have guessed the plot twist at the end if I wasnโt so frustrated with everything else. I can understand how other readers might enjoy this, but unfortunately, it just wasnโt for me๐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I screamed when this popped in my emails, a few months ago! NetGalley & Atria books ; youโve made this girl so happy ๐ฅน๐ (the boyfriend is used to the screaming now. He knows itโs always about books)
BR this with my twin Krysta ๐ฅนโค๏ธโ๐ฅ Iโm soooo EXCITED!! (We had the same thoughts ๐ฅบ)
Having absolutely loved her most recent trilogy, I think itโs safe to say that I had really high expectations for this. Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me for various reasons.
The synopsis was very interesting ; a promising bookbinder that has to work with an imprisoned mmc to find & fix an evil book.
The thing is that there were more information about this book in the synopsis than in the actual story. The worldbuilding was a mix of lacking & absent. So much time was spent on how the characters were feeling rather than explaining the actual plot or why these things they were doing were so important. The story wants you to feel the sense of danger & urgency but it wasnโt in the room with us. The villain is supposed to be this very evil presence but what was he doing the whole book?
The characters were absolutely insufferable for me. I wanted to dnf because I could not stand them. The mmc was rude & lost to self pity. The fmc was so annoying & kind of pathetic towards the mmc? I donโt get why she wanted him so bad because he was just really rude to her (I mean, she was irritating tbh but thatโs not the point).
It was insta lust to the max. The timeline was also really off because they were obsessed with each other within less than a few hours.
The fmc kept saying he was her mirror but Iโve never seen characters who were less alike.
She also kept throwing random temper tantrums and at 35, I think it was misplaced. And she always picked the worst moments too? The whole horse thing made me want to rip my eyebrows out. Get a grip. I just felt like I was reading iron flame all over again.
They had no chemistry and her thirst for him gave me major secondhand embarrassment.
A lot of things kept contradicting itself as the story went along. For example : he was made this way by the villain but then in flashbacks they keep calling him the black flame. So what did the villain make, aside from the brand? No training whatsoever but she threw a knife at him first glance and succeeded in killing a powerful soldier on her first try. The mmcโs brother saying they didnโt have time to prepare for war but itโs been 200 YEARS !!! What were you doing all that time?? Gallivanting around?? The fmc thirsting to know how the mmc was before his imprisonment and I just kept wondering what was the point? Trauma & healing changes you so why was this so important in that moment? To get the book they had to do this sort of truth or dare (thatโs what it felt like for me) and it was so juvenile and awkward because then again, they didnโt have chemistry. And the mmc said she was the only one he trusted with his life but how embarrassing is that when heโs known her two days.
The most disappointing thing for me was how chronic pain was handled. I suffered from chronic pains from the ages of 17 to 21 and it was some of the toughest years of my life. I also care for people who live with it. And how she wrote chronic pain was really beside what it really is. Her flares only happened when it was convenient! Imagine if it was actually like that. I think it wouldโve been better to not write this into the story because itโs just insulting at that point.
Thereโs a lot of instances where I just thoughtโฆ this isnโt giving the punch you think itโs giving. They kept apologizing for what the other went through but it was over the top.
I thought maybe the ending would have made it worth it but I was also left dissatisfied & frankly irritated with how it was handled.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so Iโm feeling very letdown. I think this is going to work for a lot of people and Iโm happy for them but it wasnโt for me.
BR this with my twin Krysta ๐ฅนโค๏ธโ๐ฅ Iโm soooo EXCITED!! (We had the same thoughts ๐ฅบ)
Having absolutely loved her most recent trilogy, I think itโs safe to say that I had really high expectations for this. Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me for various reasons.
The synopsis was very interesting ; a promising bookbinder that has to work with an imprisoned mmc to find & fix an evil book.
The thing is that there were more information about this book in the synopsis than in the actual story. The worldbuilding was a mix of lacking & absent. So much time was spent on how the characters were feeling rather than explaining the actual plot or why these things they were doing were so important. The story wants you to feel the sense of danger & urgency but it wasnโt in the room with us. The villain is supposed to be this very evil presence but what was he doing the whole book?
The characters were absolutely insufferable for me. I wanted to dnf because I could not stand them. The mmc was rude & lost to self pity. The fmc was so annoying & kind of pathetic towards the mmc? I donโt get why she wanted him so bad because he was just really rude to her (I mean, she was irritating tbh but thatโs not the point).
It was insta lust to the max. The timeline was also really off because they were obsessed with each other within less than a few hours.
The fmc kept saying he was her mirror but Iโve never seen characters who were less alike.
She also kept throwing random temper tantrums and at 35, I think it was misplaced. And she always picked the worst moments too? The whole horse thing made me want to rip my eyebrows out. Get a grip. I just felt like I was reading iron flame all over again.
They had no chemistry and her thirst for him gave me major secondhand embarrassment.
A lot of things kept contradicting itself as the story went along. For example : he was made this way by the villain but then in flashbacks they keep calling him the black flame. So what did the villain make, aside from the brand? No training whatsoever but she threw a knife at him first glance and succeeded in killing a powerful soldier on her first try. The mmcโs brother saying they didnโt have time to prepare for war but itโs been 200 YEARS !!! What were you doing all that time?? Gallivanting around?? The fmc thirsting to know how the mmc was before his imprisonment and I just kept wondering what was the point? Trauma & healing changes you so why was this so important in that moment? To get the book they had to do this sort of truth or dare (thatโs what it felt like for me) and it was so juvenile and awkward because then again, they didnโt have chemistry. And the mmc said she was the only one he trusted with his life but how embarrassing is that when heโs known her two days.
The most disappointing thing for me was how chronic pain was handled. I suffered from chronic pains from the ages of 17 to 21 and it was some of the toughest years of my life. I also care for people who live with it. And how she wrote chronic pain was really beside what it really is. Her flares only happened when it was convenient! Imagine if it was actually like that. I think it wouldโve been better to not write this into the story because itโs just insulting at that point.
Thereโs a lot of instances where I just thoughtโฆ this isnโt giving the punch you think itโs giving. They kept apologizing for what the other went through but it was over the top.
I thought maybe the ending would have made it worth it but I was also left dissatisfied & frankly irritated with how it was handled.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so Iโm feeling very letdown. I think this is going to work for a lot of people and Iโm happy for them but it wasnโt for me.
August 7, 2026
The way this ARC CONSUMED my thoughts the last 2 days!! 5โญ๏ธ!!
๐๏ธ ARC Review Pub date: September 22, 2026 ๐๏ธ
๐ ARC gifted to me by Atria Books
๐ค Romantic fantasy
๐ค 1st person POV
๐ค Grumpy x sunshine
๐ค High-stakes quest
๐ค Deadly bargain
Spice rating: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
Could I be nit picky about certain aspects of this book? Yea. Did I devour it and have a great a** time? Yea. So 5 stars for the vibes. I probably would rate it closer to a 4.5, but I just loved this book. Definitely one of my top reads of the year!
I've read the majority of books Helen Scheuerer has released, SO I had extremely high hopes going into this book. It (obviously) did not disappoint. The way she develops her worlds and characters is *chefs kiss* AND THE ROMANCE!!!!! I was kicking my feet and blushing at so many moments.
As someone who reads a lot of romantasy, this book felt fresh and unique. Our FMC is a bookbinder, has chronic pain, and is in her 30s (give me more FMCs in her 30s). She's ultimately roped into a deadly bargain with an infamous general to restore a magical book that has the potential to change the fate of the world. I love a high-stakes story.
The mystery in this book is FANTASTIC. As I write this review, I have to force myself not to mention too much out of fear of spoiling this reading experience for anyone else. My best advice? Go blind into this book. I somewhat did, and I'm so glad that I could experience it that way.
THE ENDING. Gimme book 2, PLEASEEEEEEEEE.
๐๏ธ ARC Review Pub date: September 22, 2026 ๐๏ธ
๐ ARC gifted to me by Atria Books
๐ค Romantic fantasy
๐ค 1st person POV
๐ค Grumpy x sunshine
๐ค High-stakes quest
๐ค Deadly bargain
Spice rating: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
Could I be nit picky about certain aspects of this book? Yea. Did I devour it and have a great a** time? Yea. So 5 stars for the vibes. I probably would rate it closer to a 4.5, but I just loved this book. Definitely one of my top reads of the year!
I've read the majority of books Helen Scheuerer has released, SO I had extremely high hopes going into this book. It (obviously) did not disappoint. The way she develops her worlds and characters is *chefs kiss* AND THE ROMANCE!!!!! I was kicking my feet and blushing at so many moments.
As someone who reads a lot of romantasy, this book felt fresh and unique. Our FMC is a bookbinder, has chronic pain, and is in her 30s (give me more FMCs in her 30s). She's ultimately roped into a deadly bargain with an infamous general to restore a magical book that has the potential to change the fate of the world. I love a high-stakes story.
The mystery in this book is FANTASTIC. As I write this review, I have to force myself not to mention too much out of fear of spoiling this reading experience for anyone else. My best advice? Go blind into this book. I somewhat did, and I'm so glad that I could experience it that way.
THE ENDING. Gimme book 2, PLEASEEEEEEEEE.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
โ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐? ๐ฐ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฐ๐โ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐, ๐๐๐
๐ฐโ๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐.โ
i have so many issues with this book, so i think going the list route will save me at least some bit of rambling.
things i disliked :
โข lack of world building
โข insufferable, whining characters
โข no chemistry whatsoever
โข unclear knowledge of anything / confusion
โข random character decisions
โข the most irritating ending known to man
โข completely unconvincing villain
โข timelineโs donโt match up like they should
this was one of my most anticipated reads, i have read several books from this author though, so i was aware that sometimes her books will miss its mark for me.
Archer the mmc was always pitying himself & Saige the fmc was pushy and just annoying. i found their dynamic to be so odd for many reasons, Archer was so mean & rude to her & yet sheโs obsessed with him? give me a damn break, letโs not be so desperate please. i think this first book shouldnโt have had any romance at all.
i had so many questions about things that shouldโve been explained immediately. if this was going to be the case, i wouldโve appreciated a glossary. nothing even happens in the slightest, itโs a lot of wasted time.
Malveron, the villain, is supposedly this huge threat but heโs absent the entire book. weโre told how they have to prepare against him, but 200+ years has gone by and everyoneโs just been wandering around? there was no sense of urgency, so i couldnโt take anything seriously. i donโt even know if ill continue the series at this point, i really just didnโt have a good time reading this for real.
โโโ
thank you so much to my twin Maeghan for buddy reading this with me, i wouldnโt have been able to get through it without you ๐โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
โด thanks to NetGalley, the author and Atria Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i have so many issues with this book, so i think going the list route will save me at least some bit of rambling.
things i disliked :
โข lack of world building
โข insufferable, whining characters
โข no chemistry whatsoever
โข unclear knowledge of anything / confusion
โข random character decisions
โข the most irritating ending known to man
โข completely unconvincing villain
โข timelineโs donโt match up like they should
this was one of my most anticipated reads, i have read several books from this author though, so i was aware that sometimes her books will miss its mark for me.
Archer the mmc was always pitying himself & Saige the fmc was pushy and just annoying. i found their dynamic to be so odd for many reasons, Archer was so mean & rude to her & yet sheโs obsessed with him? give me a damn break, letโs not be so desperate please. i think this first book shouldnโt have had any romance at all.
i had so many questions about things that shouldโve been explained immediately. if this was going to be the case, i wouldโve appreciated a glossary. nothing even happens in the slightest, itโs a lot of wasted time.
Malveron, the villain, is supposedly this huge threat but heโs absent the entire book. weโre told how they have to prepare against him, but 200+ years has gone by and everyoneโs just been wandering around? there was no sense of urgency, so i couldnโt take anything seriously. i donโt even know if ill continue the series at this point, i really just didnโt have a good time reading this for real.
โโโ
thank you so much to my twin Maeghan for buddy reading this with me, i wouldnโt have been able to get through it without you ๐โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
โด thanks to NetGalley, the author and Atria Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 14, 2026
Kiss of the Black Flame (The Bookbinder's Bargain #1) Helen Scheuerer
Book Blurb: Some bargains are sealed with blood...Others with fire...The deadliest are sealed with a kiss...
Rating: *****
Feels: Intrigue, Adventure, Investment, Shock
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance
First published September 22, 2026 : 464 pages
Themes & Setting: A world torn apart that we get glimpses of the larger picture as the world building slowly unfolds before us. A lot of issues of trust, working through difficulties and fighting for what is really important in life.
FMC: Saige Grayson is kind of a wicked cool. She has been through it and come out fighting each day and still looking out for all of her friends. She just keeps on going no matter what.
MMC: Archer is utterly wickedly hot. Pretty sure that is established and fact. If he offered me a bargain pretty sure I would take it. He is a fallen general and all he wants is Saiges help with a tiny task of restoring a book. How difficult could things get ??
Conclusion: These were some serious fun hot times while reading.
Audiobook Review:
Narration Style: Dual
Listener Rating: *****
Audiobook Notes: Always adore an amazing dual narration audiobook and this one was sizzling and so so good. Both narrators had amazing style, tone, pitch and transitions were done very smoothly. I always knew who was talking and what was going on. I think what I enjoyed the most about this was just the emotion and character that both narrators brought to each reading. I normally listen between 1.5 and 2.5 and listened to this at 2.0. This would do really well as a audiobook or as an immersive read.
Book Vibes:
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
One Horse
Grumpy X Sunshine
Who did this to you
Chronic Pain Rep
Hidden Identities
Book Blurb: Some bargains are sealed with blood...Others with fire...The deadliest are sealed with a kiss...
Rating: *****
Feels: Intrigue, Adventure, Investment, Shock
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance
First published September 22, 2026 : 464 pages
Themes & Setting: A world torn apart that we get glimpses of the larger picture as the world building slowly unfolds before us. A lot of issues of trust, working through difficulties and fighting for what is really important in life.
FMC: Saige Grayson is kind of a wicked cool. She has been through it and come out fighting each day and still looking out for all of her friends. She just keeps on going no matter what.
MMC: Archer is utterly wickedly hot. Pretty sure that is established and fact. If he offered me a bargain pretty sure I would take it. He is a fallen general and all he wants is Saiges help with a tiny task of restoring a book. How difficult could things get ??
Conclusion: These were some serious fun hot times while reading.
Audiobook Review:
Narration Style: Dual
Listener Rating: *****
Audiobook Notes: Always adore an amazing dual narration audiobook and this one was sizzling and so so good. Both narrators had amazing style, tone, pitch and transitions were done very smoothly. I always knew who was talking and what was going on. I think what I enjoyed the most about this was just the emotion and character that both narrators brought to each reading. I normally listen between 1.5 and 2.5 and listened to this at 2.0. This would do really well as a audiobook or as an immersive read.
Book Vibes:
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
One Horse
Grumpy X Sunshine
Who did this to you
Chronic Pain Rep
Hidden Identities
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
yo, that ending ripped me apart!!!!! 4.5 stars โญ๏ธ
firstly thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC.
this was full of great banter, a steady yet amazing plot, and slutty little glasses for the mmc (thank god)!
i LOVED the dynamic between the two main characters. the switch up of her being the golden retriever who goads his grumpy ass had me giggling and kicking my damn feet!!
heโs a prisoner who was halfway bound to the prison by his spirit, and could essentially astral project himself into the world with what little of his powers he had left. sheโs the first person to see him in hundreds of years before heโs forced to disappear. SO GOOD.
in true helen fashion, the ending CRUSHED ME!! this completely shook me to my core, i loved it so much. i genuinely cannot freaking wait for book 2!!
the only reason this is not getting a full 5 stars is because there were some slow parts here and there. but other than that, the plot slayed, the romance was amazing, and the characters jump off the page!!
firstly thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC.
this was full of great banter, a steady yet amazing plot, and slutty little glasses for the mmc (thank god)!
i LOVED the dynamic between the two main characters. the switch up of her being the golden retriever who goads his grumpy ass had me giggling and kicking my damn feet!!
heโs a prisoner who was halfway bound to the prison by his spirit, and could essentially astral project himself into the world with what little of his powers he had left. sheโs the first person to see him in hundreds of years before heโs forced to disappear. SO GOOD.
in true helen fashion, the ending CRUSHED ME!! this completely shook me to my core, i loved it so much. i genuinely cannot freaking wait for book 2!!
the only reason this is not getting a full 5 stars is because there were some slow parts here and there. but other than that, the plot slayed, the romance was amazing, and the characters jump off the page!!
July 24, 2026
This book was gravity holding me down. Definitely one of the best books Iโve read in a while! Immediately after learning the FMC was a bookbinder, I wanted to read this, and starting with the โDear readers,โ letter I knew Iโd like this author. I also adore and appreciate Saige represents so many characteristics and qualities that are not the norm in fantasy books.
Our FMC, Saige, is in her mid 30s, and she has chronic pain that the doctors canโt understand or find a cure for. This weaves its way into the feminism/ feminine rage portion of the story โ because the men all believe she is faking the pain since they canโt see a cause or understand whatโs happening. Saige is a very independent person (who is also stubborn and charming) and I love her for it. She really resonated with me.
The FMC & MMC have a lot of โI hate you but Iโm attracted to youโ banter, which I am a big fan of. I thought the story was entertaining throughout the book, and the writing style really helped me picture exactly what was happening in each scene. We go on an adventure to retrieve the book, and thatโs when one of my favorite microtropes occurs: โyouโre freezing, let me warm you up with body heatโ
The setting is superb and works perfectly in the story: imagine cobblestone streets, the most quaint and picturesque bookbinding shop, and then we travel across the map in typical fantasy book styleโฆ and get even more locations that make me nostalgic for places Iโve never even been.
There are some twists and sneaky things that happen in the last portion of the book (at one point my jaw actually dropped). I was also surprised by the character reveals and learning the secrets that were kept. I canโt wait for the next book!
This was the first book Iโve read from this author, and now I really want to look into others! I hadnโt heard of her before this book, but since discovering it - I have seen a lot of positive things about her previous series.
Our FMC, Saige, is in her mid 30s, and she has chronic pain that the doctors canโt understand or find a cure for. This weaves its way into the feminism/ feminine rage portion of the story โ because the men all believe she is faking the pain since they canโt see a cause or understand whatโs happening. Saige is a very independent person (who is also stubborn and charming) and I love her for it. She really resonated with me.
The FMC & MMC have a lot of โI hate you but Iโm attracted to youโ banter, which I am a big fan of. I thought the story was entertaining throughout the book, and the writing style really helped me picture exactly what was happening in each scene. We go on an adventure to retrieve the book, and thatโs when one of my favorite microtropes occurs: โyouโre freezing, let me warm you up with body heatโ
The setting is superb and works perfectly in the story: imagine cobblestone streets, the most quaint and picturesque bookbinding shop, and then we travel across the map in typical fantasy book styleโฆ and get even more locations that make me nostalgic for places Iโve never even been.
There are some twists and sneaky things that happen in the last portion of the book (at one point my jaw actually dropped). I was also surprised by the character reveals and learning the secrets that were kept. I canโt wait for the next book!
This was the first book Iโve read from this author, and now I really want to look into others! I hadnโt heard of her before this book, but since discovering it - I have seen a lot of positive things about her previous series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love Helen Sheuerer's books and her new series did not disappoint!
4.25 โญ๏ธ
1.75๐ถ
What's inside:
- Forced Proximity
- Found Family
- Feminine Rage
- Touch Starved MMC
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Slutty Reading Glasses ๐ซ
- One Horse
- Chronic Pain Rep
- "Good Girl"
- Bargains
- Yearning
- Burn the World
- Tattooed MMC
- "Who did this to you"
- Slow Burn
- Plot Twist
-- Some bargains are sealed with blood. Others with fire. The deadliest are sealed with a kiss... --
The way that I fell in love with Saige and Archer could be slightly unhealty, as I love everything about them. ๐ฅฐ When Saige finds herself traded to the Azkari and locked in a prison, her only chance of escape is making a bargain with Archer, a fallen general that is imprisoned beside her. After sealing the bargain with a kiss, they embark on a journey to find and restore a book that might save their realm.
The relationship development between them is very well written. Over time, they slowly learn about each other, begin to trust, and realize they have more in common than they first realized. I loved their journey from barely tolerating each other into an intense connection that is hard for them to ignore.
Archer, reading shirtless with his slutty reading glasses nearly did me in! This man.. he's a bit broken, dark, and broody but he harbors a good heart under all that hard armor that he has built to protect himself. He is absolutely one of my new favorite book boyfriends.
Saige, who Archer calls by her last name Grayson, is a talented bookbinder who experiences unexplained chronic pain. She is the sunshine to Archer's darkness and I love her fiesty attitude.
-- โYou canโt fix me, Grayson.โ
But Saige lifts her chin defiantly.
โAnd you canโt break me, Archer.โ--
When they finally stop fighting their feelings and that slow burn starts sparking, its hot and spicy and just ๐ฅต๐ฅ๐ซ ๐
-- โSo you may want to say a prayer to the Eternal Triad . . . Because gods, Iโm about to ruin you, Saige.โ --
I did figure out some of the plot twist pretty early on, but there was no way to know the full reveal and expect how it all played out. This book had me engaged and immersed all the way through and I am definitely all in on this series! I really enjoyed reading Kiss of the Black Flame and I cant wait for the next book to see what happens next.
4.25 โญ๏ธ
1.75๐ถ
What's inside:
- Forced Proximity
- Found Family
- Feminine Rage
- Touch Starved MMC
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Slutty Reading Glasses ๐ซ
- One Horse
- Chronic Pain Rep
- "Good Girl"
- Bargains
- Yearning
- Burn the World
- Tattooed MMC
- "Who did this to you"
- Slow Burn
- Plot Twist
-- Some bargains are sealed with blood. Others with fire. The deadliest are sealed with a kiss... --
The way that I fell in love with Saige and Archer could be slightly unhealty, as I love everything about them. ๐ฅฐ When Saige finds herself traded to the Azkari and locked in a prison, her only chance of escape is making a bargain with Archer, a fallen general that is imprisoned beside her. After sealing the bargain with a kiss, they embark on a journey to find and restore a book that might save their realm.
The relationship development between them is very well written. Over time, they slowly learn about each other, begin to trust, and realize they have more in common than they first realized. I loved their journey from barely tolerating each other into an intense connection that is hard for them to ignore.
Archer, reading shirtless with his slutty reading glasses nearly did me in! This man.. he's a bit broken, dark, and broody but he harbors a good heart under all that hard armor that he has built to protect himself. He is absolutely one of my new favorite book boyfriends.
Saige, who Archer calls by her last name Grayson, is a talented bookbinder who experiences unexplained chronic pain. She is the sunshine to Archer's darkness and I love her fiesty attitude.
-- โYou canโt fix me, Grayson.โ
But Saige lifts her chin defiantly.
โAnd you canโt break me, Archer.โ--
When they finally stop fighting their feelings and that slow burn starts sparking, its hot and spicy and just ๐ฅต๐ฅ๐ซ ๐
-- โSo you may want to say a prayer to the Eternal Triad . . . Because gods, Iโm about to ruin you, Saige.โ --
I did figure out some of the plot twist pretty early on, but there was no way to know the full reveal and expect how it all played out. This book had me engaged and immersed all the way through and I am definitely all in on this series! I really enjoyed reading Kiss of the Black Flame and I cant wait for the next book to see what happens next.
June 12, 2026
Yes. Immediately YES.
I just had a feeling before I dove into this story that I was going to absolutely DEVOUR every chapter of this book, and I am so happy to say this book did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of Helen and her stories, her prose and the way she writes unrelenting tension, angst, plot twists, ( Legends of Thezmarr being one of my Roman empires, Wilder?! ๐ซ๐ฎโ๐จ ) and KOTBF was no different. Welcome to my new obsession lol.
One of many things Helen writes extremely well, and extremely swoon worthy, is an mmc, and ARCHER?! Ultimate swoon. An entity made to kill GODS, whoโs built like a god, has the heart of a teddy bear and likes to sketch and admires flowers. Like?!
Saige is an equally beautifully written character. There is so much to her despite her chronic pain, and unfortunate circumstance and through it all she stays positive, chin up, one day to the next. She has so much grit, so much heart. There is so much women empowerment in the circle she keeps, and I love when women, women. ๐๐ผ
I also really LOVED the banter between Saige & Archer and how forward she was, it was fresh and hilarious seeing an Azkari blush and try to have the utmost restraint lol.
Found family? Top tier.
Banter? Hilarious.
Plot twists? Jaw on the floor.
The ending?! Omg?!!
I canโt wait to see what happens next! ( also need more Daemos lol )
( Thank you to Atria, Simon & Schuster for the e-galley )
I just had a feeling before I dove into this story that I was going to absolutely DEVOUR every chapter of this book, and I am so happy to say this book did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of Helen and her stories, her prose and the way she writes unrelenting tension, angst, plot twists, ( Legends of Thezmarr being one of my Roman empires, Wilder?! ๐ซ๐ฎโ๐จ ) and KOTBF was no different. Welcome to my new obsession lol.
One of many things Helen writes extremely well, and extremely swoon worthy, is an mmc, and ARCHER?! Ultimate swoon. An entity made to kill GODS, whoโs built like a god, has the heart of a teddy bear and likes to sketch and admires flowers. Like?!
Saige is an equally beautifully written character. There is so much to her despite her chronic pain, and unfortunate circumstance and through it all she stays positive, chin up, one day to the next. She has so much grit, so much heart. There is so much women empowerment in the circle she keeps, and I love when women, women. ๐๐ผ
I also really LOVED the banter between Saige & Archer and how forward she was, it was fresh and hilarious seeing an Azkari blush and try to have the utmost restraint lol.
Found family? Top tier.
Banter? Hilarious.
Plot twists? Jaw on the floor.
The ending?! Omg?!!
I canโt wait to see what happens next! ( also need more Daemos lol )
( Thank you to Atria, Simon & Schuster for the e-galley )
June 13, 2026
โ 4.5 stars
Kiss of the Black Flame is the first instalment in The Bookbinderโs Bargain trilogy by author Helen Scheuerer. This was an exciting and exhilarating new experience that found me on the edge of my seat for chapters on end in my anticipation to see what happens next. I wanted to cry every time I had to force myself to put my kindle down in-lieu of my adult responsibilities (wholly unfair if you ask me) and found myself counting down the minutes until I could pick it back up. Scheuerer is a phenomenal storyteller that knows how to write an addictive and compelling story that is filled with heartfelt found family connections, emotional dialogue and electrifying chemistry that will consume you from the very first page. The world established throughout this book feels darker and grittier than anything we have seen from this author before, and I loved getting to experience something brand new and exciting that I have never seen from her before. The world-building read with ease for me and I felt really intrigued by the magic system that is established from the very beginning which is something I hope to see continue to grow. Kiss of the Black Flame was the perfect cure to my โThezmarr hangoverโ and I cannot wait to continue to fall in-love with this universe in its entirety as much as I have that one.
Saige Grayson is yet another wonderfully strong heroine by this author that captured my heart from the very first page. Her experience in living with chronic pain and the way this impacts her everyday living felt seamlessly woven into her story in a manner that felt natural. I really appreciated that her pain wasnโt understated in its severity and the reality that enduring an invisible illness also results in facing disbelief and dismissal from her peers. Sageโs ability to view the world with openness and vulnerability in spite of all the harm that has been forced upon her is almost uncanny in its resolve. Her main strength exists within her mind alongside her capacity for kindness in a refusal to be confused for as meek. Her passion for her craft is undeniable and I adored witnessing the scenes where Saigeโs own brand of (human) magic sparks to life when faced with a restoration project. Her character is effortlessly depicted in a way that feels relatable to the reader as I felt like her struggles became my struggles. Her burdens became my own to shoulder. I felt constantly in awe at everything Saige continued to carry physically, mentally and emotionally in her refusal to give up. There is no hurdle that she did not show a determination to navigate and I cannot express just how deeply I adore every aspect to the unwavering woman that she is written to be. Her selflessness and care for others is greatly reflected in the deep bonds she shares with Raven, Yevna and Grim. There is so much more to Saigeโs character left to be uncovered and exploredโฆ and I cannot wait to see what comes next in her story throughout the continuation of this series.
If I were the kind of woman who barked at men then I would shamelessly be doing so when it comes to our mysterious general, Archer. His penchant for wearing slutty reading glasses whilst being depicted in his rugged state? Bark bark. Archer was everything that I had hoped he would be with his many intricate layers waiting to be unfurled and discovered. His grumpy and tortured demeanour felt perfectly balanced alongside his protective instincts and soft spot for the vulnerable. His trauma as a prisoner of war and the self-loathing that he harbours as a result of โfailingโ added so much depth and complexity to his character that enables me to better understand him throughout his many struggles. It becomes very clear early in his journey that Archer is shouldering the immense burden and responsibility for losing the first war against a foe that seeks to change the world as they know it for the worst. The self-imposed guilt he feels largely impacts him as a character as we see this being regularly implemented in the way he regards his own self-worth and the way he desperately tries to keep people at a distance. I found Archer to be very interesting and mysterious as there was clearly a lot more to his character than what he was initially letting on, and thereโs no denying that I greatly enjoyed the information that we are granted throughout this instalment. Archer is a revered immortal whose fire wielding abilities have earned him great prestige both on and outwith the battlefield. His capacity to be both a ruthless warrior whom is unafraid to lean into his darkest attributes to ensure survival alongside his ability to showcase warmth, vulnerability and compassion was reflected with ease. I had the best time getting to learn about the many layers to Archerโs character and I cannot wait to see what more is waiting to be uncovered in the continuation of his story.
I had the absolute best time getting to explore the relationship development between Saige and Archer as what begins as a transactional and self-motivated bargain with mutually beneficial gains, slowly develops into a tender connection that leaves you yearning for more. Scheuerer knows how to create magnetic and swoon-worthy chemistry that her readers will fall in love with every single time without fail. The mistrust and apathetic nature to their origins felt like the perfect hook to root for more and it was a lot of fun to see their (sometimes unwanted) emotions begin to drive their development forward. Trust is slow to build with their dialogue being filled with ample wit and banter in an attempt to keep their agreement surface level and to shield themselves against their developing feelings. Fear for the future and the uncertainty of the present plays a huge part throughout Saige and Archerโs relationship but thereโs no denying how much I adored getting to see them approach difficult conversations with maturity and understanding. Both characters are blessedly written to react with the mindset of fully developed adults that know how to communicate and respect boundaries. Their relationship is far from linear as both Saige and Archer are undergoing their own personal development that is integral to the connection that theyโre working hard to build. There are a strong mix of moments showcasing the searing heat and aching longing alongside the several fierce disagreements that they share. What remains true throughout the development of the story is just how deeply both characters grow to care for one another in both a platonic and romantic sense. There is still so much more of their relationship to uncover and explore, especially after that diabolical ending, and I cannot wait to see what will come next for Saige and Archer in the second instalment in the series.
Kiss of the Black Flame is an incredible introduction to The Bookbinderโs Bargain trilogy and I cannot wait to see what will happen next. There are still so many questions left to be answered, secrets to be revealed and mysteries to be solved. I am feeling morose (respectfully) in realising how long Iโll have to wait to find out what will happen next for our characters and the next adventure that we will follow them on. Helen Scheuerer is an auto-buy author of mine for a reason and this new book yet again proves why this remains the caseโฆ so if you need me Iโll be staring into the distance trying to hold onto my sanity as I count down the days until I have the sequel in my hands.
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐.
Kiss of the Black Flame is the first instalment in The Bookbinderโs Bargain trilogy by author Helen Scheuerer. This was an exciting and exhilarating new experience that found me on the edge of my seat for chapters on end in my anticipation to see what happens next. I wanted to cry every time I had to force myself to put my kindle down in-lieu of my adult responsibilities (wholly unfair if you ask me) and found myself counting down the minutes until I could pick it back up. Scheuerer is a phenomenal storyteller that knows how to write an addictive and compelling story that is filled with heartfelt found family connections, emotional dialogue and electrifying chemistry that will consume you from the very first page. The world established throughout this book feels darker and grittier than anything we have seen from this author before, and I loved getting to experience something brand new and exciting that I have never seen from her before. The world-building read with ease for me and I felt really intrigued by the magic system that is established from the very beginning which is something I hope to see continue to grow. Kiss of the Black Flame was the perfect cure to my โThezmarr hangoverโ and I cannot wait to continue to fall in-love with this universe in its entirety as much as I have that one.
Saige Grayson is yet another wonderfully strong heroine by this author that captured my heart from the very first page. Her experience in living with chronic pain and the way this impacts her everyday living felt seamlessly woven into her story in a manner that felt natural. I really appreciated that her pain wasnโt understated in its severity and the reality that enduring an invisible illness also results in facing disbelief and dismissal from her peers. Sageโs ability to view the world with openness and vulnerability in spite of all the harm that has been forced upon her is almost uncanny in its resolve. Her main strength exists within her mind alongside her capacity for kindness in a refusal to be confused for as meek. Her passion for her craft is undeniable and I adored witnessing the scenes where Saigeโs own brand of (human) magic sparks to life when faced with a restoration project. Her character is effortlessly depicted in a way that feels relatable to the reader as I felt like her struggles became my struggles. Her burdens became my own to shoulder. I felt constantly in awe at everything Saige continued to carry physically, mentally and emotionally in her refusal to give up. There is no hurdle that she did not show a determination to navigate and I cannot express just how deeply I adore every aspect to the unwavering woman that she is written to be. Her selflessness and care for others is greatly reflected in the deep bonds she shares with Raven, Yevna and Grim. There is so much more to Saigeโs character left to be uncovered and exploredโฆ and I cannot wait to see what comes next in her story throughout the continuation of this series.
If I were the kind of woman who barked at men then I would shamelessly be doing so when it comes to our mysterious general, Archer. His penchant for wearing slutty reading glasses whilst being depicted in his rugged state? Bark bark. Archer was everything that I had hoped he would be with his many intricate layers waiting to be unfurled and discovered. His grumpy and tortured demeanour felt perfectly balanced alongside his protective instincts and soft spot for the vulnerable. His trauma as a prisoner of war and the self-loathing that he harbours as a result of โfailingโ added so much depth and complexity to his character that enables me to better understand him throughout his many struggles. It becomes very clear early in his journey that Archer is shouldering the immense burden and responsibility for losing the first war against a foe that seeks to change the world as they know it for the worst. The self-imposed guilt he feels largely impacts him as a character as we see this being regularly implemented in the way he regards his own self-worth and the way he desperately tries to keep people at a distance. I found Archer to be very interesting and mysterious as there was clearly a lot more to his character than what he was initially letting on, and thereโs no denying that I greatly enjoyed the information that we are granted throughout this instalment. Archer is a revered immortal whose fire wielding abilities have earned him great prestige both on and outwith the battlefield. His capacity to be both a ruthless warrior whom is unafraid to lean into his darkest attributes to ensure survival alongside his ability to showcase warmth, vulnerability and compassion was reflected with ease. I had the best time getting to learn about the many layers to Archerโs character and I cannot wait to see what more is waiting to be uncovered in the continuation of his story.
I had the absolute best time getting to explore the relationship development between Saige and Archer as what begins as a transactional and self-motivated bargain with mutually beneficial gains, slowly develops into a tender connection that leaves you yearning for more. Scheuerer knows how to create magnetic and swoon-worthy chemistry that her readers will fall in love with every single time without fail. The mistrust and apathetic nature to their origins felt like the perfect hook to root for more and it was a lot of fun to see their (sometimes unwanted) emotions begin to drive their development forward. Trust is slow to build with their dialogue being filled with ample wit and banter in an attempt to keep their agreement surface level and to shield themselves against their developing feelings. Fear for the future and the uncertainty of the present plays a huge part throughout Saige and Archerโs relationship but thereโs no denying how much I adored getting to see them approach difficult conversations with maturity and understanding. Both characters are blessedly written to react with the mindset of fully developed adults that know how to communicate and respect boundaries. Their relationship is far from linear as both Saige and Archer are undergoing their own personal development that is integral to the connection that theyโre working hard to build. There are a strong mix of moments showcasing the searing heat and aching longing alongside the several fierce disagreements that they share. What remains true throughout the development of the story is just how deeply both characters grow to care for one another in both a platonic and romantic sense. There is still so much more of their relationship to uncover and explore, especially after that diabolical ending, and I cannot wait to see what will come next for Saige and Archer in the second instalment in the series.
Kiss of the Black Flame is an incredible introduction to The Bookbinderโs Bargain trilogy and I cannot wait to see what will happen next. There are still so many questions left to be answered, secrets to be revealed and mysteries to be solved. I am feeling morose (respectfully) in realising how long Iโll have to wait to find out what will happen next for our characters and the next adventure that we will follow them on. Helen Scheuerer is an auto-buy author of mine for a reason and this new book yet again proves why this remains the caseโฆ so if you need me Iโll be staring into the distance trying to hold onto my sanity as I count down the days until I have the sequel in my hands.
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐.
September 29, 2026
โ ะะพั
ะฐะฝะฝั โ ัะต ะฝะต ัะณะพะดะฐ ั ะฝะต ะฑะฐััะตั. ะฆะต ะดะฐััะฝะพะบ, ัะบะธะน ะฟัะดะฝะพัััั ะทะฐ ะฒะปะฐัะฝะธะผ ะฑะฐะถะฐะฝะฝัะผ, ะฟะพะฟัะธ ัะต, ัะพ ะฟัะพะฟะพะฝัััั ะฝะฐัะพะผัััั.
ะั ัั ัััะพััั, ะะตะปะตะฝ, ัะธ ะทะฝะพะฒั ะฟะตัะตะฒะตััะธะปะฐ ัะตะฑะต ๐ฅ ะฏ ะดัะถะต ัะตะบะฐะปะฐ ัั ะบะฝะธะณั, ั ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะฝะต ัะพะทัะฐััะฒะฐะปะฐ!
ะกัะถะตั ๐
ะะตะฝั ัะผะฟะพะฝัั ัะพ ั ะฐะฒัะพัะฐ ะฝะต ััะฐะฝะดะฐััะฝั ัะฒััะธ ะฒ ัััะพัััั . ะขัั ะฝะตะผะฐั ะฒะถะต ะฟะพะฟัะพะฒะธั ัะตะนัั, ะดัะฐะบะพะฝัะฒ. ะขัั ั ะปัะดะธ, ัะผะตััะฝั ะปัะดะธ, ัะบั ะฑะพัััััั ะทะฐ ะฒะธะถะธะฒะฐะฝะฝั. ะขั, ั ัะพ ะฝะต ะฟัะธ ะฒะปะฐะดั, ั ะฑะตะท ะณัะพัะตะน, ะฟัะพััะพ ะทะผััะตะฝั ัะต ัะพะฑะธัะธ.
ะะฐัะผะพ ะฟะฐะปััััะฝะธัั, ะดัะฒัะธะฝั ัะพ ะฒัะดะฝะพะฒะปัั ะบะฝะธะณะธ, ั ัะธะผ ะทะฐัะพะฑะปัั ะฝะฐ ะถะธััั. ะะพัะตัััั ะท ะฑะพะปะตะผ, ะท ะฝะตัะฟัะฐะฒะตะดะปะธะฒัััั, ะฟัะดััะธะผัั ัะบ ะผะพะถะต ัะฝัะธั ะถัะฝะพะบ, ัะตะน ยซะบะพะฝัะพััััะผยป, ัั ะทะผะพะณะฐ ะถัะฝะบะฐะผ ัะบะฐะทะฐัะธ ะฟัะพ ยซัะตะฑะตยป, ัะต ัะธะปัะฝะพ ั ัะผัะปะธะฒะพ. ะ ััะน ะดัะฒัะธะฝั ััะตะฑะฐ ะฒัะดะฝะพะฒะธัะธ ะพะดะฝั ะฒะฐะถะปะธะฒั ะบะฝะธะณั. ะกะฟะพะนะปะตัะธัะธ ะฝะต ะฑัะดั, ะฐะปะต ััะถะตั ะพะดัะฐะทั ะทะฐะบััััััััั, ัะพ ะฝะต ะผะพะถะตั ะฒัะดััะฒะฐัะธัั ๐
ะะตัะพั ๐ค
ะกะตะนะดะถ, ะทะฒะธัะฐะนะฝะฐ ะดัะฒัะธะฝะฐ 35 ัะพะบัะฒ, ะทั ัะฒะพัะผะธ ะฑะพะปััะบะฐะผะธ, ัััะฐั ะฐะผะธ, ะฟะตัะตะถะธะฒะฐะฝะฝัะผะธ ัะธ ัั ยซะดะพััะฐัะฝัะพยป, ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะฝะต ะทะฝะฐั ะฑะฐััะบัะฒ, ะฝะพัะธัั ะฝะต ะปะธัะต ััะทะธัะฝะธะน ะฑัะปั, ะฐะปะต ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะผะฐั ะฒะปะฐัะฝั ะผััั, ะฝะฐะผะฐะณะฐััััั ะทะฝะฐะนัะธ ะฝะฐะดัั ั ะฒััะพะผั, ะฒ ัะฐั, ะฒ ะฑะปะธะทัะบะธั ะปัะดัั ัะน ะปัะดัะผ, ะฒ ัะพะฑะพัั, ะฒ ะบะฝะธะณะฐั ัะฐ ะฒ ะบะพะถะฝะพะผั ัะฒััะฐะฝะบั ัะพ ะดะฐััั ัะน ะถะธััั ๐ฅนโค๏ธ
ะััะตั, ะะตะฝะตัะฐะป, ะปะตะณะตะฝะดะฐัะฝะธะน ะฒะพัะฝ ะะทะบะฐัั. ะััะฐัะธะฒ ะฒัะต, ะฝะฐะฒััั ัะตะฑะต, ัะตัะฟะธัั ะทะฝััะฐะฝะฝั ัะฐ ะบะฐััะฒะฐะฝะฝั, ะฝะต ะฑะฐัะธัั ะฝััะพะณะพ ะพะบััะผ ะฟัััะผะธ ๐ ะฝะต ะฟะฐะผโััะฐั ะฑะฐะณะฐัะพ ะผะพะผะตะฝััะฒ ะทั ัะฒะพะณะพ ะถะธััั, ัั ะฒะธะฟะฐะปะธะปะธ ะท ััะปะฐ ัะฐ ะท ัะพะทัะผั, ะฑัะปั ะฝัะพะณะพ - ะปะธัะต ะผะพัะพะบ ๐ฃ
ะฆั ะดะฒะพั ัะฐะทะพะผ, ะทะปะฐะผะฐะฝั ัะฐััะธะฝะบะธ ะพะดะฝะพะณะพ ััะปะพะณะพ. ะะฒััะฝะพ ััั ัะปะพั, ั ัะฟะพััะตััะณะฐัะธ ะทะฐ ัั ะฟะพัััััะผะธ, ะฟะตัะตะฟะฐะปะบะฐะผะธ, ะฟะพัััะฟะพะฒะธะผ ะทะฑะปะธะถะตะฝะฝัะผ ัะฐ ัะพะทัะผัะฝะฝัะผ ยซัะฐะฝยป, ะทะฐั ะพะฟะปะธะฒะพ, ะฑะพะปััะฝะพ ัะฐ ัััััะฒะพ ๐
ะคัะฝะฐะป, ั ะฒ ัะพัั, ะผสผัะบะพ ะบะฐะถััะธ, ั ัะฐะบะพะณะพ ะฝะต ะพััะบัะฒะฐะปะฐ. ะะปะต ัะต ะะตะปะตะฝ, ั ั on my knees โค๏ธ ะฟะพะฟะตัะตะดั ัะต ะฑัะปััะต ะฑะพะปั, ัะพะทะฟะฐัั, ั ัะต ะฒัะดััะฒะฐั.
ะะพะบะธ ะฝะต ััะฒะปัั ัะบ ะฒะพะฝะธ ะทะฑะตัััั ัะฒะพั ะทะปะฐะผะฐะฝั ัะฐััะธะฝะบะธ ๐
โ ะขะธ ะฝะต ะทะผะพะถะตั ะผะตะฝะต ะฒะธะฟัะฐะฒะธัะธ, ะกะตะนะดะถ ะัะตะนัะพะฝ.
โ ะ ัะธ ะฝะต ะทะผะพะถะตั ะผะตะฝะต ะทะปะฐะผะฐัะธ, ะััะตัะต.
ะั ัั ัััะพััั, ะะตะปะตะฝ, ัะธ ะทะฝะพะฒั ะฟะตัะตะฒะตััะธะปะฐ ัะตะฑะต ๐ฅ ะฏ ะดัะถะต ัะตะบะฐะปะฐ ัั ะบะฝะธะณั, ั ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะฝะต ัะพะทัะฐััะฒะฐะปะฐ!
ะกัะถะตั ๐
ะะตะฝั ัะผะฟะพะฝัั ัะพ ั ะฐะฒัะพัะฐ ะฝะต ััะฐะฝะดะฐััะฝั ัะฒััะธ ะฒ ัััะพัััั . ะขัั ะฝะตะผะฐั ะฒะถะต ะฟะพะฟัะพะฒะธั ัะตะนัั, ะดัะฐะบะพะฝัะฒ. ะขัั ั ะปัะดะธ, ัะผะตััะฝั ะปัะดะธ, ัะบั ะฑะพัััััั ะทะฐ ะฒะธะถะธะฒะฐะฝะฝั. ะขั, ั ัะพ ะฝะต ะฟัะธ ะฒะปะฐะดั, ั ะฑะตะท ะณัะพัะตะน, ะฟัะพััะพ ะทะผััะตะฝั ัะต ัะพะฑะธัะธ.
ะะฐัะผะพ ะฟะฐะปััััะฝะธัั, ะดัะฒัะธะฝั ัะพ ะฒัะดะฝะพะฒะปัั ะบะฝะธะณะธ, ั ัะธะผ ะทะฐัะพะฑะปัั ะฝะฐ ะถะธััั. ะะพัะตัััั ะท ะฑะพะปะตะผ, ะท ะฝะตัะฟัะฐะฒะตะดะปะธะฒัััั, ะฟัะดััะธะผัั ัะบ ะผะพะถะต ัะฝัะธั ะถัะฝะพะบ, ัะตะน ยซะบะพะฝัะพััััะผยป, ัั ะทะผะพะณะฐ ะถัะฝะบะฐะผ ัะบะฐะทะฐัะธ ะฟัะพ ยซัะตะฑะตยป, ัะต ัะธะปัะฝะพ ั ัะผัะปะธะฒะพ. ะ ััะน ะดัะฒัะธะฝั ััะตะฑะฐ ะฒัะดะฝะพะฒะธัะธ ะพะดะฝั ะฒะฐะถะปะธะฒั ะบะฝะธะณั. ะกะฟะพะนะปะตัะธัะธ ะฝะต ะฑัะดั, ะฐะปะต ััะถะตั ะพะดัะฐะทั ะทะฐะบััััััััั, ัะพ ะฝะต ะผะพะถะตั ะฒัะดััะฒะฐัะธัั ๐
ะะตัะพั ๐ค
ะกะตะนะดะถ, ะทะฒะธัะฐะนะฝะฐ ะดัะฒัะธะฝะฐ 35 ัะพะบัะฒ, ะทั ัะฒะพัะผะธ ะฑะพะปััะบะฐะผะธ, ัััะฐั ะฐะผะธ, ะฟะตัะตะถะธะฒะฐะฝะฝัะผะธ ัะธ ัั ยซะดะพััะฐัะฝัะพยป, ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะฝะต ะทะฝะฐั ะฑะฐััะบัะฒ, ะฝะพัะธัั ะฝะต ะปะธัะต ััะทะธัะฝะธะน ะฑัะปั, ะฐะปะต ะฒะพะฝะฐ ะผะฐั ะฒะปะฐัะฝั ะผััั, ะฝะฐะผะฐะณะฐััััั ะทะฝะฐะนัะธ ะฝะฐะดัั ั ะฒััะพะผั, ะฒ ัะฐั, ะฒ ะฑะปะธะทัะบะธั ะปัะดัั ัะน ะปัะดัะผ, ะฒ ัะพะฑะพัั, ะฒ ะบะฝะธะณะฐั ัะฐ ะฒ ะบะพะถะฝะพะผั ัะฒััะฐะฝะบั ัะพ ะดะฐััั ัะน ะถะธััั ๐ฅนโค๏ธ
ะััะตั, ะะตะฝะตัะฐะป, ะปะตะณะตะฝะดะฐัะฝะธะน ะฒะพัะฝ ะะทะบะฐัั. ะััะฐัะธะฒ ะฒัะต, ะฝะฐะฒััั ัะตะฑะต, ัะตัะฟะธัั ะทะฝััะฐะฝะฝั ัะฐ ะบะฐััะฒะฐะฝะฝั, ะฝะต ะฑะฐัะธัั ะฝััะพะณะพ ะพะบััะผ ะฟัััะผะธ ๐ ะฝะต ะฟะฐะผโััะฐั ะฑะฐะณะฐัะพ ะผะพะผะตะฝััะฒ ะทั ัะฒะพะณะพ ะถะธััั, ัั ะฒะธะฟะฐะปะธะปะธ ะท ััะปะฐ ัะฐ ะท ัะพะทัะผั, ะฑัะปั ะฝัะพะณะพ - ะปะธัะต ะผะพัะพะบ ๐ฃ
ะฆั ะดะฒะพั ัะฐะทะพะผ, ะทะปะฐะผะฐะฝั ัะฐััะธะฝะบะธ ะพะดะฝะพะณะพ ััะปะพะณะพ. ะะฒััะฝะพ ััั ัะปะพั, ั ัะฟะพััะตััะณะฐัะธ ะทะฐ ัั ะฟะพัััััะผะธ, ะฟะตัะตะฟะฐะปะบะฐะผะธ, ะฟะพัััะฟะพะฒะธะผ ะทะฑะปะธะถะตะฝะฝัะผ ัะฐ ัะพะทัะผัะฝะฝัะผ ยซัะฐะฝยป, ะทะฐั ะพะฟะปะธะฒะพ, ะฑะพะปััะฝะพ ัะฐ ัััััะฒะพ ๐
ะคัะฝะฐะป, ั ะฒ ัะพัั, ะผสผัะบะพ ะบะฐะถััะธ, ั ัะฐะบะพะณะพ ะฝะต ะพััะบัะฒะฐะปะฐ. ะะปะต ัะต ะะตะปะตะฝ, ั ั on my knees โค๏ธ ะฟะพะฟะตัะตะดั ัะต ะฑัะปััะต ะฑะพะปั, ัะพะทะฟะฐัั, ั ัะต ะฒัะดััะฒะฐั.
ะะพะบะธ ะฝะต ััะฒะปัั ัะบ ะฒะพะฝะธ ะทะฑะตัััั ัะฒะพั ะทะปะฐะผะฐะฝั ัะฐััะธะฝะบะธ ๐
โ ะขะธ ะฝะต ะทะผะพะถะตั ะผะตะฝะต ะฒะธะฟัะฐะฒะธัะธ, ะกะตะนะดะถ ะัะตะนัะพะฝ.
โ ะ ัะธ ะฝะต ะทะผะพะถะตั ะผะตะฝะต ะทะปะฐะผะฐัะธ, ะััะตัะต.
September 29, 2026
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
โThe world was on fire, and no one could save me but you.โ
โ Wicked Game, Chris Isaak
โThe world was on fire, and no one could save me but you.โ
โ Wicked Game, Chris Isaak
September 26, 2026
This book OWNED me from the very first chapter!
๐Thank you Helen Scheuerer & Atria Books for the is ARC. This review contains my honest thoughts.
The slow burn scorches you from the very beginning.
It all starts with eye contact and a fleeting but intense moment. Then the sparks ignite with a small gesture of holding her hand. The first time he had been touched in 200 years. ๐ฅ
The paradox that is Archer was so fun to slowly unwrap- the most powerful warrior in the world enjoys drawing, likes flowers, takes care of the people around himโฆ and he wears glasses? ๐ ๐
I found myself laughing at the banter, getting emotional at the confessions & the ending left me reeling & dying for more.
Things I loved:
๐ feisty FMC bookbinder
๐ chronic pain rep
๐ women supporting women
๐ a protective dog sidekick
๐ found family & fierce loyalty
๐ grumpy MMC warrior created for war, yet he is tender to the FMC and cares for her when she is sick
๐ revelations at the end that made my eyes turn into saucers ๐
3/5 ๐ถ๏ธ this is a slow burn but does get very spicy eventually.
๐Thank you Helen Scheuerer & Atria Books for the is ARC. This review contains my honest thoughts.
The slow burn scorches you from the very beginning.
It all starts with eye contact and a fleeting but intense moment. Then the sparks ignite with a small gesture of holding her hand. The first time he had been touched in 200 years. ๐ฅ
The paradox that is Archer was so fun to slowly unwrap- the most powerful warrior in the world enjoys drawing, likes flowers, takes care of the people around himโฆ and he wears glasses? ๐ ๐
I found myself laughing at the banter, getting emotional at the confessions & the ending left me reeling & dying for more.
Things I loved:
๐ feisty FMC bookbinder
๐ chronic pain rep
๐ women supporting women
๐ a protective dog sidekick
๐ found family & fierce loyalty
๐ grumpy MMC warrior created for war, yet he is tender to the FMC and cares for her when she is sick
๐ revelations at the end that made my eyes turn into saucers ๐
3/5 ๐ถ๏ธ this is a slow burn but does get very spicy eventually.
October 8, 2026
Iโm not really sure what to say other than this was a complete disappointment. I was loving the FMC being 35, but why did the author have to make her so melodramatic? Also the characters fail to communicate like normal people the entirety of the book which is one of my biggest pet peeves.
September 18, 2026
Let me just say up front how much I loved this book! Truly a book that could have gone either way for me and I ended up being so wrapped up in this world and these characters. There were so many unique aspects that really made this one stand out to me in a sea of romantasy books.
For one, I thought the villain was actually super cool! The mirror magic had me SO intrigued from the start. Iโm really excited to hopefully get even more of this and more background in the next book.
While I had no negative feelings about Archer, the more of his backstory thatโs revealed as the story goes on had me falling for him more and more. He is the epitome of a grumpy MMC, but his life is so tragic and this sweet, guarded man just needed love. I ended the story still loving him in spite of everything.
My feelings for Saige were more complex. On one hand, I loved her, no notes. But if Iโm being critical, she was pretty protected by the author throughout and did no wrong. I also wasnโt a huge fan of her reaction at the end BUTโฆI also get it. So while my feelings were mixed, I mostly loved her and truly appreciated her candor that I rarely see in FMCs. She is SO unapologetically real and honest with Archer the entire book, and it made me cheer her on.
But the ENDING. I knew something was coming, but I didnโt KNOW, you know?! The ending was epic but, of course, left me desperate for the next book!
This book has:
๐ฅSuper cool magic
๐ฅBook binder FMC
๐ฅFlashback scenes that build context
๐ฅSlow burn
๐ฅForced proximity
๐ฅGrumpy x sunshine
๐ฅYEARNING!
๐งPersonally, I would eyeball read this one. The audio is dual narration, and the male narrator did a good job voicing Archer, but I was not a fan of the female narrator. She didnโt change her voice much when voicing Archer and it honestly took me out of the story often.
For one, I thought the villain was actually super cool! The mirror magic had me SO intrigued from the start. Iโm really excited to hopefully get even more of this and more background in the next book.
While I had no negative feelings about Archer, the more of his backstory thatโs revealed as the story goes on had me falling for him more and more. He is the epitome of a grumpy MMC, but his life is so tragic and this sweet, guarded man just needed love. I ended the story still loving him in spite of everything.
My feelings for Saige were more complex. On one hand, I loved her, no notes. But if Iโm being critical, she was pretty protected by the author throughout and did no wrong. I also wasnโt a huge fan of her reaction at the end BUTโฆI also get it. So while my feelings were mixed, I mostly loved her and truly appreciated her candor that I rarely see in FMCs. She is SO unapologetically real and honest with Archer the entire book, and it made me cheer her on.
But the ENDING. I knew something was coming, but I didnโt KNOW, you know?! The ending was epic but, of course, left me desperate for the next book!
This book has:
๐ฅSuper cool magic
๐ฅBook binder FMC
๐ฅFlashback scenes that build context
๐ฅSlow burn
๐ฅForced proximity
๐ฅGrumpy x sunshine
๐ฅYEARNING!
๐งPersonally, I would eyeball read this one. The audio is dual narration, and the male narrator did a good job voicing Archer, but I was not a fan of the female narrator. She didnโt change her voice much when voicing Archer and it honestly took me out of the story often.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
โ๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ? ๐๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐ช๐ต ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ด๐ฉ๐ช๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฅ? ๐๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ณ? ๐๐ณ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ด๐ฆ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ต, ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฑ?โ
Okay first and lastlyโฆ THAT ENDING. WOW.
This book is so incredibly unique and I absolutely loved every part of the journey. I donโt think I was ready for the emotional rollercoaster that this book was, but Helen did such a phenomenal job. First, I absolutely loved the women supporting women vibes. The Consortium of Difficult Women is something every woman needs to have in their corner. I loved the pacing and the twists, some I saw coming and some I absolutely was FLOORED by. The mirror magic was quite terrifying, and I loved the different take on elemental magic from the four houses.
I am obsessed with books with older FMCโs and Saige is such a baddie. Sheโs determined and fierce, and perfectly flawed. Archer is so so so broken. That poor Azkari has been through SO much and I wanted to cry for him. Their burn was slow and felt organic, the tension was steamy, and ugh the way Archer takes care of Saige is everything. This book is dark and gritty, the temple gave me major indiana jones vibes, and I loved the magic of the portals and traveling. Grimm is the goodest boy and I want him in my life. Alsoโฆ. THE MARKET. THE SOCKS. AND THE END!!! Heartbroken. Screaming. UGH NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE I NEED AIR!
๐ฃ๐ป๐ธ๐น๐ฎ๐ผ ๐ช๐ท๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ผ:
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Slow Burn Romantasy
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Flame Daddy x Mortal Bookbinder
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Reluctant Allies
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Bargains & Deals
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Touch Starved Tatted MMC
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Snarky & Flirty Banter
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Chronic Pain Rep
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Mental Health Rep
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Forced Proximity
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Grumpy x Sunshine
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Feminine Rage
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Soft Only For Her
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Touch Her and โ ๏ธ
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ One Bedroll x One Horse
โ๐๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ช๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ๐ด? ๐๐ฐ ๐ค๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ข๐ฆ๐ญ? [...] ๐๐ต ๐ช๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ง๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด. ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ช๐ต, ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฅ. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ.โ
Okay first and lastlyโฆ THAT ENDING. WOW.
This book is so incredibly unique and I absolutely loved every part of the journey. I donโt think I was ready for the emotional rollercoaster that this book was, but Helen did such a phenomenal job. First, I absolutely loved the women supporting women vibes. The Consortium of Difficult Women is something every woman needs to have in their corner. I loved the pacing and the twists, some I saw coming and some I absolutely was FLOORED by. The mirror magic was quite terrifying, and I loved the different take on elemental magic from the four houses.
I am obsessed with books with older FMCโs and Saige is such a baddie. Sheโs determined and fierce, and perfectly flawed. Archer is so so so broken. That poor Azkari has been through SO much and I wanted to cry for him. Their burn was slow and felt organic, the tension was steamy, and ugh the way Archer takes care of Saige is everything. This book is dark and gritty, the temple gave me major indiana jones vibes, and I loved the magic of the portals and traveling. Grimm is the goodest boy and I want him in my life. Alsoโฆ. THE MARKET. THE SOCKS. AND THE END!!! Heartbroken. Screaming. UGH NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE I NEED AIR!
๐ฃ๐ป๐ธ๐น๐ฎ๐ผ ๐ช๐ท๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ผ:
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Slow Burn Romantasy
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Flame Daddy x Mortal Bookbinder
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Reluctant Allies
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Bargains & Deals
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Touch Starved Tatted MMC
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Snarky & Flirty Banter
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Chronic Pain Rep
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Mental Health Rep
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Forced Proximity
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Grumpy x Sunshine
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Feminine Rage
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Soft Only For Her
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Touch Her and โ ๏ธ
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ One Bedroll x One Horse
โ๐๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ช๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ๐ด? ๐๐ฐ ๐ค๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ข๐ฆ๐ญ? [...] ๐๐ต ๐ช๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ง๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด. ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ช๐ต, ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฅ. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ.โ
May 26, 2026
At this point in my life I can say Iโve read almost all of Helen Scheureres books, and as I write this review from my iPad, an unread one is staring at me begrudgingly from my bookshelf. What do all of her series have in common for me? I always love the first installment best.
I was pleasantly surprised to see we were leaving the world of Thezmarr where her last two series took place to head for a new one where we are thrown in 200 years after an immortal warrior sacrificed himself to defeat an evil Silver tongued deceiver. The problem of course being that neither Asher, the immortal Azkari general nor said deceiver are truly dead, rather stuck in a parallel prison dimension where the bad guy has enslaved both the general along with several of his people and numerous other creatures while bidding his time to regather his strength and magic. Enter our FMC who is a bookbinder that gets captured to help him achieve his goals. However, a bargain between her and Archer, sealed with a very hot kiss, triggers a series of events and so we being, etc etc quest start, etc etc forced proximity, etc etc, plot. I never like to do a summary in my reviews and Iโm not going to start now.
As usual with Helenโs books, I love the character and the writing, I find the pacing okay albeit perhaps a bit slow at times, and the cliffhanger unfairly brutal but as this is my โI lost trackโ rodeo, expected.
Saige, the FMC is 35!!!! The author keeps pushing her characters age with each new series and I am so here for it. Some unfortunate circumstances have brought her in the presence of the male main character, but I love their dynamic because despite what she has been through and her chronic illness, it has not brought her down, and she keeps being the sunshine to his stormcloud. What really confuse me about Archer is that because of the dual povs, we get to see into his head therefore we already know that he is absolutely obsessed with her. So why exactly is he trying to keep her at arms length and pretending to despise her and dislike her? It felt very forced enemies to lovers but I do enjoy the grumpy sunshine aspect as expected. Itโs a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. I was also very happy about this male main character being very different than others Iโve read from Helen, a true embodiment of my absolute favorite damaged emo sad boy.
โHey Helen how broody do you want your new MMC.โ
โYesโ
As a whole, Iโm extremely happy with this book with the start of this new series and I absolutely look forward to reading the rest and finding out more about this world.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, all my opinions are genuine as usual, and I am forever grateful.
I was pleasantly surprised to see we were leaving the world of Thezmarr where her last two series took place to head for a new one where we are thrown in 200 years after an immortal warrior sacrificed himself to defeat an evil Silver tongued deceiver. The problem of course being that neither Asher, the immortal Azkari general nor said deceiver are truly dead, rather stuck in a parallel prison dimension where the bad guy has enslaved both the general along with several of his people and numerous other creatures while bidding his time to regather his strength and magic. Enter our FMC who is a bookbinder that gets captured to help him achieve his goals. However, a bargain between her and Archer, sealed with a very hot kiss, triggers a series of events and so we being, etc etc quest start, etc etc forced proximity, etc etc, plot. I never like to do a summary in my reviews and Iโm not going to start now.
As usual with Helenโs books, I love the character and the writing, I find the pacing okay albeit perhaps a bit slow at times, and the cliffhanger unfairly brutal but as this is my โI lost trackโ rodeo, expected.
Saige, the FMC is 35!!!! The author keeps pushing her characters age with each new series and I am so here for it. Some unfortunate circumstances have brought her in the presence of the male main character, but I love their dynamic because despite what she has been through and her chronic illness, it has not brought her down, and she keeps being the sunshine to his stormcloud. What really confuse me about Archer is that because of the dual povs, we get to see into his head therefore we already know that he is absolutely obsessed with her. So why exactly is he trying to keep her at arms length and pretending to despise her and dislike her? It felt very forced enemies to lovers but I do enjoy the grumpy sunshine aspect as expected. Itโs a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. I was also very happy about this male main character being very different than others Iโve read from Helen, a true embodiment of my absolute favorite damaged emo sad boy.
โHey Helen how broody do you want your new MMC.โ
โYesโ
As a whole, Iโm extremely happy with this book with the start of this new series and I absolutely look forward to reading the rest and finding out more about this world.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, all my opinions are genuine as usual, and I am forever grateful.
September 24, 2026
Disappointing. There is no world building and the villain is basically MIA the entire book besides in some 200 year old memories. I found both the MMC and MFC annoying and they really had no chemistry, even though they were in love with each other after a few weeks. Also, how is that two strong immortals are basically dead from "destroying" a book but a mortal can fix it in a couple days? idk this just wasn't for me.
September 22, 2026
As a shock to absolutely no one, I loved this!!
A sassy, thirty-five-year-old bookbinder with chronic pain, a dangerous magical quest, and a tortured, touch-starved immortal general? Helen Scheuerer CLEARLY wrote this one specifically for me.
Saige was such a refreshing FMC. Sheโs capable, funny, wonderfully stubborn, and already knows who she is. I especially loved seeing a fmc in her thirties whose chronic pain meaningfully affects her life without becoming her entire identity, because that's something I can relate to. She may need to adapt or accept help, but she is never portrayed as weak.
Then thereโs Archer... A *terrifying* immortal general who is secretly starved for affection, becomes jealous of a dog, and tells Saige to hold onto the headboard (iykyk). What more could I possibly ask for? Their reluctant-allies dynamic had banter, caretaking, yearning, and so much delicious tension. Watching Archer slowly soften around Saige was easily one of my favorite parts.
I also loved that this gave us an actual fantasy quest. The living magic, dangerous trials, magical bargain, and reveals kept the story moving outside of the romance, and several of the later twists completely reframed what I thought I knew.
The only thing keeping this from being six stars was the emotional timing near the end. I believed Archer and Saigeโs feelings, but the spoken declarations of love felt abrupt and slightly out of place within their relationship. The final turn also required Archer to make a choice that didnโt feel entirely consistent with the man we had come to know. I understand that it was intended to create a betrayal and set up the next book, but in the moment, it felt more like a decision the plot needed than one Archer would naturally make.
That said, I am completely invested in Saige, Archer, and whatever devastating mess awaits them next.
Tropes and vibes:
โข thirty-five-year-old bookbinder FMC
โข cursed immortal general
โข magical bargain
โข reluctant allies
โข touch-starved MMC
โข chronic pain representation
โข forced proximity and questing
โข caretaking and wound tending
โข found family
โข living magic
โข plot twists and betrayals
Thank you to Atria Books and The Nerd Fam for the gifted books, and to Helen's Team for the gifted digital copy.
A sassy, thirty-five-year-old bookbinder with chronic pain, a dangerous magical quest, and a tortured, touch-starved immortal general? Helen Scheuerer CLEARLY wrote this one specifically for me.
Saige was such a refreshing FMC. Sheโs capable, funny, wonderfully stubborn, and already knows who she is. I especially loved seeing a fmc in her thirties whose chronic pain meaningfully affects her life without becoming her entire identity, because that's something I can relate to. She may need to adapt or accept help, but she is never portrayed as weak.
Then thereโs Archer... A *terrifying* immortal general who is secretly starved for affection, becomes jealous of a dog, and tells Saige to hold onto the headboard (iykyk). What more could I possibly ask for? Their reluctant-allies dynamic had banter, caretaking, yearning, and so much delicious tension. Watching Archer slowly soften around Saige was easily one of my favorite parts.
I also loved that this gave us an actual fantasy quest. The living magic, dangerous trials, magical bargain, and reveals kept the story moving outside of the romance, and several of the later twists completely reframed what I thought I knew.
The only thing keeping this from being six stars was the emotional timing near the end. I believed Archer and Saigeโs feelings, but the spoken declarations of love felt abrupt and slightly out of place within their relationship. The final turn also required Archer to make a choice that didnโt feel entirely consistent with the man we had come to know. I understand that it was intended to create a betrayal and set up the next book, but in the moment, it felt more like a decision the plot needed than one Archer would naturally make.
That said, I am completely invested in Saige, Archer, and whatever devastating mess awaits them next.
Tropes and vibes:
โข thirty-five-year-old bookbinder FMC
โข cursed immortal general
โข magical bargain
โข reluctant allies
โข touch-starved MMC
โข chronic pain representation
โข forced proximity and questing
โข caretaking and wound tending
โข found family
โข living magic
โข plot twists and betrayals
Thank you to Atria Books and The Nerd Fam for the gifted books, and to Helen's Team for the gifted digital copy.
September 14, 2026
I had such a good time with Kiss of the Black Flame. This gave me so many of the things I love in fantasy romance while still feeling like there was a much bigger story slowly unfolding underneath everything.
Saige was easily one of my favorite parts. I loved that sheโs a bookbinder, and I really appreciated how her chronic pain was woven into her everyday life without becoming her entire personality. Sheโs stubborn, capable, curious, and vulnerable in a way that made her feel like an actual person.
And Archerโฆ yeah, I was sold. ๐ Give me a cursed, centuries-old immortal general with a complicated past and Iโm already halfway there. But it was the way his relationship with Saige developed that really got me. The banter, forced proximity, reluctant trust, tension, and those tiny softer moments between them had me eating it UP. I loved that their relationship had time to build and that every little shift between them actually felt earned.
I also really enjoyed the lore surrounding the Azkari, the Confluence, and the magical books. There were so many little pieces being dropped throughout the story that I was constantly trying to connect everything. Some of the twists I definitely saw coming, but there were others that completely caught me off guard. And honestly, I liked being right about a few things just as much as I loved realizing I had been looking in completely the wrong direction about others.
By the end, I had even more questions than I started withโin the best way. There is clearly so much more to uncover about this world, these characters, and their histories, and that ending absolutely guaranteed Iโll be picking up the next book.
Fantasy, magical books, found family, secrets, a slow-burn romance, and a dangerous immortal man with reading glassesโฆ apparently this book was specifically designed for me.
Saige was easily one of my favorite parts. I loved that sheโs a bookbinder, and I really appreciated how her chronic pain was woven into her everyday life without becoming her entire personality. Sheโs stubborn, capable, curious, and vulnerable in a way that made her feel like an actual person.
And Archerโฆ yeah, I was sold. ๐ Give me a cursed, centuries-old immortal general with a complicated past and Iโm already halfway there. But it was the way his relationship with Saige developed that really got me. The banter, forced proximity, reluctant trust, tension, and those tiny softer moments between them had me eating it UP. I loved that their relationship had time to build and that every little shift between them actually felt earned.
I also really enjoyed the lore surrounding the Azkari, the Confluence, and the magical books. There were so many little pieces being dropped throughout the story that I was constantly trying to connect everything. Some of the twists I definitely saw coming, but there were others that completely caught me off guard. And honestly, I liked being right about a few things just as much as I loved realizing I had been looking in completely the wrong direction about others.
By the end, I had even more questions than I started withโin the best way. There is clearly so much more to uncover about this world, these characters, and their histories, and that ending absolutely guaranteed Iโll be picking up the next book.
Fantasy, magical books, found family, secrets, a slow-burn romance, and a dangerous immortal man with reading glassesโฆ apparently this book was specifically designed for me.
September 13, 2026
Oh. My. Gods.
Oh my gods.
OHMYGODS.
ERMAGAHDS.
Thisโฆis my top read of 2026. Hands down.
Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I have no words. I donโt. I was taken by the shirt, with both hands, pushed through the pages, into the book and I watched an entire world unfold that I didnโt want to leave. I refuse to leave. Helen, I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE. WHY DID YOU END IT?? WHY IS THERE NOT MORE? (Yes, yes I know there will be more books. Shhh. Thatโs not about this right now. Iโm not rushing her. This is about how unwell I am.)
The story? Beautiful.
The tension? Top shelf.
The romance? HAWT.
The ending? MAโAM. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?
Saige as a character was incredible. Resilient, independent to a fault, and resourceful all wrapped up in the kindest mortal body. Saige is a bookbinder (a profession close to my heart, I started as a printer), and through a totally normal and everyday exchange of events sheโs bound by a mysterious Azkari into restoring a very old, very powerfully magical book that could change their entire world. Just book binding stuff, really. From there, everything changes, and when I say you need this immediately, trust I am not exaggerating. This. Was. Amazing.
1000/10. No notes. Utter perfection.
(Also THIS is what Iโm talking about when I say slutty little glasses. ๐ฅต)
Helen, consider this my application for permanent fangirl status. You are incredible!
Oh my gods.
OHMYGODS.
ERMAGAHDS.
Thisโฆis my top read of 2026. Hands down.
Thank you to Helen Scheuerer, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I have no words. I donโt. I was taken by the shirt, with both hands, pushed through the pages, into the book and I watched an entire world unfold that I didnโt want to leave. I refuse to leave. Helen, I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE. WHY DID YOU END IT?? WHY IS THERE NOT MORE? (Yes, yes I know there will be more books. Shhh. Thatโs not about this right now. Iโm not rushing her. This is about how unwell I am.)
The story? Beautiful.
The tension? Top shelf.
The romance? HAWT.
The ending? MAโAM. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?
Saige as a character was incredible. Resilient, independent to a fault, and resourceful all wrapped up in the kindest mortal body. Saige is a bookbinder (a profession close to my heart, I started as a printer), and through a totally normal and everyday exchange of events sheโs bound by a mysterious Azkari into restoring a very old, very powerfully magical book that could change their entire world. Just book binding stuff, really. From there, everything changes, and when I say you need this immediately, trust I am not exaggerating. This. Was. Amazing.
1000/10. No notes. Utter perfection.
(Also THIS is what Iโm talking about when I say slutty little glasses. ๐ฅต)
Helen, consider this my application for permanent fangirl status. You are incredible!
September 23, 2026
A bookbinder. A Fallen Azkari Warrior. A bargain sealed with a kiss. GIMMEEEEE๐ฅ๐๐
This is a yes for me.
I absolutely adore Helenโs writing; The Legends of Thezmarr is one of my favorite series. Sheโs amazing at balancing romance and plotlines by weaving in high stakes, epic adventures, and corruption.
"Love isn't an exchange, or a bargain. It's a gift, given willingly, no matter what is offered in return."
KOTBF brought all the angst and tension between the main characters. Not only that, the storyline and world kept building and became so immersive that I was hooked.
& what I love the most is that the FMC is in her 30s. A bookbinder baddie, with chronic illness and deeply empathetic. Saige shows us that there can be compassion without reconciliation. That the mistakes youโve made donโt always reflect who you are. Sheโs warm, witty, resilient, and emotionally mature.
"Gods, you are scored upon my heart, Saigeโ
Then we have Archer, a cinnamon roll MMC with slutty little glasses, and a fallen Azkari General. He also comes with many jagged pieces. The way this man revealed himself and his heart to her, quite literally ascended my soul.
The romance??! Smoldering, burning. Igniting every damn flame. I was obsessed with the dynamic between these two.
4.5โจ
I am feeling SO gobsmacked by that ending. Absolutely diabolical. Iโm dying for book 2 because how do we go from this?!
Biggest thank you to the author and her PA Anne for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. ๐คโจ
This is a yes for me.
I absolutely adore Helenโs writing; The Legends of Thezmarr is one of my favorite series. Sheโs amazing at balancing romance and plotlines by weaving in high stakes, epic adventures, and corruption.
"Love isn't an exchange, or a bargain. It's a gift, given willingly, no matter what is offered in return."
KOTBF brought all the angst and tension between the main characters. Not only that, the storyline and world kept building and became so immersive that I was hooked.
& what I love the most is that the FMC is in her 30s. A bookbinder baddie, with chronic illness and deeply empathetic. Saige shows us that there can be compassion without reconciliation. That the mistakes youโve made donโt always reflect who you are. Sheโs warm, witty, resilient, and emotionally mature.
"Gods, you are scored upon my heart, Saigeโ
Then we have Archer, a cinnamon roll MMC with slutty little glasses, and a fallen Azkari General. He also comes with many jagged pieces. The way this man revealed himself and his heart to her, quite literally ascended my soul.
The romance??! Smoldering, burning. Igniting every damn flame. I was obsessed with the dynamic between these two.
4.5โจ
I am feeling SO gobsmacked by that ending. Absolutely diabolical. Iโm dying for book 2 because how do we go from this?!
Biggest thank you to the author and her PA Anne for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. ๐คโจ
July 12, 2026
WOW! I am reeling over the ending, but this book has everything I love in a romantasy. It is going to sit with me for a while and I will definitely be coming back to it again.
Let me tell you, the BANTER in this book is the best thing I have ever read. Saige needles Archer at every turn, and their flirting is unmatched. It shows up all the time and takes every situation to another level. I love Saige's self confidence, forwardness, and I resonate so much with the "I'll just do it on my own" attitude. Her inability to ask for help will get her in trouble, but isn't that just so "woman." This story encapsulates what it means to be a woman on so many levels.
On top of the banter, the tenderness and care between the characters had my heart feeling so full. Saige is the queen of gift giving. She is thoughtful and truly sees Archer. Then Archer is just as caring of Saige in his own way. She reassures him that her feelings aren't fleeting and that she sees him while he is hesitant, and insecure, feeling all the trauma from his past. Both have troubled and tortured pasts, that look very different and watching them navigate this and supporting each other was a thing of beauty. My favorite MMC trope is where he falls first, but then also where he knows what she needs and gives it to her - and Archer is it. There were so many moments that touched my soul during this story.
NOT to say this is a sappy love story, because it is NOT. The story is full of secrets, and as they unfold the characters are left feeling destroyed - and so was I. The ending gutted me and left me in desperate need of a warm hug.
The magic system is fantastic and easy to understand. There are mortals and Azkari (immortal magic wielders) - who draw their magic from the Weave. There is the villain who I'm hoping we get more about in the next book, but he is awful - the absolute worst and is trying to take over the world. The only way to stop it is to restore an ancient magical book and use it against him - which Saige is the best bookbinder so the only one capable of repairing it.
Read this book if you like:
Banter
Adventure
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Bargains
Chronic Pain Rep
Tattooed MMC with Sexy Glasses
Tortured pasts
Lies, Secrets, Betrayal
Animal companion - Grim (dog/wolf)
Let me tell you, the BANTER in this book is the best thing I have ever read. Saige needles Archer at every turn, and their flirting is unmatched. It shows up all the time and takes every situation to another level. I love Saige's self confidence, forwardness, and I resonate so much with the "I'll just do it on my own" attitude. Her inability to ask for help will get her in trouble, but isn't that just so "woman." This story encapsulates what it means to be a woman on so many levels.
On top of the banter, the tenderness and care between the characters had my heart feeling so full. Saige is the queen of gift giving. She is thoughtful and truly sees Archer. Then Archer is just as caring of Saige in his own way. She reassures him that her feelings aren't fleeting and that she sees him while he is hesitant, and insecure, feeling all the trauma from his past. Both have troubled and tortured pasts, that look very different and watching them navigate this and supporting each other was a thing of beauty. My favorite MMC trope is where he falls first, but then also where he knows what she needs and gives it to her - and Archer is it. There were so many moments that touched my soul during this story.
NOT to say this is a sappy love story, because it is NOT. The story is full of secrets, and as they unfold the characters are left feeling destroyed - and so was I. The ending gutted me and left me in desperate need of a warm hug.
The magic system is fantastic and easy to understand. There are mortals and Azkari (immortal magic wielders) - who draw their magic from the Weave. There is the villain who I'm hoping we get more about in the next book, but he is awful - the absolute worst and is trying to take over the world. The only way to stop it is to restore an ancient magical book and use it against him - which Saige is the best bookbinder so the only one capable of repairing it.
Read this book if you like:
Banter
Adventure
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Bargains
Chronic Pain Rep
Tattooed MMC with Sexy Glasses
Tortured pasts
Lies, Secrets, Betrayal
Animal companion - Grim (dog/wolf)
July 11, 2026
โlove isnโt an exchange, or a bargain. itโs a gift, given willingly, no matter what is offered in return.โ
โ
i debated between giving this book five and six stars, but i think with that insanely diabolical ending, iโm gonna have to go with six!!!
i wanna start with how hilarious this book was. the banter between everyone had me laughing out loud. the snarky comments with the side characters i loved. โthatโs my sonโ HAHAHA. and daemos flirting with everyone? yes.
iโve been a fan of helenโs books for over a year now, so when i saw she was releasing a new series, i had to apply for an arc. not only is this now officially my favorite book sheโs written, but she completely changed the romantasy game.
this book was such a breath of fresh air. i love that she always ages up her fmcs, but saige is not only older, sheโs very emotionally mature, which shows. and i absolutely love it. she knows what she wants and isnโt gonna let anyone try to convince her otherwise.
archer, oh my god. i love me a good tortured mmc, but this man was going THROUGH it. i canโt say too much, but the way he views himself after everything heโs gone throughโฆ i wanted to sob for him, my shayla. not only does saige see and support him, but she acknowledges that, at the end of the day, he has to also get there on his own.
you know the song โthe archerโ by taylor swift? yeah. this book is that in a nutshell, heavy on the lyrics.
not only am i gagged by that ending, but iโm devastated. this is definitely the meanest ending helen has ever written, and iโm actually terrified for how we are going to resolve this conflict in book two.
speaking of book twoโฆ i would absolutely sell my soul for an arc whenever itโs done!! with over four hundred highlights, this broke my record for most annotated book, and iโve read over two hundred btw.
thank you, as always, to netgalley & atria books for this e-arc! โฅ๏ธ
โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ ๐โ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐.โ
โ
i debated between giving this book five and six stars, but i think with that insanely diabolical ending, iโm gonna have to go with six!!!
i wanna start with how hilarious this book was. the banter between everyone had me laughing out loud. the snarky comments with the side characters i loved. โthatโs my sonโ HAHAHA. and daemos flirting with everyone? yes.
iโve been a fan of helenโs books for over a year now, so when i saw she was releasing a new series, i had to apply for an arc. not only is this now officially my favorite book sheโs written, but she completely changed the romantasy game.
this book was such a breath of fresh air. i love that she always ages up her fmcs, but saige is not only older, sheโs very emotionally mature, which shows. and i absolutely love it. she knows what she wants and isnโt gonna let anyone try to convince her otherwise.
archer, oh my god. i love me a good tortured mmc, but this man was going THROUGH it. i canโt say too much, but the way he views himself after everything heโs gone throughโฆ i wanted to sob for him, my shayla. not only does saige see and support him, but she acknowledges that, at the end of the day, he has to also get there on his own.
you know the song โthe archerโ by taylor swift? yeah. this book is that in a nutshell, heavy on the lyrics.
not only am i gagged by that ending, but iโm devastated. this is definitely the meanest ending helen has ever written, and iโm actually terrified for how we are going to resolve this conflict in book two.
speaking of book twoโฆ i would absolutely sell my soul for an arc whenever itโs done!! with over four hundred highlights, this broke my record for most annotated book, and iโve read over two hundred btw.
thank you, as always, to netgalley & atria books for this e-arc! โฅ๏ธ
โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ ๐โ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐.โ
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 Stars โจ
My jaw is on the floor with that ending
I have a feeling this is going to be the next big book in the Romantasy genre.
โข Morally grey MMC๐ก๏ธ
โข MFC 35, bookbinder book๐
โข God-like race (Askari)/ mortals ๐ง
โข Grumpy/Sunshine โ๏ธ
โข Adventure quest to save a magical book ๐
โข Dual POV ๐ฃ๏ธ
You guys this MMC, Archer, is chefโs kiss perfection. Dark haired, green eyed God like war general with black flame magic. He loves flowers/plants, his back is tattooed with flowers, he draws in a little sketch book in his free time, wears glasses, and his heart is literal fluff for the people cares about. ๐ค
Our MFC, Saige is so relatable. 35 year old bookbinder, who knows what she wants and isnโt afraid to go after it. She deals with chronic pain affecting the left side of her body but doesnโt let that stop her. She has the best found family. The banter between Saige and Archer is gold.
The plot: Saige finds herself in debt with some bad people and gets trade to the Askari and finds herself in an Askari prison. There she meets Archer and is the first mortal to physically see him/touch him in 200 years. A war is brewing between the Askari and an evil force named Malevron. Archer makes a bargain to free Saige from the prison in exchange she has to help him find a magical book and restore it to its original state. This books holds to key to undoing all the Askariโs magic and if it gets into Malevronโs hands he will destroy the world as they know it. The story starts off a little slow, but picks up. Itโs is definitely a slowww burn romance, but when the spice hits, IT HITS ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
This comes out September 22nd, so definitely add it to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My jaw is on the floor with that ending
I have a feeling this is going to be the next big book in the Romantasy genre.
โข Morally grey MMC๐ก๏ธ
โข MFC 35, bookbinder book๐
โข God-like race (Askari)/ mortals ๐ง
โข Grumpy/Sunshine โ๏ธ
โข Adventure quest to save a magical book ๐
โข Dual POV ๐ฃ๏ธ
You guys this MMC, Archer, is chefโs kiss perfection. Dark haired, green eyed God like war general with black flame magic. He loves flowers/plants, his back is tattooed with flowers, he draws in a little sketch book in his free time, wears glasses, and his heart is literal fluff for the people cares about. ๐ค
Our MFC, Saige is so relatable. 35 year old bookbinder, who knows what she wants and isnโt afraid to go after it. She deals with chronic pain affecting the left side of her body but doesnโt let that stop her. She has the best found family. The banter between Saige and Archer is gold.
The plot: Saige finds herself in debt with some bad people and gets trade to the Askari and finds herself in an Askari prison. There she meets Archer and is the first mortal to physically see him/touch him in 200 years. A war is brewing between the Askari and an evil force named Malevron. Archer makes a bargain to free Saige from the prison in exchange she has to help him find a magical book and restore it to its original state. This books holds to key to undoing all the Askariโs magic and if it gets into Malevronโs hands he will destroy the world as they know it. The story starts off a little slow, but picks up. Itโs is definitely a slowww burn romance, but when the spice hits, IT HITS ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
This comes out September 22nd, so definitely add it to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much Atria for the gifted digital widget proof of โKiss of the Black Flameโ by Helen Scheuerer ๐ฅ
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
(Coming tomorrow๐ September 22nd, 2026!)
Listen Atria always comes in with the best Romantasy recs but when I saw Allurial pick KOTBF and all my mutuals fall in love I KNEW it would be an amazing read! ๐คฉ
What I was not expecting was some of the most raw depictions of emotion. Trauma, grief, love, loss all of it. KOTBF resonated so deeply with what it means to be human and to fight for what and who you love, even in a fake magical world with a sexy shadow daddy ๐ค
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
(Coming tomorrow๐ September 22nd, 2026!)
Listen Atria always comes in with the best Romantasy recs but when I saw Allurial pick KOTBF and all my mutuals fall in love I KNEW it would be an amazing read! ๐คฉ
What I was not expecting was some of the most raw depictions of emotion. Trauma, grief, love, loss all of it. KOTBF resonated so deeply with what it means to be human and to fight for what and who you love, even in a fake magical world with a sexy shadow daddy ๐ค
Review of advance copy
I was very lucky to receive an e-ARC of this book. This was such a great romantasy read. 4.5/5. This had some heavy themes, but somehow the author made something that seemed so bleak look hopeful and beautiful - she is known for these flawed characters and this was a great example of how to write them well. Overall the book was well written. Only slight drawback for me was at times I thought the pace was verging on slow, but it was so good that it still kept me engaged.
This book is set in a world of immortal warriors, magical kingdoms that intersect with mortal realms. A lot of themes of redemption and retribution. Chronic pain representation in the FMC. A lot of banter and slow burn. Great secondary characters. Good plot twists that keep you guessing. I donโt want to get into the plot - so Iโm going to keep it vague as this is so much in advance. No spoilers here. A great start to the series.
This book is set in a world of immortal warriors, magical kingdoms that intersect with mortal realms. A lot of themes of redemption and retribution. Chronic pain representation in the FMC. A lot of banter and slow burn. Great secondary characters. Good plot twists that keep you guessing. I donโt want to get into the plot - so Iโm going to keep it vague as this is so much in advance. No spoilers here. A great start to the series.
June 24, 2026
Okaaayyy, let me just do a fangirl review of this bookโฆ BECAUSE I LOVED IT!!!๐ญ
Seriously.. this book??? This was such a good time! I was hooked from the beginning and I havenโt felt this giddy over a book in SO long.
Immortal warrior with BLACK FLAME?? Bookbinder FMC?? A BARGAIN SEALED WITH A KISS?? Absolutely YESS!
ARCHER. You all need to meet Archer. Grumpy MMC with botanical tattoos??!! I swear, I didnโt recover from that moment..๐ (and youโll discover so many more surprising sides to him in the book!!)
And SAIGE?? ICON. Funny, smart, knows when to talk back, when to tease & rile up our MMC, and when to shut up.. but she always stands firm in what she decides and goes after what she wants every time. And I live for FMCs like her.
The banter?? CRISP. I was laughing my ass off the entire time. Archer and Saige do NOT know how to behave around each other and I loved every second of it.๐ And every other character?? Obsessed. They all brought their own kind of fun and personality.
Slow burn. Yearning. Dual POV. Elemental magic. Found family. Animal sidekick (absolutely adore this one, and heโs got plenty of scene-stealing moments with a certain character!๐). ONE bedroll. One HORSE?? I was FED.
That ENDING though?? I AM NOT OKAY. That part ruined meโฆ came in out of nowhere and quietly poked me right in the heart before I even realized what was happening.
This book blowing up?? I wouldnโt even be surprised.
Thank you to the author, Random House UK and NetGalley for the eARC.
Seriously.. this book??? This was such a good time! I was hooked from the beginning and I havenโt felt this giddy over a book in SO long.
Immortal warrior with BLACK FLAME?? Bookbinder FMC?? A BARGAIN SEALED WITH A KISS?? Absolutely YESS!
ARCHER. You all need to meet Archer. Grumpy MMC with botanical tattoos??!! I swear, I didnโt recover from that moment..๐ (and youโll discover so many more surprising sides to him in the book!!)
And SAIGE?? ICON. Funny, smart, knows when to talk back, when to tease & rile up our MMC, and when to shut up.. but she always stands firm in what she decides and goes after what she wants every time. And I live for FMCs like her.
The banter?? CRISP. I was laughing my ass off the entire time. Archer and Saige do NOT know how to behave around each other and I loved every second of it.๐ And every other character?? Obsessed. They all brought their own kind of fun and personality.
Slow burn. Yearning. Dual POV. Elemental magic. Found family. Animal sidekick (absolutely adore this one, and heโs got plenty of scene-stealing moments with a certain character!๐). ONE bedroll. One HORSE?? I was FED.
That ENDING though?? I AM NOT OKAY. That part ruined meโฆ came in out of nowhere and quietly poked me right in the heart before I even realized what was happening.
This book blowing up?? I wouldnโt even be surprised.
Thank you to the author, Random House UK and NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has made my top 10 list of 2026. Maybe even top 5โฆwill have to see how the rest of the year goes, so many incredible books to come, even in September alone! But anyways, this is the first time I have read a book by Helen Sheuerer and Helen, you made a fantastic first impression.
The Good
There is so much I loved about this book, how do I begin? The characters were complex, true to themselves all the way through, and had wonderful chemistry. I loved how the dynamic changed over time between the FMC Paige and MMC Archer. It continued to evolve as they went from being frustrated and annoyed with each other, began to understand the other person, and grew closer and closer.
Paige struggles with a mysterious pain, and all aspects of this were well thought out, including what she did to try to diagnose the issue. Many times the disability exists, but the character is able to always push past it. Always. It becomes unrealistic, honestly. There were times when she really could not continue, and that made her so much more real.
Archer isnโt simply a shadow daddy. He finds beauty in weeds that are able to grow in spite of their impossible conditions. No matter what his situation, he commits to doing what he believes is right. He is complex in a way more MMCs need to be.
Helenโs writing is beautiful, thought-provoking, emotional, and addictive. I absolutely want to read more of her books!
There was nothing I could think of to put in the โNot-so-goodโ category, so instead Iโm including the dedication, because I absolutely loved it:
โTo every woman who refuses to disappear
Who chooses herself even when the world demands sacrifice
For every woman who is told to whisper when she wants to roar
Your anger, your voice, is no disturbanceโ itโs a reckoning.โ
The Good
There is so much I loved about this book, how do I begin? The characters were complex, true to themselves all the way through, and had wonderful chemistry. I loved how the dynamic changed over time between the FMC Paige and MMC Archer. It continued to evolve as they went from being frustrated and annoyed with each other, began to understand the other person, and grew closer and closer.
Paige struggles with a mysterious pain, and all aspects of this were well thought out, including what she did to try to diagnose the issue. Many times the disability exists, but the character is able to always push past it. Always. It becomes unrealistic, honestly. There were times when she really could not continue, and that made her so much more real.
Archer isnโt simply a shadow daddy. He finds beauty in weeds that are able to grow in spite of their impossible conditions. No matter what his situation, he commits to doing what he believes is right. He is complex in a way more MMCs need to be.
Helenโs writing is beautiful, thought-provoking, emotional, and addictive. I absolutely want to read more of her books!
There was nothing I could think of to put in the โNot-so-goodโ category, so instead Iโm including the dedication, because I absolutely loved it:
โTo every woman who refuses to disappear
Who chooses herself even when the world demands sacrifice
For every woman who is told to whisper when she wants to roar
Your anger, your voice, is no disturbanceโ itโs a reckoning.โ
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