Kiss of the Black Flame

The Bookbinder's Bargain #1

by Helen Scheuerer

📖 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. 🔥

Some bargains are sealed with blood… Others with fire… The deadliest are sealed with a kiss…

Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal – even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, she’s learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other people’s 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 – an immortal race forged by the gods for war – and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold.

Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her – 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 – or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous – both in the realm and within her.

As their enemies close in and buried memories resurface, Saige and Archer must decide what they’re willing to their freedom, their fragile trust… or the spark that could ignite the world.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Adult, Books About Books, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots.

Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.

Reviews

[Liana Gold · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

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

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I screamed when this popped in my emails, a few months ago! NetGalley & Atria books ; you’ve made this girl so happy 🥹💗 (the boyfriend is used to the screaming now. He knows it’s always about books)
BR this with my twin Krysta 🥹❤️‍🔥 I’m soooo EXCITED!! (We had the same thoughts 🥺)

Having absolutely loved her most recent trilogy, I think it’s 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 wasn’t 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 don’t get why she wanted him so bad because he was just really rude to her (I mean, she was irritating tbh but that’s 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 I’ve 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 mmc’s brother saying they didn’t have time to prepare for war but it’s 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 (that’s what it felt like for me) and it was so juvenile and awkward because then again, they didn’t have chemistry. And the mmc said she was the only one he trusted with his life but how embarrassing is that when he’s 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 would’ve been better to not write this into the story because it’s just insulting at that point.

There’s a lot of instances where I just thought… this isn’t giving the punch you think it’s 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 I’m feeling very letdown. I think this is going to work for a lot of people and I’m happy for them but it wasn’t for me.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 2 out of 5]

”𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆? 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓, 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒎 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”

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 :

• lack of world building
• insufferable, whining characters
• no chemistry whatsoever
• unclear knowledge of anything / confusion
• random character decisions
• the most irritating ending known to man
• completely unconvincing villain
• timeline’s don’t 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 she’s obsessed with him? give me a damn break, let’s not be so desperate please. i think this first book shouldn’t have had any romance at all.

i had so many questions about things that should’ve been explained immediately. if this was going to be the case, i would’ve appreciated a glossary. nothing even happens in the slightest, it’s a lot of wasted time.

Malveron, the villain, is supposedly this huge threat but he’s absent the entire book. we’re told how they have to prepare against him, but 200+ years has gone by and everyone’s just been wandering around? there was no sense of urgency, so i couldn’t take anything seriously. i don’t even know if ill continue the series at this point, i really just didn’t have a good time reading this for real.

———

thank you so much to my twin Maeghan for buddy reading this with me, i wouldn’t have been able to get through it without you 📖❤️‍🔥

➴ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Atria Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[Karly Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this ARC CONSUMED my thoughts the last 2 days!! 5⭐️!!

🗓️ ARC Review Pub date: September 22, 2026 🗓️
🎁 ARC gifted to me by Atria Books

🖤 Romantic fantasy
🖤 1st person POV
🖤 Grumpy x sunshine
🖤 High-stakes quest
🖤 Deadly bargain

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

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.

[EmJustReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gravity holding me down. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a while! Immediately after learning the FMC was a bookbinder, I wanted to read this, and starting with the “Dear readers,” letter I knew I’d 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 can’t understand or find a cure for. This weaves its way into the feminism/ feminine rage portion of the story — because the men all believe she is faking the pain since they can’t see a cause or understand what’s 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 “I hate you but I’m attracted to you” 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 that’s when one of my favorite microtropes occurs: “you’re freezing, let me warm you up with body heat”

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 style… and get even more locations that make me nostalgic for places I’ve 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 can’t wait for the next book!

This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and now I really want to look into others! I hadn’t heard of her before this book, but since discovering it - I have seen a lot of positive things about her previous series.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?! 😫😮‍💨 ) 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, who’s 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. 👏🏼

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 can’t wait to see what happens next! ( also need more Daemos lol )

( Thank you to Atria, Simon & Schuster for the e-galley )

[Erin (erinsreadingroom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ 4.5 stars

Kiss of the Black Flame is the first instalment in The Bookbinder’s 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 ‘Thezmarr hangover’ 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 wasn’t understated in its severity and the reality that enduring an invisible illness also results in facing disbelief and dismissal from her peers. Sage’s 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 lies within her mind alongside her capacity for kindness and refusal to be confused for as meek. Her passion for her craft is undeniable and I adored witnessing the scenes where Saige’s 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 Saige’s character left to be uncovered and explored… 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 ‘failing’ 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 there’s 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 Archer’s 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 Archer’s relationship but there’s no denying how much I adored getting to see them approach difficult conversations with maturity and understanding. Both characters 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 they’re working hard to build. There are a strong mix of moments showcasing the searing heat, aching longing and also their 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 Bookbinder’s 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 I’ll 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 case… so if you need me I’ll 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.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[mo • lesmotsdemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
It was a solid and engaging read, despite some flaws. The world-building was quite expanded and it was interesting. The plot was straight-forward and steadily paced. Saige, the main female character, was the soul of the novel for me. She was far from perfect (too sexual for me) but she was the most intriguing and compelling character. She was strong, determined, and a bit hot-headed. She was also older than the regular female main character in romantasy books nowadays and that was enjoyable. I liked her relationships with other female characters, their dynamic was nice to read. I didn’t like Archer very much, his self-pity became quite annoying. Their relationship developed too quickly for me; and I didn’t really see the chemistry between the two. The declarations and words they exchanged (especially him, actually) felt too much and not believable, in a way. Also, it was insta-lusty which is not something I like at all. The sex scenes were not pleasant to read, they felt too icky (which sounds quite harsh but they really felt dirty). Other than that, the plot and the world-building, as well as Saige and the ending of this novel, make me see this read in an overall good light. I had a good time with this book and I obviously recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point in my life I can say I’ve 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 I’m not going to start now.

As usual with Helen’s 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 “I lost track” 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. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. I was also very happy about this male main character being very different than others I’ve read from Helen, a true embodiment of my absolute favorite damaged emo sad boy.

“Hey Helen how broody do you want your new MMC.”
“Yes”

As a whole, I’m 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.

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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)

[ciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

“love isn’t an exchange, or a bargain. it’s a gift, given willingly, no matter what is offered in return.”

—

i debated between giving this book five and six stars, but i think with that insanely diabolical ending, i’m 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. “that’s my son” HAHAHA. and daemos flirting with everyone? yes.

i’ve been a fan of helen’s 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 she’s 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, she’s very emotionally mature, which shows. and i absolutely love it. she knows what she wants and isn’t 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 can’t say too much, but the way he views himself after everything he’s gone through… 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 “the archer” by taylor swift? yeah. this book is that in a nutshell, heavy on the lyrics.

not only am i gagged by that ending, but i’m devastated. this is definitely the meanest ending helen has ever written, and i’m actually terrified for how we are going to resolve this conflict in book two.

speaking of book two… i would absolutely sell my soul for an arc whenever it’s done!! with over four hundred highlights, this broke my record for most annotated book, and i’ve read over two hundred btw.

thank you, as always, to netgalley & atria books for this e-arc! ♥︎

“𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊’𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊’𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕.”

[Jordan Miner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six. Fucking. Stars.

This had everything I want in a romantasy. I was hooked from the very first chapter. The characters were instantly compelling, the magic system felt fresh and unique, the quest was an exciting adventure, and the layers of mystery surrounding both the world and the MMC had me devouring pages just to uncover the truths that had been hidden all along.

Saige was such a fantastic FMC. She's bubbly, sassy, and full of snarky comebacks, using humor as the version of herself she lets the world see. But beneath all that wit is someone carrying years of pain and quietly battling demons she's tried to bury her entire life. Watching those layers slowly peel back made me love her even more.

And Archer... Mr. Hold Onto the Headboard himself. This man had me in an absolute chokehold. His mysterious nature, walls a mile high, and tortured soul made it impossible not to become completely obsessed with him. Saige wasn't the only one caught in a push-and-pull—I was right there with her, desperate to figure him out.

Now don't even get me started on them together. The banter? Elite. The grumpy sunshine dynamic? Perfection. The forced proximity thanks to the bargain they made early on? I was absolutely feral. They had me giggling, kicking my feet, and completely obsessed with every interaction.

Helen also has a gift for writing side characters who steal your heart just as easily as the main cast. Raven, Yevna, Grim, Daemos, and Bryn all brought something unique to the story, and I already know I'm going to be even more attached to them in the next book.
And that ending...

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. F*CK!!

The twists and reveals Helen unleashed in the final 10% completely blindsided me. Every time I thought I had something figured out, she pulled the rug out from under me. I'm still trying to process everything, and I need the next book immediately because that ending was absolutely unhinged.

Huge ty to netgalley for the e-arc, nerdfam for the arc pr package and atria for a proof copy!

[Nonfictionally Yours · Rating 4 out of 5]

OKAY WOW, I knew this book was good but THIS GOOD??! I'm speechless.

The plot of Kiss of the black flame was so intriguing, it kept me hooked through out. Saige and Archer form an alliance to find a book that will basically save the world from Malveron, I found that so so unique. You have this bargain system that has to be sealed with a kiss and boy was that steamy 🥵. The world building was so so immersive, it felt like I was escaping reality. I literally had no idea what was going on around me whilst I read this ahahah. The prose were written so captivatingly, it flowed so well making it really easy to read but still adding that poeticness (is that even a word, I don't think so but you get it).

Saige, my sweet sweet girl, I LOVED HER😭 she is the definition of SUNSHINE. She was hilarious but you also got soft sides of her that made you want to hug her. The way she fed off pissing Archer off had me cackling. Her constant yapping kept me so so entertained, she is such a sweet and gentle character. Archer, I knew I'd love him right from the start, he is so so tortured and when I tell you this man is touch starved, I MEAN IT. I gasped when they first touched... literally. He was so so grumpy and broody and pissed off at the world, and to be completely honest, he was an a*s to Saige at times but I really enjoyed that because you got to see her sunshineness breaking down his walls and him YEARNING for her??? It was everything. This man YEARNED LIKE NOTHING ELSE. I can't even think about it without squealing.

THAT ENDING, HELEN??? YOU DID NOT DO ME LIKE THAT. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK SO BADLY RIGHT NOW!!!!!

Thank you so so much Penguin export for this amazing proof copy🧡🧡🧡

[kelseys.inthelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY

Kiss of the Black Flame gave me exactly the kind of romantasy pairing I love: a grumpy, battle and trauma worn immortal MMC paired with a mortal sunshine FMC who slowly chips away at all his defenses.

Saige is a mortal bookbinder living with chronic pain, and it was represented so well! She’s resilient and warm without feeling put on, and her optimism balances Archer’s grump!

And Archer 👀 A war general imprisoned and tortured for 200 years? Then Helen went ahead and made him an artist who sketches with charcoal while wearing slutty little glasses, loves flowers and gardening, braids Saige’s hair, and quietly takes care of her? Immediate favorite. 🫠

Through circumstance they are forced to work together to save the realm, and watching Saige slowly get under Archer’s skin was very satisfying.

[Kha (kha.fantasyrealm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okaaayyy, let me just do a fangirl review of this book… BECAUSE I LOVED IT!!!😭

Seriously.. this book??? This was such a good time! I was hooked from the beginning and I haven’t 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 didn’t recover from that moment..😅 (and you’ll 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.🙌 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 he’s got plenty of scene-stealing moments with a certain character!😂). ONE bedroll. One HORSE?? I was FED.

That ENDING though?? I AM NOT OKAY. That part ruined me… 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 wouldn’t even be surprised.


Thank you to the author, Random House UK and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Jen • Reading_in_the_City · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How do you wear your pain? Do you wear it like a shield? Like a badge of honor? Or like a secret, burrowed deep?”

📖 Immortal Warrior & Human
🔥 Bookbinder
📖 Women in Trades
🔥 Forced Proximity
📖 Found Family
🔥 Fire Wielding General
📖 Bargains
🔥 Grumpy Sunshine

“Pain is pain, Grayson. No matter where it stems from, mind, body, or heart.”

Helen Scheuerer’s has created such a vivid and rich world with Kiss of the Black Flame. You will be completely immersed in this epic fantasy world as it slowly opens up, from the human realm, the journey through forests and temples and war torn land. Everything is so beautifully described, you will feel like you are right there with them.

“If you’re by my side, I’d watch a thousand worlds fall apart and not give a fuck,”

Both separately and together Saige and Archer make for such intriguing characters. The mortal bookbinder and the immortal warrior, they couldn’t be more opposite and yet…

“He looks like he wants to throttle me, which makes me unreasonably pleased with myself.”

Saige, she is such a resilient character, she was strong and fierce while remaining optimistic even against all the obstacles she’s faced throughout her life. She has such backbone, such inner strength. I especially loved that she was a more mature main character at 35, I feel like it really added to how she approached the world. Saige just feels so incredibly real with the way Helen has written her, especially with how she faces her pain. As someone who has chronic pain I could relate to so many of her experiences and how important it is to find representation done so well.

“If an immortal Azkari warrior ever needed their ego checked, Saige Grayson was the woman for the job.”

Archer, oh he will break your heart and then have you swooning. Here you have a truly traumatised warrior, one who occasionally wears glasses, sketched flowers and reads about botany while shirtless. Is that not enough to fall head over heels for him? Then there’s the way he cares for Saige. All the little acts of kindness even when he’s trying his best to push her away. After being imprisoned for 200 years he has a lot of healing to do, he isn’t perfect but he is such a beautifully flawed character that I loved to read about. As the story goes on you’ll become more and more intrigued by his character and you can’t help but adore him.

“Grayson, you could rip me to fucking pieces. And I’m so far gone for you that I’d get on my knees and thank you for it.”

Together their banter alone will have you glued to the page. Saige’s boldness in the face of Archers broody grumpy exterior made this book such a joy to read. He didn’t stand a chance at keeping his walls up in the face of Saige’s relentless optimism and I LOVED every second of it.

“. . . Was that a joke, General?” “Deadly serious.” But his mouth tips up at the corner again. “Your first joke. And no one else was here to hear it.” “Perhaps it was just for you.”

I am in disbelief that there are no more pages left… this is a story I never wanted to end, especially after that last chapter… Helen you are diabolical! I was already excited to see what happens next but now it’s become a need! I’ll be counting down the days as soon as book 2 is announced

~ Thank you Helen Scheuerer, Wayward FxT & NetGalley for this ARC

[Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember the last time an ending has made me so angry, especially when this book was sitting at a solid 4 star until we got to the last 5%. It not only ruined the book for me, but made every other plot point in this book make me go "what was the point then?". I know, I know this is going to be a series, but I fear I will not be continuing after this one to find out how this all works out for them.

Let's start with what I did like. First, we got a fmc, Saige, in her mid 30's AND with chronic pain rep (we cheer!!!) who is a bookbinder trying to help this grumpy general rebind a powerful Azkari book that will supposedly take down Malevron who essentially wants to be the one and only ruler and is doing whatever it takes to do so. Premise sounds good so far, and you throw in some forced proximity, playful snarky banter, and "I see you" for who you are when no one else can moments and you have a pretty enjoyable time.

I did cringe a few times at the dialogue, but once again I was willing to overlook that because I was genuinely enjoying the story so far, but now looking at the story at it's entirety, it left me wanting more. I think the romance progression was too fast in my opinion. I think it could have benefitted from dragging it out slower especially since I believe this is going to be a trilogy, but I think I understand why the author didn't want to make it slow, but at the same time it made it feel unbelievable. Like you're telling me they've been in close proximity for a few weeks and now they're in love? I don't know about that.

I was going to write this without spoilers, but I think to fully explain why I didn't like the ending it would be impossible not to mention spoilers, so please don't read the following two paragraph if you haven't already read this!

I won't lie, that twist was insane. I get it, very shocking, but it very much takes away from the story in a way for me. Like, we already have someone they should be working to fight against, and now you want to put the couple against one another?! I don't know how I feel about that choice, and with the reveal of her "chronic pain" made me disappointed in a sense, because that defeats the purpose of the rep for me personally, as someone who suffers from chronic pain. Her pain was an injury is a shocking reveal, but I don't know how to explain this. I'm not trying to compare, but for example, my pain that I live with will always be invisible, not a single person can see it. But now that we know it is an injury that was veiled from her, I don't know, that was just disappointing for me honestly.

I am just not a fan of making the love interest a villain to the fmc or mc, so maybe it's just a me thing. I don't personally see how we can come back from this with them, and it just felt like the whole "I see you" thing in this entire book was just something that was thrown away now that she was personally affected by the things he had done. Not saying she's not allowed to be mad and terrified now that she remembers, it just now feels like wasted time between them. I also think they should've spent way more time getting to know each other, it was not enough in my personal opinion.

Whew. ANYWAYS, all that to say I still absolutely want to pick up another book by this author. Just because this one didn't work out for me, does not mean I did not enjoy the writing, and I have heard nothing but praises for some of their other series. AND, so many others have enjoyed this book, so there's just a chance I am the outlier here. For the majority of this I was having a grand fun time and couldn't put the book down, it's just an ending that did not work for me personally.

Thank you so much to atria for the gifted arc!

Out September 22nd, 2026!
____________________________________
I— 🧍🏻‍♀️

I don't even know how I feel. I'll sit on this and rate it tomorrow but that twist of events really disappointed me.

[kaylareadssometimes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book very early on. I had a really hard time grasping onto the world building because it was kind of just word vomited onto the reader. I felt very lost and I normally do not struggle with this aspect of a fantasy book.

The MCs also were kind of a let down. I loved that the FMC was 35 because we need more relatable content for readers that age, but she seemed kind of…um…unintelligent for her big age. I also didn’t understand the MMC’s obsession with her. It was giving instalust and that’s not my favorite.

I had really high hopes for this book but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

[Lidia]

⭐ 3,5 estrellas ⭐

Creo que es el libro que menos me ha gustado de la autora 🥲

Haré reseña en condiciones, pero de momento se resume en buena idea, ejecución regulera.

Me estoy pensando si redondeo hacia arriba o hacia abajo.

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks}]

** First read is for The Bookbinder novella. 4.25 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)

So excited to have been able to read this early! I really enjoyed the novella and can't wait to dive into this new world in Kiss of the Black Flame!

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC!! i need a minute to recover from that ending

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Helen’s writing will always be one of my favourites. She has such an incredibly readable style, it’s fast-paced, engaging, and almost impossible to put down. The Legends and Ashes of Thezmarr are among my favourite fantasy series, so I went into Kiss of the Black Flame with very high expectations. For me, it fell just slightly short of those, but only by the smallest of margins, and I think that’s more a testament to how much I loved her previous work than a flaw in this one.

Overall, this was a thoroughly entertaining read. The pacing was excellent, the romance was fantastic, and the world-building was woven naturally into the story rather than being dumped on the reader all at once. I especially loved the imagery throughout the Askari realms. The temples, the lush greenery, the throne room, and the House of Desires were all so vividly described that I could picture every setting with ease.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was Saige’s journey and the found family she builds along the way. Those friendships added so much warmth and heart to the story, and they were some of my favourite moments.

My biggest criticism was that the feminist themes occasionally felt a little too explicit. Helen has always included strong feminist undercurrents in her books, and it’s something I genuinely appreciate. Here, though, I sometimes felt the message was repeated through dialogue more often than it needed to be. The oppression of women was already being shown effectively through the characters’ experiences and the world itself, so I don’t think it always needed to be stated outright. For me, the storytelling was strongest when it trusted those moments to speak for themselves.

I also noticed a few moments that pulled me out of the story because they felt a little clunky from an editing perspective. There were a handful of scenes where character positioning or actions seemed inconsistent, leaving me rereading paragraphs to make sure I hadn’t missed something. They’re only minor issues, but they were noticeable enough to briefly interrupt the flow.

That said, none of these things stopped me from having a great time with this book. The plot kept me consumed, I genuinely didn’t predict the situation towards the end, and I was completely entertained from start to finish. It’s a classic romantasy full of adventure, heart, great chemistry, and gorgeous world-building.

I’ll absolutely be picking up the next book.

[Alyx Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Atria for the eARC!

THIS. THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A ROMANTASY. EVERYONE TAKE NOTES. 🔥📚

I’m not even sure how to form coherent thoughts right now because Kiss of the Black Flame absolutely wrecked me in the BEST way.

I may have read this in a matter of days because putting it down was simply not an option. Whatever Helen Scheuerer writes, I consume. Immediately. And then I proceed to scream about it to anyone who will listen. 😂

Saige and Archer??? EXCUSE ME??? The tension. The chemistry. The danger. The secrets. The magic. The ancient book. The impossible choices. I was ALL IN. Saige is such a compelling FMC, and I loved watching her navigate everything thrown at her while still trying to hold onto herself. And Archer… well. Archer is exactly the kind of morally complicated, dangerous man I want haunting my fictional life. 🫠

But honestly, what makes this work so damn well is that it feels like romantasy in every sense of the word. The romance is woven into the fantasy instead of feeling like the fantasy is just there to decorate the romance. The worldbuilding pulled me in, the magic had me completely intrigued, and the twists kept me questioning EVERYTHING.

And can we talk about the TITLE?!

Because the way Kiss of the Black Flame kept changing meaning for me throughout the story??? HELLO?! At first, the kiss sealed their bargain. And then it became something more. And then MORE. And suddenly I was sitting there realizing how much weight those words were carrying.

Helen is truly a master of words. The way she takes a phrase and makes you see it differently as the story unfolds is just chef’s kiss. 🔥

And the emotional side of this book??? Helen really said, “Oh, you’re attached? That’s adorable.” 😭

I laughed. I stressed. I swooned. I panicked. I needed answers. I probably stared at the pages several times like they personally offended me.

AND THAT ENDING.

WHO GETS MY THERAPY BILL?!

Because HOLY MOLY. That was another level of emotional damage. That wasn’t just a cliffhanger. That was a cliffhanger with emotional trauma, unanswered questions, and absolutely zero regard for my wellbeing. I NEED ANSWERS. IMMEDIATELY. YESTERDAY, ACTUALLY.

Helen Scheuerer, I have one question:

HOW DARE YOU.

If I could give this book infinity stars, I absolutely would. Unfortunately, Goodreads has decided that five is where we must stop, which feels wildly unfair because five stars does not begin to cover how much I loved this. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love romantasy with dangerous magic, complicated characters, incredible tension, secrets, twists, and a romance that has you losing your ever-loving mind… PUT THIS BOOK ON YOUR TBR.

And then come scream at me when you finish it because I refuse to suffer through that ending alone. 😭🔥

[Abbi :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the EASIEST six stars I have given in a while!! I really feel like Helen wrote this book specifically for me. So many of my favorite micro tropes were utilized it was delicious.

From page one I immediately knew I was going to love this. The writing was lyrical but in a way that was so easy to follow and not over descriptive. As someone who has never read a book from this author before, I really didn't know what to expect. safe to say I am obsessed. The pacing was spot on and the mix between romance and plot development was perfection. Each aspect of the plot got ample time to be explored and developed as it deserved. I really had the absolute time of my life reading this. I really love how unique this world felt as well. It was classic romantasy in so many ways (comparisons to ACOTAR), but also so new and branched away from what we are used to seeing. For example, using the Azkari instead of fae.

The characters and the romance really sealed the deal for me though. Saige is quietly bold. With her chronic pain, it would be so easy to overlook her and call her weak, but she uses those weaknesses to her advantage. She overcomes every challenge thrown her way, and honestly, has become such an inspiration for me. She doesn't cave to anything or anyone. I adore everything about her, She is also the PERFECT counterpart to Archer, if you look up the definition of grumpy x sunshine, you would see these two. Archer has so much darkness inside him from the experiences he has had even before the war. Decades of fighting that then turns into centuries of torture?? I am SICK for him. He is so beautifully broken with all of his many sharp edges and so much guilt it breaks my heart. Seeing his inner monologue and watching Saige soothe all these damaged parts of his was so beautiful I could cry. On top of this, he has such a dirty mouth and yearns so well I was deceased. The tension between Saige and Archer was diabolical.

The ending was actually so cruel. I couldn't believe Helen did this to us. I needed book 2 like yesterday. I think I am going to stare at a wall for the foreseeable future and attempt to process what I just read. Absolute masterpiece.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the e-arc!!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen does it again! WOW! This was absolutely incredible!!

Archer is an immortal Azkari general who has been cursed and imprisoned for over 200 years. Only those with the brand of the evil Malevron can see him until he meets a mortal bookbinder named Saige who somehow is able to see and touch him! Saige is one of my favorite FMCs ever! She has chronic unexplained pain but is so strong and resilient. She finds the positive and joy in everything in life.

She makes a deal with Archer (and seals it with a kiss) to retrieve and restore an ancient magical book called the confluence. Along the way her sunny disposition drives him mad but also warms his heart. Retrieving the book felt a lot like Indiana Jones adventure and it was so great. I absolutely loved their banter along the way and the dog sidekick, Grim, also known as “Yevna’s son” 😂 was the best!!

Watching Archer finally be seen and cherished after 200 years of torture was so precious. I adored their relationship. And the TWISTS! Oh. My. Word. Like literally everything has a meaning and makes sense!!!! So many secrets revealed and things explained and my mind is quite literally blown by that ending!! I am devastated. How do I need book two so badly before book one is even released?! Ahhhhh! The wait is going to be torture!!

This book has everything:
🔥Banter for days
🔥Magical bargains and bonds
🔥Forced proximity
🔥One horse
🔥Grumpy/sunshine
🔥Chronic pain rep
🔥”Who did this to you?” In the most unique way everrrrr
🔥So many twists!!!!
🔥Dog sidekick!!! 🐕

[Alex Rayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gather around, everyone. Helen has done it again!

I absolutely adored Kiss of the Black Flame. It has everything I love in a Helen Scheuerer book: a strong FMC, a swoon worthy MMC, found family, an incredible cast of secondary characters, and rich worldbuilding that feels completely seamless.

Told through dual POV, we follow Saige and Archer. Saige is such a brilliant protagonist. She is sassy, witty, fiercely strong, and deeply devoted to her family and friends. Beneath that strength, though, are years of living with chronic pain and having her experiences doubted by others. She is already such a layered and complex character, and I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next.

Archer is mysterious and grumpy on the outside but, underneath it all, he is a tortured cinnamon roll. The sketchbook? The little glasses? I was done for. And when Saige and Archer are forced to work together, the chemistry is immediate. The banter, the tension, the yearning… absolute fireworks.

The worldbuilding was woven so naturally throughout the story, with such evocative imagery that even my aphantasia brain could picture some of the settings. The found family was everything, and I loved the entire secondary cast. Special mention has to go to Grim because I will always love an animal companion.

And the twists! I genuinely did not see them coming. Every reveal left me completely shook.

I already cannot wait to return to this world and see where the series goes next!

Thank you to Wayward TxF for the eARC!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. Getting to read this book early feels like a dream. Helen is one of those authors that I’ll read anything by. This is my ninth Helen book and she knocked it out of the park again.

I loved everything about this book. Saige was such a multifaceted FMC, from dealing with her chronic pain and sometimes feeling like a burden or weak, to her sunshine attitude that was infectious at times, to her fierceness and work ethic. I also loved that she’s in her 30s. I felt like her maturity played a big role in how she dealt with conflict and got through roadblocks in her life and with Archer.

Archer - I don’t even think Helen has scratched the surface with him. We saw so many different sides to his personality but I feel like there’s so much more to uncover. The ending had me shocked. I felt like I didn’t know him at all then, but that makes me want to read book 2 that much more. Also, Archer wears slutty little glasses, slutty little rings, and has scars and back tats. Need I say more?

Let’s also talk about the banter! It was good and so well done! The dynamic between Saige and Archer was so fun and the tension had me hanging onto every word. Saige surprised me with her flirtyness and how she kept trying to get a reaction out of Archer. Archer gave it right back. This man will be my next book boyfriend obsession for the foreseeable future.

I didn’t want this book to end so I tried to savor it. I enjoyed all the different aspects to the plot. It really felt like I was taken on a journey from the initial meeting, to gravereach prison, to the bargain and quest, back to the bindery, and to the final setting of the book. I also was surprised by the twists, which I always love. That final twist and final page has my jaw on the floor. This book took me through every emotion and I loved every second of it. I need book two like I need air in my lungs!

[Courtney Jukes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

On the whole, there was a lot to enjoy about this book.

The FMC (age 35!) was smart and mature which was very refreshing.

The world building was fairly decent, it wasn’t a copy and paste of something we’ve seen before (although there were certainly many elements that we have seen - and those were probably done to better effect).

I’d say there were two pretty big twists, one which I felt was entirely predictable, and the other which really was not (and I’m still trying to figure out if I like it or not).

Things I didn’t like - the banter was trying wayyyyyyyy too hard. And not just between the FMC and MMC but between everyone. I could see how people would really enjoy these dynamics, I did not. Especially because it’s a dual POV, so for me the way Archer was acting just never coordinated with his inner monologue and to me it felt very disjointed.

I know people praised the found family dynamics in the Thezmarr series, and I feel Helen was trying to recreate that magic here with a strong female group of friends/family figures, but it just didn’t feel as naturally charismatic.

I will say, I was intrigued by the first 20% and then by the last 30% I was quite invested again but the middle 50% was a struggle for me to get through.

That being said! Helen can write some decent spice and she makes characters that are thirsty as hell (literally, Archer has been in prison for 200 years, and has been quite sexually deprived and Saige wants to jump his bones immediately just because he’s hot as hell (respect)). I did enjoy their romantic tension and the slow burn of the romance.

I get what Helen was trying to do with Archer, make him the usual brute warrior with a tortured past and dark secrets - but also he loves flowers, and drawing, and wears slutty little glasses - and while I appreciate making him more complex, it was just a little too much.

On the whole, I will continue with this series, but in the meantime I will probably forget 85% of the plot between now and the next instalment.

[Allie DeMars · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 of the shiniest ⭐️s!!!

The easiest 5 star rating I’ve ever given. This book is beyond addicting. And the twisty ending?! I haven’t felt THAT betrayed since Metal Slinger!
Helen… how could you?!

[Cassie Nosko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Helen Scheuerer, Artia Books and NetGalley for providing me with an earc of Kiss Of The Black Flame! The moment this book was announced it was an immediate must read for me as Helen Scheuerer is one of my many auto buy authors! Kiss Of The Black Flame is the first book of The Bookbinder's Bargain trilogy and it absolutely blew me away!

I will say I am very thankful I read The Bookbinder novella first; it really set the tone and introduced some heavy hitting characters. If you can, definitely read The Bookbinder first!

Saige, the FMC and our chronic pain rep is a bookbinder in trade and also a boss in her own right. Throughout the story you could see her growth and development. Saige to me was such an easy character to like!

Archer our MMC also known as The Black Flame was a definite highlight. You could see his trauma and struggles vividly and it was captivating learning more about him. There is so much more to his character and I cannot wait to see what will come next within the next books.

If you love seeing and reading about Chronic Pain Rep, Mature FMC (over 35), Found Family, Banter,
Undeniable/ irresistible Chemistry, Feminine Rage, Women In Trades and of course Trauma this book is a definite must read for you!

1000000% holds up to the hype!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5