Blood and Steel: The Best Underrated Fantasy You Can’t-Miss
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Often, books go overlooked for no reason other than our TBR, which is long and ever-growing. No one can read all the books presented to us within a lifetime. But that’s what reviews are for. To help weed out books and put those we should read in front of us. The Legends of Thezmarr series (first book Blood and Steel) is just the series you need to add to your TBR for the summer. Plus, the final book is almost complete; book four will be released in June!
With her death foretold and inscribed on a fate stone worn upon her breast, Althea Zoltaire has only three years left to do the one thing she has dreamed of. Becoming a Warsword. But a long-recited prophecy forbids women from wielding blades. Nothing can stop her dreams, training in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock (literally), Althea fights to secure her place in a band of warriors. A guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.
Even more dangerous than the hazing amongst trainees is her attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling (but dangerously handsome) chaperone. Schemes and lies surround them, and darkness looms. Will Thea accomplish what she set out to do since she first held a blade on her own? Or will she become a victim of the things at play?
“A true man won’t cut you down as you fight your battles, nor will he fight them for you. A true man will help sharpen your sword, guard your back, and fight at your side in the face of whatever darkness comes.”
Title: Blood and Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr, 1)
Author: Helen Scheuerer
Genre: New Adult Fantay, Epic Fantasy Romance
Star Rating: 5 stars
Spice Rating: 1 chili peppers
If you’ve read my April Wrap-Up (In the Pages of My April Reading Wrap-UP: An Epic Recap, if you haven’t, don’t forget to check it out), then you would know that Blood and Steel took the top spot for favorite reads of April. It is one of the best books I’ve read all year! You will also see that I told the author (Helen Scheuerer) that I would read and review this series after I saw a post she wrote about reading and reviewing indie authors and their books. Since then, I have made it a mission of mine to read more indie books! But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up a little.
Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer is an epic romantic fantasy for adults (new adult) and the first book in The Legends of Thezmarr series. I like to go in blind when it comes to my reads, so once I told Helen I would read and review it, I immediately downloaded it on Kindle Unlimited (the entire Legends of Thezmarr series is available on KU), starting with the first page (as one does).
“The beautiful alchemist would be his beginning – and his end.”
I was hooked on the storyline from the first word. It is an intriguing story in which the main character knows the age of her death. She only has years left, and she’s fighting like hell to make sure she accomplishes all she wants in her remaining time. No, it isn’t incredibly unique in the plot or premise, but what makes the story is the execution.
You are easily transported into the lands. Battling the monsters, feeling the cool breeze, the palm against your skin, the warmth of the fire. Not left to infer too much about the monsters they are battling across the plains and the kingdom’s involvement in their creation. I must admit that we are immediately thrust into Thea’s story. The full scope of why the Guild is fighting at first is not known (this backstory comes as the story develops and as the series progresses). *side note* You may want to read the prequel Slaying the Shadow Prince to help develop the story. Blood and Steel has a way of pulling you in and keeping you close.
As you can imagine, Thea is incredibly strong and quick-witted. She is determined, and she has truly won my heart. Now, Thea is not without flaws (and often is not one to admit them), but I admire her restraint when it comes to bullies (I see you, Seb Barlowe) and love the moments where she stands her ground for not only herself but also her friends. It is admirable.
“If you seek power in a world of men and monsters, there is nothing more powerful than knowledge and the ability to wield it. Remember that, would-be shieldbearer.”
While this is an adult epic romantic story, at times, it felt more YA than an adult. This isn’t a huge downfall because I think what makes it adult is the sex scenes (there are a few, like two scenes), and I don’t mind a YA story when I have expectations of one. Beyond the romance of Blood and Steel is the thread that other relationships are also important. Don’t push your friends and chosen family aside for the sake of battle fame.
Let’s talk about Wilder Hawthorne. That man is an ass (and no, not in the best way possible) and incredibly grumpy and broody. He is infuriating. Spending most of his time pining over Thea and pushing her away. Their romance is a slow burn, so while they eventually get together, it could have been so much more if he didn’t stand in his way. Despite this, I loved having chapters from his POV (I like being in a man’s head). It allowed me to understand him and, in turn, Thea a little more.
Overall, I love these characters (especially the side characters Kip and Cal), and you will be thoroughly invested in Blood and Steel. Devouring page after page, book after book. I have to warn you though reading these on Kindle Unlimited won’t be enough. It is a story that you are going to want physical copies of so you can annotate and tab while you giggle and kick your feet. The series is just that good.
If you love stories like The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash, and The Witcher. Or epic romantics with enemies to lovers, found family, slow-burn spice, and sprawling worlds, you will love Blood and Steel.
Will you Add Blood and Steel to your TBR? Let me know in the comments!
Like this post? Pin it!
Check Out These Posts:
All You Need To Know About The Bridge Kingdom
Discover Your Next Obsession: 7 Books Similar to ‘ACOTAR’
