Rating: 4.75⭐️

YOU DO NOT BECOME A LEGEND OVERNIGHT

HE TOLD HER QUIETLY “A LEGEND IS FORGED WITH

BLOOD AND STEEL”

Another new author, another great series and strong heroic female character.  Albeit one with a highly tragic twist to launch her story and goals. 

Althea Zoltaire knows that she will die at the age of 27. It’s a fate she’s always known will happen. Now she’s got just 3 years to become the legend she needs to be. A Legendary Warsword.  In a land that’s forbidden women to hold weaponry.

That’s the dynamic theme and the epic storytelling that takes Thea forward towards her goals along with her sisters is such a compelling emotional journey.  Thea Zoltaire is rapidly becoming one of my favorite characters of the season.  Tragic background that’s she’s used to push her towards a forbidden goal of becoming a female Warsword. And not just a powerful Warsword but a legendary warrior in the time left to her is a a woman of strength and character.  

The trials, the challenges and battles she faces, from family to those of royal legality are ones that the reader is so emotionally invested in, right along with her. 

Scheuerer brings in a cast of equally diverse and interesting characters to surround and support Thea here. The first being Wilder Hawthorne, a Warsword whose role varies from frenemies to reluctant mentor to more. There’s the other people trying to become Warswords and facing the same trials, and her Alchemist sisters. 

The world building is great and will be expanded upon in the next books as Thea’s story continues. 

Highly recommended as a favorite of mine this season. Plus it’s a complete trilogy. Another plus.

The Legends of Thezmarr – 4 books completed:

Blood & Steel #1

Vows & Ruins #2

Fate & Furies #3

Shadow & Storms #4

Buy link

        Blood & Steel: An epic romantic fantasy (The Legends of Thezmarr Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher, BLOOD & STEEL is an epic romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn spice, found family, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters.

With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend.

Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.

The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.

All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms.

Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?

If you like fierce sword-wielding heroines and brooding, tortured heroes, you will devour this sexy, addictive fantasy adventure.

Blood & Steel is the gripping first book in the heart-pounding, epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr.

• Publisher: Alchemy (February 16, 2023)
• Publication date: February 16, 2023
• Language: English
• Print length: 550 pages