Alchemy Books Shadow & Storms: An epic romantic fantasy

This series has completely taken over my life. I started out with this one on a random recommendation on booksta, and wow. This series is everything. Book 3 left us on yet another cliffhanger and Book 4 picked us up right there, ready to ROLL. Thea continues to be my favorite FMC - and especially now with her new power, she is ready to get back what's hers.Wilder is more and more and more of a freaking winner of an MMC every step of the way has Thea's back. He stands by her side and lets her be the warrior she was always meant to be.Yes, there are steamy scenes that are some of the BEST I've read, but the relationship between our MCs along the way is sweet, romantic, full on emotional, and makes those scenes that much better.Trauma is a big player here between both Thea's and Wilder's experiences at the end of book 3 and it was so impactful reading them trying to figure out how to navigate that together, along with finally discussing the fate that's been hanging between them throughout the series.And the SIDE CAST????? Literally have never read a better side cast - easily on the level of the inner circle and I'd argue better because they have so many different personalities. Kipp and Cal are absolutely adorable and wonderful, the truest of friends to our dear Thea, and always strike a beautiful balance between the comic relief and the fearsome warriors in their own right. Anya, Wren, Torj, even Vernich, are all interesting and hold their own within an already outstanding cast.Puh-lease read this series, because it is perfect. Everything you ever wanted.

This was an absolutely amazing conclusion to what has been one of the best romantasy series ever. Each book gets better and better and Shadow & Storms didn’t disappoint. From the very beginning it picks straight up where Fate & Furies ended and you are thrown straight away into action upon action the way Helen can bring you all the emotions possible within in just the first few pages just proves what an outstandingly good writer she is.The love story between Thea and Wilder is one of the most beautifully told I have ever read, these two will forever hold a piece of my heart. Alone they are a force but together they are a formidable pair and will literally burn the world down for the other. The way Wilder loves Thea is heartbreakingly beautiful he supports Thea and encourages her on the Journey she has taken from the very first book is amazing, I’ve loved seeing her character growth throughout each book.Everything I have come to love from the first book is still very much forefront in Storm & Shadows, the epic worldbuilding, one of the best found family’s you could ever want, banter and friendship that is so endearing, plot development that just keeps getting better and better, sisterhood and female representation that is so well written and one of the most beautifully written love stories that I have ever come across in Thea and Wilder.I’m so excited to see what comes next in this world and can’t wait to see what develops next for certain characters. I will be sad to say goodbye to Thea and Wilder but I am so happy that we are getting more from this epically beautifully written world that Helen has created.Thank you so much Helen for writing a forever favourite series

The final book in this series was INCREDIBLE. It was action packed from the start, picking up right where the third book left off. All the loose ends were tied up, and I have a feeling we will see these characters again 😆💕The action packed battle scenes are some of the most well-written I’ve ever read. Helen does an excellent job of describing the violence and gore while also demonstrating Thea’s badassery. I felt like I was in here in the midst of battle. The amount of character growth from Thea between book 1 and book 4 is crazy. She got on my nerves with her naivety and stubbornness in books 1 and 2, but she grows and is self aware in books 3 and 4. She has definitely become one of my favorite badass FMCs. Wilder is perfect as usual (the man is flawless and has never done anything wrong imo) and the steamy scenes are chef’s kiss perfection 🤌🏻🥵🫠💕 Plus all of the side characters are flawless as well, like the found family is just perfection. I can’t get over these characters, I want to be friends with them all.The plot, the action, the romance, the characters, just everything about this book was flawless. A perfect ending to an amazing series. I laughed, I cried, I sweated during the spicy scenes, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Can’t wait to see what’s next for my friends in Thezmarr 💜⚔️⚡️

It's taken me a while to sit back and write a review that does this incredible book and series justice, but I've been struggling to find the words it deserves...So I'm going to write a letter instead.Dear Helen,Thank you for the privilege of this incredible gift you have given to us.You have created characters with such depth, that whilst powerful, remain perfectly and humanly flawed and identifiable. You have created relationships which are real, bonds which cannot be broken and have put female empowerment at the very heart of your writing.Thezmarr is mystifyingly beautiful. Rugged and raw with a wealth of natural beauty which makes me dream of being there.You have expertly told us a nail-biting story which carries incredible action, woven into detailed world-building, which has us immersed from the very first line to the last.Thea, Wilder and all of the amazing (characters is not a strong enough word) FRIENDS will live in my heart, for they are my friends too. I laughed and cried with them over and over again.So I will thank you again, for this really is a gift and I feel so privileged to have been a part of this journey ❤️

Shadow & Storms is the epic finale in the Legends of Thezmarr series, and it is the perfect conclusion to Thea and Wilder’s story. The way Helen wove all the different tales and information together was truly genius, and invoked many an emotion from me. I’m not sure I’ve ever highlighted a book so many times, and I’m not ashamed to admit it even made me cry on a couple of occasions (but with happiness or sadness, that is the question).We pick up not long from where Fate & Furies left off, and immediately get into the plot and action. And after that cliffhanger, I’m so glad! The opening conflict and resolution really helped set the tone and atmosphere of the book- the threat of darkness, fighting alongside new and old allies (some not so friendly), setting aside grievances and having trust in the people you love. It was all there within the first 100 pages or so, and those themes continued throughout. And maybe they’re not uncommon ideas within Romantasy books, but there was something in the way that the events and conversations were written that made it all feel very authentic and in keeping with character motivations and intentions.Thea and Wilder, the romance that just keeps on giving. They’ve faced so many challenges together and separately, and now they face their largest one yet- Thea’s looming birthday. Honestly, one of my favourite parts of the story is how well Thea and Wilder know one another, when to push and when to step back, how to just be there for one another, how to communicate their feelings, and all the little signs of love that just made my heart warm. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over their love and unwavering support of one another.And don’t worry! Alongside the darkness and impending threat of war, alongside the romance and spicy scenes, we still have the best found family relationships and absolute hilarity that comes with these characters. Cal and Kipp continue to be the best that they are. Malik and Dax continue showing and stepping up as always. Torj and Wren are still bickering. And.. even better we’re still seeing some more familiar faces being enveloped into the group. The side characters within this series are just as essential as Thea and Wilder, and I love that.I don’t want to say too much about the resolution of this book, as I’m so fearful of spoilers.. But it was everything I wanted and more. I smiled, I laughed, I gasped, I cried. I felt every emotion right alongside the characters. And even though I thought all of the major twists and turns had been revealed in the previous book, how wrong I was. Shadow & Storms will keep you on your toes until the very end.This series has been a five stars series for me, and will be one of my favourites for a long time to come. Thank you so much to the author for an early copy of this book. This review is honest and voluntary.