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]

I haven't read anything by this author and I'm very excited about this new series.




Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Helen Scheuerer for an early copy!

Publication: September 22, 2026

[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 )

[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.

[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.

[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.”

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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!!

[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.

[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 this 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

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Helen Scheuerer and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers an eARC of this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A 35 year old FMC?! I’m listening… Saige is a master bookbinder who has suffered with chronic pain her entire life, with no understanding of the cause. Meanwhile, Archer is a touch-starved 500 year old Azkari general who has been imprisoned by his enemy for the last two centuries. He caught a glimpse of Saige ten years ago and has been waiting for her ever since. We love to see a man who yearns!

This is an incredible start of the trilogy. I particularly loved the bookbinding elements, something I’ve never seen done in any book before. The world building is strong, with the Azkari, historical wars and an elemental magic system.

After Saige and Archer make a bargain, they are tied to one another until it is fulfilled. I would (lovingly) describe Archer as a moody f*ck while Saige is able to stay positive despite everything she has faced so the two are hardly a natural match. The duo share a lot of banter throughout the book, and I found myself smiling stupidly at my Kindle more often than not, but beneath the banter, there were occasions glimpses of vulnerability and honesty that made their relationship feel real.

Helen is the master of found family and this book is no different, with Raven, Yevna and Grim (a dog) who are fiercely protective of Saige but also interesting characters in their own right. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next two books!

The plot was well-paced, gripping and full of twists and turns. And THAT ENDING?! I fear I will not be able to cope with a long wait for book 2.

This was one of my most-anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. It is my favourite of Helen’s books so far and I cannot wait to see where Saige and Archer’s story goes.

Favourite tropes
- “Who did this to you?” - AKA the core ingredient of any Romantasy
- Animal sidekick - I will always adore an animal sidekick who gives the MMC a hard time and Grim does this perfectly.
- Grumpy x sunshine - you thought Wilder (Legends of Thezmarr) was grumpy? Archer could outgrump him any day.

[The Chapter Chaser]

You wake up, check your emails, and see that you’ve been approved for the ARC of this particular book. It’s going to be a good day today. No matter what happens. 😌

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books! ❤️

~Pre-read~:

📚 Bookbinder FMC with chronic pain
→ Okay, I actually love the sound of that. I’m already imagining her being stubborn as hell, pushing forward no matter what her body throws at her. I love that.

⚔️ Fallen, immortal, mysterious, “impossible-to-ignore” MMC
→ Well… hello there. 👀 Are you emotionally unavailable, morally questionable, and carrying centuries of trauma? Perfect. Tell me more!!!

🔥 Ancient powerful magical book
→ At this point, considering the size of my TBR, there’s a non-zero chance I already own this one somewhere on my bookshelves.

💀 Forced proximity because of a common enemy
→ The best kind of proximity.

💋 “The deadliest bargains are sealed with a kiss”…
→ Girls… this sentence. This sentence says it all.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen has done it again!! This first book in her new series, The Bookbinder’s Bargain, was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! I was hooked immediately by the prologue and my tortured man, Archer! Every second spent with him as the book continued just made me fall in love with him even more! His protective nature, grumpy attitude, and touch her and die energy had me hooked! You can’t help but root for him after everything he has been through!

Saige! She is a force! The chronic pain rep was expertly done. As someone that has experience with chronic pain myself and with close family members, I can say I have never read a book that made me feel more seen and portrayed those inner feelings/struggles with how the world sees your struggle more accurately. Her sunshine disposition, from my viewpoint, is how she handles the pain and her attempt to mask what she feels is inconveniencing others because of her condition. She doesn’t want others to see her condition as a weakness so she hides behind the smiles. The found family Saige has was one of my favorites because of this. They are supportive and there for each other no matter what!

The banter and flirtatious comments between Archer and Saige had me smiling and cracking up! I was eating up the tension between them and I absolutely go feral when one character says there will be nothing between them and I get to watch them eat those words as every interaction slowly breaks down those walls!

Helen once again gave us amazing side characters and Yevna stole the show for me! Her ‘tell it how it is’ personality and how she will say literally every thought she is thinking made me love her so much! The “handsome face and big c$ck” line had me laughing so hard I cried!

The characters, romance, world, intriguing plot, symbolism, perfectly placed flashbacks, and the twists made this a top read!! I need more than five stars! And after that ending, I need the next book yesterday!!

✨FMC in her 30’s
✨Touch starved MMC
✨Chronic pain rep
✨Women in trades
✨Grumpy/Sunshine
✨Found family
✨Quest
✨Forced proximity
✨So much more!!

Thank you so much Atria Books for the advanced review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Fav quotes (please keep in mind these could change in the final version):

“I’ve learned to take the little pleasures in life where I can. If that includes tormenting a beautiful woman when she falls into my lap, so be it.”

I don’t want to submit, I don’t want to yield, but if temptation has a taste…It’s him.

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

“But if you need to cry, cry until it floods. It doesn’t mean you are less worthy or weaker than anyone else.”

[Natalie Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not since Metal Slinger has the ending of a book left me so dumbfounded and physically shaking!

The phrase ‘Oh my god - what have I just read?!’ is still circling through my mind hours later. Never have I finished a book and wanted to go back and do a re-read so immediately.

I love Helen’s works! Always have, always will. But I must say, this is her best yet!!!!

Kiss of the Black Flame is book one in a brand new series by Scheuerer and it will leave its mark seared into you soul long after you turn the last page.

FMC Saige is one of the most relatable characters I have ever met! Without giving anything away the representation through this character is incredible and I only have two words for Helen: Thank you.

The themes of female empowerment in Kiss of the Black Flame are at the forefront and unapologetically so. It was not a casual side plot or quiet theme, this whole book screamed GIRL POWER through and through proudly and boldly.

If you’ve ever read any of Helen’s other series you know no one quite writes tortured, brooding MMCs quite like she does and Archer is no exception. His complex character was addictive (and of course ridiculously attractive) and his development was an absolute rollercoaster! The slowburn, the banter and the spice were delicious.

This book hits the heart hard! It will torture you, have you melting and falling love over and over again, only to betray you and tear your heart clean from your chest!

I’m reminded of the acknowledgments and a special thanks to fellow powerhouse author Penn Cole who encouraged Helen to take her time with this work and the outcome of this mantra is evident in every page, every sentence and every word.

Kiss of the Black Flame is truly Helen coming into her own. Everything we have come to love from this incredible author, but now taken to the a WHOLE new level.

Do I want the next book now?! ABSOLUTELY!!!

Am I willing to wait and indefinite amount of time if this is what Helen produces when she is allowed to go at her own pace? WITHOUT HESITATION; ABSOLUTELY!

This book was truly phenomenal and I am still struggling to find the right words to encapsulate how I feel having finished it that do it (and Helen) justice. So I will leave you with the following:


Must read.

Masterpiece.

Infinity Stars.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

"I see you" is one line that I adore whenever it is used in a book. I loved this being a reoccuring line and moment in this book between Archer and Saige.

I thought this book had really great moments between our MMC and FMC. Some great line delievries, some good pay offs of things coming back around with new meanings behind them, and some good yearning.

The ending got to a point where it felt like there were too many obstacles between the MMC and FMC that happened too closely together that made it a little tedious to read. I wish there was more spacing or maybe different reactions to things so we aren't on constant conflict with them and their love. It felt a little rushed and unnatural reactions for them to have to things.

I loved the atmosphere of the book, I loved the bookbinding moments, I loved all the stuff in Leo's shop. This was my favorite part of the book.

Some of the dialog felt incredibly clunky, especially with Archer and Daemos' reunion, the dialog didn't feel natural and didn't flow. How people react to things and flip emotions so fast gave me some whiplash ocassionally. I think a few more rounds of edits would help solve this issue.

I also think a few more rounds of edits will help with eliminating repreating information and thoughts and conversations. We circle back to conversations and revelations we have already had earlier and I didn't understand why it was brought up again when it was already solved.

Apart from the ending, and some of the preachiness in terms of "hating men to be a strong FMC" which is something I don't believe is needed in order to have a "strong" FMC, I did enjoy the book. I liked the magic and the lore, and I thought the love was sweet and Archer's struggles were good. I liked the progression of the story and how they ended up together. I will be continuing with the next book whenever we get it.

Thank you for the ARC!

[AnnaTheBookBabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5

🖤 romantasy
🔥 banter
🖤 morally grey MMC
🔥 disability representation
🖤 found family
🔥 forced proximity
🖤 fire-wielding general
🔥 grumpy x sunshine
🖤 multi POV
🔥 he falls first
🖤 MMC that wears Slutty Little Glasses™️
🔥 slow burn
🖤 betrayals & plot twists

HELEN DOES IT AGAIN, THAT BRILLIANT WOMAN.

Seriously, I haven’t read a single book by this author that I haven’t absolutely consumed like my life depended on it. I was actually a little uneasy going into this one, since it’s set in a new world (not Thezmarr). That was daunting for me.
Not for Helen, it seems.

This book was engaging, fast-paced, and utterly heart-wrenching from the first page. I literally was not bored at any moment and the SHEER NUMBER OF HIGHLIGHTS I HAVE MIGHT BE A NEW RECORD, I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING. I literally cried at multiple points, which is rare for me when it comes to book 1 in a series.

The FMC is chronically in pain, a blonde academic, chatty, relentlessly cheery, and so perfectly imperfect. I saw myself in this character on such a deep level, I was immediately *there*. The nonstop yapping (to the utter disappointment of our MMC) actually made me smile to myself. It reminded me of myself and my fiancé, at times.

Which brings me to this MMC!!! He is so heartbreaking and damaged and lovable and strong and again, FUCKING PERFECT. Oh, need I mention? He wears Slutty Little Glasses™️. That fact alone should have you diving into this book.

Alsooooo the plot twist at the end was painful. Helen did not, in fact, kiss the brick before she hurled the damn thing at my face. The burns. 😭 How will we ever recover from this?! (But also, I know this author loves a HEA as much as I do, so I just have to trust the process, I suppose.)

TLDR; read this fucking book. Xoxo

[Brandihreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOD. I absolutely love this story! Amazing slow burn romance, wonderful group of found family, there’s bargains and quests, a touch starved fire daddy and an animal sidekick. I love the world building and the way Helen writes! Saige is such a relatable character, a mortal bookbinder, she is all sunshine who struggles with chronic pain. Ends up in a bargain with the general, Archer, to help him retrieve and restore an ancient book made of living magic. I adore Archer, he is a tortured MMC, wears glasses sometimes, loves flowers/plants, sketches, and the way he cares for Saige… he stole my heart!! There so much tension and yearning between them, I was living for the banter! Some plot twists you don’t see coming, and the ending? What do you mean there’s no more pages left to read? I can’t wait for the next book!

Tropes:
- Touch Starved MMC
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Women in trades
- Bargain with an immortal
- Chronic Pain Rep
- Feminine Rage

Thank you so much to the publisher and author for the early copy.

[Ash Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Fucking Shit!
Perfect First Book!
Crashing Out.

A refreshing fantasy romance.

If you’re tired of the FMC being young and annoying. Of the MMC being a brooding scapegoat. Of Miscommunication Tropes and the same old magic systems. Then read the book!!!!!

Congratulations to Helen Scheuerer for creating this new and interesting world and doing so in a new writing style.

Fantasy Romance
Dual First Person POV
Slow Burn with a 2.5/5 spice rating with open door scenes

Cliffhanger - Yes - Mount Everest Level

Touch Her and Die
Who Did This To You
One Horse
Forced Proximity
They Save Each Other
Women in Trades

A refreshing Fantasy Romance with beautifully written characters that are flawed but relatable.
We finally enter a world where our FMC, Saige, is an experienced woman in her mid 30s with chronic pain. A master Bookbinder, loyal friend and who is courageous, tenacious and kind. She sees the best in people who deserve it and her hope for humanity is not naive but realistic.

Our MMC Archer is a 500 year old general cursed to a half life and bound to a prison cell for 200 years - until Saige. She is the first person to see him since the curse first took hold. He is fierce, loyal, brave, thoughtful, vulnerable and against all odds, hopeful.

Can they work together to save the realm?

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Helen, Atria Books, and NetGalley for this eARC!

Oh this was a good time. Our FMC, Saige is a 35 yr old (yes you read that right!!) bookbinder. Seems strange, I know, but obviously there’s a reason for it.

She ends up in a prison next to the guy that’s been searching for her for ten years. Then begins their quest. With all of the banter. ALL. OF. IT. She’s snarky af and he falls hard and fast but he’s obviously a broken broody general so like he isn’t allowed to have her in his own mind.

Ohhh the lies. We love the lies that aren’t lies but omission of truth. Mirrors ruin everything. Betrayal. The end. And it hurt.

I did enjoy this, there was a lot of standard romantasy elements with top tier banter. I do love our FMC but I’m not sure I loooovvveee our MMC. Maybe I’ll fall for him a little more in book 2. Maybe.
Maybe some things felt forced, like plot points that were supposed to be hard hitting twists but it didn’t quite hit the mark. I felt taken out of the story once or twice. But overall, I enjoyed the plot and our FMC.

[Geri • GardensandGrimoires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Wayward TXF and NetGalley for the ARC.

The moment I heard Helen Scheuerer was launching a brand-new series, this became one of my most anticipated reads of the year. So when that approval landed? Delighted doesn’t quite cover it.

An easy five stars.

Archer and Saige might just be my favourite Helen couple yet, which is saying a lot considering how much I adore Torj and Wren. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic is alive and thriving, but this new world brings something completely fresh.

Our bookbinder Saige is 35, gloriously ragey, and carrying some very real life experience. Orphaned as a child, she suffers from bouts of unexplained pain that no medical examiner seems willing to take seriously. Hello, being a woman. Then we have Archer: broody, tattooed, immortal, and absolutely not prepared for Saige to crash into his life.

There’s a bargain sealed with a kiss, a dangerous quest, a roguish and ridiculously endearing brother, an animal companion I would protect with my life, and two brilliant female side characters who already deserve their own stories.

And the tension.
One blanket. One horse. One room.
Helen knew exactly what she was doing.

But that ending? Oof.
“I see you, Archer.”

Well, I certainly did not see that coming. Give me book two immediately.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book in The Bookbinder’s Bargain trilogy and I quite enjoyed it. The story was fast paced and engaging and the world the author created drew me in right away and wasn’t overwhelming to dive into.

The FMC was relatable right off the bat because she wasn’t super young like we typically see in these type of stories and she suffered from chronic pain. Those characteristics alone were refreshing and had me on her side. Her cheery disposition paired perfectly with the MMC’s grumpy demeanor and their banter was a delight to read on the page.

Full of adventure, an interesting plot, and a slow burn romance this one has me anxiously awaiting the next book over here.

Read this if you like:
📖 Feminine rage
📖 Chronic pain rep
📖 Animal sidekick
📖 Grumpy/sunshine

Thank you @atriabooks for the gifted copy of the book.

[Lilou · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.8 rounded up to 4)

I really enjoyed The Kiss of the Black Flame.

For some reason (might be me) somewhere in the middle section it lost a little momentum and felt slightly slower than the rest of the story, which is why it didn’t quite reach a full five stars. That said, I was still invested throughout and eager to see how everything would unfold.

As always, loved twists, reveals, and unexpected moments, and I loved being kept on my toes. Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, Helen threw in another surprise.

As always, Helen Schuerer writes yearning exceptionally well. Give me a man battling his darker side while desperately wanting the woman he can’t have, and I’m immediately invested.

I’m looking forward to see what happens in the next book & will definitely be recommending it.

[Hannah Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I need to prepare myself before I pick up a Helen Scheuerer book, because the trauma they leave. Why does she do this to me?

We follow Saige, a mortal apprentice bookbinder trying to sort out her debt after her Master died, and Archer an Azkari prisoner who is held in a dungeon after failing to end a war 200 years ago. When Saige is captured and taken to the same dungeon, Archer realises that this mortal can help him regain his power and prevent the war from happening again.

There is plot a plenty through out this book. And excuse me but why do we not have more Morally Grey MMCs who are into Botany? This is an incredibly addictive read, and I’m going to need to need to continue this story on. I have been left with whiplash with how many twists were thrown at me, but I will bow down at Helen’s feet and thank her for the experience.

[Cassie DePlancke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of an ARC provided by Atria Books via Netgalley.
Wow, this book far exceeded my expectations! The author nailed the Grumpy x Sunshine trope and I loved every second of the phenomenal banter. The combination of the strong, fiery FMC and broody, broken MMC was addicting and their slow burn romance was intense. The magic system was unique and intriguing while the plot was very well paced and somewhat reminiscent of Lord of the Rings with both surprising and heartbreaking plot twists. I was not prepared for the final twist and I can’t wait for the next book!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen does it again! There are no words. I loved every single page, sentence, word, and punctuation mark that Helen Scheuerer crafted for us in this first book of the Bookbinder's Bargain!!! Forever grateful to have had the opportunity to snag an ARC, and I'll be curled up in the corner of my room until book 2 if anyone needs me.

If you like grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, hidden identity, mortal/immortal, found family, fire magic, and plot twists…then run to get this book when it is out in September!

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect from this book. I went in completely blind, and what an experience it turned out to be. It started a bit slow, but I read the last 80% in 24 hours. Yep, it was that good! There were moments where I wanted to slow down just to make it last longer, but you cannot help but keep turning the pages as everything unfolds.

I had my heart broken but I guess that is my fault for, once again, getting emotionally attached to fictional characters. Morally grey has a whole new definition and you will find it within the pages of Kiss of the Black Flame.

[angelictaleslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I went in expecting an exciting fantasy romance, but Kiss of the Black Flame completely exceeded my expectations. It had everything I look for—great characters, amazing chemistry, plenty of action, and a story that kept me wanting to read “just one more chapter” until I was suddenly at the end.

I really connected with the characters and found myself genuinely invested in what happened to them. The romance felt earned, and I loved the mix of tension, banter, and emotional moments. The world-building was detailed without ever feeling overwhelming, and there were a few twists that genuinely caught me off guard.

Helen Scheuerer has such an easy writing style that I flew through this book. It’s one of those stories that’s hard to stop thinking about after you’ve finished, and I’m already looking forward to reading more from this world. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with high stakes, heart, and characters you’ll root for, I definitely recommend picking this one up.