Book Reviews

Book Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

The second book in the Empyrean series, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is an epic, thrilling, absolutely mind-numbing experience. Check out my full review of Iron Flame below!

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Book Information

After narrowly missing death, Violet Sorrengail is back at Basgiath War College to finish out her second year as a rider. Andarna is growing. Xaden is still keeping secrets from Violet. The venin are closing in. Violet was sure if she survived her first year as a rider, she could survive anything. But with so many threats against her mind, body, and heart working against her, she can no longer deny that her life is undeniably in danger… and she just might not survive. 

Review | Heidi Dischler

I AM NOT OKAY.

This book is a whirlwind of literally every emotion in the book. I thought that Rebecca Yarros couldn’t top Fourth Wing, and I’ll admit that this book isn’t quite as good, but holy hot damn it’s still probably in my top ten reads this year.

The characters are just as good as the first book. I felt involved with all of the characters who weren’t just people who were mentioned once or twice. However, I will say that I often forgot who a character was when Violet was screaming about their death (I honestly laughed a few times because she was so emotional, and I was just like “who the hell is this person?”). The sheer amount of characters in these novels is probably my only qualm with the characters in general. Because, really, who can remember that many names (especially when they aren’t even common names).

As far as the plot goes, it felt a little wishy-washy in the beginning, but man did it pick up speed. I felt like there was no direction at first, but I was SO wrong. Everything made sense in the end and now my heart is shattered.

You will not regret reading this book if you enjoyed Fourth Wing. Trust me.

Spoilers ahead.

I have a few things that I just absolutely have to talk about or else I might burst like Violet when she uses her power too much.

  • First, I FREAKING KNEW JACK BARLOWE WAS ALIVE AHAHAHA.
  • Second, when Xaden made Varrish kneel and apologize to Violet I legitimately died of laughter.
  • Third, when Solas popped out of that cave when they were trying to win the passes my mouth dropped open and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they would get eaten.
  • Fourth, I just about died when I found out Xaden was an intinsic. I had forgotten that Sgaeyl had chosen one of Xaden’s family members, so when Sloane mentioned the two signets, I was so confused why Violet was freaking out. 
  • Fifth, Xaden. Oh, Xaden. I can’t believe he’s turning into a venin…. My heart is completely broken. It hurts. 
  • Sixth, basically this whole novel made me die if you couldn’t tell 😂.

Overall, read this novel. Literally if you haven’t jumped onto all of the hype of Fourth Wing, start now. Read it. Then read this novel. 

Source: Personal Copy

(P.S. You can read this book for free by signing up for a free trial of Audible, which gives you two free audiobooks of your choice!)

“Because love, at its root, is hope. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for what could be. Hope that the someone you’ve entrusted your everything to will cradle and protect it. And hope? That shit is harder to kill than a dragon.”

– Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame