Iron Flame (The Empyrean, 2)

↳ Iron Flame (The Empyrean, 2)— Rebecca Yarros

Rating— ★★★★★

“𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓃𝒸𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝒾𝑒. 𝐼𝓉 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝒷𝒿𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓎.”   ⟡ Thoughts— The emotional rollercoaster I endured while reading this book was so intense that I had to take extra time between scenes to stop reading & ponder what just happened. I felt every emotion under the sun, laughing one moment then being pissed off the next. There were hardly any moments where I felt I could take a mental rest because of how action-centered this book was. I’m still in awe that this is only book 2 out of a 5 book series given all that happened.   It’s no secret that I absolutely adore the main characters & their dragons, but what took me by surprise was my fixation for the supporting characters. I’m usually indifferent when it comes to side characters, but Yarros made it utterly impossible for me NOT to care. I thought Liam was the exception but after finishing Iron Flame, I realized I’m completely attached to the entire squad—new members included.   This book just about alleviated most of the queries I harbored from Fourth Wing, while also sparking up so many more. My advice before going into this book is to re-read Fourth Wing right before jumping into Iron Flame. I personally followed this route, and it was definitely worth taking the extra time. Most of the theories I pondered in the first book were set to rest and I’m glad for it.

With all that being said, I can admit that this was by no means a perfect book. There were things I found unnecessary and some scenes I thought were anticlimactic. However, for being only the second book of a series, I think Yarros did a fantastic job— hence, there’s still plenty of time to iron out the bumps in the story. I speculated that this book was going to be solely transitional, but I found it to be that & so much more.

The 2 Iron Flame volumes are well allotted and move smartly along. The character development is strong for the most part, including peripheral characters.

The weakness in both books is the adolescent sex scenes that seem forced and something of a "poke in the eye" of Dad or Mom's patent all expectations, (not a mature author's necessity.) Some of the plot development seems "stagey"... as in, "please, please option this for a t.v. series"... or... " yes, this is YA, but don't limit my reader options.

Overall this is an entertaining and well-considered series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 4.5 stars *tried to be vague as possible but may be slight spoilers read at your own risk What I loved:

• Xaden & Violet
• Their love confessions
• Fighting for one another
• All the twists, unexpected plot bombs everywhere
• The dragons complete this story, Tairn & Andarna forever 💕
• Iron squad
• Found family gets even stronger
• Sorrengail siblings
• All the action and battles were epic
• Felix is a WAYYYY better teacher than Carr
• More backstory, more character development history insight

Didn’t enjoy/wanted more:

• more healthy relationship building with Xaden & Violet, less sex and more healthy dicussion so the sex was more meaningful instead of avoiding meaningful discussion
• More trust for Xaden from Violet (we started getting there)
• Violet to not lose her confidence in her intelligence
• The freaking ending. Are you kidding me?! The battle was hard enough. Did Rebecca really have to do that???! “You should be scared of me”
• More Iron Squad shenanigans, never enough
• More of Xaden’s history
• More from Violet’s childhood, specifically need more details on dad
• LESS OF JFB 😡
• More about Tairn & Sgaeyl’s relationship
• Everything about Cat pissed me off, it sorta resolved but also felt a little unnecessary, but I saw why she’s in the story to push Xaden towards more honesty. But still hated just about everything about her character

I didn’t know I was capable of being so invested in a couple’s story. But here I am praying Xaden & Violet get their HEA somewhere in this long series 🫠 I don’t have all the words for my feelings about this book. But I can say I’ve felt just about every emotion in this book 🙃 plot and storyline is phenomenal. The suspense is next level and kept me devouring the book. I don’t know how to recover from this book 🫣🫠 I had to take a half point away because the ending has left me SHATTERED. There better be a way that this gets fixed and Xaden & Violet get some version of a HEA because if those two don’t make it, I’ll be PISSED. January cannot come fast enough 😭😭

This is an open door book with open scenes. Easy to skip about 4-5 pages each. There are frequent discussions of sex and innuendo. There is a lot of cursing, violence, torture, kidnapping, PTSD, and death.

Songs for the book: “Game of Survival” by Ruelle “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo “Natural” by Imagine Dragons

Songs for Violet & Xaden: “Last night” by Morgan Wallen “War of Hearts” by Ruelle “loml” by Taylor Swift “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift & Post Malone “Home” by Good Neighbors “So it goes” by Taylor Swift “Another Forever” by Ni/Co “After life” by Hailee Steinfield “Haven’t you ever been in love before” by Lewis Capaldi

Xaden to Violet: “Sleeptalking” by Jake Scott *** “Pointless” by Lewis Capaldi “After You” by Meghan Trainer “Don’t make it easy” by Jake Scott “My Home” by The Change “Come close” by Jake Scott “Banks” by NEEDTOBREATHE

Violet: “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift “If this is goodbye” by Britton “I’m Fakin” by Sabrina Carpenter

Dain to Violet: “Vicious” by Sabrina Carpenter “Wish You The Best” by Lewis Capaldi “Happier” by Ed Sheeran

Rebecca Yarros masterfully crafts a narrative that is as enthralling as it is vivid. With an exceptional talent for describing characters and scenes, the author brings the fantastical world within the pages to life with striking detail and accuracy. Each description is meticulously crafted, painting a picture so clear it feels as though you're standing right in the midst of the action, witnessing the events unfold before your very eyes.

The plot of "Iron Wing" is a labyrinth of twists and turns. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages as you are drawn deeper into the intricately woven narrative. The story’s ability to engage and surprise is its strongest suit, making it impossible to put the book down. Just when you think you have figured it out, the story veers into uncharted territory, demonstrating the author's skill in storytelling.

Adding to the allure of "Iron Wing" are the spicy scenes interspersed throughout the book. These moments are penned with a finesse that makes them utterly captivating, ensuring that they are sure to make the reader melt. The chemistry between characters is palpable, written in a way that is both tasteful and electrifying. These scenes add a layer of intensity to the narrative, making the emotional highs and lows of the characters even more profound.

In conclusion, "Iron Wing" is a masterpiece of fantasy literature that offers everything a reader could wish for: a vividly realized world, a gripping plot full of surprises, and moments of intense emotion that are beautifully depicted. The author's ability to describe the characters and scenes with such detail and accuracy, coupled with a storyline that captivates from the first page to the last, and the perfectly placed spicy scenes, makes this book an unforgettable read. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for your next great read, "Iron Wing" is sure to satisfy.

I am so in awe of both "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" that I thought I would sit here staring at a blank screen for a long time while trying to find words to express my respect for Rebecca Yarros, author of both books. I just spent 3 days reading them and the only reason it took so long is that one still has to bath, eat, water plants, feed pets and sleep though I did not do much of the latter.

What writers call voice in both books is so very perfect that I immediately want to reread both books! The voice is fresh and up-to-date and modern even for the dragons yet fits perfectly into whatever period of time this fantasy took place but clearly when there were dragons! Before proceeding, however, I need to hyperventilate briefly.

First of all, it is totally immature and so unnecessary for anyone to post a critical plot point in a review especially on purpose and without first posting a spoiler alert. This happens not only with these books but others as well. Doing so is just another, although minor, example of how Homo sapiens have free will which they unfortunately can and often do waste on trivialities. So, then, here is how I deal with the review situation.

I do not read them until after I read the book, then I read them to see how others felt about the book. Since one needs to know what the book is about before purchase, then reading the descriptive paragraphs at the listing along with reading the free chapters Amazon thankfully offers at the listing itself will provide that. Thanks Amazon. Reading those chapters and the description plus checking the star/purchase numbers are good steps to take to avoid learning too much in a review prior to reading the book.

The second rant has to do with plot. Let me assure everyone there are NO NEW PLOTS. People have been murdering people since the beginning of time. It is how the author takes a plot(s) and makes it her/his own that matters to the reader. It is doubtful anyone knows how many dragon/people/rider fantasy books are out there so in the end it is a personal opinion as to which book(s) one chooses to like.

Having so many to choose from means some plot points will seem similar. For instance how many ways are there to shove a dagger into someone's ribs, a plot point in a massive number of books? This author knew how to handle the plot she chose and then developed with aplomb. Both books kept my attention fully--page after page after page.

I so love both books. What is so outstanding about both is that we learn most everything we need to know about each well developed character, not by telling, but by showing through their actions and their sharp and sometimes witty dialogue. It is beyond skillful at how on point the conversations are not only between the humans but the humans and their dragons especially Tairn and Violet and with Andarna--such a cutie and definitely my favorite dragon. The growing relationship between Violet and Xaden is razor sharp and on point.

Violet gets wonky with her "having to know all the truth up front demands" regardless of how Xaden has put forth so much effort to show her he cares. Everyone has secrets but a book needs tension to advance so whoa and hold on the tension builds and builds between those two. Xaden is my favorite character out of many favorites. Their arguments are worth "eavesdropping" on and their love scenes are well done (Chapter 48 is mentioned by some reviewers).

In this book Violet, in spite of her fragile bones and smaller size but because of her iron will and cleverness, and all those who made it through First Year at the Basgiath War College (covered in Fourth Wing") are now Second Years. Third years like my favorite character, Xaden, have graduated out and been assigned to outposts outside Basgiath. Thus begins an every other week trip for Violet and Xaden, him with her one weekend, her with him the next weekend. This is so their mated dragons can have time together each weekend.

It is also in this book that Basgiath and all the outposts are put in perspective regarding the coming battle. The 'revolution' becomes a much larger focal point and Violet learns about Xaden's connection to the estate in Aretia. One can already see by this point how hard it is to give this book the 10 star, 100% review it deserves! Just read it and see what I mean. It is one well-done, well written heck of a book and do not forget "Fourth Wing first!!

This book covers in more detail wards, the reason for them and the ins and outs of setting them up and what happens when they do not work (descriptive details I liked BTW). Details regarding the approaching battle then the battle itself are incredible. I am skimming plot points here since others have covered them very well but there is a lot of stuff left hanging at the end of this book and the end itself will floor you. It is like learning to fly on your own and suddenly losing that ability and plopping onto the ground and then fighting to just take a breath. It is shocking, promise.

When an author has done their job, the reader will fantasize about what may happen next but this book leaves so much stuff hanging that there has to be another book. My favorite character deserves a better ending--the last two chapters still has me plopped on the ground breathless. So here's a partial list of the left-hanging questions.

What happens between Violet and Xaden after the battle's aftermath? What happens to Aretia? Will Andarna's newly acquired fire play a role in the future especially in helping to set up wards? What happens to Basgiath after the war? What happens about the new dragon hatchlings? Will Cat's crew of riders play a future role? And, BTW, how did Jack get the way he turned out?

So very many unanswered questions in addition to many, many not covered here. So, then, Rebecca Yarros, listen up: We readers have to have another book--please, please and thank you!!