BOOK REVIEW: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Intense sequel that keeps readers on an adrenaline rush from page one.
It actually took me a while from the time I finished this one to the time I decided to write my review. There are two main reasons for this.
I had to wait for the adrenaline rush to wear off so I could properly process everything
I needed to fully come to terms with my feelings on the ending of the book.
Iron Flame is the sequel to the global phenomenon, Fourth Wing, which I feel flew in on dragon wings from out of the sky surprising everyone. I absolutely loved every minute of that book. It isn’t all the time when you only have to wait a few months for a sequel. I truly feel that helped in maintaining the excitement and power of this series. Anyways, Iron Flame picks up in the exact scene that Fourth Wing ends.
Sometimes I wonder if as a result of loving Fourth Wing so much, that I wasn’t able to see certain things. Let me try to explain. The thing I love most about this book is that you are literally on a non-stop roller coaster ride, and I’m talking about one of those rides that shoots you from 0-60 in 2 seconds and then it just maintains the course. Like being on Space Mountain at Disney for the entire 640 pages. That pace makes it hard at times to really process what is happening and to consider personal feelings about characters, plot, conflict, etc.
Yarros’s ability to sustain that type of pace is incredible. While there were clearly moments of transition between scenes, they were so well placed and precise that you didn’t have a chance to catch your breath because it was simply setting up the next scene. As a result, I feel that this was a plot driven book not a character driven one which Fourth Wing was better at. I would love to hear others’ thoughts on that idea. Maybe it’s because, now that I have had time to process everything, I think I like the Iron Flame plot better than most of the characters.
While the characters are well developed for the most part, Violet drives me absolutely insane. I got so tired of her “trust” issues with Xaden when she was doing the EXACT SAME THING. I love that she is strong, brave, and resourceful, but she also acts like she is 15 half the time, not 21. Dain was trying too hard to make amends, and Xaden was more of a lovesick puppy that the hardcore dragon rider that he was developed to be. The highlight was the secondary characters. I love the development in Rhiannon. Plus, you have Sawyer, Ridoc, Imogen and new characters like Sloane, Cat and Varrish. Even Andarna has her dragon development, which is a total, absolute highlight. I do love a cast of well developed, diverse characters.
The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.
The plot and conflicts that were initially developed and introduced at the end of the last book are enhanced and begin to be fleshed out. The corruption at the top becomes a focal point and leads to the downfall of some powerful people. These are all pieces that I enjoyed. I loved watching our main cast of characters figure out the people who can and can’t be trusted, those who know the truth vs those that think they do. This is a story with themes of strength and resilience, love and self-discovery and secrets and the corruption power can bring. Violet has a chronic condition that really forces her to capitalize on her inner strength; it’s the one aspect of her that I respect the most about her.
Wards, Basgiath, the battle, and the division between the weak and the brave are all elements that become focal points. How they are all interconnected and how they all play a role in the final outcome as well as how it all leads to Violet learning more about her signet and just how powerful she is. It truly was fascinating and gripping.
I love the setting, and Yarros is able to continue building a world that was so well built in book one. There are more details, secret passages and historical elements that come to light and again impact Violet’s true mission. It always amazes me how authors can come up with such intricate stories that are so multifaceted and have the talent to spread out the slow release of elements over several books.
While I’ve been raving about everything I love, there was one huge disappointment. I can get over the characters, but I’m still struggling, months later, with the ending of the book. I enjoyed the surprising developments surrounding a specific character and what his role will be in the third book with Xaden. IYKYK. But, I absolutely hated how the book ended with Xaden. I feel like that is a predictable, almost copout type of situation to put a character in. It almost ruined the entire book for me…almost. It was bad enough that I was finding Violet on the same annoyance level as Feyre from ACOTAR, but then to have that ending. Ugh.
“I can handle pain.” I turn toward her. “I live in pain. I practically built a house there and set up a whole economy. I can take whatever they dish out.”
As much as the ending disappointed me, I know that there is the opportunity for the situation to redeem itself. If Yarros continues to deliver the literary talent she has up to this point, I am hopeful she will see this through in a way that is fresh and satisfying.
Where does it land on my bookshelf?
Absolutely on the top shelf. I can respect the power and brilliance of this one, even if I don’t think it lived up to the power of the first one. It was a fantastic sequel, especially when there are times when sequels don’t even come close to the original. If nothing else, the consistency of the tension and drama established on page 1 through to the end is enough to make this a must read. You can’t overlook the dragons, battles, old and new enemies, and the old and new allies. There are so many new characters, that it can actually be a little difficult to keep them all straight. This is an absolute must read for fantasy readers or those that are looking for a book to break into the genre. I am eager for book #3 which has a release date of December 2024! Let’s Go!!!!!
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