Book Review: Iron Flame

• Book Blurb

  She survived her first year at Basgiath War College, but the danger is just beginning…

  Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College―Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

  Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

  Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits―and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

  But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

  Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College―and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

  She survived her first year at Basgiath War College, but the danger is just beginning…

  Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College―Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

  Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

  Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits―and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

  But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

  Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College―and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

• My review

  If you loved Fourth Wing, chances are you’ll enjoy this one too. Just know: it’s good, but not quite as good as book one. Expect more characters, more twists, and more drama—sometimes at the expense of clarity. Still, the dragons, the action, and the romance keep it fun.

  Iron Flame picks up right where Fourth Wing left off.

  I’ll be honest—I’m not a huge fan of drama that feels unnecessary, and some of the conflict here came dangerously close to filler, like the author didn’t quite know how else to add tension. Still, I devoured the book because I love this world of dragons, war, and secrets. The worldbuilding is really well done.

  My favorite character this time? Tairn (a dragon). I adored his dry humor.

  “I could torch him if you would like,” Tairn offers. “But you do seem attached.”

  Andarna (another dragon), on the other hand, felt too much like a petulant teen for my taste.

  The ending? A twist that felt a little forced. If you don’t like plots that get more complicated with every book, this series may start to wear on you.

  Romance & Spice

  Violet and Xaden’s relationship continues to evolve, though it’s far from smooth. The chemistry is definitely there (that bathroom scene was fire🔥), but I didn’t feel like their relationship truly deepened.

  Violet came across as more stubborn and immature than before. What I loved about her in Fourth Wing was that she was imperfect but clever and willing to grow. Here, she felt less mature.

  Xaden, meanwhile, is under immense pressure, and it’s clear he’s doing the best he can.

  The spice? Sparse and drawn out. It seemed like Yarros wanted to recreate the tension of book one, but instead, it distracted from the story. That said, we still get a couple of good scenes.

  If you loved Fourth Wing, chances are you’ll enjoy this one too. Just know: it’s good, but not quite as good as book one. Expect more characters, more twists, and more drama—sometimes at the expense of clarity. Still, the dragons, the action, and the romance keep it fun.

  Iron Flame picks up right where Fourth Wing left off.

  I’ll be honest—I’m not a huge fan of drama that feels unnecessary, and some of the conflict here came dangerously close to filler, like the author didn’t quite know how else to add tension. Still, I devoured the book because I love this world of dragons, war, and secrets. The worldbuilding is really well done.

  My favorite character this time? Tairn (a dragon). I adored his dry humor.

  “I could torch him if you would like,” Tairn offers. “But you do seem attached.”

  Andarna (another dragon), on the other hand, felt too much like a petulant teen for my taste.

  The ending? A twist that felt a little forced. If you don’t like plots that get more complicated with every book, this series may start to wear on you.

  Romance & Spice

  Violet and Xaden’s relationship continues to evolve, though it’s far from smooth. The chemistry is definitely there (that bathroom scene was fire🔥), but I didn’t feel like their relationship truly deepened.

  Violet came across as more stubborn and immature than before. What I loved about her in Fourth Wing was that she was imperfect but clever and willing to grow. Here, she felt less mature.

  Xaden, meanwhile, is under immense pressure, and it’s clear he’s doing the best he can.

  The spice? Sparse and drawn out. It seemed like Yarros wanted to recreate the tension of book one, but instead, it distracted from the story. That said, we still get a couple of good scenes.

Character & romance details

Who will love this book

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