What is this book about?
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.
A short review:
Once again, the protagonist Violet Sorrengail is very likable and funny and one specific line where she tells her dragon Tarin to “stop bringing logic into an emotional argument” had me in stiches. And the rest of Rebecca Yarros’ characters in Iron Flame are just as fun and interesting to read about and especially Ridoc had me laugh out loud more than once. All in all, Yarros really made me care deeply about all of her characters – even the unlikable ones – and that is no easy feat.
I also really like the little tidbits information about Navarre, Tyrrendor and Poromiel, Rebecca Yarros adds at the beginning of every chapter, as it gives the reader a little more insight into her world.
That being said, I feel like some of the information is presented out of order. For example, after Violet has gone to the archives basically every morning in Fourth Wing, why is she only describing the grief at the memory of her father in those archives in chapter 18 of the second book? Or what is the point of drawing attention to a character having changed their surname, but not mentioning the new surname until later in the story.
Also, in my opinion, it takes too long for Violet to learn how to control her signet.
What I especially liked:
Again, I really like the dragons and adolescent Andarna is especially funny and – in lack of a better word – badass. Also, the line “We do not eat our allies – Tarin’s personal addendum to the book of Brennan” was simply hilarious.
I also found Violet’s and Xaden’s honest discussion in chapter 48 very refreshing.
What I didn’t particularly like:
The lack of communication between Violet and Xaden, which goes on for a good part of the book, is a little frustrating and I found myself screaming at the book: “JUST COMMUNICATE” every time Xaden demanded Violet just ask him questions.
Conclusion:
Even with all my complaints, I really enjoyed reading Iron Flame, and it left me wanting more. So, if you liked Fourth Wing, Iron Flame is well worth a read.
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