Iron Flame

Violet thought that surviving the first year in Basgiath was going to be difficult. Little did she know that surviving the second year after finding out life-changing secrets at the end of Fourth Wing is going to be even more difficult. Between discovering new enemies, more hidden secrets, and making new allies, the second year is going to be more interesting, but definitely more difficult than the first.

This book was a journey to read! For one thing, I am happy that the Sorrengail siblings got back together. I kept expecting Mira to pick the wrong side of the conflict, so I was thrilled she showed up at Aretia.  I loved seeing the growth in Xaden's character and his relationship with Violet. However, his insistence on her asking questions to receive information felt unfair. If these two communicated better, maybe things wouldn't have ended the way they did. Oh, and that ending! It HURT!  Oh, and I love adolescent Andarna more than I love teenage Groot, and that's saying a lot. And Tairn rules!

I don't often theorize about where the stories I am reading will go, but I have a theory for this I want to share.  I felt a lot of betrayal from Markham, having been Violet's mentor before she joined the riders. There was a mention that the leadership positions used to be occupied by members of the different quadrants. I think the scribes did not like this, and, not being able to face the riders, they needed someone stronger, so they dug up the knowledge to create the venin and wyverns. I am also worried the venin's leader will be Xaden's mom!