Iron Flame

OK so we read [b:Fourth Wing 61431922 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) Rebecca Yarros https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701980900l/61431922.SY75.jpg 96945623] for Worst Bestsellers and I bravely spoke my truth that although it was kind of clunky and had bonkers worldbuilding, it was also kinda fun! I might even read the second one, I said!! And then I heard rumors that the 2nd one was so bad fans thought it was written by AI and I was like, well now my curiosity simply COMPELS me to check this one out!! And honestly I really don't get the negative hype–like to me this was approximately as weird and clunky as the first one. A bit longer I guess, DEFO could have used an editor to cut it down–but so could the first one! Nothing about it jumped out to me as obviously AI–no literary equivalent of a 6th finger on a hand or anything.Also I thought some of the reveals were pretty surprising and interesting! The mom's motivations were more complex than I imagined! Dain's change of allegiance! Etc!IDK! I thought this was fine!

I loved fourth wing, i don't think i realised how much I loved it until i read another book after and all i could think about was reading this book.I didn't think it could get better than Fourth wing but it did and I am sure i will love the third book when that comes out!From the very first page, the writing draws you in and refuses to let go. The world-building in the first book is expanded on more including how magic works, especially with XadenThe character development in this book is outstanding. Violet's unwavering determination, Xaden's internal struggles, I am in love with their relationship and the friendships throught this book. even tho it is definitely not primarily a romance the romance is incredible “I'm in love with you. I have been since the night the snow fell in your hair and you kissed me for the first time.”The plot is a lot faster than book 1 in my opinion, but that may just be because i read this quicker than book 1.Rebecca Yarros has created a world that is so vivid and immersive, I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing everything they were. If you're a fan of epic fantasy with a healthy dose of romance and adventure, do yourself a favor and pick up this book – you won't be disappointed![bc:Fourth Wing 61431922 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) Rebecca Yarros https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701980900l/61431922.SY75.jpg 96945623][bc:Iron Flame 90202302 Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) Rebecca Yarros https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706724269l/90202302.SY75.jpg 114498467][a:Rebecca Yarros 7539785 Rebecca Yarros https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1689003619p2/7539785.jpg]

Like sblase I too have many thoughts and will be waiting until book club to discuss and write my review

ok editing my review (1 week later because I can't wait any longer to add this since this is quickly leaving my brain) so I can reference during book club:

This is the best terrible book I've read. The characters were insufferable and the world building was muddled and it should have been about 300 pages shorter. The writing was straight up not good. Violet is clearly a fantasized self insert so why did RY write her to be so insufferable? Nothing about this book felt thought out or defined, which is sad to me because I ate up book 1.

That being said, I did read this almost 900 page book in three days and was practically glued to my kindle. There were parts of it I absolutely loved, but the more I think about this book, the more i dislike it.

This is one of those books that answers a 100 questions you had from the first book but makes you think of another 100. 
It was a great book and carried on perfectly from the previous ending. 
There are so many unexpected twists and turns in this book. 
I went through such a range of emotions reading this book. 
I enjoyed the book so much and really hope it's not long till the 3rd because wow do I have a lot of questions that need answering. 
There where a few bits that I was thinking, speed up a bit and just get on with it but I mostly enjoyed it. 

But really another cliffhanger, you just leave thinking what and why 

When I read Fourth Wing I was very disappointed. It felt like a cheap and poorly written copy cat of all the most famous romantasies, with dragon lore from some good fantasies. It also read very YA, which bothered me as it was marketed for adults.

I entered Iron Flame in the opposite mood of Fourth Wing: low expectations and fully aware of its potential flaws - unoriginal, modern language, Mary Sue, lack of plot, easily guessable twists.

The flaws are still there, but you know what? I ate this up and loved it.

The book has significantly more plot and action than the first. I still abhorred the language, but I was never bored, and this time I was actually surprised by some of the twists.

While on the first book I didn't really feel Violet struggling with her illness, and saw her only as the classical overpowered female lead, here I was able to see her dealing with the pain and working to improve her flaws. I was also finally able to believe her strength was her brain.
I liked that some stupid problems of the world were mentioned and criticized (e.g letting cadets die in the school when there's a war going on), but most of all, I loved that Xaden kept being a strong character, not deferring to every Violet whim, while still fighting for her love and trust.

The second half of the book was much better than the first. I hated the ridiculous school setting and I was glad to see it behind. It was time to see other locations and learn about the rest of the nation. Are we still lacking details i consider important about the world? Yes, many! But it was fine, really.

There are still many bits there are absolute nonsense and some bits poorly executed. I still don't understand the war, which, at this point, I find a bit concerning

Qué hago yo ahora con mi vida hasta que salga el siguiente libro, cómo salgo de esta depresión.
Entre la muerte de Liam (que sigo sin superar), la muerte de la madre que me caía to bien y que ahora Xaden se está transformando en Venin no puedo más. Como en el tercer libro no se solucione lo de Xaden vamos a tener problemas la autora y yo.
Voy a escribir yo el tercer libro, no puedo esperar.

Last night I finished Iron Flame, sequel to The Fourth Wing (second and most recent in the Empyrean series, which the internet thinks will end up being a quintet). I loved The Fourth Wing, it was one of my top picks for 2023, and was super excited to finally read this one. For the uninitiated, I think this series is the standard-bearer for the new “romantasy” genre (romance + fantasy, get it?), and as such it focuses both on the relationship between our protagonist, Violet, and Xaden, who live in a world full of castles and magic and dragons.

What can I say about this book? The top line is, I objectively loved it. As in, hard time putting it down, spending most of my precious free time with my nose in this book, and finished all 623 pages in less than a week. It's good. The world building is cool, I love the dragons, I'm invested in the characters. Buuuuuutttt....I could pick some nits. As in Fourth Wing, the foreshadowing is a bit on the heavy side for my taste. I actually think it's better in this book, as I was surprised more than once this time - but many things feel so obvious to me as the reader that you almost have to think the characters are totally unobservant to not get it sooner. Also, I would love to see Violet and Xaden evolve so that they don't have to be constantly at odds with each other. Like, there are enough obstacles in the world around them? Their relationship could be interesting and full of drama without the constant question of if they'll stay together? (Which, duh, of course they will). Really, though, those are nits. The book is great. If you loved Fourth Wing...you've probably already read this book. If you haven't, and you are either a fantasy or a romance reader, it's worth giving a try.

If you have read both and are not sure what else to read that might be similar - may I suggest Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik? To me very similar vibes to Fourth Wing but in a sci fi setting rather than a fantasy setting.

Violence, remember it's only the body that's fragile. You are unbreakable.

Rebecca, you cannot do this to me. I need the next book NOW.

I'm so happy that this series exists because after reading it, I'm not the same person anymore. Despite not being as amazing as Fourth Wing, Iron Flame is still deserving of all the praise in the world.

Less than a minute, that’s how long it took for you to fall out of love with me.

I'm amazed at the author's creativity in providing subtle clues here and there and making sure everything adds up. Just like in Fourth Wing, I was engrossed in the plot from beginning to end.

The book is split into two parts; the first takes place in Basgiath War College and the second in Aretia.

Watching Violet struggle with her powers and come to terms with them was encouraging. I can't wait to see how powerful she gets in the upcoming books.

You and I are not easy people. What we build together has to be strong enough to withstand a storm. Or a war. Easy isn't going to give that to us.

While it's reassuring to see Violet and Xaden working things out, their arguments had become a little repetitive. Furthermore, this book contained a lot of info dumps, which made it difficult to keep up. I probably need to read it once or twice more in order to understand everything.

I have a lot of questions, as well as theories.

1) When Violet was about to raise the wards, Lilith was not present initially. She only appeared after Violet began to burn out, saving her just in time. Before that, Lilith was fighting near the Vale alongside Xaden. And later, when Violet tells Xaden that her mother was dead, Xaden says the words,

I’m so fucking sorry.

I could never want anyone you love dead.

I found this unsettling. It felt more like a guilty sorry then a condolence for a loved one. So I wonder if Xaden had anything to do with Lilith coming there.

2) Liam’s signet. It was said that Liam’s signet was farsight. But in the battle at Resson, Liam was said to be wielding ice. Since runes are said to be made out of metals or woods, the wood cravings that Liam made might some form of runes. Or maybe Deigh might have bonded another relative of his. But why did Liam lie?

Tairn puts us into position, hovering about twenty feet aboveground as Liam flies for the gryphons above us, wielding spears of ice into the injured wyvern’s throat.

3) I’m pretty sure that Naolin has turned venin. It is nowhere being stated that he died.

We will no longer speak of the one who came before.

Naolin didn’t fail, but it cost him everything.

Part one is a slog. Picks up in Part Two. They're not good books, but they're fun, enjoyable books.

My biggest issue being that the writing feels anachronistic at times. It's not clear what time the book is set in, but I really don't think anyone in whatever time it is would says “what the actual fuck”

The ex-Mormon-learning-to-swear energy isn't as strong in this book though. I'll definitely keep reading the series.

No spoilers. This was a solid follow up to the first book. The writing seemed to improve, the world/lore is expanded, and for the most part the pacing was good.

I burned through it (pun intended) but it's long. Iron Flame feels like two full books, with two complete story arcs. It's cool that we got all this content at once but my personal preference would have been to have them separate.

The bulk of the first half is focused less on the romance and more on the plot which was great, because Violet and Xaden got on my nerves. I wish the conflict between them had more measurable growth, but they just kept having the same fight over and over until they didn't.

Finishing it left me feeling a little brain fried, probably a lot in part to the 878 ebook page count. Would still recommend if you liked the first one.