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jk_imreading's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
delaynie's review against another edition
4.0
Iron Flame was an entertaining sequel to Fourth Wing. I had fun with it. I think what made Iron Flame a really enjoyable experience was 1. I read it immediately following the first book and 2. I listened to it as an audiobook. I was able to ride the high of FW directly into the sequel. Plus, I wasn't intimidated by a large book because it wasn't in front of me. I wasn't constantly checking my progress or comparing its pacing to the first book. I think both factors set me up to have good stamina for this one.
Iron Flame begins right where FW ends. Both the readers and Violet are able to answer questions presented in the first book and make a whole new list of questions as the book's world building and plot continues. I enjoyed the advances to the plot, characters, and overall world that were introduced in Iron Flame. Overall, I gave it four stars because I really liked it. Was it better than Fourth Wing? I don't think it was better, but I don't think it had to be. I liked them equally and could not get enough of either book. Iron Flame ended with me wishing the next book was out already, and I think that is a good sign.
Warning: Spoiler Territory
What I liked -
I enjoyed exploring more of the world and its history. It was nice to get out of Basgiath. I think their world is more contextualized and definitely feels bigger than the first book. I liked learning more about flyers and the lives they lead in Poromiel. I liked how the flyers and riders were kind of forced to see each group as real, non-enemies despite their histories.
There was so much content! It was the same in FW. I could see it being too much, but I think that the author likes packing content into her books. I respect that.
I also respected Violet. I think what we, as readers, forget sometimes is if the characters were perfect, they'd be boring. Violet made good and bad decisions. She was a force all the same. She is so mentally tough and now more physically tough. She's still working on being emotionally tough. That's okay. She has time to grow. These past two books have really put her through hell. I admire her ability to keep up with it all. I think her portrayal in this book was honest. She suffered without the community support of her friends for a while. She was lied to and felt lonely keeping secrets, unfolding secrets, battling grief, putting on appearances and staying alive. That kind of stress and pressure on a person can be A LOT. I give her grace for not being the best, most honest friend/kind of girlfriend to Xaden. Not that Xaden is perfect...
I still root for Xaden and Violet. All I wanted while reading this book was for them to sit down and have a real honest conversation with each other. And maybe kiss. It was a little prolonged for dramatics, but at the same time it kind of makes sense. Xaden should have been more naturally forthcoming, but also, he had a lot of ground to cover ranging from mild secrets to deadly secrets. Eventually they had some good, constructive conversations about their relationship. Those were some of my favorite parts. When Xaden and Violet are happy and honest, it's like all is right in the world. They still have ground to cover in their relationship to make it stronger, but I think they are working to create a healthy foundation. Emphasis on working.
Another one of my favorite parts included the interrogation challenge and then her real interrogation. Obviously, I knew Violet wasn't going to die. But there were other consequences she could have faced while in those situations. The tension and suspense during those scenes were great. Varrish worked as a temporary villain. I was waiting two books for Dain to see into her memories. It was bound to happen at some point in an intentional way. That moment was so juicy.
Some of the side characters were a joy. Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer are a solid group of friends. I kept thinking one of them would turn on Violet or die, but I'm thankful none of them did. I think they showed her what true and earnest support/friendship looked like. I want to see them all continue to grow as friends. I never want their own povs though. Aaric was a pleasant surprise. I would be interested to learn more about him as time goes on. Tairn is always a hoot, but he would probably be offended if he was called that. Tairn is more of a character to me than Andarna. More on that later.
What I disliked -
Okay, sometimes it feels like Andarna is more of a plot device than a character. She's like a sassy, baby Groot, plot device though. She's probably supposed to be like that, so I'm not too bothered by it. It's just something I want to note. Andarna always seems to have a special revelation coming. I think it would be nice if the story gave us more time and space with Andarna to just be.
Xaden, bless his heart, has a lot he needs to work on. The end of this book obviously presents new challenges for him as an individual and for his and Violet's relationship. Throughout this book I thought he could be more vulnerable. He has such a vast history and more secrets than Violet. I thought his way of only answering questions was not the best way for Violet to get to know him better. If he asked Violet to, "Say those three little words" one more time, I think I could have punched him. It was too Chuck and Blair from Gossip Girl for me, minus the manipulation. He could have had more agency and transparency to help resolve their ongoing trust issue. Also, some of his lines are just a bit too romantic that they border on cringe for me.
General thoughts -
I don't hate Dain. I don't know if I ever did. I think he will be an interesting character to follow in the coming books.
I think Sloane and Violet could have had a stronger relationship. I don’t think Vi had the time or energy to train her personally, so it made since why Violet gave Sloane to Imogen to oversee her training. There's still time for them to bond, but it would have been nice for their relationship to grow. I think Sloane began to trust Violet a little too easily giving her feelings towards her at the beginning of the book. Overall, their relationship didn't have as much as an impact as I thought it would. I could have had too high of expectations though.
Xaden's situation reminds me of Dimitri's situation in Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead. I have hope that he is going to be restored to normal because they found a way to restore Dimitri in Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead. I just wonder how long we will have to wait for Xaden's situation to change if it does.
I will be reading Onyx Storm come January 2025. This series has wiggled its way into my life, and I am fully invested in seeing it through. This series is reminding me it's really fun to read. Thank you, Rebecca Yarros.
Iron Flame begins right where FW ends. Both the readers and Violet are able to answer questions presented in the first book and make a whole new list of questions as the book's world building and plot continues. I enjoyed the advances to the plot, characters, and overall world that were introduced in Iron Flame. Overall, I gave it four stars because I really liked it. Was it better than Fourth Wing? I don't think it was better, but I don't think it had to be. I liked them equally and could not get enough of either book. Iron Flame ended with me wishing the next book was out already, and I think that is a good sign.
Warning: Spoiler Territory
What I liked -
I enjoyed exploring more of the world and its history. It was nice to get out of Basgiath. I think their world is more contextualized and definitely feels bigger than the first book. I liked learning more about flyers and the lives they lead in Poromiel. I liked how the flyers and riders were kind of forced to see each group as real, non-enemies despite their histories.
There was so much content! It was the same in FW. I could see it being too much, but I think that the author likes packing content into her books. I respect that.
I also respected Violet. I think what we, as readers, forget sometimes is if the characters were perfect, they'd be boring. Violet made good and bad decisions. She was a force all the same. She is so mentally tough and now more physically tough. She's still working on being emotionally tough. That's okay. She has time to grow. These past two books have really put her through hell. I admire her ability to keep up with it all. I think her portrayal in this book was honest. She suffered without the community support of her friends for a while. She was lied to and felt lonely keeping secrets, unfolding secrets, battling grief, putting on appearances and staying alive. That kind of stress and pressure on a person can be A LOT. I give her grace for not being the best, most honest friend/kind of girlfriend to Xaden. Not that Xaden is perfect...
I still root for Xaden and Violet. All I wanted while reading this book was for them to sit down and have a real honest conversation with each other. And maybe kiss. It was a little prolonged for dramatics, but at the same time it kind of makes sense. Xaden should have been more naturally forthcoming, but also, he had a lot of ground to cover ranging from mild secrets to deadly secrets. Eventually they had some good, constructive conversations about their relationship. Those were some of my favorite parts. When Xaden and Violet are happy and honest, it's like all is right in the world. They still have ground to cover in their relationship to make it stronger, but I think they are working to create a healthy foundation. Emphasis on working.
Another one of my favorite parts included the interrogation challenge and then her real interrogation. Obviously, I knew Violet wasn't going to die. But there were other consequences she could have faced while in those situations. The tension and suspense during those scenes were great. Varrish worked as a temporary villain. I was waiting two books for Dain to see into her memories. It was bound to happen at some point in an intentional way. That moment was so juicy.
Some of the side characters were a joy. Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer are a solid group of friends. I kept thinking one of them would turn on Violet or die, but I'm thankful none of them did. I think they showed her what true and earnest support/friendship looked like. I want to see them all continue to grow as friends. I never want their own povs though. Aaric was a pleasant surprise. I would be interested to learn more about him as time goes on. Tairn is always a hoot, but he would probably be offended if he was called that. Tairn is more of a character to me than Andarna. More on that later.
What I disliked -
Okay, sometimes it feels like Andarna is more of a plot device than a character. She's like a sassy, baby Groot, plot device though. She's probably supposed to be like that, so I'm not too bothered by it. It's just something I want to note. Andarna always seems to have a special revelation coming. I think it would be nice if the story gave us more time and space with Andarna to just be.
Xaden, bless his heart, has a lot he needs to work on. The end of this book obviously presents new challenges for him as an individual and for his and Violet's relationship. Throughout this book I thought he could be more vulnerable. He has such a vast history and more secrets than Violet. I thought his way of only answering questions was not the best way for Violet to get to know him better. If he asked Violet to, "Say those three little words" one more time, I think I could have punched him. It was too Chuck and Blair from Gossip Girl for me, minus the manipulation. He could have had more agency and transparency to help resolve their ongoing trust issue. Also, some of his lines are just a bit too romantic that they border on cringe for me.
General thoughts -
I don't hate Dain. I don't know if I ever did. I think he will be an interesting character to follow in the coming books.
I think Sloane and Violet could have had a stronger relationship. I don’t think Vi had the time or energy to train her personally, so it made since why Violet gave Sloane to Imogen to oversee her training. There's still time for them to bond, but it would have been nice for their relationship to grow. I think Sloane began to trust Violet a little too easily giving her feelings towards her at the beginning of the book. Overall, their relationship didn't have as much as an impact as I thought it would. I could have had too high of expectations though.
Xaden's situation reminds me of Dimitri's situation in Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead. I have hope that he is going to be restored to normal because they found a way to restore Dimitri in Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead. I just wonder how long we will have to wait for Xaden's situation to change if it does.
I will be reading Onyx Storm come January 2025. This series has wiggled its way into my life, and I am fully invested in seeing it through. This series is reminding me it's really fun to read. Thank you, Rebecca Yarros.
jadatrack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blaje42's review against another edition
Made it about 25%. Just getting bored and irritated with the romance dynamic and the secondary characters are all kind of blending together. Too long to push through something that just wasn't grabbing me.
matchabeans's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
gaviaroma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
luna_a's review against another edition
It was just way too slow for me... I kept thinking I might read it later but at this point I forgot everything that I read. Maybe one day I'll read it, but probably not.