Reviews with content warning for Violence - Iron Flame

Type of read: Commuter Read.

What made me pick it up: BookTok made me start the series, Yarros writing in 'Fourth Wing' brought me back.

Overall rating: The Empyrean series continually reminds me that for every ten books recommended on BookTok, only one or two are going to be good. And 'Iron Flame' is good. I cringed, audibly gasped, cried, laughed, and generally, just enjoyed 'Iron Flame.' The character development was natural, the introduction of new characters made sense, the relationship building was steamy but real (seriously, can't tell you how much I love seeing a couple have issues...book boyfriends are great, but it's not all hearts and roses). While there are a few predictable bits and pieces, it's not overwhelming or taking away from the storyline. If anything, it gives the reader a chance to say 'I KNEW IT!'

I wasn't expecting the ending, but I'm not surprised by it. About half way through the book, I was wondering what Yarros was going to do to keep the Xaden/Violet relationship moving but tumultuous.

I don't really know how I'm expected to hold out until 2025 for 'Onyx Storm' but if I must...I'll just be here dreaming of my continuing collection of shadow daddies.

Reader's Note: 'Iron Flame' includes themes of war, death, dying, torture, and sex. I'll also add, as a copy-paste from my review of 'Fourth Wing' since it also applies to 'Iron Flame:' There's not a lack of sex. Descriptive, steamy, wall shattering, sex. If you've read the ACOTAR series, it's Silver Flames-level sex, with a few Starlight cringe moments. Additionally, I appreciate the fact that our FMC is a sex-positive individual.

Content Warnings

last_jesi's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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knickles99's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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c_jbutterfly24's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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sarahlaney7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book destroyed me in the best possible way. Rebecca Yarros is pure genius and I loved getting to know the characters even more in this book than I did the last one. I have nothing but love for this book. It is so beautifully, impossibly real.

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aprilefoster's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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sandysmith's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book Fourth Wing, but it was likeable enough. DRAGONS ! Violet and Xaden have serious trust issues as Xaden keeps things from her. Parts of the book are slow, and others breathtakingly fast, so the pacing for me was a bit off. But Dragon's and particularly the ones bonded to Violet Tairn and my favourite Andarna now a fabulous teenager. I will read the next book in the series when it comes out (I've started, so I'll finish), but there are more questions arising from the cliffhanger ending. Excellent stuff, but I hope the next book has more Fourth Wing vibes...

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