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cryosphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
You know how some people wait for an entire series to be released before they commit to reading it? Well, good for them, I have envy because now I have to wait who knows how long before the next one.
There's a lot going on here, which I expected being that the sequel is a lot longer, and the pacing gets a bit clunky at times but I'm glad we are at least going places outside of Basgiath. It's still a hell of a rollercoaster the whole time. I had several audible reaction to many scenes while reading.
I still love Xaden and some of the best swoon-eorthy dialogue happens but Violet got a annoyingly bratty at times. The dragons are still a hoot. The squad group is delightful.
Now give me Book 3, please and thank you.
There's a lot going on here, which I expected being that the sequel is a lot longer, and the pacing gets a bit clunky at times but I'm glad we are at least going places outside of Basgiath. It's still a hell of a rollercoaster the whole time. I had several audible reaction to many scenes while reading.
I still love Xaden and some of the best swoon-eorthy dialogue happens but Violet got a annoyingly bratty at times. The dragons are still a hoot. The squad group is delightful.
Now give me Book 3, please and thank you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness and Torture
Minor: Ableism
eberzy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
5 stars - for the series. Immaculate vibes. Scratches all the itches. Plus the fanfare and community around this book is incredible. Also just some really cool things going on. Those script quotes at the beginning of each chapter are super cool and have to be dropping hints for later revelations, right? The time gaps always seem perfectly timed, very intentional.
4.25-4.5 stars - for this particular book. It wasn't quite as good as Fourth Wing. Perhaps because of the pacing or length? I just wasn't as engaged.
So 800 pages---sheesh! Readers more than get their money's worth. I would have been absolutely okay if this had been split into two books. This was a giant to get through; however, I enjoyed every minute of it. Shout out to Rebecca for not being a money grabber.
I really enjoyed this book's realism in its relationships and banter. The representation of Andarna as a sassy adolescent was perfect. <I typically don't like the whole miscommunication between romantic interests creating a rift trope, but it was well-done here in the way that both Xaden and Violet were eventually able to admit their wrong doing and sift through emotions like adults. The interactions with other war college groups--infantry and scribes was fun. I think the sub-plot around the professors, especially Nolon, experimenting with venin was awesome. I love that even at this point we don't really understand the intentions there (help us out a little Xaden??), but that the whole thing gives us ideas for what could now happen with Xaden. I also loved the scene where Jack saved Violet. It's a twist that again, sets us up for what could or could not happen with Xaden.>
The couple things I didn't like--a lot of side characters introduced quickly; some of the scenes felt unnecessary (e.g. the castle, the gryphon mountain climb), but I'm hoping they will come into play with upcoming books; and General Sorrengail's savior move felt predictable. It was very similar to the long-lost father coming and saving the day in the ACOTAR series.
<There are a couple of areas of plot that are either holes or I just missed:
-How is no one, even in Aretia, questioning what's going on with Andarna? Why is no one commenting that she all of a sudden grew and changed colors? I thought that absolutely no one knew that dragon youth could bond.
-Why couldn't Xaden tell Violet anything? Why was it always "ask me." I felt like her needing to ask was going to be some sort of plot point...like Xaden is under a curse and can't verbally share things.
-Why was no one overly concerned or interested in talking about the fact that Violet's special knife opened the door to the interrogation room? That seems important, especially considering in book 1 the venin were going after something that seemed to be locked up in the middle of the town.
-How did Ridoc and team help hide Aaric's blistered hand when Basgiath leadership was doing a search? Perhaps this doesn't really matter.
-Why would General Sorrengail make a deal with Xaden and not just one of the head professors at Basgiath to protect Violet?>
<Some random predictions:
-No one really dies after they fall off the parapet. After falling, they are swept up into the venin army (thus why Violet commented that one she saw in battle seemed young, almost her age). Also, just a side note, when we're talking about the Venin, I am picturing the Game of Thrones Ice King and his army.
-Violet's second signet is dream walking or something? That could be why she has all those intense dreams in this book. An alternative is something to do with texts and reading...I mean she has scribe history in her blood supposedly! OR one other option is it has something to do with flexibility/regeneration--thus her muscle condition and Andarna's malformed wings. Plus it seems like she has started healing without Nolon more and more.
-Sloan is going to be key to getting rid of or at least stalling the Venin. Theoretically, she can siphon the energy right out of them.
-Violet is part something...maybe venin? The venin clearly notice something every time they look at her silver portion of hair. And this would cover that part in the scripts about the blood of two or whatever.>
4.25-4.5 stars - for this particular book. It wasn't quite as good as Fourth Wing. Perhaps because of the pacing or length? I just wasn't as engaged.
So 800 pages---sheesh! Readers more than get their money's worth. I would have been absolutely okay if this had been split into two books. This was a giant to get through; however, I enjoyed every minute of it. Shout out to Rebecca for not being a money grabber.
I really enjoyed this book's realism in its relationships and banter. The representation of Andarna as a sassy adolescent was perfect. <I typically don't like the whole miscommunication between romantic interests creating a rift trope, but it was well-done here in the way that both Xaden and Violet were eventually able to admit their wrong doing and sift through emotions like adults. The interactions with other war college groups--infantry and scribes was fun. I think the sub-plot around the professors, especially Nolon, experimenting with venin was awesome. I love that even at this point we don't really understand the intentions there (help us out a little Xaden??), but that the whole thing gives us ideas for what could now happen with Xaden. I also loved the scene where Jack saved Violet. It's a twist that again, sets us up for what could or could not happen with Xaden.>
The couple things I didn't like--a lot of side characters introduced quickly; some of the scenes felt unnecessary (e.g. the castle, the gryphon mountain climb), but I'm hoping they will come into play with upcoming books; and General Sorrengail's savior move felt predictable. It was very similar to the long-lost father coming and saving the day in the ACOTAR series.
<There are a couple of areas of plot that are either holes or I just missed:
-How is no one, even in Aretia, questioning what's going on with Andarna? Why is no one commenting that she all of a sudden grew and changed colors? I thought that absolutely no one knew that dragon youth could bond.
-Why couldn't Xaden tell Violet anything? Why was it always "ask me." I felt like her needing to ask was going to be some sort of plot point...like Xaden is under a curse and can't verbally share things.
-Why was no one overly concerned or interested in talking about the fact that Violet's special knife opened the door to the interrogation room? That seems important, especially considering in book 1 the venin were going after something that seemed to be locked up in the middle of the town.
-How did Ridoc and team help hide Aaric's blistered hand when Basgiath leadership was doing a search? Perhaps this doesn't really matter.
-Why would General Sorrengail make a deal with Xaden and not just one of the head professors at Basgiath to protect Violet?>
<Some random predictions:
-No one really dies after they fall off the parapet. After falling, they are swept up into the venin army (thus why Violet commented that one she saw in battle seemed young, almost her age). Also, just a side note, when we're talking about the Venin, I am picturing the Game of Thrones Ice King and his army.
-Violet's second signet is dream walking or something? That could be why she has all those intense dreams in this book. An alternative is something to do with texts and reading...I mean she has scribe history in her blood supposedly! OR one other option is it has something to do with flexibility/regeneration--thus her muscle condition and Andarna's malformed wings. Plus it seems like she has started healing without Nolon more and more.
-Sloan is going to be key to getting rid of or at least stalling the Venin. Theoretically, she can siphon the energy right out of them.
-Violet is part something...maybe venin? The venin clearly notice something every time they look at her silver portion of hair. And this would cover that part in the scripts about the blood of two or whatever.>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
nicole_cob_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
tense
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I liked Iron Flame much better than Fourth Wing and felt that Yarros did a better job of adding her own original elements to the story. There were certainly still parts that felt tropey and reminiscent of other popular series, but I liked the overall direction of the sequel. The story was engaging and face paced, with equal parts action and romance. The ending had my jaw literally on the floor and I now understand how this will be a five part series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness and Blood
texashippie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and War
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming and Chronic illness
Minor: Ableism and Medical content
keelirae113's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Xenophobia, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying and Kidnapping
lauram_16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.5
What.The.F*ck.
Kept me on edge (like fourth wing) but it got more confusing as pages went by. Filled with the info and world-building we missed in tbe first one.
Usually the second book in a series is a bit heavy and hard to read, setting the plot is difficult and sometiems slow, it is slow but filled with action and most of the chaoters end in a cliffhanger (which personally I loved it). The pace was sometimes weird but not necessarily in a bad way.
As always, the dragons and their internactions is the best part and I loved how knit close they all are by the end, how the friendship in the squad gets better and better and I LOVE Jersinia (hoping to see more of her in the next books).
Overall, I think it's best than the first one, with more drama and politics, setting the plot for the next books but that ending... Rebecca we need to talk. Seriously. It affected me greatly (but I'm a bit disappointed though, not the first time reading something like that).
Kept me on edge (like fourth wing) but it got more confusing as pages went by. Filled with the info and world-building we missed in tbe first one.
Usually the second book in a series is a bit heavy and hard to read, setting the plot is difficult and sometiems slow, it is slow but filled with action and most of the chaoters end in a cliffhanger (which personally I loved it). The pace was sometimes weird but not necessarily in a bad way.
As always, the dragons and their internactions is the best part and I loved how knit close they all are by the end, how the friendship in the squad gets better and better and I LOVE Jersinia (hoping to see more of her in the next books).
Overall, I think it's best than the first one, with more drama and politics, setting the plot for the next books but that ending... Rebecca we need to talk. Seriously. It affected me greatly (but I'm a bit disappointed though, not the first time reading something like that).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book starts at 100 and maintains that streak with no breaks Jesus.
So many questions were answered and so many more arose. I liked watching Violet deal with the fallout of the first book and have to reframe everything she knows. So many sassy dragon moments I loved it. There’s so much to unpack and I loved it. I can’t wait for the next book
So many questions were answered and so many more arose. I liked watching Violet deal with the fallout of the first book and have to reframe everything she knows. So many sassy dragon moments I loved it. There’s so much to unpack and I loved it. I can’t wait for the next book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying and Chronic illness
Minor: Animal death, Murder, and Gaslighting
luna2020's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury