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fuchsiarascal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let's talk about the good and the bad. Because, overall, I loved it, but there were definitely things that I didn't like.
Let's start off with one good: the diversity of characters. While I genuinely don't recall characters of color being described other than a couple times (but admittedly, physical character descriptions tend to not stick in my mind, yay face blindness! it's not just for real life!), which is something that I'd love to see improved upon, we have nice representation of different sexual and gender identities. Same-sex relationships are treated just as equal as heterosexual relationships (at least as far as we see in the college; we don't know marital laws in Navarre but one can assume), and we've had a couple mentions of non-binary cadets between Fourth Wing and this book. They're never explicitly stated as, "Hey, look at this non-binary person!" but Yarros effortlessly includes gender neutral pronouns while talking about them. But, of course, I'd love to see more of these characters (they're fairly background characters in Violet's squad), maybe in the next book?
Now, one bad. I very much disliked Violet for most of the book -- the "conflict" standing between her and Xaden having a happy relationship was so immature and forced. Big deal, he didn't tell you about a super secret rebellion that would cost him his life, and at least 107 other people's lives, if people found out. It wasn't his secret to share, and for her to hold that against him was so infuriating. I could have been spared at least 107 pages of this contrived "will they-won't they" angst. Definitely my least favorite part of the book. (I understand now why reviewers focused on the romance were disappointed with this.) If Yarros wanted to include some conflict to keep them from having a perfectly happy relationship from the start, that's fair! But the way it happened was just... immature and frustrating to read.
However, I loved the actual story line that had to do with the rebellion. I didn't expect things to happen so quickly when they finally did around the middle of the book(so many cadets leaving the college once the truth was revealed) . Varrish was an excellent villain, working fully within the power of a corrupted government and school. And I'm personally cheering for Dain's redemption arc, even if he was an overprotective prick in the first book. I love that he immediately supported Violet as soon as he knew the truth, and was ready to before then if she had only talked to him. I don't love him, but he's alright.
I loved the friendships with Rhiannon, Jesinia, and Imogen, although I disliked that Imogen falls to the wayside unfortunately about halfway through. I would have LOVED to see their friendship develop further. Although we see Imogen's respect and like of Violet grow throughout the book, the friendship all but disappears once Rhiannon is brought into the fold. Maybe Yarros should spend less time writing about Violet's immaturity with Xaden and focus more pages on developing these friendships further. (I also would have loved to see more time with Sloane and Cat.) Also, it's kind of weird that Rhiannon has been such a central figure and Violet's best friend for two books, but we know absolutely nothing about her girlfriend other than her name? I know, different squad and all, but... I feel like we should actually have some scenes with her. I guess what I'm saying is, more attention to the women, please. <3
Andarna was one of my favorite parts of the book, which is a shame that she spent most of it gone. It was kind of like Yarros didn't know how to work her into half the book so she was just like, "idk, she's sleeping" until she became an important plot device. Still, I love Andarna despite that.
So, obviously I had some issues with the 4 of the writing, but I really did enjoy the plot and all the twists that they had to navigate. I couldn't put this down and accidentally stayed up until 8am reading it the night I got it, oops!
Let's start off with one good: the diversity of characters. While I genuinely don't recall characters of color being described other than a couple times (but admittedly, physical character descriptions tend to not stick in my mind, yay face blindness! it's not just for real life!), which is something that I'd love to see improved upon, we have nice representation of different sexual and gender identities. Same-sex relationships are treated just as equal as heterosexual relationships (at least as far as we see in the college; we don't know marital laws in Navarre but one can assume), and we've had a couple mentions of non-binary cadets between Fourth Wing and this book. They're never explicitly stated as, "Hey, look at this non-binary person!" but Yarros effortlessly includes gender neutral pronouns while talking about them. But, of course, I'd love to see more of these characters (they're fairly background characters in Violet's squad), maybe in the next book?
Now, one bad. I very much disliked Violet for most of the book -- the "conflict" standing between her and Xaden having a happy relationship was so immature and forced. Big deal, he didn't tell you about a super secret rebellion that would cost him his life, and at least 107 other people's lives, if people found out. It wasn't his secret to share, and for her to hold that against him was so infuriating. I could have been spared at least 107 pages of this contrived "will they-won't they" angst. Definitely my least favorite part of the book. (I understand now why reviewers focused on the romance were disappointed with this.) If Yarros wanted to include some conflict to keep them from having a perfectly happy relationship from the start, that's fair! But the way it happened was just... immature and frustrating to read.
However, I loved the actual story line that had to do with the rebellion. I didn't expect things to happen so quickly when they finally did around the middle of the book
I loved the friendships with Rhiannon, Jesinia, and Imogen, although I disliked that Imogen falls to the wayside unfortunately about halfway through. I would have LOVED to see their friendship develop further. Although we see Imogen's respect and like of Violet grow throughout the book, the friendship all but disappears once Rhiannon is brought into the fold. Maybe Yarros should spend less time writing about Violet's immaturity with Xaden and focus more pages on developing these friendships further. (I also would have loved to see more time with Sloane and Cat.) Also, it's kind of weird that Rhiannon has been such a central figure and Violet's best friend for two books, but we know absolutely nothing about her girlfriend other than her name? I know, different squad and all, but... I feel like we should actually have some scenes with her. I guess what I'm saying is, more attention to the women, please. <3
Andarna was one of my favorite parts of the book, which is a shame that she spent most of it gone. It was kind of like Yarros didn't know how to work her into half the book so she was just like, "idk, she's sleeping" until she became an important plot device. Still, I love Andarna despite that.
So, obviously I had some issues with the 4 of the writing, but I really did enjoy the plot and all the twists that they had to navigate. I couldn't put this down and accidentally stayed up until 8am reading it the night I got it, oops!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, War, Torture, Gore, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Minor: Alcohol
lindsayluvvvv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
So I really enjoyed this book overall! I would say why this isn’t a 4 or 5 star book though. I feel like some of book had a bunch of waiting time like filler I would say which I didn’t mind until a certain point. Also the main character and love interest were fighting for most of the book over the same things and I know it was addressed in the book that they knew they were fighting about the same things but as a reader it was pretty frustrating to read the same scenes over and over again. But what I loved/liked about the book what the plot and the dragons and the friends and the intricacies of the magic and war and all of that jazz. I will state that I don’t think this is a bad book I loved parts of it that’s why I rated it higher that 3.5 but I just feel like for how big the book is the pacing needed to be better that’s all. But I did have very many le gasp moments so I think it is worth while to read this series. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings to the table :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
anarcia_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I wanna cry scream and keep the story going ITS SO GOODDDDDD
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Drug use, Genocide, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Physical abuse
rainbowscuba's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After the first book I had quite high hopes but unfortunately the author got lost too much in the feelings of the main character while neglecting the page of the story development , which got lost a bit.
The amount of time the protagonist spends wallowing in her guilt and her mistrust and feelings for her love interest become annoying. She also does not seem to learn from previous mistakes as she seems to insist to repeat them at the next opportunity.
The sex could have been dialled back as it was not needed for the story and felt out of place at times.
Overall, the book could have easily been cut by 1/3 and it would have been faster paced and the main story would have not been so disjointed and it would have been more enjoyable to follow.
I was also disappointed that the story about Andarna was left so vague, became important in the end but felt rushed.
One last thing I did not enjoy the voice actor who read the story for the audiobook version. She felt to have the need to convey the urgency in battle situations by reading louder and louder and faster and faster. It made it comical.
The ending sets us up for third book but I am not sure if I will even bother.
The amount of time the protagonist spends wallowing in her guilt and her mistrust and feelings for her love interest become annoying. She also does not seem to learn from previous mistakes as she seems to insist to repeat them at the next opportunity.
The sex could have been dialled back as it was not needed for the story and felt out of place at times.
Overall, the book could have easily been cut by 1/3 and it would have been faster paced and the main story would have not been so disjointed and it would have been more enjoyable to follow.
I was also disappointed that the story about Andarna was left so vague, became important in the end but felt rushed.
One last thing I did not enjoy the voice actor who read the story for the audiobook version. She felt to have the need to convey the urgency in battle situations by reading louder and louder and faster and faster. It made it comical.
The ending sets us up for third book but I am not sure if I will even bother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Sexual content, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, and Violence
michireading'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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Classism, Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Ableism, Blood, Cursing, Kidnapping, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and War
nix_87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Such a great read, already wanting the next one to be out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, War, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Emotional abuse
scarlettereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars
Iron Flame is a fantastic book, and I loved almost every second of it. You know, until that bit at the end.
I’m mourning the loss of a character who didn’t even die. Feeling physically ill. I’m never going to emotionally recover from this.
Still it’s somehow even funnier than Fourth Wing was, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t half because of Ridoc. Because it was.
Don’t read this book if you value your sanity because the end is almost as brain-breaking as the end of House of Sky and Breath. I need to lie down now.
Iron Flame is a fantastic book, and I loved almost every second of it. You know, until that bit at the end.
I’m mourning the loss of a character who didn’t even die. Feeling physically ill. I’m never going to emotionally recover from this.
Still it’s somehow even funnier than Fourth Wing was, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t half because of Ridoc. Because it was.
Don’t read this book if you value your sanity because the end is almost as brain-breaking as the end of House of Sky and Breath. I need to lie down now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Torture, Blood, and Murder
rehtaehwashere's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
- What I liked: I liked Andarna's sass, I liked that Xaden was so badass
until the very end of the book , I liked that Miradidn't even question her sister even though she defied their mother . I like that Brennan was doing everything he could for the resistance and that the dragon riders were so ready to accept and help the griffon riders. I like the beginnings of a union against the venin for the people that could see it. - What I disliked: Xaden's choice at the end, that Violet was so focused on Xaden 'lying' to her that she was a fucking moron through the whole book. The first book she poisoned everyone
and yet she drank suspicious water THREE TIMES?? THREE TIMES VIOLET YOU FUCKING IDIOT . That she couldn't solve the incredibly obvious riddle about the wards and that she couldn't figure outAndarna ISN'T A BLACK DRAGON even with her weird abilities and shifting scale colors . That she DOESN'T ASK QUESTIONS and then gets mad she doesn't know things. That she went from strong smart and resourceful to a fucking idiot in one book. - Overall thoughts: Poorly edited, a lot could've been chopped out to make for better characterization and letting us understand WHY Violet is being so stupid, that a strong woman got ruined by a hot guy for the sake of plot and she's no longer intelligent and resourceful just because she wants to be petty, the ending sucked and the book was a slog.
- Recommend to a friend? Y if someone wants to continue the series but N if someone is on the fence about the series
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Emotional abuse, Blood, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Death of parent
ginac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Body shaming, Bullying, and Dysphoria
rissaread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
the ending 🧍🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content