A review by ziagouel
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

4.0

Returning to the Empyrean was FUN and if you loved the first book, you will like this too. We explore more of the world, see more places, meet more characters and get to know better the ones already there, Violet learns how to use her powers better and Andarna grows up a bit. However, I don't think this book needed to have those 600+ pages it has, especially in the first half which felt very slow. I don't mind reading slow stories but I was exhausted from hearing for the 100th time how is Xaden hot or how Violet doesn't believe him, or him serenading her whenever they are together. Trimming it by cca 100 pages would make the story more robust and consistent. To be honest, their romance felt the least interesting of everything that was happening in this book. I really hope for the next 3 (!) books the author ditches the romantic corniness and focuses more on the story, the politics, magic, dragons and everything else, but I have a bad feeling that might not be what awaits us. Anyway, it was a great book to end the year with and my most favourite thing from the Fourth Wing - the dragons - still remain my most favourite thing in Iron Flame.