A review by theshelfarchive
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Iron Flame delivers another instalment of high-stakes drama and thrilling fantasy. However, while the book has its shining moments, it struggles with pacing and narrative focus.

One of the most significant issues is the sheer length of Part 1. Much of the early storyline felt padded with filler scenes that could have been shortened or cut entirely. The Varrish subplot, while featuring a compelling villain, ultimately felt pointless. Varrish never managed to achieve anything of note, and his eventual demise rendered his arc unsatisfying. A tighter edit could have redirected this energy into the much more engaging Part 2, which deserved greater focus.


The tension between Violet and Xaden around trust and communication also overstayed its welcome. Their circular arguments became repetitive, leaving me frustrated rather than invested. Compounding this was Yarros’ writing style, which at times lacked clarity. I often found myself re-reading paragraphs to understand what was happening.


That said, the novel truly shone in its scenes involving the dragons and the supporting cast. These moments added depth and vibrancy to the story, showcasing the strengths of Yarros’ world-building. The introduction of the fliers and gryphons was a welcome addition, enriching the lore and expanding the stakes in an exciting way.


Overall, while Iron Flame has its highlights—particularly in its secondary characters and dragon-centric scenes—it could have benefited from more focused storytelling and sharper editing. Fans of the series will still find much to enjoy, but it falls short of its predecessor’s impact.
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