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A review by ashleynp24
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
While I liked the book, it was definitely a slower burn than the first book until the last few hundred pages. I felt that Violet and Xaden’s relationship was rocky the entirety of the book as they fought over the same thing repeatedly and I felt like even though they made up, the conflict itself, the entire reason they fought the entire book, wasn’t resolved in a way that made sense.
I also didn’t love the weird love triangle with Cat. I felt like she was just a really angry character with not a lot of depth besides “I want power and Xaden will get me that” because she was never really a threat to their relationship even though Violet and her had a rivalry over him???? I don’t love when strong women fight over a man.
Ridoc and Sawyer were my favorite characters throughout this book and were really fun to read more about them and Rhi. Their relationships were my favorite dynamic in the book and I liked that they were finally included in the plans about halfway through.
Tairn dealing with a teen Andarna was also really fun and kept up a little bit of the lightheartedness the novel needed.
I get trying to give Dain a redemption arc, but it was kinda annoying to me bc I don’t think he deserved to be forgiven just because he saved Violet from being tortured???
I didn’t expect Xaden’s second signet at all, but I’m wondering if Violet has one from Andarna because she has 2 dragons? Alo I’m shook about her being a 7th dragon breed.
Also, why the hell would Violet and Xaden both almost die at the end to save the other when their lives are tied together??? Like did Violet not think about the fact imbuing the stone to save him would kill her, which would then kill Jim because they’re connected??? That made no sense to me then as well why Xaden became a venin? Like I don’t get his mind in terms of how that would help either of them.
Lastly, Brennan was super annoying during this book. I get he was hurt by his mom but the moment she sacrificed herself to save them all he’s all crying?? What was that about? I get he was salty, but the entire book was him not believing in his sisters or mom.
I did really enjoy the history of the cities in this book, along with the political aspects as well. It really helped with the world building and pushed the plot along really well.
I also didn’t love the weird love triangle with Cat. I felt like she was just a really angry character with not a lot of depth besides “I want power and Xaden will get me that” because she was never really a threat to their relationship even though Violet and her had a rivalry over him???? I don’t love when strong women fight over a man.
Ridoc and Sawyer were my favorite characters throughout this book and were really fun to read more about them and Rhi. Their relationships were my favorite dynamic in the book and I liked that they were finally included in the plans about halfway through.
Tairn dealing with a teen Andarna was also really fun and kept up a little bit of the lightheartedness the novel needed.
I didn’t expect Xaden’s second signet at all, but I’m wondering if Violet has one from Andarna because she has 2 dragons? Alo I’m shook about her being a 7th dragon breed.
Also, why the hell would Violet and Xaden both almost die at the end to save the other when their lives are tied together??? Like did Violet not think about the fact imbuing the stone to save him would kill her, which would then kill Jim because they’re connected??? That made no sense to me then as well why Xaden became a venin? Like I don’t get his mind in terms of how that would help either of them.
Lastly, Brennan was super annoying during this book. I get he was hurt by his mom but the moment she sacrificed herself to save them all he’s all crying?? What was that about? I get he was salty, but the entire book was him not believing in his sisters or mom.
I did really enjoy the history of the cities in this book, along with the political aspects as well. It really helped with the world building and pushed the plot along really well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Torture, Genocide, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Grief, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Confinement