A review by ladywestfall
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

4.0

“I love you,” I whisper. “You could throw my entire world into upheaval, and I would still love you. You could keep secrets, run a revolution, frustrate the shit out of me, probably ruin me, and I would still love you. I can’t make it stop. I don’t want to. You’re my gravity. Nothing in my world works without you.”

Gods. I survived it.

The major problem that I have with this book is how unnecessarily long it was. It almost took me two weeks to finish this. It only really picked up in Part Two. Nothing much really happened in the first half, so I feel like the author could have chunked off a good quarter and it will be alright. 

Also, what's frustrating was the never-ending argument between Violet and Xaden. Violet gets it... but she just has to be dramatic first like every other girlfriend there is, but baby girl WE ARE ON A FKING WAR. What can't you understand??? I can't count the number of times they talked about it, but also not? And then after a few days, they argue about the same thing again. I truly commend Xaden throughout this book just for being patient with Violet because if it was me, I probably would just bang my head against the wall until I forget what the argument was about. It also really showed how it's more Xaden who has a better grip on the relationship. Violet feels like a self-centred bitch sometimes especially so when it comes to Xaden. And what's funny is how bad their communication is given that they're literally bonded. But I don't hate them, I still like them together... they have their moments. Sometimes, I just feel like Xaden deserves more understanding also given his background. 

AND gods, the last 6 chapters were literally the best but also the most stressful chapters ever???? I kept pausing while reading because I was so scared and was actually closed to tears thinking that one of them will die and I'm still not over Liam! So I don't think I can handle anymore death from the fourth wing squad and I'm glad they were safe (so far). Also frustrated at how we got Jack fking Barlow back but not my baby boy Liam!!!! Rebecca when I catch you!

I think also one of my issues was that alot of things were confusing. Like how the wards work, what the fuck was imbuing, why draining General Sorengail and her dragon's life enough to put up a ward to think that we've been trying to figure that out throughout this fking book??... so don't they need the 7 dragons anymore??? The runes??? How the fuck Xaden became venin?? Why was Violet so ready to drain her life for that stone to save everyone when we all know three more lives are tethered to her???  I feel like sometimes she forgets that or the author does?? Man... So much plot was opened in this and it only created more questions, no answers. I hope the next book atleast gives us more clarity. 

Overall, I still enjoyed the sequel. It wasn't as bad as everyone was saying. Violet was still a good fmc, I appreciate her doing all the work in this one. Xaden stays as the best book boyfriend and very devoted to her woman. Dain was bearable, kinda forgave him. The side characters, Rhi, Ridoc and Sawyer, I loved how these friendships grew. Jesinia, Sloane and Aaric are growing on me, even Cat. Sad that Garrick and Bodhi were abit forgotten. I wish to know more about Brennan and also Sgaeyl. I love Imogen too, wish we had more of her! Also, I absolutely love Tairn and Andarna! They're hilarious. I wish we also got more than Violet's POVs, atleast on the next books because I also realised that we're so limited at how much Violet knows and who she talks to, I would also like to get to know more people.  I wish for Xaden chapters if I'm being honest 😭 especially now in his circumstance.... 

Can't wait for the next book, please be worth it!