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A review by blessing_aj
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
Did I have high hopes for this? Not really. Yet it fell short of the average expectations I did have.
Firstly, the pacing was so uneven that it feels like I read this book over several months instead of the actual two weeks and some, that I actually spent on it. I honestly think there were a lot of unnecessary scenes and dialogue that should have been cut at the editing stage.
Secondly, if we still don’t have a clear understanding of how the magic system works, in book two, then I’m wondering at what point in the series that would happen.
Thirdly, I love that we got better character development here, but it’s still not what it should be, both for the main characters and the dragons. I also hate that we get to see the reasoning behind certain decisions way after the fact.
Fourthly, I have always known that Yarros understands stakes and suspense. It’s at the core of my endearment to Fourth Wing and she applied it well here, but not as often as I would have appreciated. Unfortunately, action scenes seem to be her Achilles heel because while they are quite dramatic and suspenseful, they are equally vague and you can’t quite picture exactly what is going on.
Lastly, I know that frequent squabbles are part of relationships, even the healthiest ones have their bad days, but I am honestly tired of Vi and Xaden going back and forth on the exact same issue.
Now that all that has been said, there’s no denying that Yarros knows how to end an installment, because what in the cliff hanger was that ending?
I know better than to hope that the next book will be any better, structure wise and at sentence level. From what I have seen, I can tell that it’s definitely not shorter which is a shame.
But I’m really curious to see what becomes of the newly created villain, so I just might attempt book no. 3 someday.
Firstly, the pacing was so uneven that it feels like I read this book over several months instead of the actual two weeks and some, that I actually spent on it. I honestly think there were a lot of unnecessary scenes and dialogue that should have been cut at the editing stage.
Secondly, if we still don’t have a clear understanding of how the magic system works, in book two, then I’m wondering at what point in the series that would happen.
Thirdly, I love that we got better character development here, but it’s still not what it should be, both for the main characters and the dragons. I also hate that we get to see the reasoning behind certain decisions way after the fact.
Fourthly, I have always known that Yarros understands stakes and suspense. It’s at the core of my endearment to Fourth Wing and she applied it well here, but not as often as I would have appreciated. Unfortunately, action scenes seem to be her Achilles heel because while they are quite dramatic and suspenseful, they are equally vague and you can’t quite picture exactly what is going on.
Lastly, I know that frequent squabbles are part of relationships, even the healthiest ones have their bad days, but I am honestly tired of Vi and Xaden going back and forth on the exact same issue.
Now that all that has been said, there’s no denying that Yarros knows how to end an installment, because what in the cliff hanger was that ending?
I know better than to hope that the next book will be any better, structure wise and at sentence level. From what I have seen, I can tell that it’s definitely not shorter which is a shame.
But I’m really curious to see what becomes of the newly created villain, so I just might attempt book no. 3 someday.