The follow-up to Fourth Wing wasn't what I expected. While I still enjoyed it overall, Iron Flame didn't hold true to what I expected from Rebecca Yarros. The ending overall was a little confusing and felt rushed. As always, Xaden and Violet are full of chemistry, even though the "maybe, maybe not" trope is annoying. Keep reading for my in-depth review.
Warning: The rest of this post contains spoilers. If you haven't read it, and you want to, come back later!
Synopsis of Iron Flame
Iron Flame picks up where Fourth Wing left off-Violet discovering her brother Brennan is alive, and healing from her sustained battle injuries. Violet is still upset with Xaden for keeping Brennan from her, and will barely speak to him. Xaden and Violet make it back to Basgiath just in time for the graduation ceremony, where Xaden receives his orders to be stationed in another area. They are permitted to see each other on the weekends...for their dragons Tairn and Saegyl, of course. Andarna seems to be growing strangely at first, and then has an unusually long "Dreamless Sleep". At the end, we read that her growth was stunted due to her stopping time in the battle. She may fly again, but will never have a rider.
While also trying to win over Liam's sister, Violet is trying to find the secret buried with the First Six; she needs to learn how to turn the barriers back on to keep the venin from taking over. Shes trying to process the trauma she experienced in the last battle, along with her undesired feelings for Xaden and unexplainable dreams about someone called the "Sage". Along the way, Violet and Xaden figure out their issues (mostly) and make up. Their relationship continues to be explosive (literally). In true fantasy fashion, the last 100 pages are an emotional roller-coaster as Violet and Xaden battle the venin once again. This time the "Sage" is after Xaden's mind. It has been all along, but Xaden was accidentally sharing his dreams with Violet, which is why she was seeing him too. In order to save Violet from death, Xaden gives in to what the Sage wants and digs into the earth's power. He is now venin.
Where does that leave us? I'm not sure. There are many theories, but personally, I hope Violet is able to find a cure, before it's too late. I am choosing to believe Xaden and Violet are endgame. Xaden even says so.
What I Loved About Iron Flame
Of course, the banter between dragons and humans is amazing. Teenage andarna is something I didn't know I needed, and Tairns love for Violet is almost more endearing than Xaden's...almost.
What I Didn't Love About Iron Flame
The story felt disjointed and the ending very rushed. At some points, it almost felt like Rebecca wasn't even writing anymore. I suspect parts of the story were written by AI, but I can't verify that. Iron Flame didn't live up to the hype Fourth Wing created, and I was a little disappointed. I hope the third installment will be better, and we get the ultimate ending we need and deserve.
Overall Rating
Iron Flame earned 4 stars from me. I wish I could rate it higher, since Fourth Wing was a 5 star read. Did you read Fourth Wing or Iron Flame? What did you think? Do we share the same sentiment? Let me know in the comments!
-xx Alycia
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