Iron
Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Book:
Empyrean #2
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Pub Date: November 7, 2023
Genre: New adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Romance
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the
rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson
Everyone
expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War
College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant
to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get
through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that
it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s
the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet
exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she
still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most
important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War
College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the
end.
My
Review: Love! I have no words for this. Scratch that, I have a lot
but that would make this more of a book itself than a review. Seriously the
emotions this one put me though...
This
book dives right into where Fourth Wing left. Violet is talking to Brennan.
He's alive and Violet is just so stunned. Plus a city that supposed to have
burned, exists, among other things that exist that were said otherwise. Safe to
say Violet's mind is trying grasp everything going on.
What all
this new information does is cause Violet's trust in Xaden to change, question
that the stories her dad told are real along with the stories she's read as a
child, the decision to stay or go back with this knowledge and so much more.
But
first, deciding what to do next. Violet and the rest of the squad decide to go
back. Those that already knew of this will be fine. But its Violet who will be
a massive target. From needing her shields to be strong, especially for keeping
Dain out, to the numerous assassination attempts on her life and her
squads.
What
change the tone and course of this book was toward the end after Violet and her
squad gat their hands on some forbidden books. I can't tell you enough just how
much this part had me in an emotional chokehold and how fast I tore through the
rest of this book.
It is
such a quick change of pace from Xaden saving Violet which shows just how much
Xaden loves her and the lengths he will go for her. Plus the unexpected aid
from Dain. Then in the chaotic mess of revealing the truth to everyone and
leaving them with a choice to make.
I simply
love this series... I have read more books than I can count, but its the rare
few that grab me so deeply that I add a piece of it to my bookish tattoo sleeve
and this one has earned it's spot. It's certainly a series that will remain
with me and it's only just begun.
