Iron Flame

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.

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Fourth Wing

Fourth Wing 

by Rebecca Yarros 

Book: The Empyrean #1

Publisher: Red Tower Books

Pub Date: May 2, 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, New Adult

Format: eBook

Source: Borrowed

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros  

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. 
 
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. 
 
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. 
 
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. 
 
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. 
 
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die 

 

My Review: I love Violet. She is so smart and will do so well being a scribe just like her dad. However, I'm not a fan of her mom throwing all that out the window and forcing Violet to do something she doesn't want. She is a General 24/7 with no love or kindness in sight for her kids. 
 

So, Violet goes off to try and get her own dragon. The struggle to get there is something. Barely started and she already has people wanting to end her and claiming they'll do it themselves even. The bright spot in all this? Dain. He is so sweet, and you will love him off the bat. He notices Violet and quickly gets her somewhere out of sight to help her and he cares for her and also wishes she was in Scribe. But even he knows how the general is.  
 

I will say that the first few chapters are kind of annoying to get through. It's a lot of repeating. We get it, people want Violet dead and revenge. Okay, Violet shouldn't be trying to ride, she should be a scribe as planned and be safe. It's a lot of repeats that I could have done without. 
 

HOWEVER, once you are past that and get to the bonding with dragons' part....it sets the course right there, has you bonded to that book until the very last word. It's simply where it takes off for me and I knew I was about to read something worthwhile.  Violet bonds not to just any dragon and gains an extra Suprise on top of that. Oh, want a fun twist? Violet and Xaden now have the pleasure of being tied together but not in the way you think. Yeah, wait until you read how that unfolds.  
 

The best part? Seeing just how much the dragons love Violet and how strong the bond seems even though it's just the beginning. That moment of her dragon waking her up was instantly a game changer. From that moment, this story became everything, and I couldn't stop reading.   

 

I'm used to Rebecca's more romance heavy books, but she takes to writing high fantasy like it's second nature. This was so well done that I'm so glad to call her an all-time favorite author of mine. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

A Broken Blade

A Broken Blade
by Melissa Blair
 
Book: Halfling Saga #1
Publisher: Union Square
Pub Date: December 14, 2021
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fae, Fantasy
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Books Links: Goodreads  Amazon
 
Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the King’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure called the Shadow starts making moves against the Crown, Keera is forced to hunt the masked menace down.

She crosses into the magical lands of the Fae, trying to discern if her enemy is Mortal, Elf, or a Halfling like her. But the Faeland is not what it seems, and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she discovers and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is…
The King that destroyed her people? The Prince that tortures them? Or the Shadow that threatens her place at court?

As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago. A promise not only to save herself but an entire kingdom.

 
My Review: This is one of those books where the beginning was slow and slightly boring. BUT stick through it because the halfway mark is when it gets GOOD. 

Keera is a trained killer, the King's Blade and in charge of all the shades. She doesn't know anything else really, she was found abandoned and taken in by the Crown. She isn't a fan of the Crown and it's ideas on Halflings and Fae but she has to pretend to care to at least survive. 

When her task to find this Shadow person leads her to visit Faeland, that's when everything changes. Keera wasn't sure what to expect really. She go to the land and saw all its beauty and loved it. The people there are free, all of them, Fae, Halfings, Elves and all. The people seem happy and when Keera gets an Invite to die at the ball with the Fae lord, she can't refuse. 

This opens her eyes to so much and makes her question and wonder things. The Lord is kind and sparks up a conversation about her life, only to inform her that everything she has been told wasn't true. If that wasn't enough, the man who dances with her taunts and teases at something. Could he be the shadow or does he just love to push her buttons. 

Everything changed in Faeland. This is where the book picks up and finally sucks you in. Where the turning point happens and I truly couldn't stop until the last page. I am looking forward to the second book. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪

Jet

Jet
by Jay Crownover

Book: Marked Men #2
Publisher: William Morrow
Pub Date: May 28, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Format: eBook
Source: Borrowed
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon 

With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl's rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn't want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet's dark, haunted eyes. She's afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can't resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he's tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

My Review: Jet has the looks, body and is in a band. Basically the whole package for any fan/groupie. Sure, Jet has used it to his advantage and taking girls home for the night. The best is waiting to see what they'll be rated and the expression on their face once they see the Jet's roommate as they leave. 

The killer tension between Jet and Ayd is a whole other deal and seems to be heighten ever since Jet turned Ayd down a year ago. They just need to finally give into each other.

Ayd is a dream and works hard in school and to have a great future. What doesn't fit in, is the too perfect boyfriend Adam. She care for him, but he's just someone she can't see a future with. He's sweater vest wearing, blond and blue eye perfect. But he doesn't try it fit in with her friends and let's face it, he just isn't no Jet. 

What does it take for these two to finally get together? Jet singing a love song on stage.... but with Ayd running out of the club, and everyone telling Jet what a fool he is and to just go fix things. Once he does, it finally happens and the connection is spicy! Piercings make for great fun. 

Despite some ups and downs from personal issues on both sides. It ends with them not only together but being the first couple in the group to really seal the deal. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Eyes on Me

Eyes on Me
by Rachel Harris

Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pub Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Format: Print
Source: Bought 
Book Links: Goodreads 

Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Bailey’s picture. She’s got one goal: first stop valedictorian, next stop Harvard. Until a stint in the hospital from too much stress lands her in the last place a klutz like her ever expected to be: salsa dance lessons.

Look up the word “popular” and you’ll find Stone Torres’s picture. His life seems perfect—star of the football team, small-town hero, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at his mom's dance studio helps, he’ll do it.

When Lily’s dad offers Stone extra cash to volunteer as Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. But with each dip and turn, each moment her hand is in his, his side job starts to feel all too real. Lily shows Stone he's more than his impressive football stats, and he introduces her to a world outside of studying. But with the lines blurred, can their relationship survive the secret he's been hiding? 

My Review: I read the back cover of this book and decided I needed to get it. It sounded like a promising read with a good romance. 

I liked Lily. She's a big nerd and is studying to the point of getting because of studying so much. That is dedication on Lily's end but she has to give at some point. Everyone is worried about her and she needs to learn how to take a break. The answer? Dance lessons! 

Is this what Lily wants? Nope, but she'll do it for her dad and when he's away from work she'll just stop coming. Well, Lily learns that this is the same studio her parents went to on date nights. How they connected and spent time up until her mom passed. So maybe this piece of info will encourage Lily to stick it out any maybe even have fun. 

Then you have Stone. He's a pretty good guy and even helps his mom out in the studio that she loves so much. But things are hard for their family and Lily's dad offers him a way that could help solve things. Stone doesn't want to take the money and offer. Lily's dad pushes him a bit and eventually Stones caves in. It's not a bad request to help Lily and make sure he continues his lessons with her. 

Overall I liked the characters but the pace of this book was way too slow for me. The pace made it hard for me to want to finish the book and I ended up halfway before I started to just skim through. I would have loved some more chemistry with these characters, it just fell flat. 

While I enjoyed the characters and the idea of the book, I just didn't love it. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪