Book Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Title: Iron Flame

Series: The Empyrean #2

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 623

Published: November 7, 2023

Where I got It: Borrowed from my friend

Summary: 

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.

Review:

Had to jump into this one asap, but between my trip and just life...it took me so long to finally finish this. PLUS there is so much going on I didn't mind taking my sweet time with it. 

We continue where book 1 ended. Violet has survived her first year at Basgiath War College and there have been huge surprises laid at her feet that she will have to deal with. She is starting year 2 and this year is even more brutal as they prerpare them for battle. On top of that, the new vice commandant has it out for Violet in order to get her to slip up and spill her secrets. However, her secrets could destroy everything. 

I'm glad I took my time with this book. There is a LOT of things happening. Lots of information. Lots of transitions. Lots of characters being introduced. So yes, take your time here.

I really enjoyed this book. In some ways I enjoyed it more than book 1, but in some other ways...not so much. 

Violet and Xaden...ugh. Don't get me wrong I LOVE them as a couple and they are so perfect for each other. However..........I want to hit them ESPECIALLY Violet. The constant bickering gets old and the constant "he kept that secret from me! WAH! I CAN'T LOVE HIM!" Hush you lady. You guys were literal enemies at first so of course he didn't let you in on his deepest, darkest secrets. >_> Sighs. PLUS the secrets are not 100% all his to just expose to whomever he wants. Sighs. The fights were just rehashing the same old issues. OKAY. WE GET IT. 

Minus that there was nothing else I disliked. Loved getting to know more about the lore and the dragons and even our new characters. I miss a certain someone with all my heart, but the person got a little light even though they are dead. *looks out the window and sighs deeply* I miss that person. 

The ending. HOLY. FING.CANNOLI. I will need to start book 3 asap. 

All-in-all, I really liked this and I'm adoring this series. I'm glad I gave it a shot. I hope Violet and Xaden chillax in the next book. They seemed to by the end, but I have a feeling something might bring up this SAME fight if they don't communicate. We shall see. 

4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Tarin

Least Favorite Character(s): Jack

 

Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Title: Fourth Wing

Series: The Empyrean #1

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

Format: paperback

Pages: 544

Published: May 2, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (local book store)

Summary: 

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.

Review:

Everyone has been ranting and raving about this and I will admit I've been curious. Especially for the dragons. I got this beaut of a version on sale at my local book store (#supportsmallbusiness) so why not!?

Here we follow Violet who wants a quiet life among the books and tomes as a Scribe. However, her mother won't allow that. She has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you are smaller and have medical issues, death is a little closer than it is for everyone else. Especially when it comes time to try and bond with a dragon. Dragons are not known for liking "weak" and "fragile" humans. They want the best of the best. At the same time, Xaden and so many others want her blood in revenge. She may not be the strongest, but she will be the smartest and live as long as she can. 

I will admit I was nervous because the last book I bought just for the cover and people saying it was amazing turned out to be a DNF. Eee. But I was pleasantly shocked that I grew to really adore this story. 

Love dragons here. They are your typical self-absorbed and grumpy dragon and I love that. However, when they find a special human they do get attached. There was a scene (won't spoil anything) where you could see that dragon's heart shatter as their human died. I literally had tears. 

This book is brutal. It's a tough world and a tough thing to become a rider. Not everyone makes it. It felt very Sparta-like. Only the tough survive and this school/boot camp only want the tough to survive. Even if you bond with a dragon, it doesn't guarantee you'll survive boot camp/school. You have to be on your guard and be careful who you befriend. I def don't want to be in this world. If I was...I would be a Scribe. Leave me be with the books. 

There is some romance here but it isn't the main story. There is something the higher ups are hiding. It's easy to guess if you pay attention to the small clues.

Like I said....this world is rough and I cried a couple of times. I wouldn't survive because I grow attached to people. So many people died!!!!!!!!! OMG the ending! Of COURSE someone I loved doesn't make it. *cries* So have your guard up and love no one! *cries more*

I had one issue with the book (minus people I like being killed off). I hated how modern the dialogue was at points. It didn't feel fantasy-like sometimes. It's easy to look past and didn't ruin the story for me, but I guess I'm biased because I'm so use to the dialogue being a certain way in fantasies. Could just be a me thing. But yes....it didn't ruin it overall for me but it did bug me a bit. 

All-in-all, I grew to really adore this. I have to read book 2. 

4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Liam, Violet, Rhi, Mira, and all the dragons

Least Favorite Character(s): Dain, Jack, and Violet's mother