Sunday Duvet Reading - Iron Flame By Rebecca Yarros
Dive under the covers with me this weekend and find out what I've been reading this week.
I’ve been in a real reading slump going into 2025 and I’m so behind on my Goodreads reading challenge - oh well - sometimes that just happens right? It feels like it took me twice as long to read the second instalment of Rebecca Yarros’s bestselling Empyrean Empire novel - Iron Flame. I’m not sure why - but there seemed to be a missing spark that Fourth Wing had, and I’m struggling to put my finger on why.
I think it’s partly because I’ve lost the momentum when reading this year, with travelling a lot over January and February and then working on my portfolio it’s hard to have the concentration and head space to read more than a chapter or two at a time. I think I might try reading a few shorter novels to get me back into the groove. I’d love to hear about any novellas or short books that you loved in the comment section.
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Iron Flame By Rebecca Yarros
“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 Thoughts
Rebecca Yarros’ Iron Flame, the highly anticipated sequel to Fourth Wing, delivers intense action, political intrigue, and the high-stakes drama fans loved in the first book. The world of Basgiath War College remains as brutal as ever, with Violet Sorrengail facing even greater challenges as she navigates betrayals, shifting alliances, and the weight of the revolution brewing around her. The pacing is relentless, the battle scenes are thrilling, and the expansion of the world’s lore adds depth to the story. Yarros introduces new layers of tension and conflict, making it clear that no one—not even Violet—is safe.
However, while Iron Flame is an enjoyable continuation, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way Fourth Wing did. The first book had an irresistible magic - a perfect blend of tension, romance, and character growth - that felt more balanced. In contrast, this instalment at times felt overly drawn out, with certain plot points dragging, particularly in the middle. While Fourth Wing masterfully balanced action with character development, Iron Flame often felt like it prioritised nonstop conflict at the expense of emotional depth. Some scenes, especially those meant to build suspense, felt repetitive, making parts of the book feel unnecessarily long.
Another issue that held this book back for me was the romance. In Fourth Wing, the chemistry between Violet and Xaden was one of the most compelling aspects of the story, filled with tension, passion, and gradual trust-building. In Iron Flame, however, their relationship often felt frustrating rather than engaging. Miscommunication and secrecy became a frequent obstacle, and while I understand the reasoning behind certain choices, it sometimes felt like unnecessary drama rather than organic conflict. The strong, electric connection they had in the first book seemed to take a backseat to the broader plot, making it harder to stay as emotionally invested in their dynamic.
That said, there is still a lot to love about this book. The world-building continues to be rich and immersive, with new revelations that raise the stakes for the series as a whole. Yarros' writing remains engaging, and the dragons - one of the most unique and exciting aspects of this series - continue to shine. The final act of the book, in particular, delivers some jaw-dropping twists that left me eager to see what happens next.
While Iron Flame didn’t quite recapture the magic of Fourth Wing for me, it’s still a strong addition to the series and sets up intriguing possibilities for the next instalment. Fans of the first book will undoubtedly enjoy returning to this world, but they might also find themselves wishing for a bit more of the emotional balance and tight pacing that made Fourth Wing such a standout. I’ll definitely be reading the next book, but I’m hoping for a return to the gripping storytelling that made me fall in love with this series in the first place.
Fancy reading Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros purchase the book here
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