Spoiler Review for Iron Flame: Did it Live Up to the Hype of Fourth Wing?
This was not a perfect sequel. But did I still gobble it up? Yes. The Summer 2023 Romantasy sensation, Fourth Wing, continued with Iron Flame picking up right where book one left off. And we only had to wait a few months with it releasing in the same year. How did we get so lucky with two releases in one year?! While that may have contributed to the writing feeling rushed and some definite plot holes, I still found myself devouring it—especially the action and fight sequences. I also loved that we got to see so much more than just Basgiath. The world opened up, and with the addition of the gryphon fliers, Aretia, etc. and I really enjoyed the expanded settings and characters. Did much surprise me? No. However, I went into this with a mindset of pure enjoyment and vibes. And it absolutely delivered on that count. If you’ve been holding off reading the sequel, just dive in! Read my ARC review of Fourth Wing here.
Things to Know:
Book two in The Empyrean series
New Adult Romantasy with some spice
TW: Torture and death on page
Super fast paced
Found family
MORE Dragons!
Gryphons
Cliffhanger ending
***FULL SERIES SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT—YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!***
I was super irritated with our beloved badass in this book, Violet Sorrengail. You know how Harry Potter turned into a whiney little brat in Harry Potter 5? I felt like this was Violet. She’s in her ‘I have trust issues’ era. She was keeping secrets from her best friends and squad, but then expecting Xaden to tell her everything. Their book-long argument felt so frustrating and stupid to me. I loathe miscommunication as a trope. It drives me nuts. Plus, he honestly told her over and over again how much he loves her and only has eyes for her. And she was still super insecure about Cat (who I also couldn’t stand). I also felt like she was so strong and sure of herself in book one, and the insecurity felt super out of character to me.
Rebecca wrote an excellent villain to hate in Varrish. I loathed him so much. He is the Umbridge of this story and when he finally got what he deserved, I was cheering. With Solas slinking off into caves, I knew the second they headed into those tunnels he was going to show up. Rebecca absolutely gives you a heads up if you’re paying attention.
For the spice lovers, the chair scene?! I mean…how could Violet doubt him after that?!
I absolutely loved Aretia, and the integrating of the fliers and riders (minus Cat). I definitely got Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters vibes at Riorson House, and with all of the students coming from Basgiath and Cliffsbane. Plus, I loved the new teachers as well, and Violet getting to actually hone her power more. I was pleasantly surprised when Dain started to redeem himself ever so slightly. And of course, the whole squad is the best found family. I love all of them together, and especially loved that we got more Ridoc and Sawyer.
I knew by the end one of them was going to turn venin, I just didn’t know which one since they were both having the venin nightmares. So when it was revealed it was Xaden, I wasn’t surprised, but it still had a huge impact, and I’m so worried for him. It also cemented in my mind they’re all going to die by the end of this. This is going to have a super tragic ending, I’m convinced. Or for those who’ve read the Shadow & Bone series, perhaps an ending like that…
Quickfire thoughts:
Things I loved:
Like I mentioned above, the action and fight sequences were amazing and high stakes.
Jesinia and Sawyer and that he was learning to sign so he could talk to her. I just need them to be together.
Ridoc’s golden retriever energy.
Mama Sorrengail’s sacrifice and her love of her children.
Andarna and Tairn, of course. I love them so much.
I adore the gryphons. More gryphons please!
The sibling dynamic between Violet, Mira, and Brennan was so cool to see.
Riorson House—can I move there?
Epigraphs. Literally they are a goldmine of foreshadowing.
Protecting Sloane at all costs.
Seeing Liam again…did I cry? Maybe.
Things I didn’t love:
Plot holes with Andarna’s secret…obviously all of the dragons know about Feathertails…so you’re telling me none of them told their Riders that a Feathertail is a baby dragon? Or that they need to sleep? Like Violet’s whole punishment for not producing Andarna at flight training made no sense when Solas, Varrish’s dragon literally knows exactly why she’s not showing up and could just tell Varrish everything. And related to that, you’re telling me none of them knew about another species of dragon?
Brennan’s identity supposing to be a super big secret, but then he casually throws out that Violet is his sister to Tecarus.
Cat. Period. I know you’re not supposed to like her, but what a wretched little b…
Nolon not protecting Violet from Varrish. HOW could he let that happen when he KNEW what they were up against, especially with trying to mend Jack?!
Jack’s super inconsistent behavior. Why did he save her? It was a little weird. Now, end of book Jack, I completely understood.
Andarna missing from most of the first half of the book. Look, it’s not the end of the world, I just missed her, ok?!
Things I loathed:
The constant miscommunication
“This is unadvisable for you,” Tairn says. “For anyone with a heartbeat,” I counter.
“You’re an incredibly needy species.”
“We will settle matters of emotion after matters of life.”
“I love you. The world does not exist for me beyond you.”
Even though this book wasn’t perfect, I still had a great time reading it. I know Rebecca has said she’s going to be taking her time with book three, and I’m honestly happy to wait, because I think it’ll mean we’ll get more polish and plot. This series has brought so many new people to the Romantasy genre, and it makes me so happy to see them discovering fantasy. Xaden Riorson forever!!! Drop a comment and let me know what you loved or loathed in this latest installment!
If you love Fourth Wing & Iron Flame, be sure to check out the officially licensed Fourth Wing collection from Valor & Lore!
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