Book Two: Iron Flame.

Iron Flame, the highly anticipated sequel in Rebecca Yarros's empyrean series, continues with Violet Sorengail's journey at the Basgiath war college.

Having already reviewed the first part of this book some days ago, this review would lean more towards the second installment's strengths and weaknesses as a sequel to Fourth Wing. If you want to read about the first installment, you can check here.

The book spans approximately 630 pages, providing ample depth and detail for an immersive reading experience.

In Iron Flame, the author takes a slower and more deliberate pace compared to its predecessor, offering a story that balances intense romance, adventure and complex political intrigue.

The plot follows familiar fantasy and romance tropes but what stands out is Yarros's ability to weave emotional depth into characters who, while somewhat archetypal, feel genuinely human.

The romance between Violet and Xaden grows more passionate and complex, unfolding through moments of authentic, heartfelt connections that reveal their true feelings for each other. However, amid these tender interactions, they also face intense tension and challenges that test their bond, adding layers of drama to their already complex relationship.

The book is divided into two distinct halves. The first half revisits the rider’s training arc reminiscent of "Fourth Wing", while the second half shifts readers' focus towards a larger political faction, war strategies and an entirely different part of the continent.

Although the first half felt like a slog because of how slowly it progressed, the second half delivered a marked improvement with more tension, layered world-building and more ambitious storytelling.

The balance between the softer romantic elements and the harder epic fantasy adventure is more finely tuned in this installment.

I noticed a few flaws like occasional interactions that seemed forced, scattered plot points and a general feeling of a rushed story. Despite the flaws, the novel remained compelling. The cliffhangers and short chapters kept me yearning for more. The vivid description of Basgisth and Aretia, the political dynamics and even the emergence of new and interesting characters breathe life into the book. If I'm being honest, it was everything I wanted in the sequel.

Iron Flame is a worthy continuation of Fourth Wing. This sequel pushes the story forward with deeper complexities and higher stakes. The author really took it a notch higher with this sequel.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Iron Flame, I look forward with great anticipation to the third and final book in this series. I'd love to see how Violet's journey would unfold further.

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Rating and Recommendation

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I enjoyed reading the first installment and the second didn't disappoint either. As such, I'd recommend Iron Flame to anyone looking for a good read.

Given its overall engaging narrative with some overlookable drawbacks, I would give the book a solid four out of five stars.

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