Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

A great follow-up! Got a bit long, though. I spaced off from time to time during the second half when it was all boring war- or strategy-talk. Xaden and Violet’s argument got old, too; felt like they were just arguing in circles. Didn’t help that, like they themselves acknowledged, they kept getting interrupted by either hormones or external matters before they could finish the argument. Thank god they finally did, though. Sort of. But I could understand both perspectives and didn’t know who to side with, which to me means it was a great character-building argument.

I found it disorienting when the characters went through horrible, harrowing events and then in the next chapter they’re back in class or doing homework. I mean I get it, they still have a lot to learn, but it’s jarring to go from a blood-pounding battle to a snoozy class.

I’m rather baffled regarding the Sage business. It feels like there was a well of story that barely got tapped. I can only hope the unanswered questions—the whole matter in general—will be answered/expounded upon in the next book. So both Xaden and Violet were having Sage dreams? Or was Violet somehow experiencing Xaden’s dreams? What did the Sage want he/she/they for? And did the fight with him seriously take place off-screen? The buildup of the Sage as a villain felt like it was going to be a big deal, then he was just narratively tossed aside with a few lines of exposition. Now it rather feels like he was just plot fodder setting up the big cliffhanger. That really cheapens him as an antagonist. So now who’s in charge of the Venin and Wyverns? Are there other big bads on that side? I was under the impression that the Sage was more or less the mastermind. Or is that threat overall supposed to have been neutralized? The more I think about that whole situation, the more confused I get. It was not at all well-concluded.

Violet remains a wonderful protagonist, though I’m kind of disappointed in her signet power. It’s so rare, so powerful, supposed to be so cool, yet there doesn’t seem to be much application for it other than BOOM. Maybe it’s just that she hasn’t learned to wield it with any finesse yet? Or perhaps I’m misunderstanding and confusing the ability to summon lightning with the ability to manipulate electricity? I kind of always had the same feeling about Marvel’s Thor—sure, summoning lightning is cool, but isn’t its use rather limited, especially in a setting without electronics and technology? Just not seeing what’s so special about it.Xaden remains a good character, too, though I feel he was less faceted this time around. Didn’t seem to have much to do aside from giving himself an ulcer fretting about Violet’s safety. He still strikes me as Rhysand Lite—Rhysand but without his charm or style or compassion. Hmm.

Andarna was once again a scene stealer and I loved her. Her adolescence was hilarious. I’m finding that I don’t understand Tairn, though—he shows no affection for Violet, gives her no praise, if he compliments her at all it’s backhanded. He’s gruff and grumpy and prideful, and I swear to the gods he was NEVER where he needed to be in this book. Never! He was always just too far away to help. I got so frustrated with him! If he’s not going to stay close enough to protect Violet when she needs it, then his purpose is reduced to transportation and power source. But yeah–so do all dragons treat their riders with disdain, resentment, and condescension? Is it just a dragon thing? Or is it a Tairn thing? Andarna tries to be disdainful, but it’s adorable because she’s Andarna.

Rebecca Soler is a fantastic narrator. Teddy Hamilton is good, but at the beginning of his passage I could hear his breathing between sentences and it was these funny little gasps. Maybe it’s some narration breathing technique, I don’t know, but I do know I didn’t like hearing it. It was weird and distracting. Sounded like he was hyperventilating, yet his words were steady.

Did not expect to write this much. Overall a good sequel, but perhaps not quite as good as the first book. However, I’m definitely looking forward to book three. *does a little googling* Five book series? Is there enough plot for five books? Five large books? Now I’m getting nervous. We’ll see what happens, I guess.