Empyrean series #2

*Content Warning

Iron Flame is a nonstop-thrilling adventure fantasy set in the brutal and competitive world of military college for dragon riders, which includes elements regarding war, psychological and physical torture, imprisonment, intense violence, brutal injuries, perilous situations, blood, dismemberment, burning, murder, death, animal death, graphic language, loss of family, grief, and sexual activities that are shown on the page. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note, and prepare to join the revolution…

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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.

This book literally starts where the last left off. That is one of the first things I love about it.

After what happened during her first year at Basgiath, Violet now has to struggle with keeping a dragon-load of secrets from her squad and best friend. On top of being targeted by the vice commandant because of this knowledge.

Unlike last year, she no longer trusts Dain, doesn’t want anything to happen to her friends, and Xaden has completed his time at the war college and will be leaving the school. Because of the bond their dragons share, he is not out of the picture yet—thank goodness.

But Violet is more isolated than ever when all she really needs is someone to talk to unabashedly and without consequence. All while trying to save everyone from a war they don’t even know is happening. It did lead her to some questionable decisions that became a little redundant after a while, but it stayed true to her stubborn, almost righteous, character.

Xaden on the other hand, to me, he stole the show. He was one hot wingleader, but as a LT, we begin to see what he is truly capable of. We almost forget that it is not just his signet that is powerful, but his position in life. Not just a mere war college graduate.

I love the character development. Even if, at times, Violet gets a bit annoying with her hypocritical attitude toward Xaden and his choices. But every character, new and returning, gets their time to shine in this story—for the most part.

At first I thought Andarna’s story was being dragged out a bit. But it was kinda worth the wait? No one had their moment more than her. I loved her petulant, teenage attitude. 

There was a lot of information being slung at us in this book. I get it, it is a necessary step to fully understanding the world and its troubles. But it slowed the already trudging pace.

I think I liked this one a bit better than Fourth Wing despite the slower pace. It kept me engaged a little more than the first. I did a fair bit of scanning with Fourth Wing an its tendency to reiterate, well, everything more than once.

Iron Flame is where Rebecca really started weaving the threads that will lead us to the other book(s) in this universe. I read somewhere that she was aiming for five books in the series, I think. Maybe five books based in this universe? I may just be spreading hopeful lies because I want more Violet, Xaden, and dragons…