Book #52: “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros

 

Iron Flame

Rebecca Yarros

 Released: November 7th, 2023

My 22nd book for 2024 was Rebecca Yarros’ “Iron Flame”.

Holy Hell!  This 623-page behemoth was a challenge!  Especially so late in the year and trying to get my goal of 30 books read in time.  But I made it through and am fully caught up on the series.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one.  It's a good book but doesn't grab me the way ACOTAR or Hunger Games did.  I'm not out to say the series is overhyped, but if I had one criticism of this book, it's the length.  There is a lot going on, and while the subtitles at the beginning of each chapter give a vague foreshadow of something occurring in the chapter, it feels hard to keep track of the different characters, which wing they are from, what year they are, what their signets are, which dragon they've bonded with, and other things.  I'm excited for the 3rd book, but also nervous about just how long it will be, let alone getting over the events of the 2nd book.  The 2nd book carries a deep ending that hits a bit oddly.  You feel somewhat unsatisfied, but yet still crave more.  I feel the 3rd book will carry some answers that have left readers feeling offput by the conclusion of this one.

I enjoy the story between Violet and Xaden.  They have a very deep relationship that doesn't feel superficial.  There are moments where they need to trust one another, argue it out, love one another, and share some pretty graphic intimate moments.  Different elements of their relationship play out into some major plot points, and it's interesting to see their dynamic take on the challenges as they occur.

Those who enjoy a good amount of smut in their reading will have their cravings more than satisfied with this book.  Some of it is pretty graphic as well.  Not enough to venture into violent territory, but certainly enough to get even the most prude person going.

The 2nd year is all over, and you really see the characters break away from a sort of "school" element and truly begin to embrace their skills and powers.  It's sort of education without the institution.  Don't fall in love with characters too easily, as there are still several that don't quite make it.  This goes on to show just how dangerous this world is and how it affects the different people.

Here is what I learned:

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• The viscount only collects things, he does not trade them.

• Cliffsbane is the flier academy in Zoltan.

• “When the lives of everyone around you depend on how well you can lie, it’s not easy to realize it’s the truth that will save you.”

• “Because you didn’t fall for an ordinary rider.  You fell for the leader of a revolution.”

• Of the 11 first-years from the previous year, only 5 remain.

• Violet’s group was the Iron Squad due to having the least number of casualties.

• Colonel Markham wrote the book on Navarrian history.

• Each have modifications on their summer uniforms.

• Violet has slits in her black top that give her access to daggers in her armor.

• Rhiannon has slits sewn in.

• Sawyer likes his sleeves short.

• Ridoc never had his uniform tailored, and simply ripped the sleeves off.

• Dyre owes Violet a life debt.

• Xaden has know Eya since she was 10.

• Her mother was a rider who uncommonly held a council seat.

• “If you can’t lie, distance yourself.”

• Violet works in blackmail.

• “The Unabridged History of the First Six” is a classified 300-year old text.

• Green dragons, especially those descending from the line of Cruaidhuaine, have an especially stable connection to magic.

• “Fight me and die, or join me and live beyond the ages.”

• Brennan feels the six most powerful riders in Aretia are Xaden, Felix, Suri, Bodhi, Violet, and himself.

• Snow falls earlier in Aretia than it does in Basgiath.

• Violet has been pleasured on the Throne of Tyrrendor.

• “We don’t eat our allies.”

• Iron doesn’t catch fire.

• In the 628th year of unification, Aretia has been burned by dragon in accordance with the treaty ending the separatist movement.

• Codagh and Tairn descend from the Dubhmadinn Line.

• The Dubhmadinn hatching grounds are in the valley above the Riorson House.

• The valley is heated by natural thermal energy.

• Only four facts are known about the Dreamless Sleep: it is a critical time of rapid growth and development, the duration varies from breed to breed, it is dreamless, and they wake up hungry.

• The green dragons of the Uaineloidsig line have their hatching grounds in the mountains of the Steelridge range.

• It is not unheard of for a candidate to enter the rider’s quadrant having been paid to assassinate a cadet.

• The final day in academic punishment lies with commandant’s office.

• Dragons do not answer to the whims of men.

• Menders are not healers.

• Never underestimate a gryphon rider.

• Most cadets are killed by sheer gravity (falling to their deaths) as opposed to actual dragon fire.

• The only signet more terrifying than an inntinnsic is a truth-sayer.

• The only crime worse than murdering a cadet is the act of attacking leadership.

• Riorson House has never been breached by army.

• When a gryphon bonds, it does so for life.

• The problem with mankind is we too often find our souls to be a fair price for power.

• “The breath of life of the six and the one combined and set the stone ablaze in an iron flame.”

• The art of imbuing comes automatically to siphons.

• Dragonfire kills quickly.

• “Nothing kills powerful, unshakable love faster than opposing ideologies.”

• At it’s core, Magic demands balance.

• The easiest way to defeat a dragon is to kill its rider.

• Most generals dream of dying in service to their kingdom.

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Overall, the book was a good read, and a nice continuation feeding off the first novel.  It held my attention better despite the length, and leaves readers curious and hungry for more.

Recommended.

On to Book #53: "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk.