Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: Romantasy
Available On: Amazon
There are few books I’ve been more excited to read in recent years than Iron Flame, the highly anticipated sequel to Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. If you read my review of the first book, you’ll know I was obsessed with it. Me and pretty much everyone else in the bookish community (it’s been a first favourite as one of the biggest books on Bookstagram Booktok for the last two years). I re-read Fourth Wing in anticipation of its release and was even more in love with the world by the end of the re-read than I had been before. The book arrived in November, and I was working on my own novel, Bane, so I exercised EXTREME self-restraint and didn’t read it until the end of National Novel Writing Month.
December dawned to me fervently turning the pages, and while I was delighted to read the continuation of the adventures of Violet Sorrengail at Basgiath War College, some aspects of the book were a bit of a disappointment.
I was, in all honesty, crushed.
Please don’t get me wrong, I still loved the book and found it to be a great read. The major issue was that it just wasn’t as captivating and (to my mind at least) perfect as Fourth Wing. Perhaps that was my own fault; I’d adored the first book so much nothing could ever quite match up. But for those of you wondering if Iron Flame is worthy of the hype, here’s an honest review from someone who wholeheartedly believes Fourth Wing was, and Iron Flame arguably isn’t.
The Pacing Issues Were Annoying
One of the primary criticisms of Iron Flame is its pacing. Many readers, including myself, found that the first half of the book dragged significantly. The extensive focus on training sequences before the plot picked up pace in the latter half led to a sense of tedium. This uneven pacing made it difficult to stay engaged, feeling that the story could have been told more efficiently in fewer pages.
It was just frustrating to finally return to this world after almost a year of waiting to find out what happened next, only to discover that so much of the initial story was, really, just more waiting.
Repetitive Conflicts Stifling Character Development
Another point of disappointment is the repetitive nature of the conflicts between Violet and Xaden. Their relationship, which was a definite highlight in Fourth Wing, felt a little stagnant in Iron Flame. The same arguments and misunderstandings were revisited multiple times without much progression, which frustrated readers looking for deeper character development and resolution. It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that Violet would, eventually, get over her frustrations with Xaden withholding information from her. It was also fairly irritating to have to listen to her internally monologuing how annoyed she was about it, while she herself clearly understood why he’d done it, why it was necessary, and was withholding crucial information from him at the same time.
It just felt like a small bump in their relationship that should have been discussed and put to bed (pun intended!) was turned into an extended argument they came back to again and again. Why? To create conflict between them. There was no other reason for it than to keep them apart so we could have the reunion payoff later. For the same reason, the plot forced them both apart for much of the book. This at least did make sense in the context of the story, but given they were physically separated from each other most of the time, it really made the tedious argument even more redundant, and really screwed up the character development of both Violent and Xaden for much of the book.
Violet, in particular, did not grow as much as she could or should have in this novel. Her development in the first book was enthralling. Iron Flame, on the other hand, saw her repeat the same mistakes while lacking any true introspection regarding her relationship with Xaden, leading to a feeling of general frustration. Additionally, the secondary characters were often sidelined, only appearing when convenient for the plot, which made the world feel less rich and immersive than in the first book.
World-Building, Plot Twists And Toxic Love
One of the magical aspects of the first book was Rebecca Yarros’ exceptional world-building skills, which blended high fantasy with a much more modern, relatable side that was refreshingly different. I didn’t get that same sense of awe at the world building in Iron Flame as I did in Fourth Wing. Everything just felt a little rushed, with the new elements introduced in Iron Flame feeling far less cohesive and integrated compared to Fourth Wing. The book includes numerous plot twists, some of which were well done, but others were either overly dramatic or lacked any kind of foreshadowing so sort of hit you from left field without really making much sense. That unpredictability could have been amazing – I certainly love a twist I don’t see coming! But the lack of logic in some areas undermined it quite a bit.
I’ve seen quite a few people complaining that Violet and Xaden’s relationship has become toxic in this novel. I wouldn’t agree with that, I feel their individual actions are reasonable and their reasons for hiding things from each other are, for the most part, understandable. Remember, we’re dealing with a world where mind reading is possible; telling someone a secret isn’t about whether or not you trust them and want them to know you fully. It’s about whether or not it’s possible someone else might gain that knowledge from them, without them even realising it.
If that element of the world didn’t exist, I’d agree that they don’t have a very open and honest relationship a lot of the time. This leads to a lot of tit for tat that’s both tedious and unhealthy. But overall the issue with their relationship isn’t actually their relationship – it’s the plot fairies trying to create drama where there really isn’t any.
If you’ve ever watched The Walking Dead you’ll know that for years, Glenn and Maggie were the darling couple everyone loved. Once they were together, they were unbreakable. Rather than creating a load of nonsense between them like insecurities, random love triangles, or unnecessary arguments, the writers knew enough to maintain that solid, pure love.
Instead, they found a way to physically split them up every season, so we could have the pay off of their reunion and the emotional impact of that, without ever undermining the foundation of their love.
THAT is how you write a great love story. In Violet’s world there are plenty of things to complicate her relationship with Xaden and keep them apart so the reader can root for them to find each other again. I think my big gripe with this novel was that instead of doing that, Iron Flame ruined them a little by completely undermining their love.
Don’t Get Me Wrong, Iron Flame Is Still Great
Despite some of the pitfalls, Iron Flame retains a compelling allure, especially for those who have journeyed with Violet since Fourth Wing. Rebecca Yarros’ storytelling prowess shines through with her intricate world-building and the rich tapestry of Basgiath War College. We get to see a lot more of the wider world, and despite these elements lacking quite the same level of perfection achieved in the first book, it’s still a great read. The narrative remains thick with tension and excitement, driven by Yarros’ ability to deliver unexpected twists that keep readers on their toes.
Moreover, the deepening complexities of Violet’s adventures and her dynamic interactions in a world brimming with magic and dragons ensure that the sequel isn’t just a bridge between books, but a worthwhile experience in its own right. For anyone who fell in love with the characters and the world in the first book, Iron Flame offers further exploration and development that can be deeply satisfying.
The charm of the series still thrives in Yarros’ vivid descriptions and the emotional depth she brings to her characters, ensuring that even with its flaws, Iron Flame is a must-read for fans and a testament to the enchanting world she has created. So, while it may not have reached the lofty heights of Fourth Wing, Iron Flame stands firmly as a strong continuation of a beloved saga.
What Genre Is The Novel?
Like the first book in the series, Iron Flame sits firmly in the Fantasy Romance or Romantasy genre. This genre blends elements of epic fantasy, such as world-building, magic, and conflict, with central romantic themes that explore the relationships between characters. The novel features a richly constructed world where magical and romantic elements intertwine, making it appealing to fans of both fantasy and romance narratives. Additionally, it incorporates elements of adventure and political intrigue, which adds depth to the romantic plot and the fantastical setting.
How Spicy is Iron Flame?
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The spice level in Iron Flame is moderate, although I will say what spicy scenes we get are exceptionally well done. Several chapters feature mild to spicy romantic scenes. The detailed intimate moments occur primarily in Chapters 27, 37, and 48, with these scenes adding emotional depth to the relationship dynamics between the characters.
Fourth Wing brought us a lot more spice than we were used to in a romantasy, and I think perhaps this had led to a lot of over hype where the spice is concerned for this series. Overall, the spice rating can be considered a 3 out of 5, making it suitable for readers who appreciate a balance of romance and plot within their fantasy novels. These spicy elements are well-integrated into the story, enhancing the romantic and emotional connections without overshadowing the broader fantasy narrative
If you’re expecting spice on every page, you’ll be disappointed. Personally, this didn’t bother me; I enjoyed the plot and the rest of the world and didn’t need constant spice. Buti think a lot of readers are going into this expecting it to be spicy on the level of a erotic romance, just with fantasy elements thrown in. And that’s not what this series is.
What Romance Tropes Are In Iron Flame?
Trope Count: 💚💚💚💚💚
In Iron Flame, the dynamics between Violet and Xaden have evolved significantly from the Enemies to Lovers trope that was central to Fourth Wing. In this sequel, they have clearly moved past being enemies and are established as lovers. However, the narrative reintroduces conflicts that mimic their earlier antagonism, seemingly in an attempt to recapture the spark of their initial romance. This artificial reintroduction of conflict could be seen as an effort by the plot fairies to maintain tension by forcing them into arguments that might feel unnecessary or redundant.
So, I’ll not be including Enemies To Lovers on this list, as I don’t feel it actually applies. There are, however, some enjoyable romance tropes included in the novel…
Forced Separation
While Violet and Xaden have developed a strong romantic connection, the plot introduces scenarios where they are physically separated, driving much of the emotional tension in the story. This separation, enforced by external circumstances or missions, serves to heighten the drama and underscores their emotional dependency on each other. This part of the book is actually done really well (although it does make all the arguing all the more unnecessary).
Secrets And Miscommunication
A significant trope in this sequel involves the ongoing secrets and miscommunication between the couple. Each character holds back critical information, which leads to misunderstandings and conflicts that echo the tension of their initial Enemies to Lovers dynamic but without the freshness of that first encounter. This trope is used to recreate some of the dramatic tension seen in the first book, though it can sometimes feel forced.
Sacrificial Love
The theme of sacrificial love continues to be explored deeply in Iron Flame. Characters are often faced with tough decisions where they must prioritise the other’s safety or happiness at great personal cost. This not only adds to the depth of their relationship but also aligns with the high-stakes environment in which they operate.
Love Triangle
Elements of a love triangle are introduced, providing additional layers of jealousy and competition for affection. This not only complicates the main relationship but also adds a classic romantic tension that is popular in many romance narratives.
Reunited Love
Each time Violet and Xaden reunite after their forced separations, there is a renewal and deepening of their relationship. These reunions are poignant and underscore the strength and inevitability of their bond, serving as key moments that drive their relationship forward.
These tropes collectively contribute to the romantic complexity of Iron Flame, offering a mix of tension, passion, and drama that fans of the series expect. While the approach to recreate the magic of the first book’s romance through repeated conflicts might not resonate with all readers, it does provide a familiar structure that keeps the romantic plot engaging and dynamic.
