Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

"The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson"

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 was the much-anticipated sequel to Fouth Wing where we get to find out what happens now that Violet knows the truth. I am going to try and provide this review without spoilers.....but I have questions. Lots of questions! I will leave those for the end.

To be honest, it started slow for me. I felt like it was taking too long reminding us that Violet is an unreliable narrator (hint hint), going over what happened in the first book, and building the introduction of new characters. I was really struggling during Part 1. I have since heard others say the same...like they were reading pages and not getting anywhere. They would look at the book and feel like there was still so much to go. I was reading on the kindle and also noticed the progression bar was painfully low. I don't know if that is what gave it the impression it was dragging - or my impatience to get to the meat - or it really was drawn out.

Part 2 was much better. It brought it the action, excitement, and dialog I enjoyed in the first book. Hating people we thought we liked, liking people we thought we hated. Twists. Turns. And an ending I was expecting but not in that way.

** Spoiler questions**

I have so many unanswered questions! What is Violet's 2nd signet? There are so many hints for different ones. Projection, dream walker, talker of the dead, precognition, camouflage signets like her dragon? I feel like Xayden's mom will play a part in book 3 - where is she? What exactly sickness did General Sorregail have when pregnant with Violet that couldn't be "mended". I feel that is glossed over - for now. Will Xayden fight it or be consumed? Why was General Sorrengail looking or a cure (not a way to kill Venin) BEFORE anyone we know was changed? What are the signets of some of the important characters that haven't been shown us yet? Who is the Master Venin that no one has captured yet? I think it is someone already mentioned in Book 1.

And many, many more.

Title: Iron Flame

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Link to Buy Book: https://amzn.to/47GCka5

Rating: 4 stars