Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

878 pages

Romantasy

5/5*

Available: Book, Playaway, Libby eBook, Libby eAudiobook

“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

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.

Ride or die.

And I died. Rebecca Yarros sure knows how to leave us hanging on a cliffhanger. Iron Flame, the sequel to The Empyrean Series was a literal emotional roller coaster full of battle, love, and of course…DRAGONS! I can confidently say I had no idea what was going to happen for even a second. I didn’t know who was going to lose their lives, or if I could emotionally repair myself after the final page. Our main character, Violet, has come so far from the first book and has grown into quite the badass. Proud mother moment. I tried to stay off social media because I knew people were going to be talking about Iron Flame since it is so wildly popular. However, I did watch people’s reactions to reading the ending. The temptation was too strong.

So, to the ending I trudged…. absolutely dreading what could be waiting for me to read. There isn’t a good enough description to tell you guys about how utterly “shooketh” I was. My heart has left the building and has been eviscerated by you, Rebecca. Until next time you emotionally destroy me in the best of ways.

For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.

-Samantha