Laura's Reviews > Iron Flame

2024
4.5 stars
The second time around of me reading this book back to back, reading with the graphic audio this time. I almost gave it 5 stars, but the graphic audio cut and edited so much of the original text that I was annoyed we were missing important bits of the story.
It wasn't things that were really important that would make the reader not understand the story, but damn, I still wanted to read them! For me, they should have divided the graphic audio in three parts, instead of two, to be able to fit all that was cut.
Other than that, I really liked the production, although I was anxious af on this book for Xaden and Violet to talk, per my last reading as well. The stress reading was REAL.

2023
4.5 stars
I'm shocked! Rebecca Yarros did it again with that - spoilers - damn cliffhanger!
I really enjoyed this book, despite reading it super fast!
I do have a few complains: such as a few parts of the plot were very predictable (but I didn't mind); the story did dragged a bit in the first part of the story, as not a lot was developed due to how her relationship with Xaden was; and last, building up her trust in Xaden again...
Yeah, I didn't like how annoying it was (for me). I wanted to see this boy groveling, instead we got a lot of moments of him saying he wouldn't be able to really tell her everything and the truths that were necessary. And people - both hers/his/theirs friends - kept defending Xaden and I was just not buying it! Communication is key to a relationship! When he put on Violet's shoulders to find out the truths by asking him the right questions, I was pissed.
A lot of things could have been avoided by him just telling her about his past, or just a heads up of a possible things coming their way - such as Cat.
I will be back on Cat, but I have to say I was sad we didn't get to read in full Xaden's letters to Violet. And I get that this was his way of opened up, but 1. as the reader we barely see it happening, we're just told. 2. He was doing the "selective truths", to which I hated and loved when Violet decided to open up to her friends about what happened.
About Cat: I don't like when authors add a new female character to fight over the man of the main character. And then, out of the sudden, they become friends.
But I won't hold a grudge of the author because even Violet pointed it out how ridiculous Cat was acting towards her.
Now for the good parts: loved Andarna's arc! I love her, really! I did miss her being a baby, but I love teenage!Andarna.
Tairn was also amazing, I love how sassy he was.
Although I didn't understand a lot, the war plot sounded pretty solid! And even if it could be boring to me, it was intriguing enough for me to try to understand more of how things would work.
I do like Xaden's and Violet's scenes. They were mostly my favorite, even if I wanted they to learn some communication skills. I do have to say, we see so little of Xaden in this book. He was gone a lot of the times while Violet was left because studying - to which is no surprise, but I just missed them together having a day to day life.
I liked how Violet really built a bond with her squad, and how the rebellion kids were more accepted (at least in their group). Loved how Violet was so tough and yet was still finding her "center", and how we see her in a leadership position, despite the fact that she doesn't hold the title.
And overall loved the tension throughout this book. most chapters would end on a cliffhanger and you'd have to start another - hence why I read this book so fast!
After that ending, and to what was promised since the first book, I really wanna know what is going on with the Venin's and the Sage!
Overall, I feel like crying that I'm gonna have to wait for the next book. Oh! A lot of fan theories were proven right with this book and I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. Honestly I just liked this book because/despite all that!