Rebecca Yarros’ Iron Flame, the second book in the Fourth Wing series, had some big shoes to fill. After the monumental success of Fourth Wing, fantasy books lovers had sky-high expectations for this follow-up. Check out my detailed review of Fourth Wing here where I explore whether it lives up to the hype and why it’s a must-read for fantasy lovers. In this Iron Flame book review, I’ll break down the book’s strengths, where it stumbled, and why it’s still worth a spot on your TBR pile. Whether you’re looking for an Iron Flame summary, curious about Fourth Wing book 2, or just diving into Iron Flame reviews, this article has you covered.
Iron Flame summary – NO SPOILERS
“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. ”
Picking up where Fourth Wing left off, Iron Flame thrusts us back into the world of Basgiath War College for the first part of the book. Violet Sorrengail continues to navigate the perilous life of a bonded dragon rider while uncovering deeper layers of the Venin threat and the politics of her world. In the second part of the book, we get to explore more of the world than just Basgiath and I absolutely loved this expansion of the world and characters. The stakes become higher, the battles more intense, new fantasy creatures appear and the emotional toll on the characters continues to climb.
Iron Flame book review : what I loved about it
Deeper Dragon Lore
For fans of fantasy books with dragons, Iron Flame is a treasure trove. It was one of the reasons why I loved Fourth Wing so much and in this second book, Rebecca Yarros dives deeper into the relationships between dragons, their rich history, and their interconnected bonds. Dragons are not just creatures in this world meant to bond with riders—they are fully realized characters with personalities, stakes, and emotional arcs. This expansion of lore was one of the book’s highlights and a reason why the Fourth Wing series stands out in the fantasy genre.
Action-Packed Plot and Expansion of the World
The second half of Iron Flame is a rollercoaster of twists, action, and high-stakes drama. There is far more action in Iron Flame than in Fourth Wing and I was here for it! While I loved that Fourth Wing took place in a war college, the change of scenery in the second part of Iron Flame was much needed. I loved learning about Aretia and was thrilled by the introduction of gryphons and fliers to the plot. Yarros also knows how to craft a jaw-dropping ending, and this one was no exception. The cliffhanger is everything a sequel needs to keep readers hooked for book three, Onyx Storm, set to release in January 2025. If you love cliffhangers endings that leave you desperate for more, Iron Flame delivers in spades.
Side characters
In the second part of the book, the evolution of Violet’s relationships with her friends was truly heartwarming. The camaraderie between the four of them, especially during battles, emphasized not just their loyalty as squadmates but the deep friendships they’ve formed—relationships built on trust, teamwork, and mutual respect. The way Violet was also able to rebuild trust with Rhiannon felt natural and beautifully portrayed and the relationships between brothers and sisters were well-developed.
One surprise was the introduction of Cat, Xaden’s ex. Exes are not a common plot element in fantasy romance and it added an interesting layer to the dynamic between Violet and Xaden, setting it apart from the traditional love triangles from romance books. I absolutely despised Cat and Violet’s attitude towards her but this fresh twist distinguished Iron Flame from many other fantasy books, keeping the romantic subplot unique.
Iron Flame review: what was disappointing
Rushed Editing
Expectations were high after the success of Fourth Wing and the second book was released just a few months after the first one. As much as I enjoyed the story, it’s hard to ignore the editing issues. Typos and clunky sentences appeared throughout the book, pulling me out of the immersive world. It’s clear that the publishing timeline was tight, and some of these mistakes may have been avoided with more time for revisions.
The book was also pretty long – at over 600 pages, Iron Flame is a long read. While I’m usually here for an epic fantasy, some sections felt slow or overly drawn out. Unlike Fourth Wing, which I devoured in a matter of days and could not put down, I found myself struggling to push through certain parts of this sequel. The first part of the book wasn’t too exciting with a lot of info dump. Lots of scenes could have been cut down at the editing and the plot would be just fine.
The relationship between Xaden and Violet
While the relationship between Violet and Xaden remains a focal point, their book-long argument was annoying. The same themes and conflicts were revisited over and over in their arguments, making it feel redundant. We get it, Violet was hurt and betrayed, and there were huge miscommunication issues in her relationship with Xaden. But this tension doesn’t need to drag on for the entire book. A bit more variety in their interactions could have added freshness and depth to their dynamic.
Violet’s attitude
While I adored Violet in the first book, I did find Violet’s character a little frustrating this time around. The girl who was so strong and resilient in Fourth Wing became the cringey girl with trust issues. She comes across as insecure and indecisive, particularly when it comes to trusting her friends or Xaden. Her reactions to Cat, Xaden’s ex, also highlight this insecurity, and at times, it detracted from her otherwise strong character arc. Thankfully at at the end of the book, she finally overcomes her trust issues and starts relying on her friends and Xaden again.
How Does Iron Flame Compare to Fourth Wing?
The success of Fourth Wing set an almost unattainable bar for its sequel. While Iron Flame doesn’t quite capture the same lightning-in-a-bottle magic, it’s important to remember that this is book two of a planned five-book series. Iron Flame builds on the foundation laid by Fourth Wing, expanding the world, enriching the lore, and setting up for bigger reveals and conflicts in future installments.
While Iron Flame may not have fully lived up to the expectations set by Fourth Wing, it’s still a solid entry in the Fourth Wing series. The deeper dive into dragon lore, the surprising twists, and the action-packed ending make it worth the read. Yes, there are some rough edges, but the story’s core—Violet’s journey, her bond with her dragons, and the escalating stakes—keeps you engaged.
Fourth wing ★★★★★
Iron Flame ★★★.5
While not as polished as Fourth Wing, Iron Flame still accomplishes what a sequel needs to do: move the story forward, develop the world, and leave readers eager for more. The ending alone proves that Rebecca Yarros knows how to keep readers hooked, and I can’t wait to see what Onyx Storm brings in January 2025.
What to read after Iron Flame
The third book of the Empyrean Series – Onyx Storm comes out January 21, 2025. You can already preorder it :
Preorder Onyx Storm – The Empyrean series book 3 on Amazon
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