Rebecca Yarros
Adult Fantasy
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.
-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.
Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.
My Opinion
“The first year is when some of us lose their lives, the second year is when we lose our humanity.”
(4 / 5) I have been immersing myself in this world again! I did a reread of Fourth Wing, which was good because I had forgotten a lot of the details. Iron Flame grabbed me immediately and kept my attention.
It’s always a good book when the writing is fabulous! Yarros really does a great job. I love the attention to detail but also the insights into the characters. Characters are really what makes the story in my opinion.
“We are the weapons, and this place is the stone they use to sharpen us.”
So why didn’t I give it 5 stars? It was a five star read until the last few pages. I had to reread those pages multiple times! For one thing, the end was very abrupt. Right in the middle of something big, it changes and pops forward a few days. Hmm ok, I don’t love that but ok. But then… ugh. The end “whammy” that was supposed to be like dropping a bomb, fizzled and fell flat for me. Sigh. I really tried to love it but I think I won’t appreciate it until the next book when I have more information. So yes it was a whammy of a twist but I have too many questions that go with it. Crossing my fingers for book 3 to answer them all!
General content summary: F words= 20+, alcohol, multiple falling deaths, snapped neck death, physical violence (fists, weapons, blood, choking, deaths some details), stabbing death, dragon fire death, m/f kiss and intimacy (very detailed, 3x), torture (captivity, sedatives given, physical violence, injuries, broken bones, battle scenes with dragon, riders and more (some intense and life threatening, deaths, blood).
**As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Be the first to comment