Audiobook
English language
Published Nov. 7, 2023 by Recorded Books, Inc..
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 …
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.
The story is narrated in first person by the main character. While she is described as smart, much of her thought processes… come across as quite dim. That and the wordiness of her internal dialogue detract from the book
Another re-read in preparation for Onyx Storm. The writing and characters are on a par with Fourth Wing, and the juxtaposition of modern speech in a fantasy setting still amuses me, but a lot of what I enjoyed about the first book is missing.
I'm not a fan of the push and pull of the main relationship, some plot points are telegraphed strongly enough to make Violet seem dim, the characters are a bit more foolish, and it veers towards the ponderous at times.
Overall, the worst thing about Iron Flame is simply that it's less fun than Fourth Wing.
The start of the book is slow, but it speeds up close to the second half. Good book, keeps up with the current social media book readers. Could be a little shorter.
This is a book that I just wanted to continue reading to figure out what's going to happen next. The story is well paced and it even includes some down time moments between the actions which is greatly appreciated. The writing is on point and there are quite a few moments where what a character does and says just makes me smile and laugh.
Oof. This book is a lot of things, and most of all it is extremely overhyped. Yes, the premise and the worldbuilding are pretty cool. The dragons are frickin' awesome and are, tbh, the only thing that make this book really worth reading. But to get to that part, you will have to wade through 500 pages of very tedious high school-esque drama, aka the neverending Violet-Xaden vicious circle of cringeworthy discussions loaded with sexual tension that end in nothingness. Honestly, by the third time I reached a chapter of them kinda-but-not-really talking and just getting horny, I started skimming these parts of the book, because I just couldn't bear it anymore. Also, that ending is a whole new kind of WTF and has me wonder if the last book will just turn everything on its head again.
It could have been an excellent book, if only it had 300 …
Oof. This book is a lot of things, and most of all it is extremely overhyped. Yes, the premise and the worldbuilding are pretty cool. The dragons are frickin' awesome and are, tbh, the only thing that make this book really worth reading. But to get to that part, you will have to wade through 500 pages of very tedious high school-esque drama, aka the neverending Violet-Xaden vicious circle of cringeworthy discussions loaded with sexual tension that end in nothingness. Honestly, by the third time I reached a chapter of them kinda-but-not-really talking and just getting horny, I started skimming these parts of the book, because I just couldn't bear it anymore. Also, that ending is a whole new kind of WTF and has me wonder if the last book will just turn everything on its head again.
It could have been an excellent book, if only it had 300 instead of 623 pages, and if it would have put it's best characters at the center - Tairn, Andarna, Sgaeyl and all the other dragons.
Part one is a slog. Picks up in Part Two. They’re not good books, but they’re fun, enjoyable books.
My biggest issue being that the writing feels anachronistic at times. It’s not clear what time the book is set in, but I really don’t think anyone in whatever time it is would says “what the actual fuck”
The ex-Mormon-learning-to-swear energy isn’t as strong in this book though. I’ll definitely keep reading the series.
I am glad to have picked this together with Valentina :) my link text
