IRON FLAME BY REBECCA YARROS PAPERBACK ENGLISH EDITION 2023

Excellent book however book quality was pathetic and pages missing

Intersting book

*takes a deep breath*I think it’s a little heartbreaking to me that I started my review for Fourth Wing the exact same way, by taking a deep breath. What’s heartbreaking about it is that they’re likely for different reasons. I’m not going into this review thinking to spoil anyone, but I don’t promise that I won’t be speaking about things that you would rather read about in the book than on my blog. Of course, I won’t tell you how it ends, but in the process of explaining how I feel, I might have to give some details. I’ll try my best to—Okay, I changed my mind. This review is going to be spoiler-y. Still won’t tell you how it ends though. Be warned (returns).Let’s begin with the best advice I could give you, which I took myself: do not walk into this book expecting another Fourth Wing. There will never be another Fourth Wing, even Fourth Wing didn’t expect to be a Fourth Wing. That honestly helped me greatly while getting into this book. I had read Fourth Wing many many times before entering this book, knowing that I had to be very sure about the world building and rules that we had been introduced to in book one for me to able to be comfortable about whatever Iron Flame would throw at us. Despite that, I was grappling, but more about that later.As soon as I opened the book, the first thing I noticed was the very helpful breakdown of the structure of the wings, sections, squads and leadership. It’s likely that by now everyone’s fairly understood the workings within BWC (Basgiath War College) but in case you need a quick refresher or have some confusion on the structure or who’s higher up in the leadership, you have a diagrammatic representation of it to check quickly. A big thumbs up from my side for that, thank you! The second thing I noticed which surprised me was that under the contents section there was now a division: Part One and Part Two. I couldn’t fathom why there would be such a division, what could possibly require for a book to be split into two parts unless there is some case of before and after; but what could that be in the current scenario? Third thing I noticed was the page count. It was 600 odd pages on my Kindle and the mini-celebration I did in joy is unrivalled to anything else that I had ever celebrated before.Let’s start off with part one. This book begins minutes after where book one ended. I wouldn’t say book one ended on a cliffhanger, given the answers for the what who how were rather evident. But, it definitely did end on a plot twist. The last few chapters of book one rode the high of the first plot twist that was both revealed and handled with brutal action scenes and emotionally wrecking moments. About four pages into IF we suddenly have five hundred and fifty times the information that we did in about 7 chapters of book one put together. I’m aware that this could be off-putting for many readers because it can come off as an info-dump, but I was here for it. The book begins to delve slowly into the world that has been kept hidden away from us—the world of the MMC—so yes, I was here for it. The difference in our perception of the secrets, the characters hidden in the dark and their world versus the actual reality of what is happening and what the truth is cannot be more vastly different. I was curious to see how Yarros was going to integrate this new truth into the set-up she had weaved in book one—the war college, the leadership and the mission that her squad had successfully failed at. The answer to this is: she did and she didn’t, which also ties into the part one and part two suspense.The first half of the book progresses with some tension, a sort of long distance relationship between the MCs paired with the vast emotional gap that now separated them because of the betrayal and secrets from book one, the new Vice Commandant who really might just be a sadistic psychopath in hiding and the past and secret truths that Violet Sorrengail has to now live with. An additional factor that as readers we had not expected? What being a second year at BWC meant. The rules of year two? Survive, but do not break. Pair all of this with the nail biting tension of Violet as she pushes away anyone close to her, judges who to trust with her newfound secret and tries to help the revolution in her own way. All this is fairly familiar ground with some new twists and turns and shocks and revelations along the way.The progress in the first half of the book is one step forward two steps back on many fronts. Each time there is progress, there is something that takes them a few steps back. There’s pain and betrayal waiting at every turn and the stress and frustration of it all really hits a peak by the time part one ends.As part two begins I could immediately understand why the book was split right down the middle this way. At this point I began feeling like I was reading two completely different books, the set-up changes, the stakes increase infinitely and everything we had come to understand about the world becomes convoluted and many times harder to understand. Violet’s character responding to this subconsciously and the conversation she and Xaden Riorson have about this really hits the nail on the head on that front. That being said, nothing (not even the prep I did understanding all the rules of everything Fourth Wing laid at our feet) could really prepare me for everything that happens in part two. I went through many reads of each page and I’m still iffy on some things, even though Yarros tried her best to add some familiarity to the whiplashing changes.Now let’s address why it’s possible that there are so many gaps in understanding and the world building not being as smooth as it was in book one. Is this because this book was made to release in a rush that everything from the editing to the writing has been rushed as well? Hence the physical copies too are turning up with multiple issues and misprints? Highly possible. While the book is very much binge-able, it is also extremely extensive. The world building takes a hit because the writing hasn’t been trimmed of that which is not required. For example: Xaden’s lifted hand is raised at his chest […]Sure, this is perfectly acceptable, but it’s also a two time explanation of something, to say that it’s both lifted and it’s raised even if the second was to explain location. “Xaden’s arm is lifted to his chest”, or “Xaden’s hand is raised at his chest” are more common, simple ways to phrase that. If you think I’m nitpicking that’s perfectly fine, but now imagine this kind of writing being paired with new world building that’s poured through almost every page of this 600+ book. It makes everything 100 times harder to understand which means we gloss over meaning and glean understanding only through the results of something. For example, I may not know why something works or doesn’t but I know if it has worked or not. Which is the kind of surface level comprehension that my reader heart will never be happy with. I can understand now why books are released nearly one year apart. Just half that time and I can see the steep price it exacts. Though I’m very thankful for such an early release and know it couldn’t have been easy to get this Godzilla of a book out.However, the book, you can tell has a lot going for it. There’s lots of tension between the MCs that’s so frustrating it makes you feel everything. The depth to which their emotions are felt pour off the page and like all characters caught in the middle of an almost-war, they don’t always have the luxury of time to deal with their differences. I loved that they try anyway and that their relationship is so new that they’re both growing, understanding how this works and stumbling many times along the way. Them calling one another out, taking criticism, rolling with it, finding even and balanced ground is surprisingly the most powerful scenes in the book. Surprising, because book one had more powerful scenes other than the emotional ones (perhaps the writing dampens our understanding of the world which reduces the effect of the other scenes, I’m not sure. Or maybe it’s me, who knows?). After they finally achieve that state of balance and peace—with a lot of frustration and pain on the readers’ end—I’m not ready to see that being shaken. But just my luck, I bet something is going to happen. We have three more books to go and my anxiety is not feeling settled.I loved the relationships in this book. Loved it. In Fourth Wing, Violet’s squad is one of the best things about it. In this book, the squad expands, both in the way you’re thinking and not in the way you’re thinking and I loved seeing that happen. I love female friendships and I especially love how Yarros writes how these relationships evolve. There are some characters that dislike Violet immensely and watching both the effect of that and the slow evolution of it into something else was my favourite part of it. I love Yarros’ ability to work into her writing the nature of people, how there’s dark and light. Does that mean redemption arcs work 100%? Well, the answer is yes and no. The book has a many act now, feel and think later scenarios and oftentimes it’s more important to be able to trust someone now rather than focus on how they were in the past. It’s a heartbreaking and heartwarming element when it plays out.Part one’s pace was stable, going at the perfect speed, but part two kicks it out of the park and I was just flying through it. There are many fantastic things about the book which is what makes it a four star read for me. However, I essentially plotted out most of the happenings in this book, because they’re the absolute typical writing strategies that are used to escalate and maintain tension. (bombastic side eye) I have to say, I didn’t expect to be so right. I pretty much nailed it on the head, to be honest and after how unpredictable Fourth Wing was for me, I did not expect to be so right about so many things. Especially that ending… *sighs* which is what makes it a four star read for me.That ending I know would have hit the mark on breaking a lot of people’s hearts, but for me, it was a little…disappointing. I suddenly feared it was a angst amping strategy, before remembering that the author has plotted out this whole series and I will have faith before I have doubt. So will I read the next book? Absolutely. But am I worried, but for very different reasons than a reader typical is? 100%. But again, faith first.My rating is four stars and that’s not something I predicted. There were also some formatting errors in the Kindle edition that I purchased, so do be open to the possibility of that when you start reading. Please check trigger warnings. This is not a book that you go into without being aware. The book offers trigger warnings inside, so that’s something I’d really like to thank them for.

good read

The packaging from Amazon was the worst as usual. Initially i thought of reviewing after finishing the book but i just can't wait. Please go for the hardcover. It's jus so much worth it, because you can't read properly with the paperback. Wish we had the American version of the book, though still 5 stars for delivering quick.

Well considering I'm just a couple of chapters into the book, can't say I'm entitled to write a detailed review but I couldn't help it. I might be a lil biased but yeah, I already know I love it so that's that 👍. As you can see from the pictures, there aren't any issues with the quality, its completely worth it.

I haven’t read it. Purely rating it and judging it based on the cover. Packaging can be good as it has damaged the book

Terminei em prantosNão sei pq começo série de livros sabendo que ainda não terminou.Precisa ter emocional em dia pra aguentar lançamento pra +3 livros

La segunda entrega de esta saga es fascinante, mantiene al lector inmerso en el mundo que se está construyendo. Los personajes han desarrollado más carácter en este libro. Si eres fan de la literatura se fantasía este libro no te decepcionará

I am so in awe of both "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" that I thought I would sit here staring at a blank screen for a long time while trying to find words to express my respect for Rebecca Yarros, author of both books. I just spent 3 days reading them and the only reason it took so long is that one still has to bath, eat, water plants, feed pets and sleep though I did not do much of the latter.What writers call voice in both books is so very perfect that I immediately want to reread both books! The voice is fresh and up-to-date and modern even for the dragons yet fits perfectly into whatever period of time this fantasy took place but clearly when there were dragons! Before proceeding, however, I need to hyperventilate briefly.First of all, it is totally immature and so unnecessary for anyone to post a critical plot point in a review especially on purpose and without first posting a spoiler alert. This happens not only with these books but others as well. Doing so is just another, although minor, example of how Homo sapiens have free will which they unfortunately can and often do waste on trivialities. So, then, here is how I deal with the review situation.I do not read them until after I read the book, then I read them to see how others felt about the book. Since one needs to know what the book is about before purchase, then reading the descriptive paragraphs at the listing along with reading the free chapters Amazon thankfully offers at the listing itself will provide that. Thanks Amazon. Reading those chapters and the description plus checking the star/purchase numbers are good steps to take to avoid learning too much in a review prior to reading the book.The second rant has to do with plot. Let me assure everyone there are NO NEW PLOTS. People have been murdering people since the beginning of time. It is how the author takes a plot(s) and makes it her/his own that matters to the reader. It is doubtful anyone knows how many dragon/people/rider fantasy books are out there so in the end it is a personal opinion as to which book(s) one chooses to like.Having so many to choose from means some plot points will seem similar. For instance how many ways are there to shove a dagger into someone's ribs, a plot point in a massive number of books? This author knew how to handle the plot she chose and then developed with aplomb. Both books kept my attention fully--page after page after page.I so love both books. What is so outstanding about both is that we learn most everything we need to know about each well developed character, not by telling, but by showing through their actions and their sharp and sometimes witty dialogue. It is beyond skillful at how on point the conversations are not only between the humans but the humans and their dragons especially Tairn and Violet and with Andarna--such a cutie and definitely my favorite dragon. The growing relationship between Violet and Xaden is razor sharp and on point.Violet gets wonky with her "having to know all the truth up front demands" regardless of how Xaden has put forth so much effort to show her he cares. Everyone has secrets but a book needs tension to advance so whoa and hold on the tension builds and builds between those two. Xaden is my favorite character out of many favorites. Their arguments are worth "eavesdropping" on and their love scenes are well done (Chapter 48 is mentioned by some reviewers).In this book Violet, in spite of her fragile bones and smaller size but because of her iron will and cleverness, and all those who made it through First Year at the Basgiath War College (covered inFourth Wing") are now Second Years. Third years like my favorite character, Xaden, have graduated out and been assigned to outposts outside Basgiath. Thus begins an every other week trip for Violet and Xaden, him with her one weekend, her with him the next weekend. This is so their mated dragons can have time together each weekend.It is also in this book that Basgiath and all the outposts are put in perspective regarding the coming battle. The 'revolution' becomes a much larger focal point and Violet learns about Xaden's connection to the estate in Aretia. One can already see by this point how hard it is to give this book the 10 star, 100% review it deserves! Just read it and see what I mean. It is one well-done, well written heck of a book and do not forget "Fourth Wing first!!This book covers in more detail wards, the reason for them and the ins and outs of setting them up and what happens when they do not work (descriptive details I liked BTW). Details regarding the approaching battle then the battle itself are incredible. I am skimming plot points here since others have covered them very well but there is a lot of stuff left hanging at the end of this book and the end itself will floor you. It is like learning to fly on your own and suddenly losing that ability and plopping onto the ground and then fighting to just take a breath. It is shocking, promise.When an author has done their job, the reader will fantasize about what may happen next but this book leaves so much stuff hanging that there has to be another book. My favorite character deserves a better ending--the last two chapters still has me plopped on the ground breathless. So here's a partial list of the left-hanging questions.What happens between Violet and Xaden after the battle's aftermath? What happens to Aretia? Will Andarna's newly acquired fire play a role in the future especially in helping to set up wards? What happens to Basgiath after the war? What happens about the new dragon hatchlings? Will Cat's crew of riders play a future role? And, BTW, how did Jack get the way he turned out?So very many unanswered questions in addition to many, many not covered here. So, then, Rebecca Yarros, listen up: We readers have to have another book--please, please and thank you!!

Again, the hype is still real. JUST. READ. IT!After making it through the first year - something no one (except, of course, the greatest man ever written, Xaden aka Xaddy) believed possible for her - Violet is now a second year. Parapet and threshing are comparable to the training that happens in second year as this is when, according to Xaden "... the rest of us lose our humanity".New-ish characters placed in her path are literally out to ensure Violet doesn't make it to third year. She'll have to fight and push herself even harder than last year and truly understand what it means to not only be a rider, but a rider whose dragon is mated."Secrets make for poor leverage. They die with the people who keep them" and while many a secret come to light, I can not begin to fathom the amount left to be overturned. SO much happens within these 623 pages it feels like it was both a longer and shorter book at the same time. It does start off a little slow, but things pick up, and it hurts putting it down. Information, memories, back story, future possibilities as well as the past are thrown at us with every turn of the page.The dragons banter is even better this time around. The spice and longing tension has been turned up, and Chapter 48 is an absolute 🌶 masterpiece. More signets are learned, closer bonds between the squads are born, friendship and relationships are tested, & so much more information around what happened in Resson comes to light.As expected, this ends on another unsuspected cliffhanger, like Fourth Wing did before it - and this one has me distraught beyond belief! I have no words to accurately convey the emotions i am still processing; where I did have multiple ideas of where Iron Flame was going to end, where it did hadn't even crossed my mind!What is trust, and how can you earn or give it to someone whole? Is the enemy of my enemy really my friend? Do HEA's exist on the Continent? Is there an antidote for everything? Can people truly be redeemed? Are all lives of equal value? What more do the Dragons know? Whats the cost of a royal title? Is forgiveness for you, or them? Is sacrifice truly a gift? Are grudges worth holding onto? Is love enough?This series is all consuming, and once again I'm left wondering what next to do with myself; we don't yet even have a release date for book 3! All we have is fellow readers, and a love for Xaden - hopefully Malek grants that to be enough.Thank you @rebeccayarros , but also WTF?!Original thoughts:I am distraught.Chapter 48 is an absolute LITERAL MASTERPIECE.I said what I said.

Esta segunda parte de la historia de Violetes aún mejor que el primer libro. Conoces mejor a los personajes y les coges más cariño según se van desarrollando los acontecimientos hasta llegar al final de este libro, que deja la intriga de el desenlace final.