chhota bheem

Violence, remember it's only the body that's fragile. You are unbreakable.

Rebecca, you cannot do this to me. I need the next book NOW.

I'm so happy that this series exists because after reading it, I'm not the same person anymore. Despite not being as amazing as Fourth Wing, Iron Flame is still deserving of all the praise in the world.

Less than a minute, that’s how long it took for you to fall out of love with me.

I'm amazed at the author's creativity in providing subtle clues here and there and making sure everything adds up. Just like in Fourth Wing, I was engrossed in the plot from beginning to end.

The book is split into two parts; the first takes place in Basgiath War College and the second in Aretia.

Watching Violet struggle with her powers and come to terms with them was encouraging. I can't wait to see how powerful she gets in the upcoming books.

You and I are not easy people. What we build together has to be strong enough to withstand a storm. Or a war. Easy isn't going to give that to us.

While it's reassuring to see Violet and Xaden working things out, their arguments had become a little repetitive. Furthermore, this book contained a lot of info dumps, which made it difficult to keep up. I probably need to read it once or twice more in order to understand everything.

I have a lot of questions, as well as theories.

1) When Violet was about to raise the wards, Lilith was not present initially. She only appeared after Violet began to burn out, saving her just in time. Before that, Lilith was fighting near the Vale alongside Xaden. And later, when Violet tells Xaden that her mother was dead, Xaden says the words,

I’m so fucking sorry.

I could never want anyone you love dead.

I found this unsettling. It felt more like a guilty sorry then a condolence for a loved one. So I wonder if Xaden had anything to do with Lilith coming there.

2) Liam’s signet. It was said that Liam’s signet was farsight. But in the battle at Resson, Liam was said to be wielding ice. Since runes are said to be made out of metals or woods, the wood cravings that Liam made might some form of runes. Or maybe Deigh might have bonded another relative of his. But why did Liam lie?

Tairn puts us into position, hovering about twenty feet aboveground as Liam flies for the gryphons above us, wielding spears of ice into the injured wyvern’s throat.

3) I’m pretty sure that Naolin has turned venin. It is nowhere being stated that he died.

We will no longer speak of the one who came before.

Naolin didn’t fail, but it cost him everything.

Decide, Violet. Are you going to die a scribe? Or live as a rider?

I genuinely adored it. I finished reading the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. The book was incredibly fast-paced and continuous and the plot events unfolded smoothly; I never felt like it was forced in any way.

Personally, I thought the plot setting was great. I was truly on the edge of my seat, wanting more of the story because of all the different events that were taking place. The quadrants, Gauntlet, sparring, Threshing, Presentation, Squad Battle, War Games, etc.. And the fact that you are allowed to bond dragons, talk to them in your head, have signet powers to wield, you know, there were a lot of such elements that really enhanced the reading experience for me.

“Should I get the wingleader?” Tairn flat-out laughs in my head.

I also thought the characters were great. Each of the characters seemed to have an own personality, and they all contributed in some small way to the book's overall entertaining and refreshing quality. Character dynamics, particularly those involving the dragons, were something I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn't get enough of.

“Quit telling Sgaeyl about my sleep habits,” I grumble at Tairn. “I’m not dignifying that demand with a response.” “Andarna is my favorite.”

I have some theories and there were parts I didn't entirely understand.

1) Violet talks about her father's research on the Krovlan uprising, which involved researching feathertails. Violet adds that she is aware of the location of her father's notes, but she says nothing more about it. So I believe that will be addressed further in the plot.

2) Another observation I made was that venin were said to have red eyes, and in the chapter where Jack Barlowe and Violet were sparring, it was indicated that Jack Barlowe had a red rim around his eyes. So, while I have an assumption that he's venin, that doesn't explain how his powers work within the wards.

3) You're going to be the death of me.

That's a statement that Xaden uses frequently. I can't help but wonder whether that means Xaden will die in future books, which would most likely destroy me. However, if he dies, Violet might also die because of their dragons. Though, I do doubt that Sgaeyl would be particularly affected by Xaden's demise. Or, since Violet has two dragons, Andarna's bond might be able to save her.

Well, those were my theories. Can’t wait to read the next book. I really hope it lives up to Fourth Wing and that I won’t be disappointed.