*Spoiler Alert*

Immediately after I was finished with “Fourth Wing,” I had to pick up the sequel and continue reading because the story had such a chokehold on me. Luckily, “Iron Flame” picks right off where the previous book ended, and there wasn’t a notable time jump. 

In this book, Violet and Xaden are still fighting in the beginning, and it continues halfway through the book. Violet is forced to stay in Aretia to heal, where she discovers that her brother Brennan is still alive. 

This is yet another reason why she is mad at Xaden because he kept this secret from her. Brennan was presumed dead years ago when organizing a rebellion on “enemy territory” – we soon discover who the real allies are.

A new Vice Commandant is appointed by Dain’s father, Major Varrish. When Violet and the others return to Basgaith, they are under Varrish’s strict scrutiny. He pays extra attention to Violet because he doesn’t trust her, and he thinks she is working with the enimies, Xaden and the ones who are marked. His entire character makes me enraged, and I know he’s supposed to, so congratulations to Rebecca Yarros for really doing her job. 

One thing about Violet and Xaden is that they cannot be separated for long because of their bonded dragons, Tairn and Sgaeyl. Varrish knows this and he forces them to be a part for longer than they are supposed to because since Xaden graduated Basgaith College, he is not a Lieutenant and has to fight on the front lines to protect the wards. 

While this is happening, Violet chooses to research more about Venin. This research is forbidden and classified information, so she breaks rules and even gets her friends to help her. Varrish finds out about this and sees her as a threat. 

He interrogates her for days, taking away her powers, not giving her much food, and ultimately tortures her physically. He wants to find out what really happened in Resson, the rebellion, and who helped her with the stolen journals. Violet is extremely strong for not even caving once – I know if I went through what she did, I probably would. 

On the brink of death, Dain comes originally to look into her memories per Varrish’s request, but he quickly realizes what is going on. He stabs Varrish, and Xaden arrives to help her out. I do not shed one tear for this man. As for Dain, this scene was his redemption because I was starting to hate his character for how much of a suck-up he was, so you can only imagine how much my jaw actually dropped when he stabbed him.

Violet and Xaden reveal to everyone at Basgaith the truth of the Venin, to recruit more of a rebellion. This scene is incredibly powerful because they continuously do not give up – especially Violet after all the pain and agony, and she rises above. 

In summary, they recruit cadets to join their rebellion and Basgaith and Aretia must coexist alongside the gryphon riders. They prepare for a battle against the Venin, and they try to destroy the wards of Navarre and consume their magic.

This is where things get serious. The Venin get to be too powerful and too much to handle at once. Xaden makes a choice that changes things for him. He becomes Venin. He succumbs to the earth magic and channels from the ground, which is enemy magic. It is easier to channel that way, but it turns you into a monster over time. 

I saw this coming a mile away, but I still managed to feel shocked when it happened. This scene broke my heart on so many different levels. However, it left me with one question: How much are you willing to sacrifice for the ones you love?

Share