is a two-part, 700-page (digital edition) that continues the story of Violet Sorrengail’s efforts to survive her second year in the murderous Basgaith War College and her complex relationship with Xaden Riorson. Three issues lessened my enjoyment of this offering and my decision to discontinue reading at the end of part one.

Part One tells a complete story. It would have been better to end the book at that point. Part Two picks up the story after part one and ends with a cliffhanger designed to entice readers to purchase the next book in the series. The decision to include both stories in one volume was likely influenced by the original intent to create a five-volume series and reluctance to increase the series length by an additional book. However, the decision should have considered reader fatigue. While the story is interesting, I was ready to move on to other books on my reading list.

Another issue is the decision to emphasize romance and depict Violet as a naïve, immature young woman. Volume one ends with Violet deciding she can no longer trust Xaden because he cannot tell her everything. Both are dragon riders, a branch of the Navarre military service. Even rank recruits understand that varying levels of security are attached to critical information. Access to information requires the proper security clearance. Yet Violet spends the first half of part one pouting and punishing Xaden because he refuses to reveal top-secret information to her. That thread quickly became and lessened my respect for Violet.

Finally, many aspects of part one repeat aspects of book one, and nonsensical plot elements are included in the story. For example, it is thoroughly established that humans cannot tell dragons what to do. Yet Vice Commandant Varrish of Basgaith War College orders Violet to make a dragon appear for his inspection. When the dragon refuses to appear, Varrish charges Violet with disobeying an order and punishes her almost to death. Nonsense.

I may pick up Iron Flame again in six months or a year and read part two, but the shortcomings outlined above weighed heavily in my decision to move on at this time. ( )

This was a really fun read. There are similarities to other fantasy storylines, but I still really enjoyed it. The plot twists at the end caught me very off guard. ( )

Iron Flame is a Fiery Adventure

Iron Flame, the second installment in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, is a blisteringly hot novel that will take readers on an emotional rollercoaster, combining dramatic action with sensuous romance. The novel is a compelling voyage into Violet and Xaden’s universe, two characters whose chemistry ignites the pages and keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.



Iron Flame ♦ Rebecca Yarros

Opinion

The plot is nothing short of fascinating, mixing suspense, danger, and romance together. Yarros expertly builds a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, yearning for the next surprise in the story. The pacing is excellent, with each chapter exposing fresh dimensions to the characters and the events developing, ensuring that the plot never loses momentum.

Iron Flame’s rich characters, each with their own problems and flaws, are surely one of its highlights. Violet, the main female heroine, injects a sense of realism into the plot. While her tenacity and dedication are noble, there were times when her behavior and decisions irritated me, and I had to roll my eyes. However, it is her flaws that make her accessible and human, ultimately adding to the richness of her character and her age.

The male protagonist, Xaden, is a moody and intriguing man whose still partly unknown past provides an added dimension of mystery to the story. While his persona is unquestionably endearing, there were times when a little more openness towards Violet may have enhanced their bond. Regardless of this tiny quibble, the two’s chemistry is palpable, providing a magnetic pull that keeps readers immersed in their love tale.

Rebecca Yarros‚ writing is nothing short of wonderful, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the action. The dialogue is snappy and genuine, which adds to the overall immersive experience. The author’s ability to mix strong action passages with soft, intimate moments is admirable, resulting in a novel that speaks to the reader on numerous levels. The startling cliffhanger conclusion shattered my heart, ruined my soul, and frazzled my nerves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Iron Flame is a must-read for fans of romance, suspense, and heart-pounding fantastical adventure. Despite my occasional frustrations with Violet’s character and the desire for more openness from Xaden, the overall experience is undeniably five-star worthy. Yarros has delivered a sizzling masterpiece that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.


This review was first published at The Art of Reading. ( )

Im Gegensatz zum englischen Original kann ich der deutschen Version leider nur drei Sterne geben, und das liegt nicht per se an der Story.
Grund: Die Übersetzung ist GRAUENHAFT. Während an Fourth Wing nur eine Übersetzerin der beiden hier gearbeitet hat, sind die Stile beider bedauerlicherweise nicht kompatibel. Die eine nutzt hochtrabende Fremdwörter, die junge Menschen im Alter von 20–25 einfach nicht wirklich oder nur selten nutzen. Dann sind viele Sätze sinnfrei, weil die Übersetzung einfach schlichtweg kein Sinn ergibt, außer man hätte ein anderes Wort eingesetzt. Den Übersetzerinnen möchte ich auch gar nicht so viel Schuld geben. Denn ich denke, dass diese total unter Zeitdruck standen, so schnell wie der zweite Band erschienen ist, auch auf Deutsch. Ich vermute, dass der Verlag hier einfach das Weihnachtsgeschäft 2023 mitnehmen wollte und so alle Beteiligten einem gewissen Druck ausgesetzt wurden.
Das spiegelt sich sowohl in der Ãœbersetzung, als auch der Korrektur und dem Lektorat wider.
Schade.

Für den dritten Band hoffe ich, dass man nur auf die ursprüngliche Übersetzerin zurückgreift, denn Fourth Wing hatte bei weitem nicht so viele Kritikpunkte in diese Richtung. Von beiden Übersetzerinnen hatte ich vorher schon Bücher gelesen, die sie getrennt voneinander übersetzt hatte und diese waren absolut in Ordnung.

Ob ich zum dritten Band in deutscher Übersetzung greifen werden, mache ich von der Übersetzerin abhängig. Denn solch einen sprachlichen Wirrwarr tue ich mich freiwillig nicht mehr an. ( )

I really do like the story, but the female narrator got damn annoying during the action scenes. Her yelling and screaming hurt my ears and was way too overdone. ( )