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by Rebecca Yarros

All of my reviews are spoiler-free, but I felt the need to call it out explicitly here! Like many, I was worried that book two wouldn’t live up to book one. Here’s the facts: If you loved Fourth Wing, you’ll love Iron Flame. If you liked it, you’ll like this. If you didn’t like it, you won’t like this. 

Iron Flame picks up quickly after the explosive revelations of Fourth Wing. As with many second books in a fantasy series, it builds on the world created in the first book and expands the story’s complexity. You delve into the world’s history, politics, and intrigue, extending well beyond the Basgiath War College itself. Some character’s motivations are revealed, and long-hidden secrets and emotions surface. The complexities of relationships deepen, and you gain more insight into the backgrounds and family dynamics of the characters from Fourth Wing. Several new characters are also introduced that are very intriguing, and I believe would be well-deserving of a spin-off book series. 

Was this an action-packed thrill ride? Yes. Are there parts of the story I wish didn’t happen? Yes. Are there some places where I understand what happened but not why or how? Yes. All of those answers were also the same for Fourth Wing. I’m choosing to trust the process because I was pleased that significant plot points in book two were born from breadcrumbs left in book one, which gives me hope that the overarching story has been mapped out and each book will unfold in a plan toward a greater story arch, which is incredibly exciting.