Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros – A Brutal, Addictive, Soul-Destroying Masterpiece

artwork by @jrtart_

Rebecca Yarros did not come to play. She came to ruin lives, destroy emotions, and leave us all staring at the last page wondering how we’re supposed to function after what we just read. Iron Flame is not just a book—it’s an experience, a rollercoaster, a full-blown assault on the heart. If Fourth Wing was about survival, Iron Flame is about endurance, resilience, and the terrifying cost of power. Every time I thought Violet might get a break, Yarros said, “Absolutely not” and threw another impossible challenge at her. The tension? Unbearable. The romance? A slow-burn emotional devastation. The action? Relentless. And that ending? I am unwell.

This review is going to be long because there is just so much to talk about. Let’s break it all down—the plot, the characters, the betrayals, the battle scenes, the dragons, the heartbreak, and everything that made this book the absolute masterpiece that it is.

Violet Sorrengail: The Strongest, Most Stubborn Girl to Ever Exist

Violet has come so far from the girl we met in Fourth Wing. She’s no longer proving that she belongs at Basgiath—she’s proving that she can thrive in a world designed to break her. And let me tell you, Yarros puts her through wringer. Every obstacle is more brutal than the last, and watching her fight through pain, doubt, and literal death threats is both incredible and exhausting.

Her chronic illness is a major focus in Iron Flame, and I really appreciated how Yarros didn’t magically cure it for plot convenience. Violet has to find ways to work with her body instead of against it, which makes her growth feel even more powerful. She’s clever, strategic, and refuses to let anyone decide what she’s capable of. But she also makes mistakes, which I loved. There were moments where I wanted to shake her and yell, “GIRL, PLEASE,” but at the same time, I got it. She’s under so much pressure, and every decision she makes has life-or-death consequences.

The emotional toll this book takes on her is brutal. She’s constantly being tested, manipulated, and betrayed, and yet, she keeps fighting. She learns that strength isn’t just about surviving—it’s about who you choose to become in the aftermath of all that pain. By the end of this book, she’s no longer just the scrappy underdog. She’s a force to be reckoned with.

Xaden Riorson: The Blueprint, The Standard, The Emotional Damage

Xaden. Ohhh, Xaden. If you thought he was complicated in Fourth Wing, buckle up because Iron Flame takes his character arc to a whole new level.

This man is carrying so much weight on his shoulders, and it shows. His loyalty, his secrets, his impossible choices—everything about him is layered in tension and heartbreak. And the way he and Violet clash in this book? Perfection. The slow-burn frustration of their relationship had me screaming. Every conversation between them was charged with so much unspoken emotion, and I loved how much depth Yarros gave to their dynamic. It’s not just about attraction—it’s about trust, fear, and the absolute chaos of loving someone when the world is actively trying to tear you apart.

There are moments in this book where I wanted to be mad at him. He makes some choices, and while I didn’t always agree with them, I understood why he did what he did. He’s not just Violet’s love interest—he’s a leader, a fighter, and a man who has been shaped by war and responsibility. And that ending? I don’t even have words.

The Romance: Slow-Burn Agony and Emotional Destruction

If you thought Violet and Xaden’s relationship was intense in Fourth Wing, Iron Flame takes that tension and cranks it up to 1000. Their relationship is tested in every way imaginable, and the way they navigate love while dealing with trust issues, war, and literal life-threatening situations? Chef’s kiss.

I love that Yarros didn’t take the easy route with their romance. There’s no “perfect” moment where everything magically falls into place. Instead, we get miscommunication, hard choices, and scenes that had me clutching my chest like a dramatic Victorian widow. The chemistry is still there, don’t get me wrong—the tension between them is ridiculous—but this book focuses more on the emotional aspect of their connection. And honestly? That made the romance even better.

The Dragons: Tairn and Andarna Continue to Be Absolute Icons

If I could read an entire book from Tairn and Andarna’s perspectives, I would. They are hands-down some of the best characters in this series. Tairn’s grumpy old-man energy mixed with Andarna’s chaotic baby-dragon energy? Incredible.

We get so much more dragon lore in Iron Flame, and I ate up every single detail. Their bonds with their riders, their power, their personalities—I loved all of it. And the way Tairn and Andarna interact with Violet? Pure gold.

The dragons are their own characters, and Yarros makes sure we never forget that. They have their own agency, their own stakes in this war, and their own motives. And when they show up in battle? Absolute destruction.

The Action: Unrelenting, Cinematic, and Absolutely Brutal

Let’s talk about the action sequences, because holy heck. Every single fight scene in this book was pulse-pounding, high-stakes, and stressful. Yarros does not hold back. The way she writes battle is cinematic—I could see every movement, every swing of a blade, every flash of dragonfire. The tension was unbearable in the best way.

And that final battle? I am still recovering.

That Ending. That. Ending.

I’m not okay. I will never be okay.

I can’t even fully talk about the last few chapters without my brain short-circuiting. Just know that when I reached the end, I sat there in silence, staring at the pages like they had personally betrayed me. Because what was that.

If you thought Fourth Wing ended on a cliffhanger, just wait. Iron Flame leaves you feeling like you’ve been personally victimized by Rebecca Yarros. I am not well.

Final Thoughts

Iron Flame was everything. It was brutal, emotional, and completely unputdownable. The character development? Immaculate. The romance? Angst-filled perfection. The action? Some of the best I’ve ever read. Yarros has once again destroyed me in the best way, and I will be thinking about this book forever.

If you haven’t read it yet, what are you doing. Go pick it up immediately—but maybe clear your schedule first, because once you start, you won’t be able to stop.