The Fantasy Review’s review of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, book 2 in The Empyrean series.
After finally reading Fourth Wing, I have come back for seconds and absolutely devoured Iron Flame! My expectations were low – very low – because a lot of reviews indicate the book had been rushed for quick publication, but I am happy to say that I adored this book!
Spoiler-Free Review of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
I’m going to start this review of Iron Flame with the acknowledgement that it is obvious that some of the editing work was rushed in order to publish this book as fast as possible.
The writing is still addictive as hell – it’s the pacing that struggled and could have done with more time in the editing room. The first half of the book is perfect, and the final quarter is mind-blowing, but that third quarter DRAGGED.
Sure, I was still burning through the pages of that third quarter, but only because I was waiting for something – anything – to happen. It went around in circles, dragging the plot out until it couldn’t hold out on us any longer.
Apart from that, Iron Flame is arguably a better book than Fourth Wing. The first book is way more romance-focused, with worldbuilding taking a backseat waaaaay to the back of the room.
But Iron Flame starts to dig right into the world and the history, questioning lore and revealing secrets… exactly what I love in a fantasy book.
There’s still plenty of romance drama and enough spice to keep the romance lovers happy, but this series has become a better fantasy story because of this book, while keeping the romance plot alive.
The found family element of the first book is still going strong. In fact, it is amplified by the events of the book, creating a tight group of characters who love and would die for each other. This creates some epic, hard-hitting emotional scenes I’m still reeling from.
I was also in for a shock when the book got dark. I was not expecting such a gripping plot in the first half of the book, and the final quarter had me reading so fast my eyes hurt. It was tense, gritty, surprising, and everything I want in a fantasy book.
Some readers here will know that one of the first adult fantasy series I ever read was the Age of the Five trilogy by Trudi Canavan, and The Empyrean reminds me so much of those books, in all the best ways. The plot is fast-paced, the characters are badass, the magic system is epic in every way, and there’s an engaging romance plot throughout.
Do yourself a favour and read these books if you (somehow) haven’t already!
