Iron Flame

^{No Spoilers Ahead}

I am lying straight, staring at the wall, trying to comprehend what just happened. It's two in the morning and my brain cells are hyperactively jumping in my head like popcorns bounce in a microwave. I have just teleported back from the most anticipated, inevitable, and dangerous battle of the millennium. My mind is jammed at the unexpected outcome. As much as I love twisting plots, I'm an optimist at heart. I don't do well with unhappy endings. But then it wasn't "the ending", the stage has been set for the next sequel 'Onyx Storm' of the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros.

^{Snippet from book, edited on Snapseed}

I won't call it a review but I did write about the first book Fourth Wing, a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I had been reading Iron Flame - the second book in the series. It took me a boatload of time to finish it - firstly because it was a mammoth read, secondly, I couldn't read it while at my parents, one month gap broke my momentum. This week, I vowed myself to finish it as I'm lagging far behind in this year's reading challenge (have only read 6/30, and half year is gone).

Coming back to the book, Iron Flame...

It has some potential narration issues which might not bother anyone but I was annoyed at the redundant details of the inner monologue of the main character, Violet.

Nonetheless, I loved this book. The plot, twists, characters, fictional setting, atmosphere, creativity - everything was perfect. Most importantly, I was emotionally engaged. For me, that's a win which makes me forgo other flaws.

The development of the main and supporting characters was perfect, they grew on me. I had issues with the narrator (the protagonist), Violet but it was a delight seeing apparently badass Xaden unfold as the most caring and thoughtful leader, friend, and lover. My favourite supporting characters have to be Liam and Sloane and I can't believe I'm adding Cat to the list.

As far as Violet is concerned, I was mainly annoyed by her repeated inner banter, I got tired of reading the same lines again and again as mentioned earlier... After one point, I knew what she was going to say/think next. There was no element of surprise. Secondly, she was supposed to be the most powerful rider of her batch or some say even her generation and yet she couldn't learn to aim her target till the end. I understand she is a physically weak human due to some birth issues but it was annoying to see that she could throw a dagger straight at the target even blindly if she wanted to but she couldn't aim with her signet. The optimist in me hoped that the author would fix her by the end but that didn't happen.

I will just ignore it, thinking, that's how Violet is always supposed to be.

The chemistry between Violet and Xaden was great. You actually root for the couple. I equally loved her strong and meaningful friendship with her squadmates.

The battle at the end reminded me of the battle of Hogwarts. The tension, the urgency, and the uncertainty were all too familiar. Instead of Death Eaters, there were Dark Wielders. In Hogwarts there were students, at Basgiath there were cadets all the same.

^{Snippet from the book, edited on Snapseed}

Despite these superficial similarities between the two battles, both sequels are entirely different, so don't get the wrong idea.

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How can I forget about the life of the party - the dragons? Only there was no time for the party.

Although there were hundreds of them, the author didn't give much details except about the three - Tairn, Sgayel and Andarna. I didn't know I was capable of rooting for dragons until this series. Hell, I didn't even like them in Game of Thrones. I will applaud the author on this one.

^{Created with AI}

This makes me think why I will always give an extra point to Fantasy Fiction over Science Fiction. I am more into ancient stuff and magical realms than into futuristic worlds and technical details when it comes to books. I feel the characters in the latter are cold, the whole focus is on world-building and speculative ideas. Having said that, I prefer a Sci-Fi when it comes to movies.

This debate demands a dedicated separate post so before I stumble off the main track, I shall stop here. I started writing this blog last night but passed out after writing a few lines. I had dragon dreams all night which pushed me to finish writing this blog today. It's ridiculous to have the same creatures in dreams as my 3-year-old. Releasing my thoughts here might keep dragons at bay tonight.

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