5⭐️/ 3🌶️

WOO! YESSSS! THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! OMG OMG OMG! Violet, Xaden, and the gang are once again back, and you best believe THIS BOOK BROUGHT EVEN MORE ACTION, DRAMA, PLOT TWISTS, ROMANCE, AND DRAGON GALORE! In, “Iron Flame”, we were introduced to new characters as well as familiar faces, but it also set the stage for a grander story in which Violet and her friends at Basgiath were inevitably drawn into higher stakes than before, and certainly considering Xaden’s predicament following that plot twist cliff hanger in the previous book. There was a lot in store with this book, and I was more than excited to jump back into one of my all time favorite series! Violet and Xaden and the rest of the characters weren’t necessarily the same characters they were at the beginning of book one, they were stronger, more determined, and by far ready to do whatever it took to save those they cared about. Remember, “a dragon without its rider is a tragedy, a rider without its dragon is death.” 

Literally this book not only picked up where we left off on, “Iron Flame”, but there was plenty of action and discoveries within the first couple of chapters that had me so HYPED UP! This book (and pretty much every book in this series) has been phenomenal and so fascinating! I cannot begin to explain just how much I love reading this series, but also how immersive it is! I love all the characters, but Xaden and Violet have a special place in my heart. Now aside from being excited to read this book, it left me anxious to know how Violet and Xaden would handle the next set of problems they faced. From the aftermath of the dramatic plot twist concerning Xaden , the wards being fixed, trying to negotiate a peace treaty between different nations, and being back at Basgiath, there was never a dull moment while reading. 

I think it’s so wild to look back and remember that Violet, Rhiannon, Sawyer, Ridoc have all grown in their own ways, as well as introducing new characters into their squad. At the heart of these stories, the characters not only have had important roles, but they have instilled a deep rooted relationships over the course of action, drama, and revelations. As much as I adore all the characters, Violet is still my number girl, and my goodness, in this book she was really honed into her lightning abilities as well as coming into her own fiercer than ever Violence *wink. Violet may have originally been destined to become a scribe, but with her intelligence and her new found abilities, she was both a dragon rider and had the mentality of a scribe. I love Violet so much, and there was plenty of moments that had me cheering for her like, “WOOO YASSS BADDIE!” Violet really grew into herself, and my girl was lethal, powerful, strong, and by all means the most unique dragon rider ever! 

Of course, as much as I love Violet, we cannot forget about, XADEN! Now, quick reminder, if you’ve read, “Iron Flame”, you’ll know what I mean with the whole cliffhanger regarding Xaden. Xaden wasn’t necessarily the same guy he use to be, but it was more so he tapped into something he shouldn’t have, and it had dire repercussions that changed him in ways that could result in…execution. Aside from the big problem Xaden was faced with, there was still plenty of time for him to be an absolute over protective, alpha male, love struck man over Violet! Xaden has always had Violet’s safety and wellbeing at the forefront of his mind, but seeing it in this book elevated the ways that showed HOW MUCH HE LOVED HER! Let’s not forget about some of the iconic moments in which Xaden once again made me swoon and gasp in excitement when he was with Violet. (Sigh) Xaden can do no wrong and even when he did wrong things like…unaliving a bunch of people who wanted to unalive Violet….I FOLDED FOR HIM! OMG! 

…I’m…flabbergasted, in shock, in awe, and floored by the amount of things that went down in this book! This book has plenty of action, danger, and no short amount of truth bombs that truly revealed a lot about the things we had been wanting to know about! From the search of finding Andarna’s kind, which breed of dragon she was, more about Violet’s backstory that even she didn’t know about, Xaden’s fight to not fully become what he was inching towards, and the occasional plot twist that blew my mind! Even seeing some of the first years develop their signets was significant in a way I didn’t see! The core friend group was pushed to their limits, and forced to face off in one of the hardest battles that had been in up to date, but thankfully they prevailed! The politics side in this book was more prevalent which was interesting, but oh my it also had moments in which Violet, Xaden, and the gang were left with some losses that were devastating. (Sigh) I feel like there was a lot that happened in this book, and I’m so sad that the book is finished! Once again, Rebecca Yarros took me on an emotional rollercoaster that had me at the edge of my seat, crying, shouting, cheering, and fully immersed the whole way through! There was never a dull moment, and seeing Violet and Xaden trying to navigate their missions, trying to save others, and their relationship it wasn’t easy by any means, but it showed they had plenty to fight for. This book ended in such a wild way that the only thing I can of think is, “I NEED ANSWERS!” Needless to say, this was an automatic five stars, and well worth the wait! Violet was on another level of being a total baddie, while even being lowkey ruthless which I enjoyed seeing. Xaden was still the man I fell in love with, but ugh MY HEART BROKE FOR WHAT HE WAS DEALING WITH! The friend group was amazing as always, and yet again I was sobbing my eyes out in scenes I didn’t see coming. Highly recommend and read the previous books in the series!