Welcome to Litsy!

I read the first half of this in November and just finished last night. While I think there are some valid criticisms of the book (minor editing/chronology issues, Xaden & Violet having the same argument ad nauseam), overall I really enjoyed the sequel to Fourth Wing and thought it mostly lived up to expectations. Moving beyond Basgiath War College opens up the world building and lore, and I loved the introduction of new characters. 4/5 🐉

My reader heart is so full and broken at the same time. Rebecca Yarros has done it again. I‘ve heard so many mixed opinions about this read. I am here to tell you that I personally loved it, and (don‘t hate me) might have even enjoyed it more than Fourth Wing. Fourth Wing was the intro, and Iron Flame is where we dig deeper. Stay strong and stay spoiler free. It‘s worth it. BRB while rI dig myself out of the reading slump I just put myself into.

Exceeded my expectations! Book 2 of the series was nearly 28 hours of nonstop action and excitement! I thought it was going to feel too long, but I didn‘t want it to end. Now the year long wait for the next installment. Sigh.

I made my goal of 20 hours reading for #20in24
#serieslove2023. I vowed not to start new series this year, but this one was well worth breaking my promise to myself!
#RushAThon #LittenListen
##TeamReindeerGamers

There‘s adorably protective and then there‘s annoyingly protective and this crossed some lines for me. I think I‘m just not into the whole crazed obsessive mate plotline like I used to be 🤷🏼‍♀️
This one didn‘t do it for me like 4th wing did sadly. I also had to listen to it on ridiculous speed in order to finish it before libby stole it back and I got in a huge waiting list..
Still love the world building and cast of characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The way I‘ve been tempted to cancel all commitments in my life until I finish this book, but at the same time don‘t want it to end.
Currently about 3/4 of the way through 🔥

Rebecca Yarros really said "You know what this book needs? A shattering plot twist every four pages," and I said "THANK YOU MA'AM." Anyways, I'm dead now! #fantasy

I don't care what anyone says I think this series is highly entertaining and addictive. Yes, there is a lot crammed into this #chunkster and even more world building and a lot OMG moments. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me

🌾November is a wrap!

No contest- my fav of the month was Iron Flame. Will probably come down to Forth Wing vs. Ferryman for me for top of the year- but who knows what Dec will bring! You can tell I love anything with dragons 🤣🐉 #2023readingbracket

This author writes great battle scenes interrupted by young angsty love, secrets, and jealousy. I noticed the good reads 2023 voting choices categorize this book as romantasy vs fantasy. Ah so,, the fusion of two genres - I get it now, but for me the descriptive sex scenes were an interruption to what I liked best. I age myself even more when this book so oft reminded me - my gosh we send babies to war.
Dec ‘23 #DoubleSpin Cat:part of a series

Violet begins her second year as a dragon rider at Basgiath after surviving her first year and the War Games. Determined to save not only Navarre citizens but those outside of its protections, Violet and her squad band together to steal books, survive interrogations, and fly into unknown lands to protect the continent. Ends with an epic battle and a huge cliffhanger per usual. The writing can be better but as a friend says who cares it‘s candy🤣🥰

I died when I read this. I straight up, literally laughed out loud when Maren pops this out with ZERO hesitation. Talk about some comic relief!
#rebeccayarros #ironflame #theempyreanseries

I inhaled this one. I couldn‘t get enough. I was a little annoyed with Vi in the first few chapters, but it was completely worth pushing through. The cliffhanger at the end was painful! I need the next book. I will tape her together, I will alternately ice her and heat her, I will feed her, whatever it takes to help her get book three finished! Also, I will never look at a throne the same way again. 🤯
#rebeccayarros #ironflame #theemperianseries

That was a LOT! It felt episodic & there‘s too much stubborn immaturity w/Violet, but there‘s a lot to love. I love the friendship between Ridoc, Sawyer, Violet, Imogen & Rhi. I love every single dragon interaction, esp. Tairn. I wish we had learned more about the founding 6, but I bet that‘s coming.

“You and I are not easy people. What we build together has to be strong enough to withstand a storm. Or a war. Easy isn't going to give that to us."

So helpful… 🥰😅

No comment…..but I need the next book asap 😭

Onto book 2. All I can say about Fourth Wing's ending is "wait what?!"

The much anticipated second book of The Empyrean series, Iron Flame, continues the story of Violet Sorrengail as she begins her second year at Basgiath War College. I found this to be full of action, Dragons, and a bit more spice than the first one. And Xaden is the book boyfriend of the moment. Cannot wait for the next one because it ends on a massive cliffhanger. Pay no attention as I seek out a candle that reminds me of leather and mint....

Currently reading. But I admit, I bought it on my Kindle as well because the font is too small in the hardcover. I‘m 45% in and stuff is finally happening! The first half seems to just go in circles. Hoping this second half redeems itself.

Why do I keep seeing dinosaurs instead of dragons in my mind? Specifically, the brontosaurus. 😅🤓🦕🐉🫠

Rebecca yarrows why did you have to tear into my heart like that I seriously needed my emotional pickle after this one

Turkey in the oven: ✔️
Filling and side dishes prepped: ✔️

Now it‘s time to read a while before the family shows up for Thanksgiving dinner 🍽️ Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and happy reading my litsy family!

I‘m still figuring out my #wintergames TBR but wanted to post what I had so far so I could get some early bird points. I‘m not a huge Christmas book reader, but I do plan on reading at least one of the team reads. You‘re a Mean One, Matthew Prince looks fun. If you have any Christmasy mysteries or thrillers you recommend, send them my way!
#RestingGrinchFace

It‘s my birthday 🥰 spent the morning reading at Starbucks, and gonna see the new S&S hunger games movie tomorrow.

I've been shouting from the rooftops about Fourth Wing with the rest of y'all, but Rebecca Yarros lost me in the sequel. Just go ahead and tell me the next time you want $30 Rebecca because these are beautiful, but I'm no longer invested 😩😆

Better than the 1st book, The Fourth Wing!!! Can not stop reading!!!! Love it!!!!!!

Overall, I thought this was an excellent sequel and a great set up for the rest of the series. I actually did cry at the end, and books that make me cry like that are rare. It was a very emotional ending. I like that the politics are the main plot line of the story and enjoy the world RY has created and I hope she continues to elaborate her world in the next books to come. Love X and V, obviously and all our side characters, who I hope continue

Just finished! I thought this was as good as the first. I‘m hoping for more dragon stuff in the 3rd one.

I am DETERMINED to finish Iron Flame tonight! I‘m on chapter 48 😏😏 #IYKYK

These are my thoughts so far: first 200 pages were ROUGH for me idk why, Xaden is infinitely hotter this time around (his words 🫠🤤), the pacing is really good- she‘s kept things moving well, and I like how the romance has taken even more of a backseat this time around, but it‘s still a lil spicy and like just enough to carry the book in between plot points.

Not understanding the negative reviews out there to be honest. This is a well paced (book 2 in a 5 book series apparently) and includes a lot of action, nail biting moments and of course spicy romance. This is NOT a romance driven series...yes it's there but it's not the whole plot of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read #bookspin #chunkster @thearomaofbooks

When does Empyrean book 3 drop!?!? Not soon enough. Loved diving back in to this world and can‘t wait to do so again. 🐉

If there was a therapist that specializes in treating Bookworms they would be making a killing right now because my emotional well being is 😱❤️‍🩹😭 1st I love the dragons with all my heart seriously they could have they own book and I‘d be delighted. 2nd Xaden is now #1 hands down in the hall of book boyfriends ❤️the things he said and did in this book my 😍🔥🔥 Vi was annoying at times but I still love her and all her friends. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Gah!!! It‘s just such a fun story!! The cliffhangers in these books are straight torture. I can‘t wait for the next one. I am officially emotionally invested. No shame here.

Absolutely no words. How long until the next book? Do we have any idea? #53-2023

We again return to the world of Navarre with deadly secrets and a costly revolution. I don‘t read this series just for the romance but for the witty dragons, moral conundrums, and deadly wars. Yarros is turning out to be an author not afraid to kill off people we care about. The stakes are high, and the price of revolution seemingly insurmountable. 4/5 stars and I can‘t wait for the next!

I think both of them are really into this book!!

#Adayinthelifeoftux 🖤🤍.

He‘s not spoiled at all!! 🐈‍⬛ 💙

What a delicious, wild ride. That ending was unexpected and I‘m going to need Yarros to write a little bit faster. 😜

My last soccer practice audiowalk until sometime in 2024. This book has kept me company all week. Two more hours to go.

Finally finished. Took me a week, but I got there.
That ending... I thought Fourth Wing was a cliffhanger! 😭

I am not OK. I will never be OK again. 😭

Book #2, and more dragons! And more fighting, more love, more twists and turns. This is a great sequel…I wonder how long I‘ll have to wait for book #3?

Say what?!!

WELP. This book was a RIDE and a half, wow. I found the pacing a little touch and go in comparison to Fourth Wing, but there was lots of action and a great mystery, character development and cliffhanger after cliffhanger. A little lighter on the romance, but that worked with solid reasoning behind it. There were some leap in the world building that lacked background, but overall an absolutely compelling read, and a worthy sequel for sure.

Well that was quite the emotional rollercoaster ride. I feel like I need at least a day to recover!! Shifting alliances, wars, epic battles, and of course dragons! I loved the new characters and all of the twists and turns. And what an ending! Can‘t wait for the next book in the series! #TeamZadenForever ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My face should say it all after finishing Iron Flame. How am I supposed to go on after this book! If I didn‘t love this book so much I would just toss it out the front door. The range of emotions I felt around the last 50 pages of this book was so extreme. I need book 3 now 😭😭

Well, couldn‘t resist.#FourthWing#IronFlame

𝟒.𝟓⭐
I mostly loved it…just a few minor issues…like the jealous ex-lover, and the “he doesn‘t love me because he isn‘t truthful” & the length…holy crap it was long. It was a whole 8 hours longer than book one. That ending, though…😲 I still love Tairn & Andarna the most…they seriously steal the show. Also...I'm really looking forward to listening to this series from Graphic Audio...Part 1 is coming out on 12/8.

Sigh! 128 pages in and I miss Xaden too! Like this is why fantasy books need to be multi POV by the 2nd book. Im already over little miss Violet🤦🏾‍♀️ This is exactly how I felt when Feyre and Rhys got separated ❤️‍🩹

I again listened to the audio while actually reading the book. The audio gives and takes. As for the narrators, again they fall short. While the intense parts are fun while listening, like actually watching it happen, the words are a mess. This narrator needs to learn how to pronounce many words and even names. She hasn't a clue obviously as to how to really pronounce the characters names.
Four stars

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/34dut6fv

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I saw the term “Shadow Daddy” on Reddit, and now there‘s no going back. 😂 This installment was fine, but for its length, I expected more world building. Maybe that‘s on me; visualizing made up worlds isn‘t my strong point. That aside, this didn‘t hold my interest quite as much as Fourth Wing. I‘ll continue with #TheEmpyrean as it‘s released, but I‘m not bonkers over it. I care more about the dragons than the people.

I just have no words! Seriously! This book was everything it needed to be and more! And that ending…damn ALL THE EMOTIONS!!! I need the next book like STAT!!! I‘m still just looking around in shock like this book just didn‘t wreck me and I seriously have to go on with my ‘normal‘ life 🤯😵‍💫😩

#SassyBookworm😏 #IronFlame #Wrecked #CantEven