Iron Flame – Empyrean Series 2
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
What is The Iron Flame About?
The Iron Flame picks up where The First Flame left off, plunging readers back into the tumultuous world of the Empyrean, where dragon riders and their bonded beasts fight to protect their kingdom from dark forces. The story follows our fierce heroine, Kira, as she grapples with the weight of her newfound powers and the responsibilities they entail. As war looms on the horizon, Kira must navigate treacherous alliances, uncover hidden truths, and confront her own fears to save those she loves.
Yarros masterfully balances high-stakes action with deeply emotional moments, creating a story that is as much about the bonds of love and friendship as it is about epic battles and dragon-fueled adventures. The Iron Flame is a testament to the power of resilience, loyalty, and the unbreakable spirit of those who fight for what they believe in.
Plot Summary
Iron Flame immediately follows the events of Fourth Wing, opening with Violet Sorrengail recovering from her injuries in Aretia. Her world is fractured: her love interest, Xaden Riorson, is part of a secret rebellion led by her thought-to-be-dead brother, Brennan, and the kingdom of Navarre has been lying about the existence of the venin—dark magic-wielders who ride wyvern and seek to destroy the Continent.
Return to Basgiath and Escalating Threats
Brennan and Xaden initially keep the rebellion’s details from Violet to protect her from Dain Aetos, whose signet allows him to read memories. Violet’s young dragon, Andarna, enters the Dreamless Sleep to mature, while Violet, Xaden, and the survivors are sent back to Basgiath. Colonel Aetos’s replacement, Major Burton Varrish, targets Violet to coerce information, and Athebyne survivors begin dying, forcing Violet to distance herself from friends like Rhiannon to protect them. She secretly enlists a scribe, Jesinia, to research the First Six who raised the original wards, keeping this hidden from Xaden, who is also secretive about the rebellion.
Varrish’s interrogation attempts force a breakthrough: Violet reveals the truth to Dain, who, realizing the depth of his betrayal, kills Varrish to help her escape. Violet and Xaden expose the truth to the entire college, leading over 200 riders and dragons to desert Basgiath and join the revolution in Aretia.
The Ward Quest and Climax
In Aretia, Andarna awakens from her sleep. General Sorrengail, who learns her son Brennan is alive, reveals the truth to Navarre’s forces, and more riders desert. Violet realizes the existing wards are faulty and travels to the potentially treacherous Viscount Tecarus to secure a luminary (power source) to make alloy daggers—the only weapons against the venin. She is forced to take 100 gryphon fliers back to Aretia for training, where she faces Xaden’s ex-fiancée, Catriona “Cat” Cordella.
Violet’s research reveals a new ward ritual requiring dragon fire from seven dens. She is summoned to meet with Navarre’s leadership, where she realizes the venin gathering at the Samara outpost is a distraction for a planned attack on Basgiath. Defying the Assembly, she and her supporters fly to defend the college. Upon arrival, they find Jack Barlowe, alive and turned venin, has already destroyed the wardstone.
Sacrifice and Betrayal
In the desperate battle against the wyvern hoard, Violet’s squad fights to protect the wardstone. Jesinia discovers that the ritual requires seven dragon dens, and Violet realizes Andarna, whose scales camouflage her, is from the seventh den. As Violet begins the ward ritual, Xaden confronts a powerful venin Sage. To save Violet’s life, Xaden channels power from the earth and turns venin. General Sorrengail sacrifices her life to power the newly mended wardstone with the dragons’ fire, driving the venin to flee. The novel ends on a devastating cliffhanger: Violet finds Xaden and realizes the man she loves has turned into the very thing she is fighting.
Fun Facts About The Iron Flame
Dragons with Depth: Yarros spent months researching dragon mythology and behavior to create the unique personalities of the dragons in the Empyrean Series. Each dragon is as distinct and complex as their human counterparts, making them unforgettable characters in their own right.
A Playlist for the Ages: Just like with The First Flame, Yarros curated a playlist for The Iron Flame to capture the mood and emotions of the story. From haunting ballads to adrenaline-pumping anthems, the playlist is the perfect companion for your reading journey.
Hidden Easter Eggs: Fans of Yarros’ previous works will delight in spotting subtle references and connections to her other books. These hidden gems add an extra layer of enjoyment for longtime readers.
A Cover with Meaning: The striking cover of The Iron Flame features a dragon’s eye wreathed in flames, symbolizing the fierce determination and fiery spirit of the characters within. The intricate design is a visual feast that hints at the epic tale inside.
A Drink to Pair with The Iron Flame
“Dragon’s Breath”, a fiery and flavorful drink that mirrors the intensity of the story:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz spiced rum (for a bold, fiery kick)
- 0.5 oz cinnamon schnapps (for a touch of warmth)
- 2 oz pineapple juice (for a hint of sweetness)
- A splash of lime juice (for balance)
- A dash of hot sauce or a cinnamon stick for garnish (for that extra fiery flair)
Killer Spotify playlist
Symbols & Motifs
Medaro Pass
The treacherous journey through Medaro Pass serves as a potent symbol for the tenuous alliance between the riders and the gryphon fliers. Just as a rider candidate must conquer the perilous parapet for induction, the Pass represents a similar, highly dangerous rite of passage for the fliers leaving Poromiel for Aretia. The Pass demands a trust and mutual respect that will be vital for the war against the venin. For Violet, crossing the parapet meant leaving her old life behind and embracing new loyalties; for the fliers, successfully traversing the Medaro Pass signifies their commitment to abandoning old rivalries and fully embracing their partnership with the riders on former enemy territory.
Visions of Liam
Violet’s visions of Liam Mairi during Varrish’s torture are a motif demonstrating The Power of Love and psychological resilience. Liam’s simple phrases like “hold steady” become a source of profound psychological strength, allowing Violet to endure immense physical pain without breaking. His presence symbolizes the tragic consequences of betrayal—his death resulted from Dain’s theft of secrets—and bolsters Violet’s resolve to protect the secrets she harbors, knowing they are literally a matter of life and death for everyone on the Continent. Liam’s unwavering support in her darkest moments signifies that the love in her life outweighs any pain inflicted by her enemies.
The Archives
The Archives symbolize the profound power of official written records over history, culture, and belief. Violet initially sees them as the greatest source of knowledge, but they become a symbol of systemic corruption and censorship when she realizes they contain a lie: that Navarre’s history has been carefully manufactured and erased by the scribes. Her father’s maxim that “it is the Scribes who hold all the power” is proven true as she learns that the intentional loss of languages, folklore, and historical texts has allowed Navarre’s leadership to perpetuate a false, self-serving view of the world. The Archives are thus useless for finding the truth, forcing Violet to seek out the suppressed records to learn what the government tried to make the world forget.
Book Club Questions
General Impressions
How does Iron Flame compare to other popular fantasy books featuring young, female heroines leading rebellions? Think of series like The Hunger Games or A Court of Thorns and Roses—what makes Violet’s journey unique, especially given her physical limitations?
Do you believe Iron Flame suffers from a “second book slump”? Did the plot maintain the thrill and pacing established in Fourth Wing, or did the focus on character development and world-building slow the momentum?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Xaden’s Secrecy: For the first half of the book, Violet struggles to forgive Xaden’s strategic lies and secrecy. Do you find Xaden’s initial actions forgivable, knowing they were intended for Violet’s safety?
Communication Breakdown: Where in the novel did you observe the communication between Violet and Xaden breaking down? Did any of their specific misunderstandings about trust or safety resonate with communication issues you’ve experienced in your own life?
Ignorance vs. Truth: The government of Navarre hides hard truths for the sake of its citizens. Do you believe that “ignorance is bliss,” or is it always better to know the hard truth, no matter the cost? To what degree can a lie truly protect someone?
Loyalty vs. Morality: When the truth is revealed, Basgiath students must choose between loyalty to the kingdom and their moral compass. Have you ever been confronted with a moment where loyalty to an institution or person warred with a clear moral imperative?
Societal and Cultural Context
Narrative Prosthesis and Disability: The novel features characters with disabilities, such as Violet and the scribe Jesinia. Does Iron Flame avoid the trap of narrative prosthesis (using disability only as a plot device), or does it successfully represent disability as a lived condition?
Erasure of History: Navarre engaged in a years-long conspiracy to erase historical knowledge of the venin and the rebellion. What are the ethical ramifications of this systemic secrecy? How does this reflect real-world corruption where governments manipulate collective memory?
Literary Analysis
Interpersonal vs. Systemic Trust: Discuss how the theme of trust works in this novel. How are the interpersonal failures of trust (between Violet and Xaden) linked to the failure of governmental/systemic trust (Navarre’s lies)?
Xaden’s Arc and Transformation: Trace Xaden’s character arc from strategic liar to turning venin. Why does he make the ultimate sacrifice to save Violet, and do you believe this fate could have been avoided given his nature?
Love’s Power: The power of love is a main theme. What different forms of love are represented (romantic, familial, friendship), and to what degree do they affect the characters’ major decisions, particularly Violet’s?
The Scribe’s Mind and Rider’s Heart: What does it mean for Violet to have “the heart of a rider but the mind of a scribe”? How is this unique combination her greatest strength, and how does it drive her character growth?
Andarna’s Absence: What do you think is symbolized by Andarna’s physical absence during the Dreamless Sleep? In what ways does her journey of growth and transformation parallel Violet’s?
Creative Engagement
Iron Flame Fancast: If you were casting a live-action adaptation, who would be your ideal cast for the roles of Violet, Xaden, Dain, and Brennan?
Role in the War: The book introduces new groups (infantry, scribes, healers, gryphon fliers). Which group do you think you would belong to if you were a character in this world, and what would your role or reaction to the rebellion be?
Onyx Storm Prediction: Based only on the title of the next book, Onyx Storm, how do you imagine the story will continue? What major challenge will Xaden (as a venin) and Violet face?
Fourth Wing - Dragon's Tale
