Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 4 stars Spice Level: 4 stars Genre: Romantacy

Trigger Warnings: Graphic Violence, Torture, PTSD, Death

Iron Flame follows Violet Sorrengail in her second year in the Riders’ Quadrant. Equipped with secret knowledge that Navarre’s officials desperately want to remain hidden, Violet embarks on a journey to uncover the truth and follow her heart. As the smartest in her class and the daughter of the famous General Sorrengail, Violet finds herself with a target on her back yet again in her second year as Basgiath. Not only is Violet a target, but it seems that Navarre’s protective wards are as well. In Iron Flame, Yarros emphasizes that in her time in the Rider’s Quadrant, Violet has really come into her own. Violet begins to express what she wants, what she needs, and what she will and won’t accept from others. The gloves are coming off and Violet is just coming into her power. With a little bit of a slow start — political world building takes time — Iron Flame is well worth the upfront effort. With every twist and turn (hello major cliffhanger), Yarrows leaves her readers desperate for the next installment of the Empyrean series.