| Author | Rebecca Yarros |
| Series | Book 2, Empyrean Series |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Fantasy / New-adult |
| Publisher | Red Tower Books / Little, Brown Book Group |
| Language | English |
| Publication date | November 7, 2023 |
| ISBN | 9780349440187 |
| Pages | 640 (Hardcover) |
| Preceded by | Fourth Wing |
| Followed by | Empyrean Book 3 |
About Iron Flame
Iron Flame, is a new adult fantasy novel written by Rebecca Yarros. Iron Flame is book #2 from the Empyrean Series, preceded by Fourth Wing.
The book was released on November 7, 2023. You can already order it online.
“Iron Flame” is the highly anticipated second instalment in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. The book, which spans 640 pages, is set to be released in November and has already garnered significant attention, with special editions selling out in some areas (e.g. Waterstones in England).
The narrative continues the journey of Violet Sorrengail, who, against all odds, survived her first year at Basgiath War College. Now, she faces even more gruelling challenges as her training intensifies. However, Violet is not one to be easily defeated. Despite her physical frailty, she possesses a sharp mind and an indomitable will.
Violet is privy to a secret that has been hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that even dragon fire might not be enough to save them in the end.
“Iron Flame” promises to be a thrilling continuation of the Empyrean series, combining elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure. The book’s early success and the anticipation surrounding its release are a testament to Yarros’ storytelling prowess and the captivating world she has created.
Iron Flame Synopsis
Officially released by Rebecca Yarros on June 20, 2023:
“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.
Iron Flame Theories
Please be mindful when clicking on the following links as they will contain major spoilers from Iron Flame.
- Fan Iron Flame Theory: Xaden’s mother is venin
- Iron Flame Theory – Violet’s second signet is dream-sight
- Iron Flame Theory: Violet and Xaden are mates
- Iron Flame Theory: Does Violet have venin in her? Or is she immune to venin?
- Iron Flame Theory: Violet can predict the future
- Iron Flame Theory: Thoughts about Violet’s box
- Iron Flame Theory: Parallel between Iron Flame characters and the Pantheon
- Iron Flame Theory: How come that Violet and Xaden share dreams?
- Iron Flame Theory: Bodhi is Xaden’s brother
- Iron Flame Theory: Violet and Xaden are Gods
- Empyrean Series Theory: Xaden Riorson is a morally grey character.
- Iron Flame Theory: The physics of Violet’s signet (and why gravity is not her second signet)
- Iron Flame Theory: General Daramor is more important than we think
- Iron Flame Theory: Venin live forever
- Iron Flame Theory: The Isle Kingdoms’ Rift and the Unseen Alliances
- Iron Flame Theory: Are the Gods among us?
- Empyrean Series Theory: Did Liam master more signets than we initially thought?
- Iron Flame Theory: There is something off with the Sorrengail family dynamic
- Iron Flame Theory: The elixir developed by the leadership is not new
- Iron Flame Theory: We will have a new General in Book 3
- Iron Flame Theory: Smells are crucial clues (eyes too!)
- Iron Flame Theory: Tairn and Sgaeyl might have had hatchlings
- Iron Flame Theory: Why are dragons so afraid of hatchlings being discovered by humans?
- Iron Flame Theory: Varrish was venin
- Iron Flame Theory: The Barrens will be restored with Sloane’s help
- Iron Flame Theory: We will unite the continent and have a modern language
- Iron Flame Theory: Did Naolin really die saving Brennan?
- Iron Flame Questions and Answers – What do we know so far?
- Iron Flame Theory: Aaric’s blue clubtail to become Andarna’s mate
- Iron Flame Theory: Violet’s second signet
- Iron Flame Theory: Mr Sorrengail is General Venin
- Iron Flame Theories – A complete collection
- Iron Flame Theory: Andarna knows how to kill venin
First previews of Iron Flame
The first sample of Apple Books (audiobook only) has been released. There are also fan transcribed pages for those who find it easier to read than listen. You can now also order the sample from Amazon. The book is an international success, with over half a million copies sold already in its first week!
Here is a short sample of Iron Flame:
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In this, the 628th year of our Unification, it is hereby recorded that Aretia has been burned by dragon in accordance with the Treaty ending the separatist movement. Those who fled, survived, and those who did not remain entombed in her ruins.
—PUBLIC NOTICE 628.85 TRANSCRIBED BY CERELLA NIELWART
CHAPTER ONE
Revolution tastes oddly…sweet.
I stare at my older brother across a scarred wooden table in the enormous, busy kitchen of the fortress of Aretia and chew the honeyed biscuit he put on my plate. Damn, that’s good. Really good.
Maybe it’s just that I haven’t eaten in three days, since a not-so- mythological being stabbed me in the side with a poisoned blade that should have killed me. It would have killed me if it hadn’t been for Brennan, who won’t stop smiling as I chew.
This might go down as the most surreal experience of my life. Brennan is alive. Venin, dark wielders I’d thought only existed in fables, are real. Brennan is alive. Aretia still stands, even though it was scorched after the Tyrrish rebellion six years ago. Brennan is alive. I have a new, three-inch scar on my abdomen, but I didn’t die. Brennan. Is. Alive.
“The biscuits are good, right?” he asks, snagging one from the platter between us. “Kind of remind me of the ones that cook used to make when we were stationed in Calldyr, remember?”
I stare and chew.
He’s just so…him. And yet he looks different from what I remember. His brownish-red curls are cropped close to his skull instead of waving over his forehead, and there’s no lingering softness in the angles of his face, which now has tiny lines at the edges of his eyes. But that smile? Those eyes? It’s really him.
And his one condition being me eating something before he takes me to my dragons? It’s the most Brennan move ever.
Not that Tairn ever waits for permission, which means—
“I, too, think you need to eat something.” Tairn’s low, arrogant voice fills my head.
“Yeah, yeah,” I reply in kind, mentally reaching out for Andarna again as one of the kitchen workers hurries by, offering a quick smile to Brennan.
There’s no response from Andarna, but I can feel the shimmering bond between us, though it’s no longer golden like her scales. I can’t quite get a mental picture, but my brain is still a little groggy. She’s sleeping again, which isn’t odd after she uses up all her energy to stop time, and after what happened in Resson, she probably needs to sleep for the next week or so.
“You’ve barely said a word, you know.” Brennan tilts his head just like he used to when he was trying to solve a problem. “It’s kind of creepy.”
“Watching me eat is creepy,” I counter after I swallow, my voice still a little hoarse.
“And?” He shrugs shamelessly, a dimple flashing in his cheek when he grins. It’s the only boyish thing left about him. “A few days ago, I was pretty sure I’d never get to watch you do, well, anything again.” He takes a huge bite. Guess his appetite is still the same, which is oddly comforting. “You’re welcome, by the way, for the mending. Consider it a twenty-first-birthday present.”
“Thank you.” That’s right. I slept right through my birthday. And I’m sure my lying in bed on the brink of death was more than enough drama for everyone in this castle, house, whatever it’s called.
Xaden’s cousin, Bodhi, strides into the kitchen, dressed in uniform, his arm in a sling and his cloud of black curls freshly trimmed.
“Lieutenant Colonel Aisereigh,” Bodhi says, handing a folded missive to Brennan. “This just came in from Basgiath. The rider will be here until tonight if you want to reply.” He offers me a smile, and I’m struck again at how closely he resembles a softer version of Xaden. With a nod to my brother, he turns and leaves.
Basgiath? Another rider here? How many are there? Exactly how big […]
CHAPTER THREE
The flight field at Basgiath is still dark and appears deserted when we approach in the hour before sunrise, hugging the landscape of the mountains, the riot doing what they can to stay out of sight.
“That doesn’t mean someone won’t spot us landing,” Tairn reminds me, his wings beating steadily despite having flown the last eighteen hours nearly straight through from Aretia. The window of time we have to get Andarna to the Vale without her being spotted is slim, and if we miss it, we’ll put every hatchling in danger.
“I still don’t understand why the Empyrean would ever agree to let dragons bond human riders, knowing they’d have to guard their own young not only against gryphon fliers but the very humans they’re supposed to trust.”
“It’s a delicate balance,” Tairn replies, banking left to follow the geography. “The First Six riders were desperate to save their people when they approached the dens over six hundred years ago. Those dragons formed the first Empyrean and bonded humans only to protect their hatching grounds from venin, who were the bigger threat. We don’t exactly have opposable thumbs for weaving wards or runes. Neither species has ever been entirely truthful, both using the other for their own reasons and nothing more.”
“It never occurred to me to hide anything from you.”
Tairn does that weird thing that makes his neck appear boneless, swinging his head around to level slightly narrowed eyes at me for a
heartbeat before turning his attention back to the terrain. “I can do nothing to remedy the last nine months besides answer your worthwhile questions now.”
“I know,” I say quietly, wishing his words were enough to cut through the acrid taste of betrayal I can’t seem to wash out of my mouth. I’m going to have to let it go. I know that. Tairn was bound by his mating bond to Sgaeyl, so at least he had a reason to keep everything he did from me, and it’s not like I can blame Andarna for being a kid who followed his lead. Xaden is another matter entirely, though.
“We’re approaching. Get ready.– […]
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