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chaoticmermaid's review against another edition
Because the authors violent colonial world view became really obvious both by being the second book in the series and the timing of the release of the book with the Palestinian holocaust.
It’s violent in a really colonized way, with unnecessary death and weird justifications. It reads like kids playing at war as if that’s a good and necessary thing. As if children need to be violent and awful to survive a mysterious eastern other. When the truth is THEY are the monster their parents created and the “other” are just trying to live, not kill them. It was present in the first book but I didn’t catch it, now it screams colonization and I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.
One example: She literally goes into detail about how these children soldiers make sure to dye their hair while hiding out at a traitor compound while they are supposed to be doing war games. Aren’t the teachers suspicious when they come back with freshly died hair when they were supposed to be barely surviving and on dragons? How did they find pink hair dye at the hidden revolutionary compound?!!! It just screams “girl boss”. “Isn’t it so cool that they have cool hair while murdering people?!!”
Another example which finally got me to DNF, which I hate doing, was when Violet justified the killing of her classmates. Said it was necessary to prepare her. With the ongoing genocide of Palestine it made me sick. Thinking of what lies and justifications the US and other white dominate countries have for why they have to bomb civilians.
There are way more problems, like her disability, the main reason I read this book in the first place. Just like everything else her disability is appropriated and rings so shallow. I have a literal connective tissue disease like Violet but I can tell you the representation is not real. I was so excited to see it and so disappointed to see that just like revolution in this book, it’s a stolen poor imitation of it.
I recommend the 5th season if you want world building and actual revolution not just the aesthetic of revolution.
It’s violent in a really colonized way, with unnecessary death and weird justifications. It reads like kids playing at war as if that’s a good and necessary thing. As if children need to be violent and awful to survive a mysterious eastern other. When the truth is THEY are the monster their parents created and the “other” are just trying to live, not kill them. It was present in the first book but I didn’t catch it, now it screams colonization and I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.
One example: She literally goes into detail about how these children soldiers make sure to dye their hair while hiding out at a traitor compound while they are supposed to be doing war games. Aren’t the teachers suspicious when they come back with freshly died hair when they were supposed to be barely surviving and on dragons? How did they find pink hair dye at the hidden revolutionary compound?!!! It just screams “girl boss”. “Isn’t it so cool that they have cool hair while murdering people?!!”
Another example which finally got me to DNF, which I hate doing, was when Violet justified the killing of her classmates. Said it was necessary to prepare her. With the ongoing genocide of Palestine it made me sick. Thinking of what lies and justifications the US and other white dominate countries have for why they have to bomb civilians.
There are way more problems, like her disability, the main reason I read this book in the first place. Just like everything else her disability is appropriated and rings so shallow. I have a literal connective tissue disease like Violet but I can tell you the representation is not real. I was so excited to see it and so disappointed to see that just like revolution in this book, it’s a stolen poor imitation of it.
I recommend the 5th season if you want world building and actual revolution not just the aesthetic of revolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Slavery, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War
kaileet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
hxlleann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
skyhazzard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was feeling kind of slumpy while reading this book so it took me forever to get through it. I was enjoying it while reading but it was like I could not process what was happening and I had the attention span of a gnat.
This one felt a little slower than the first one and there were somethings that I didn’t fully grasp and that may be on me and the slump but I did rate it lower because of that, it didn’t feel on par to the excitement of the first book.
Most of the book is spent with Violet and Xaden (and Tairn and Sgaeyl) being apart. Xaden has graduated so he’s officially been assigned somewhere and Violet meanwhile is in her second year at the war college. There’s a new commander guy and he’s a real dick so he orchestrates it so that when they do visit each other the other is busy or away or he punishes Violet so she can’t go on her weekend and it’s just such bullshit! Like I’m surprised the dragons did not revolt! Messing with their mating bond… I really hated being apart, it was torture.
I think it was about halfway through the book we get a change of scenery which was kind of nice. We got to explore a new place and meet new (and old) people but I also missed the familiar setting of Basgaith.
There were quite a few new (and old) people to hate. It was like less death this time around more hate. Also some new people to root for but we gotta wait to get attached like Violet because who knows if they’ll die.
We got a bit more about the venin and wyvern in this one but at the same time I feel like I know less about them. But once again that may be on me and the slump because the things we did learn were at the start of the book and by the time I got to them it’d been like a month. The end really had me wanting to know more and that’s where I got confused about how exactly they come about.
I’m still really excited about this series and to see where it goes next because we did learn some interesting things this book and alliances have shifted so I’m wondering how all that will work.
This one felt a little slower than the first one and there were somethings that I didn’t fully grasp and that may be on me and the slump but I did rate it lower because of that, it didn’t feel on par to the excitement of the first book.
Most of the book is spent with Violet and Xaden (and Tairn and Sgaeyl) being apart. Xaden has graduated so he’s officially been assigned somewhere and Violet meanwhile is in her second year at the war college. There’s a new commander guy and he’s a real dick so he orchestrates it so that when they do visit each other the other is busy or away or he punishes Violet so she can’t go on her weekend and it’s just such bullshit! Like I’m surprised the dragons did not revolt! Messing with their mating bond… I really hated being apart, it was torture.
I think it was about halfway through the book we get a change of scenery which was kind of nice. We got to explore a new place and meet new (and old) people but I also missed the familiar setting of Basgaith.
There were quite a few new (and old) people to hate. It was like less death this time around more hate. Also some new people to root for but we gotta wait to get attached like Violet because who knows if they’ll die.
We got a bit more about the venin and wyvern in this one but at the same time I feel like I know less about them. But once again that may be on me and the slump because the things we did learn were at the start of the book and by the time I got to them it’d been like a month. The end really had me wanting to know more and that’s where I got confused about how exactly they come about.
I’m still really excited about this series and to see where it goes next because we did learn some interesting things this book and alliances have shifted so I’m wondering how all that will work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jcrocker95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Shocking twists that ripped my heart from my chest. Can’t wait for the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
spootilious's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Read: November 29, 2023
Title: Iron Flame
Title: Iron Flame
Series: The Empyrean #2
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Rating: 1.5 / 5
Review:
Rating: 1.5 / 5
Review:
Let me start by saying, I’ve been trying…. SO HARD… to like this book and I just… Can’t.
I didn’t care much for the first either, but I’ve been hoping that the series will redeem itself… so far that has not happened.
Did I enjoy reading the book? I suppose so. Is the book good? Absolutely not.
There are two issues more than anything that stand out before I simply provide a list of what I liked and did not like about the book: 1. Yarros seriously needs to find an editor the writing is just terrible! And 2. There is ZERO originality in the series.
Okay… Onto the list of this I liked:
1. The story concept is a good one. And if another author (a skilled one) had written this story I’m sure I would have LOVED it.
1. The story concept is a good one. And if another author (a skilled one) had written this story I’m sure I would have LOVED it.
2. I like Dragons.
Onto the list of things I didn’t like:
Onto the list of things I didn’t like:
1. I don’t think Yarros understand that in order to build the climax of a story you have to have a consistent baseline that is lower than the climax itself. If the punches never stop then the ‘final blow’ won’t feel any different than the first 100 jabs. There is absolutely zero downtime between ‘big’ events throughout this book and thus the ending (and everything really) wasn’t memorable in the least. Yarros didn’t get herself space to build on when she set the base line on the same level as the climax of the book. Honestly, I’ve never read an author who wasn’t self aware enough (or skilled enough… whatever the case may be) to realize this and it’s EXTREMELY disappointing.
2. Almost all the characters (minus a small handful) weren’t memberable and very flat. I can’t even remember all of Violet’s squad members… I might be able to name… 3? And that’s after the merge. All the characters are 1 dimensional and unremarkable… Too many names not enough characters.
3. As mentioned in the things that I liked, the story is good. Which is a problem because Yarros isn’t. It makes the story disproportionate to the author’s skill level. Which is nothing against Yarros, no one starts off skilled, but when your story is better than your abilities it causes problems.
4. This, like Fourth Wing, felt like a young adult novel wanting to be adult by adding sex and violence. Not a good mix.
5. The main character is EXTREMELY hypocritical, expecting so much from so many people when she does the same exact things with no consequences.
6. There is no real character development for any of the main characters.
7. Violet once again gets away with EVERYTHING with practically no consequences, and conveniently finds the solution to all their problems every time just in time. (superman syndrome) Which is amusing considering this isn’t a ‘chosen one’ series.
8. The pacing is TERRIBLE. Which goes back to the whole jab jab punch thing. All jabs… no punches.
9. Every female character in this series are defined by male characters, with the exception of maybe 2 (Mira and Ri which are in the background).
10. Yarros keeps telling the reader how smart and strong and unique violet is but violets actions never really show it. She always has to be saved or comes to these big epiphanies when guided but not on her own. She doesn’t stand out.
11. Toxic relationship(s) on both (and every) side
12. So repetitive both in dialog and plot points.
13. The hole book felt like a scramble to try and fill in every plot hole found in book 1 while ignoring all the ones in book 2. Which means book 3 will probably be the same.
14. Honestly the entire novel felt like a regurgitated version of Twilight but with Dragons.
15. Which brings us back to the first issue of being completely unoriginal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
vivivi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ohhhhhh things keep happening ahhhh
It's one thing after another! People are dropping like flies!
Really hard to put down.
Finally able to catch my breath at the halfway mark.
And somehow we manage to come back to a school setting, which I love.
Things are looking bleak. I'm in the final 2 hours of the audiobook. Anything can happen. Anyone might die. Ahhh
Holy cow that ending. Two cliff hangers in a row!! Amazing. Love it. Also, I need the next book.
Are reviews supposed to make sense? I can't make any sense at the moment.
It's one thing after another! People are dropping like flies!
Really hard to put down.
Finally able to catch my breath at the halfway mark.
And somehow we manage to come back to a school setting, which I love.
Things are looking bleak. I'm in the final 2 hours of the audiobook. Anything can happen. Anyone might die. Ahhh
Holy cow that ending. Two cliff hangers in a row!! Amazing. Love it. Also, I need the next book.
Are reviews supposed to make sense? I can't make any sense at the moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Kidnapping
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book was so fun and entertaining to read! Though compared to the first in the series, the pacing was slower in the beginning and too fast towards the end. The ideas in this book felt less flushed out and I sometimes had to reread parts to make sure I understood what happened. The spice was 👌 though Xaden and Violet had a lot of miscommunication from not setting expectations for how they communicate and it got old. I love how we got to know the side characters better in this book! The squad is awesome. There were a few crazy twists at the end that make it so hard to wait for the next book! I’m not sure where this series is going for a total of five books, but I feel like this book could have easily been split into two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
Minor: Ableism and Alcohol
sauvageloup's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
another extremely gripping read!
pros:
- the writing is just addictive, even though 600+ pages of small text, I didnt want to put it down.
- overall, i enjoyed this more than the first i think, there were less tropes i didnt like and the writing felt better.
- xaden does finally tell violet his secrets which was character growth.
- the twists and turns were fun to read and I didnt predict many, if any, of them.
- while impulsive, violet does show her intellect in figuring shit out and I liked how protective she was of Sloane and that she confided in her friends despite xaden's reservations.
- I like the reveal about andarna being a whole different species, even if it did make violet even more of a "Special" woman, in that andarna picked her out of everyone. And I liked andarna's sass and rebellion as a teenage dragon, as well as her wing being damaged by her disruptive sleep. that felt like good consequences for how Andarna saved violet's life
- I liked the bits of humor, with ridoc and tairn's sarcastic sass, as well as Andarna's.
- the angst overall was excellent, there was all different types and all of the characters went through the wringer in one way or another!
- I also liked the team dynamics a lot, with ridoc, imogen, rhiannon and the rest banding round violet and teasing her.
cons:
- biggest issue was just how many names there were. i just lost track. needed a list of characters and their roles desperately. I couldnt remember who garrick was, was still learning dragon names at the end, and thought Tairn was the biggest dragon. i did read it fast, but it did suffer from the fantasy book disease of an overstuffed cast (imo).
- the argument between xaden and violet was repetitive, which was noted but still a bit frustrating. like, the growth in xaden finally revealing his big secret(s) seems to just be that violet wore him down and he was worried they'd die. so.
- I didnt like violet's mum being redeemed tbh. I prefer the message that it's ok not to reconcile with abusive parents, and I didnt really enjoy the revelations about her mum making xaden protect violet and her mum dying for her. maybe a personal preference tho.
- Cat was an annoying development and I didny really enjoy any of her sections. I think women managing to work together and get on dispite history involving a man is far more interesting than being petty. I know its brought up that Cat just wants xaden's crown, but it still felt like the catty (hah) ex trope.
- also, just personally, I skipped some of the sex. i thought the sexual tension between them was written great, but I would have been happy with a fade to black. but that's just how the book is.
all in all, this was highly addictive and I loved a lot of the ideas and the bits of humour. despite some significant flaws, definitely want to read the next!
pros:
- the writing is just addictive, even though 600+ pages of small text, I didnt want to put it down.
- overall, i enjoyed this more than the first i think, there were less tropes i didnt like and the writing felt better.
- xaden does finally tell violet his secrets which was character growth.
- the twists and turns were fun to read and I didnt predict many, if any, of them.
- while impulsive, violet does show her intellect in figuring shit out and I liked
- I like the reveal about
- I liked the bits of humor, with ridoc and tairn's sarcastic sass, as well as Andarna's.
- the angst overall was excellent, there was all different types and all of the characters went through the wringer in one way or another!
- I also liked the team dynamics a lot, with ridoc, imogen, rhiannon and the rest banding round violet and teasing her.
cons:
- biggest issue was just how many names there were. i just lost track. needed a list of characters and their roles desperately. I couldnt remember who garrick was, was still learning dragon names at the end, and thought Tairn was the biggest dragon. i did read it fast, but it did suffer from the fantasy book disease of an overstuffed cast (imo).
- the argument between xaden and violet was repetitive, which was noted but still a bit frustrating. like, the growth in xaden finally revealing his big secret(s) seems to just be that violet wore him down and he was worried they'd die. so.
-
- Cat was an annoying development and I didny really enjoy any of her sections. I think women managing to work together and get on dispite history involving a man is far more interesting than being petty. I know its brought up that Cat just wants xaden's crown, but it still felt like the catty (hah) ex trope.
- also, just personally, I skipped some of the sex. i thought the sexual tension between them was written great, but I would have been happy with a fade to black. but that's just how the book is.
all in all, this was highly addictive and I loved a lot of the ideas and the bits of humour. despite some significant flaws, definitely want to read the next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail