November 2023 Not First in a Series BOTM - Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

[Alaina]

“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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until December 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Jenn]

Just got my copy and am hoping to start this today once I finish up my current read :)

[Jessica]

Just started. I'm so excited about this. I wish I could just read it instead of having to work today.

[Jenn]

Jessica wrote: "Just started. I'm so excited about this. I wish I could just read it instead of having to work today."

Yes, this! And work is dragggginnngggggg

[Jenn]

Only finished chapter 1 but I'm already so excited to be back in this world.

[Jenn]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ all the mentions about liam have me struggling not to cry over here (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Four
(view spoiler)[ God, all of these mentions of Liam hurt. Fucking Colonel Aetos I'm glad this plan worked out but ugh I HATE him. There have been all these hints about General Sorengail and I am really hoping she is team the Venin need to be killed. I hope she tears Aetos a new one. I fucking love how Violet did it to Dain lets have the elders do the same. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Four
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ i would love for her mother to be on her side but idk, theres aomething off about her too lol. I hopw I'm w4ong (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[ my word this is already so intense! This Varrish person needs to gtfo. Im witb Tairn, burn him to the ground. Now that we know the truth about whats out there, its not hard to pick up on all of the secrets of who knows and who doesn't. Ugh wish i didnt need sleep haha (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 17: [spoilers removed]"

Omg I feel you on the sleep comment. At midnight I was like okay I've been reading for 3 hours and am 40% done so I would finish at 4:30am if I kept going, can't do that. But then I still read for another hour after that 😂

[Jenn]

Jessica wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 17: [spoilers removed]"

Omg I feel you on the sleep comment. At midnight I was like okay I've been reading for 3 hours and am 40% done so I would finish at 4:30am if I kept go..."

Hahaha I love that! If I hadn't gone to the midnight release the night before I would have definitely stayed up longer but I was exhausted yesterday. So I'm on track to finish it today lol

[Jessica]

Chapter Eight
I have highlighted so many things to talk about while reading. I'm picking the breaks a bit at random
(view spoiler)[ First off from earlier I am very interested in all of the prior history including that Tairn's like the Dubhmadinn line had their original hatching grounds around Riorson House. Also very interested in the Barrens and what's in the venin lures / how they can be utilized and weaponized. How did the original six kill off the venin? They need to find that out.

It was interesting to learn more about Dragon growth, and I'm worried about Andarna and her delayed dreamless sleep. Also that there are multiple black dragons, is that because the war is coming?

Oh also Sgayel hating Brennan is pretty funny. But poor Tairn and Sgayel with these orders.

I knew we had heard of a Cam before but I couldn't place it and holy shit, the King's son. He has to live. Then oh my god what happened with Solas and Third Squad. Things are very different at Basgaith with Varrish. I hope Tairn gets to kill him like he wants. This is so bad. They need to be increasing their ranks if they have any chance of survival and instead Varrish is making things even worse. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twelve
(view spoiler)[ Interesting that Basgaiath was the Greens ancestral home, it's not only Navarrians who came together, but the dragons as well. And then there's something going on with Nolon and the healers, that cannot be good. And that assassination attempt, damn. You'd think Mira would have warned her, but then this is a little different. I wonder if Dain knows. I want to believe he doesn't but can't trust him after everything.

Obviously Violet was going to go the Scriobes and I figured it would be Jesinia, both because of last book and the front inscriptions that name her chief Scribe or whatever it is.

Sgaeyl didn't waste any time set up the smuggling, I like that. She's a good one and I hope we see more of her this book, though with the separation, it's not looking good.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Sixteen
(view spoiler)[ So BSC is insane. I should have known the Rider's Quadrant is insane but my god. That serum is awful and I hate that Tairn's time with Sgaeyl.

Also all this information about the different breeding grounds and dragon natures as a result is fascinating, but what does it mean, I presume it's leading to dragons being born in new places (or perhaps old places for the first time in 600 years) but what will the impact be?

I like that Jesinia is working with the cause, I really hope Violet will get the information she needs to reignite the ward stone, but I feel like it can't be that easy. I'm also surprised she hasn't thought of Mira yet, that was my first thought when the stone was introduced. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Nineteen
(view spoiler)[ My god was it satisfying when Tairn attacked Solas. It was about time someone put Varrish in his place, but this will only make things worse for Violet, of that I'm sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Eight
I have highlighted so many things to talk about while reading. I'm picking the breaks a bit at random
First off from earlier I am very interested in all of the prior history includi..."

(view spoiler)[Also that there are multiple black dragons, is that because the war is coming? - you know I didn't even think of that, but that's an interesting theory. And there's definitely something up with Andarna and why she bonded with Violet. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Ninteen"

I just finished Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ omg the cheer I let out when Tairn attacked Solias. I'm afraid of the retaliation but it was so satisfying in the moment! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 25: (view spoiler)[ THEY BROUGHT THAT ASSWIPE JACK BACK??? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished part one: (view spoiler)[ Guys, I'm flailing already over here. So much happened. Varissh's end - so satisfying. I'm so sad about Nolon's deception. I trusted him along with Vi. Her squad trying to rescue her. DAIN - I still don't know. I'm just too many emotions right now and the book isn't over. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 54: (view spoiler)[ So happy Solas is dead! I was so scared for Andarna, not gonna lie. And what's this? A possible truce between Cat and Violet? I'm so close to the end and I am scared (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: So assholes on Goodreads spoiled the ending for me so that was fun. (view spoiler)[I was really hoping that they were just putting up useless information because Xaden turning at the end would have 100% been the gasp effect. It still hit and I'm worried about what this means going forward. I can't believe they kept Jack alive full on knowing what he was. Just the arrogance.

Loved that we had more dragons and how Andarna is an entirely different breed of dragon that what everyone thinks. SO much happened that I just need to process. But I also need the next one like now. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

chapter 1-8 (view spoiler)[ note to self dont read a random book in a series lol. i was quite lost at the beginning, but I think i am now starting to understand the storyline. i love the cockiness that xaden has with vi. oh, also, how could her brother play dead for 6 years and expect to come back with no repercussions? (hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[OMG! Yes the hype is all real with this series! I don't have a lot of words as I'm still struggling with this ending! I listened to this on audio and love all the angst and emotions all the narrators conveyed throughout the entire thing! Hate that RY is going to make us wait another year for book 3 because I have questions! (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Ch 34 (view spoiler)[ so much has happened and im all for it! I love the relationship that xaden and violet have but hate that there is so much working against them. I am surprised how much physical pain that they can endure. And do partake when knowing death is so close to a reality. The way they made it through that group challenge was a great way to strengthen their trust for one another, almost like replacing those who have already died. I was holding my breath for the entire time they were looking in the journals. Then after all that hard work, someone vi trusts betrays her?! Thankfully she sent xaden early or he could have been caught too. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Ch 37 (view spoiler)[ i absolutely hate Varrish! Violet is so strong to have endure all the physical pain. Having Liam by her side, whether real or not, was a comforting way to deal with the situation. Although, im not sure which was worse, the physical pain or the conversation with her mom. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Finished (view spoiler)[ wtf i do not like this ending at all. After all they went through together. After violets mom sacrificed herself. I hope theres a cure and that Jack is just not aware (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

I actually finished this the day after it came out (and have now read it a second time) but I haven't been to sit down and put down my thoughts.

Chapter Twenty-One
(view spoiler)[ I still can't believe it took Violet until chapter 20 to think of Mira for the wards. I love that she tried to tell Mira, and also that display with Xaden, but that was never going to work. I really liked the parallelism with Dain her wing leader requesting to spar with her to get her talking to him, even though I was like fuck right off Dain when it happened. It's interesting that Dain knew Violet's mother carved the scars, I'm guessing that telling him was all a part of his father's plan to keep Dain on side. And I love Aaric, that he knows and that is the reason he is at Basgaith (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty-Seven
(view spoiler)[ RSC is fucking crazy. I love that they escaped and no one cracked but I hate that they had to deal with that. Ugh Jack Barlowe, I hated that but hate it less so after reading the whole book. It was interesting to see Violet overtaken by Tairn's emotions, I imagine this is what it was like for Xaden when he and Sgaeyl flew out when Violet was in first year. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Thirty-One
(view spoiler)[ All the professors standing by Violet when she returned from her unsanctioned leave was great. I loved when Kaori was like does that mean you influenced Solas to torch all of those bonded riders. It was so great once her friends knew. I missed Rhianon and Ridoc and having Ridoc know a school thing Violet didn't was so fun, as was his reaction to that. Having Jack save her was a fun twist and I really wonder what he was thinking, I guess the ultimate cover. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Thirty-Six
(view spoiler)[ Omg this is where I finally stopped the first night, at like 2am. I just could not stop reading. I felt so fucking vindicated when Violet's mom came around. I'm so interested in her and her motivations and it was great to see another side of her. I was so happy when Varrish died, and that Violet was able to use her memories to get Dain on side. They were friends for so long, you'd hope he actually had some morals, and it was nice to see that he does. (hide spoiler)]

[SavsLibrary]

Ok so I got so crazy into reading it that I just didn't post in the group and instead kept notes on my phone so here's a bunch of my thoughts because I HAVE MANY..

Also tiktok assholes spoiled the ending when I was about 90% through and it made me not want to finish, but I trudged on.

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ All of the Liam references have me absolutely crying in the club. Tbh, it's been 8 months since I read it initially and I am still NOT OVER IT. Colonel Aetos and Dain will always be on my shit list for that one. But I love how Violet is just letting them have it! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ I'm so freaking worried about Andarna and her delayed sleep. Like girl please don't give us anything more to worry about I swear to god.
Varrish is worse than Aetos and that's saying something because that man was the worst.
I love Sgaeyl!!!
The way that I audibly gasped during the assassination attempt... holy shit. That was crazy. I don't like the idea that Aetos is calling these hits from outside Basgiath. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 19 : (view spoiler)[ Tairn attacking Solas was incredible.. but at what cost my guy? Varrish is definitely gonna come after Violet even harder now... (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 25: (view spoiler)[ are you fucking serious???? JACK??? FUCKING BARLOW??? fdka;djsfkajksdlf (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 31: (view spoiler)[ Gosh poor Violet... she really went through it there mentally with the attack and then thinking that Xaden might have died or be severely injured. Honestly loving the audiobook of this. She does an amazing job of kicking up the intensity. Intrigued to see how that'll play out in later battles. Also I love the professors that stood by her side when she got back. LIKE HECK YES STICK IT TO VARRISH!!!!! (hide spoiler)]
Finished: I didn't write any more notes in my phone during the rest of the book because the holiday got overwhelming and I was listening on car rides and such, BUT
(view spoiler)[ Oh my gosh honestly fucking annnnoyed at the ending.. HOW ARE THEY JUST GONNA END IT LIKE THAT. after violets mom sacrificed herself, now xaden is just a venin??? I was really hoping the tiktok spoilers were wrong and just fucking with me for the shock factor but alas. Excited for the next book and hoping that Jack FUcking Barlow is wrong (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

This was a riot.

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[Violet certainly took all revelations better than expected and I am surprised to see her act so mature and grown up. Kinda wish that we got to see more of Xaden and her together but the new year was thrust upon them immediately. I am curious to see what this year's training would have Violet going though. That last paragraph was utterly shocking, who was this mysterious pupil who killed Nadine thinking it was Violet? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[Dang these attacks on the cadets that were there when the Wyverns attacked are so dangerous, I am glad that no one has come to harm just yet though. The land navigation exercise was such a bust but I really enjoyed watching the different segments of the army work together, no doubt they need to spend more time in each other's company. Xaden and Violet being at odds isn't very entertaining, I wish atleast one of them was less stubborn than the other because rn the silent fights they are having kinda annoy me slightly (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[That interrogation training was scary as hell, I have no doubt Varrish would have not stopped at torturing Violet in order to get the information he thinks she is hiding. This was the first moment I agreed with what Dain did and even appreciate him for not violating Violet's privacy. Xaden is an absolute sweetheart, the way he refuses to sleep with Violet until she says those words is tugging at my heartstring. All the discussion about how wards are made and powered was very intriguing. I miss Andarna ngl and hope she wakes from her Dreamless Sleep soon (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 37: (view spoiler)[Well that was an unexpected turn of events, Nolon's betrayal hurt the most, I thought of him as pretty likeable tbh. the way Violet and team pulled off the heist to steal the first six riders' journals blew my mind and I also liked the role Jesinia played through it all. But then the capture shocked me. Now that they have decided to rebel openly I am curious to see what comes next for these defected cadets. The General letting Violet go was completely surprising, I hope she doesn't backstab her own daughter (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 45: (view spoiler)[Yikes I am not enjoying this new rivalry between Cat and Violet and I hope they come to an agreement soon. I feel so bad for Andarana, I was waiting for her to wake up so desperately but to know that she'd never be able to weild a rider is heartbreaking. The Sorrengail siblings reunion was a bit hilarious ngl given the circumstances. Xaden needs to cut back on his over protective nature imo in order to let Violet play her role in the war. I was so sure that she'd be able to create new wards but the ritual disappointed me (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 56: (view spoiler)[Holy shit that was some intense couple of hours while Violet was not sure she'd be able to put up the wards before Wyverns attacked. She has a good heart plus she was intelligent enough to realise that saving Cat from Solas was important. I am glad that he'd dead although I do wish Andarna doesn't have to suffer consequences for the same. Xaden was keeping a pretty huge secret from Violet and I appreciate her love for him that she is still open to conversation and is trying to give Xaden another chance. I wonder what is wrong with the wards (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[What the hell kind of ending was THAT!!!??? I am so fucking pissed. After everything that violet did, everything she sacrificed, even her mom for god's sake, Xaden is simply a venin now!!?? It was such high intensity battle with the wyverns at Basgiath and I was totally enjoying all the action until Violet put herself in danger but once the wards were up I was so sure everything would be ok now. Guess I'll simply have to wait for the next book to find out if Violet and Xaden really are enemies once again (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-14 (view spoiler)[I’m kind of struggling through this one right now. Sure Violet seems determined; however, her being so upset over Xander lying and keeping secrets to protect her makes No Sense! I’m hoping this picks up more. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 15-32 (view spoiler)[I am finding this so boring and not moving forward with the plot at all. I don’t care that Jack is back. I don’t care about anything at this point. I don’t even care about Xaden and Violet’s relationship. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[NOW it’s picking up! Okay, I seriously think they are trying to give Dain a little redemption. But I’m so glad that Xaden found her in time. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[Ummm what just happened?!?!? Like that ending with Jack and her mom and then Xaden is a venom. Why do I feel like I now need to read the next book. I’m so confused by this ending. (hide spoiler)]

[☘Misericordia☘]

Iron Flame
Now, this is total fanfiction but I'm digging it. Liam...

What a ride...

[Alaina]

Today is the LAST day to add comments to this BOTM!