Rebecca Yarros continues Violet Sorrengail’s story in book two of the Empyrean series: “Iron Flame.” I will do my best not to reveal any spoilers for this book for those still reading or wanting to read “Fourth Wing.”

“Iron Flame” picks up right where “Fourth Wing” left us. Shocked and asking questions. The answers reveal themselves slowly throughout the book but all in due time.

Yarros has a lot of ground she needs to cover before the release of the next book in this five-book series. I felt that the world building in “Fourth Wing” was very minimal and had hoped that the second book would give what the first did not. I am not disappointed now that I understand the approach Yarros is taking when being narrow with her world building.

Each book in the series allows us to obtain pieces of the hidden truth as Violet discovers them but never the full picture. As a result, Violet thinks she has everything figured out about the world around her but constantly receives new knowledge that leaves her reeling and confused.

“Iron Flame” is nonstop action — throwing Violet through so many different challenges, I almost can’t keep up with everything going on with her.

I like that Violet takes all of it in stride with a few emotional breaks, as expected. She is the type of strong lead I like to read about and not a victim.

She does have human moments that make her relatable, like her self-doubt when she messes up, but she never gives up. She always has a plan even if she doesn’t think of the outcome of said plans.

Yarros fills her books with familiar tropes but each has their place and ties together quite well. For Instance, the enemies to lovers trope which turns into a long-distance relationship (LDR) for Violet and Xaden. Their arguments do get quite overdone because it seems that almost every interaction between them is the same fight.

That being said, Yarros still made the fighting and disagreements believable. They behave similarly to that of young adults in an LDR.

The ending leaves me with questions and feelings of being torn for characters that some say don’t deserve sympathy. The ending has a twist that inflicts emotional turmoil that can be felt through the book.

You can check out “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros at the Lincoln County Library System or on the Libby app.