Iron Flame(The Empyrean #2)
by Rebecca Yarros
🌶️ Quick Spice Verdict
Heat Level
Explicit with high angst
Spicy Scenes
~4 scenes
POV Style
First person (Violet)
About Iron Flame
The sequel to Fourth Wing. Violet Sorrengail's second year at Basgiath War College is even more dangerous than the first as she discovers dark secrets about the leadership and must decide who to trust.
Reading Vibes
🌶️ Spice Level Breakdown
Iron Flame continues the intense physical relationship between Violet and Xaden with several explicit scenes. The emotional stakes are higher this time — trust issues and secrets add tension that makes the intimate moments feel more charged. There are approximately 3-4 steamy scenes, and they're written with the same explicit detail as Fourth Wing. The angst between the characters adds an extra layer to the physical connection.
Tropes in Iron Flame
Characters who start as adversaries and gradually fall in love
Characters forced into close quarters, sparking attraction
Romance blended with fantasy world-building
An intensely protective love interest
Content Warnings
⚠️ Content Warnings
- Violence
- Death of characters
- War themes
- Explicit sexual content
- Betrayal
- Torture references
Should You Read Iron Flame?
✅ Perfect For You If...
- •Readers who loved Fourth Wing and need to know what happens next
- •Fans of angsty romance with trust issues
- •Those who enjoy complex fantasy politics alongside romance
- •Readers who like their spice with emotional stakes
⛔ Skip This If...
- •You haven't read Fourth Wing — start there
- •You dislike cliffhanger endings
- •You prefer romance without heavy fantasy plot
- •Betrayal and trust issues in romance frustrate you
Our Take
Iron Flame picks up right where Fourth Wing's devastating cliffhanger left off, and the stakes are even higher. The relationship between Violet and Xaden is tested in ways that feel genuinely painful — secrets, lies, and the question of whether love can survive when trust is broken. Yarros expands the world significantly, introducing new factions and deeper political intrigue. The pacing is different from the first book — more political maneuvering, less academy life — which some readers love and others find slower. The spicy scenes carry more emotional weight because of the tension between the characters. The ending once again leaves you desperate for the next book. If you loved Fourth Wing, you'll devour this, but be prepared for a more complex and sometimes frustrating reading experience.
What Readers Say
Average community spice rating: 3.7/5
empyrean_obsessed
2024-11-20
“The angst in this book made the spicy scenes hit DIFFERENT. When you're not sure if you can trust someone but you're still drawn to them physically? That tension is everything. The spice is on par with Fourth Wing, maybe slightly more frequent. But the emotional rollercoaster is what really got me.”
bookish.maya
2024-10-05
“Iron Flame is spicier than Fourth Wing in my opinion — there are more scenes and they're more emotionally complex. The trust issues between Violet and Xaden add this layer of desperation to their physical connection that's incredibly well-written. Fair warning: the cliffhanger ending will destroy you.”
fantasy.fox
2024-09-18
“I'd actually rate this a 3.5 on spice. Yes there are explicit scenes, but the book is SO plot-heavy that the romance takes a backseat compared to Fourth Wing. The political intrigue and world-building expansion are the real stars here. The spice is good when it happens, but don't go in expecting it to be the focus.”
📚 Series Information
Iron Flame is book #2 of 3 in the The Empyrean series.
⚠️ We recommend reading this series in order for the best experience.
Other books in this series:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iron Flame spicy?
Yes, Iron Flame has a spice level of 4/5 on our scale, which we rate as "Very Spicy (Explicit)." Detailed explicit intimate scenes. Iron Flame continues the intense physical relationship between Violet and Xaden with several explicit scenes. The emotional stakes are higher this time — trust issues and secrets add tension that makes the intimate moments feel more charged. There are approximately 3-4 steamy scenes, and they're written with the same explicit detail as Fourth Wing. The angst between the characters adds an extra layer to the physical connection.
What is the spice level of Iron Flame?
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is rated 4 out of 5 on the SpicyBooks spice scale. This means it's "Very Spicy (Explicit)" — detailed explicit intimate scenes. The steam level is: Explicit with high angst.
How many spicy scenes are in Iron Flame?
Iron Flame contains approximately 4 intimate/spicy scenes. Iron Flame continues the intense physical relationship between Violet and Xaden with several explicit scenes. The emotional stakes are higher this time — trust issues and secrets add tension that makes the intimate moments feel more charged. There are approximately 3-4 steamy scenes, and they're written with the same explicit detail as Fourth Wing. The angst between the characters adds an extra layer to the physical connection.
What tropes are in Iron Flame?
Iron Flame features the following romance tropes: ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers, 🏠 Forced Proximity, 🐉 Romantasy, 🗡️ Touch Her and Die. These tropes are central to the story and shape the romantic dynamic between the characters.
Does Iron Flame have content warnings?
Yes, readers should be aware of the following content warnings for Iron Flame: Violence, Death of characters, War themes, Explicit sexual content, Betrayal, Torture references. We always recommend checking content warnings before reading if you have specific sensitivities.
Is Iron Flame part of a series? Do I need to read it in order?
Yes, Iron Flame is book 2 of 3 in the The Empyrean series. We recommend starting with book 1 for the best experience, as the story builds on previous events.
Who would enjoy Iron Flame?
Iron Flame is perfect for: Readers who loved Fourth Wing and need to know what happens next; Fans of angsty romance with trust issues; Those who enjoy complex fantasy politics alongside romance. The reading vibes are: Angsty, Intense, Suspenseful, Emotional, Action-packed.
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Ready to Read Iron Flame?
Now that you know the spice level, tropes, and content warnings — grab your copy!