Iron Flame

The explosive new sequel to Rebecca Yarros's bestselling hit, Fourth Wing.

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.

These book club questions were written by Bookclubs staff. Warning: many spoilers.

Book club questions for Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Was Violet justified in her anger that Xaden kept secrets from her? Why do you think it's harder for Violet to forgive Xaden's secrets than it is for Rhiannon and their other squadmates to forgive Violet's? At what point (if ever), would you have forgiven Xaden if you were in Violet’s shoes?

Violet and Xaden have undeniable chemistry but struggle to communicate openly. How does their relationship grow and evolve over the course of the novel?

Did you suspect Xaden's second signet? How would learning that Xaden is a type of inntinnsic make you feel if you were Violet?

Do you think Violet will get a second signet from Andarna? If so, what power might she receive?

Was Violet right to call out Xaden for not being more forthcoming instead of making her have to ask him questions? Which of Xaden’s revelations surprised you the most?

In Iron Flame we learn more about the dragons' growth cycle, especially as Andarna matures. What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned?

The banter between Violet, Train, and Andarna provides some lighthearted relief. What did you most enjoy about their relationships? What did you like most about their relationships? Were there any moments that particularly stood out to you?

Andarna’s exertions at the end of Fourth Wing impacted her development, leaving Tairn unsure if she will ever carry a rider. Compare and contrast how Andarna and Violet approach their disabilities.

As in Fourth Wing, Violet is notable for her compassion. In this book, she hesitates to raise Aretia's wards over concerns for the fliers and their ability to wield, until the wyvern attack forces her hand. When is Violet’s compassion a strength versus a liability?

Rhiannon says that she doesn’t think the Gauntlet is worth the lives it costs, but Violet counters that the Parapet, Gauntlet and Presentation “seem excessive when we’re here but they prepare us for something way worse when we leave,” continuing, “there’s a reason they want us to watch our friends die… we are the weapons and this place is the stone they use to sharpen us.” Do you think Basgiath’s brutal training methods are warranted? Contrast the Threshing with what Maren shares about how gryphon riders are chosen.

Navarre isolates itself from other lands, with leadership prioritizing its own people's safety over the global good. Is this stance justifiable? Do you see any real world parallels?

Violet’s family plays a larger role in this novel. Explore the complex relationships between General Sorengail and her three children. How do they balance loyalty to family, country, and humanity overall?

Yarros is unafraid to kill off even significant characters. Whose death in Iron Flame surprised you the most?

Violet was prepared to sacrifice herself to imbue the wardstone. What did this show about her character?

Did Andarna’s reveal surprise you? Do you think more powers of her dragon breed will emerge in future books? Andarna mentions that she was “left behind” to raise the wards if needed – where do you think the rest of her breed went and why?

That ending! Yarros ends Iron Flame on another cliffhanger. What do you predict will happen next to Xaden, and to his relationship with Violet?

The final chapter is told from Xaden’s point of view rathan than Violet’s. Would you like to hear more from his or other characters’ perspectives in future books?

Iron Flame Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Iron Flame discussion questions