Book Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame

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Iron Flame 〰️

This book had much to live up to, being the sequel to Fourth Wing. And you know what? I think it rises to the occasion. Some parts did feel a bit flat compared to the rest of the novel, but it hit the mark perfectly for 96.7% of the book. It's not often we get a highly anticipated sequel that lives up to the expectations set by the first. And now that I've read this book, I now have to impatiently wait for the next book in this series to come out.

This book amped up its stakes and storytelling from the first book. I found it to be darker but still with a perfect balance of comic relief (and sexy times) when necessary. I felt more emotionally attached to many of the OG squad (like Rhi, Ridoc, Sawyer, etc.) in this book and was genuinely upset to see them go through the struggles they went through, but also happy when they triumphed.

I love how we get to see more of Xaden's world and home. I loved reading all the surprises we learned about him in this book.

I also love that we get to see the griffins and their fliers and learn more about them. It would be cool to get a spinoff someday about a flier. I bet Yarros can pull that off. Plus, it would expand the world of the Continent even more!

I don't want to make this review with spoilers, so if you're looking to dive more into the world Yarros built, this is a worthy continuation. Just know it ends exactly like the first, on another cliffhanger. But hey, it will keep us coming back for more! If Yarros is good, anything (including chapter endings), it's a good cliffhanger.

Book Review: Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

Ready Player Two

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Ready Player Two 〰️

First off, I loved this book. Maybe even more than the first. The stakes were so much more real in this book. (I mean, they were high in the first, and we did see characters die, but this was global). And yes, there was still a lot of info dumping, just like in the first book, but it felt different this time. Handled better, maybe? Most of it was necessary for the story, and I found it to be written in a way that helped and didn't bog the story down, unlike most info dumps.

I also found the writing improved. There were many more character interactions and involvement with the environment than simply relaying backstory and worldbuilding. I think that is another reason I loved this story more than the first.

Don't get me wrong, I still highly enjoyed the first book. I just think this is a worthy sequel, and it ended in the best way possible. The first book had a nice ending and could have stopped there, but it was still able to have more story. And with this second book, it ended on a high note. Still not the perfect ending for our characters but the best we could get as readers. If Cline writes a third book, it would only be a cash grab and ruin this good ending. (I mean, this could still be a cash grab, but it works, so I'm not mad).

Would I ever log onto the OASIS if one were to come into our world? Probably. Would I log onto the OASIS with an ONI? Absolutely. Mostly because I could live with my cat and our happy memories forever. But I do worry I'd never leave, so I guess it's for the best we don't have this technology around at this current moment in time.

If you enjoyed the first book, are a true (or even a small) geek at heart, and enjoy nostalgia, then this book is for you.