About the Book
Iron Flame is the second book in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, following directly from where Fourth Wing ends. The story continues with Violet Sorrengail, a war college student who bonds with dragons and navigates a world where the secrets of her kingdom are far darker than she was raised to believe. Picking up from the cliffhanger ending of the first book, this installment raises the stakes significantly, Violet and Xaden Riorson face fractured trust, escalating threats, and a war the general population doesn't fully understand.
The book runs long and dense with plot. There's a continued emphasis on the romance between Violet and Xaden, but it sits alongside political intrigue, dragon lore, and military strategy in a way that keeps the broader story moving. If you're coming in cold, Iron Flame will not make much sense, it reads as a direct continuation, not a standalone entry. The series should be started with Fourth Wing.
Yarros writes in a first-person present-tense style with a fast internal rhythm. Violet's narration is consistent throughout, and the book maintains the same blend of romantasy elements that drove the success of the first installment, magic systems, romantic tension, and a war-college setting with high personal stakes.
Narration & Audio Performance
Rebecca Soler narrated Fourth Wing as well, and her return for Iron Flame is a genuine asset. She has a clear, steady delivery that handles both the action-heavy sequences and the slower emotional exchanges without losing momentum. Her voice for Violet is consistent with the first book, which matters a lot in a second-installment listen, there's no adjustment period.
Character differentiation is one of Soler's strengths here. Xaden reads as distinctly different from Violet's inner monologue, and secondary characters have enough vocal separation to be recognizable through dialogue. Pacing is generally well-matched to the material, Soler doesn't overplay dramatic moments, which suits Yarros's already-heightened prose style.
The production itself is clean and professional, as expected from Entangled: Red Tower Books. If you enjoyed Soler's work on Fourth Wing, you'll find Iron Flame consistent. If you haven't sampled her before, the Audible preview is a reasonable way to check compatibility before committing.
The Audible Verdict
If you listened to Fourth Wing on audio and enjoyed Soler's narration, Iron Flame is a natural continuation and the audiobook holds up. The format works well here, Soler is consistent across both books, and the linear storytelling style translates cleanly to audio. That said, the book is long and the middle sections can drag, which is more noticeable in audio than in print where you can skim. It's a solid use of a free trial credit, especially for series listeners, but the length and occasional pacing dips keep it short of a clear paid-credit recommendation.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
Iron Flame is structured as a linear, first-person narrative with a consistent point of view, one of the cleaner fits for audio. There are no charts, diagrams, or non-linear elements that would be lost in the format. The present-tense, first-person style that Yarros uses lends itself well to narration, and Soler's delivery keeps that voice intact.
The length is the main consideration. Iron Flame is a substantial book, and audio listeners should expect a long commitment. This kind of investment pays off if you're engaged with the series and the narrator, but if you bounced off Fourth Wing's pacing in audio, Iron Flame doesn't correct those issues, if anything, it expands on them. For listeners who do well with long fantasy audiobooks on commutes or during physical tasks, this is a reasonable format choice.
The romantasy genre generally works well in audio when there's a narrator who handles tonal shifts cleanly. Soler does, which makes Iron Flame a better audio fit than it might be with a different narrator.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to read or listen to Fourth Wing before Iron Flame?
Yes. Iron Flame picks up directly from the ending of Fourth Wing and assumes full familiarity with the characters, world, and plot. Starting here would be disorienting.
Is the narrator the same as in Fourth Wing?
Yes. Rebecca Soler narrated both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, so there's no change in voice or character interpretation between the two books.
What genre is Iron Flame?
It's romantasy, a blend of epic fantasy and romance. There's a magic system, dragon bonding, military academy setting, and a central romantic relationship that runs throughout the plot.
Is this book appropriate for younger listeners?
Iron Flame is written for adult audiences. It contains explicit romantic content alongside its fantasy elements, consistent with the first book in the series.
Similar Audiobooks
Iron Flame is a direct sequel, if you haven't listened to Fourth Wing first, start there. Rebecca Soler narrates both.
Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series targets a similar romantasy readership, mixing fae world-building with romance at a comparable intensity level.
Jennifer L. Armentrout's series covers similar territory, fantasy world-building, forbidden romance, and a strong-willed female protagonist, and has a comparable audio following.
The Bridge Kingdom series
Danielle L. Jensen's series shares the political intrigue and enemies-to-lovers dynamic that defines much of the Empyrean series' appeal.
The natural next listen after Iron Flame for readers continuing the Empyrean series.
Audiobook Details
| Title | Iron Flame |
|---|---|
| Author | Rebecca Yarros |
| Narrator | Rebecca Soler |
| Genre | Romantasy |
| Year | 2023 |
| Publisher | Entangled: Red Tower Books |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
Iron Flame is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit, particularly if you're already invested in the Empyrean series after Fourth Wing.
Open on Audible