Summary of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: (The Empyrean Book 2)

By Willie M. Joseph

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This book does not in any capacity mean to replace the original book but to serve as a vast summary of the original book.

Summary of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: (The Empyrean Book 2)

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Violet Sorrengail, a weak-willed dragon rider, faces an impossible training at Basgiath War College. The new vice commandant aims to teach her powerlessness unless she betrays her lover. Despite her frail body, Violet has wits and a will of iron. Leadership forgets the importance of dragon riders making their own rules. Violet knows the secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College, and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Willie M. Joseph
• Release date: Nov 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223739623

Willie M. Joseph

Willie M. Joseph summaries get straight to the point and provide essential tools to help you be an informed reader in a busy world, whether you’re browsing for new discoveries, managing your to-read list for work or school, or simply deepening your knowledge. Available for nonfiction titles, these are the book summaries that are worth your time.  

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PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

The protagonist, a young woman, is awoken by her older brother Brennan, who has been a constant presence in her life. Brennan, who is now alive, has a new, three-inch scar on her abdomen, but she doesn't die. Brennan asks her to eat a biscuit before he takes her to her dragons, a move that is considered the most Brennan move ever. Tairn, a kitchen worker, offers a smile to Brennan, but she doesn't respond. The protagonist's bond with Brennan is still a bit strained, as she is sleeping again after a recent incident.

Brennan, who used to be a problem solver, finds it creepy to watch her eat, but he takes a bite and is comforted by his appetite. He offers her a mending biscuit as a twenty-first birthday present, and she slept through her birthday, feeling that her lying on the brink of death was enough drama for everyone in the castle.

Xaden's cousin, Bodhi, introduces himself as Lieutenant Colonel Aisereigh, who has just arrived from Basgiath. He informs Brennan that he has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel due to his quick promotion. Brennan then leaves the kitchen, leaving the protagonist to wonder about the size of the revolution. The protagonist is left alone in the fortress, unable to see his brother.

As they walk through the fortress, they notice the intricate carpet and polished double staircases. The fortress is a metaphor for the protagonist's life, with no perspective and guards watching every step. Brennan's voice is heard, and the protagonist decides to follow his suggestion.

The fortress is half palace, half home, but entirely a fortress. The thick stone walls saved it from its supposed demise six years ago. The city has been silently rebuilding for years under General Melgren's nose, with the children of executed rebellion officers carrying magical marks that mask them from Melgren's signet.

Some aspects of Riorson House resemble Basgiath, the war college the protagonist has called home since his mother was stationed there. However, the walls are filled with actual art, including an authentic Poromish tapestry. Imogen and Bodhi are comfortable in the fortress, with only signs of battles being visible in their slings and split lips.

In a two-story room, an older man with an eyepatch and hawkish nose tells Major Ferris that he must state the obvious. The table could easily accommodate thirty people, but only five sit along one side, all dressed in rider black. Brennan paces in front of the table but not at an angle he can easily spot. The author is in love with Brennan, but she can't trust him to tell her the truth about anything.

The Assembly meeting is happening, and only a quorum of five is required to call a vote. The author is allowed to attend, but they are not allowed to listen. Hawk Nose warns that not doing so risks everything they're building here, and they don't have enough riders.

The author is in negotiations with Viscount Tecarus for his hand, but Brennan says there's no solution. An older woman locks her gaze on Xaden, who tells her that Tecarus isn't over the insult she delivered last summer. Xaden's calm voice and hard edge make the other riders at the table reluctant to disagree.

The quiet that falls on the room is telling, as Xaden commands as much respect from the Assembly of this revolution as he does at Basgiath. The author doesn't recognize any of the other riders besides Brennan, but Xaden is the most powerful in the room, given their silence.

Tairn, a formidable battle dragon, instructs the humans to bring them up to the valley once politics are finished. They must find a solution to supply the drifts with enough weaponry to fight in the next year, as the tide will shift too far to hold the venin advance at bay. Battle-Ax suggests taking Basgiath's luminary, as it would be necessary to replenish their stores at the outposts.

Brennan and Hawk Nose agree that until they can supply the drifts, the cadets must return. Suri, Xaden, Garrick, Bodhi, Imogen, and others are standing out of their direct sight. They are supposed to finish the last competition of the year between the wings of the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath.

As they stand in the city, they are reminded of the loss of Soleil and Liam, who were promised protection by Xaden. Suri proposes running their own war college with their spare time, but Xaden interrupts and says they will take the advice of the Assembly as only that. Suri argues that they cannot afford to risk their life, and Xaden gestures toward them.

As the conversation turns towards them, Suri questions who they see, Lilith's daughter or Brennan's sister. Bodhi reveals that she cannot be trusted and that Suri's fear is evident.

The protagonist, Xaden, is confronted by the Assembly members about his responsibility for Violet, who is General Sorrengail's daughter. They argue that Xaden has not kept secrets and that she is too dangerous to keep prisoner. Xaden reveals that he alone is responsible for Violet and that there are two dragons who have already vouched for her integrity.

The protagonist asks them what they want from Xaden, and he tells them that he has kept every secret except for one that mattered. Suri, who is the closest friend to the protagonist, warns him that Aetos will not be among his friends and will do everything he can to kill him for what he has seen.

Xaden and the council members are done, and the protagonist is left behind in the valley. Brennan, who has been a friend and mentor to the protagonist for six years, is waiting for the protagonist. Xaden urges the protagonist to stay with him and not let the Assembly dictate their actions. The eight of them will decide what to do together.

The protagonist turns to his brother Brennan, who has six years of questions about the valley above Riorson House. He explains that it is the valley above Riorson House, heated by natural thermal energy, that holds the original hatching grounds of the Dubhmadinn Line, from which two of the greatest dragons of our time—Codagh and Tairn—descend.

CHAPTER TWO

The protagonist and Brennan meet in a private meeting, where they discuss their relationship and the years they've been apart. Brennan admits to letting them believe he was dead, but the protagonist is still grieving for him. He reveals that he looks different, but not in a bad way. Brennan shares that he knew about their relationship and that they had a misunderstanding. He also mentions that Mira helped them with their armor and a book.

The protagonist thinks about the girl who survived their first year and how it shaped them into the person they are now. Brennan admits that he believes he deserves to be alive, and Mira doesn't know. The meeting is not open to the public, but the protagonist is grateful for the time they have together.

Brennan, a dragon who has been fighting against the dragons, is left in a desiccated area. He is not home and cannot stand by, watching innocent people die at the hands of dark wielders. He refuses to live the lie and has left Mira and him to live it.

The region of the Barrens, the dry, desert-covered peninsula in the southeast that all dragonkind abandoned after General Daramor ruined the land during the Great War, is painted in crimson. Newer battle sites are marked with an alarming number of bright red and orange flags. The red flags mar not only the oceanic eastern border of the Krovlan province along the Bay of Malek but are heavily concentrated north into the plains as well, spreading like a disease. The orange flags are heavily concentrated along the Stonewater River, leading straight to Navarre's border.

Brennan explains that the fables are true, and they have known about the wyvern for a few months but none of the cadets did. They know they have at least two breeds, one that produces blue fire and a faster one that breathes green fire. Brennan explains that they have six months or less until they are strong enough to come for Navarre, not that the Assembly will listen.

The general pattern is moving northwest toward Navarre, with Resson being the exception. The desiccated landscape around what had been a thriving trading post flashes in the memory of the flags, which are more than outliers; they’re twin splotches of orange in an otherwise untouched area.

The iron box found at Resson is believed to be a lure, but it was destroyed before investigation. The survival of Navarre depends on stopping them, and Melgren believes the wards are infallible. The truth is kept hidden, as one generation of Navarrians wiped the history books, erasing the existence of venin from common education and knowledge. Brennan explains that the scribes hold all the power, keeping records and writing history. The truth will get out as the forces come to the border, and someone must see.

The revolution must be ready when they do, as the secret will lead to losing access to Basgiath's forge. Vi believes they can win, as Navarre thinks they're safe behind the wards. If the wards fail, they're already extended to their max, and the people living outside the wards are outmatched.

The group is discussing the organization of venin in the Vale, and the existence of a dormant wardstone in Aretia. They are not behind the wards, as the protective magical shield provided by the dragons' hatching grounds falls short of the official borders of Navarre. The group believes that they need a godsdamned luminary to intensify dragonfire hot enough to smelt alloy into the only weapons capable of defeating venin.

Violet, a member of the group, is worried about the lack of knowledge about creating new wards and the potential for a second wardstone. He believes that weapons are the only thing that can win this war, but they don't have a working forge or enough riders to defend themselves if Navarre realizes their plans.

Violet is concerned about the number of people in the revolution and how many will die this time. Brennan, the leader of the group, tries to keep the group in the fight until they can shield Aetos out. He explains that love doesn't have the decency to die, but it transforms into misery, as it is harder to kill than a dragon.

Violet's feelings for Tairn rise, but she knows she still has access to it. Brennan questions her about her relationship with Aetos and her relationship with Cadet Sorrengail, who has been hiding her death for six years. He reassures her that details aren't important until they master keeping their shields up against memory readers.

Violet is hesitant to reveal her love life to Brennan, fearing that he might find out and harm her. She decides to leave before anyone else is killed, as she sees herself as a liability to the group.

The protagonist, Silver One, is a member of a group of dragons, including Brennan, his Orange Daggertail, Marbh, Tairn, and Sgaeyl. They encounter a sleeping dragon named Andarna, who has accelerated growth due to energy usage and time constraints. Brennan warns them that the bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn is causing her to react in a dangerous way.

The protagonist is surprised by the dragon's size and the accelerated growth it has experienced. Tairn explains that dragons are only gold-feathered as hatchlings and that they have forced her to grow due to energy usage. The protagonist questions if she is theirs, but Tairn assures her that she is not their progeny.

The protagonist questions if she is theirs, but Tairn reassures her that she is fine. He also mentions that Xaden, a dragon with a morningstartail, is a matter of choice and need. The protagonist is uncomfortable with the unfamiliar cadets they have encountered in Basgiath and feels foolish trying to guess their names.

The protagonist decides to spend every day earning back Brennan's trust, as the memory of Xaden's words fills the space between them. The bond between the protagonist and Xaden strengthens as they stare at each other, unsure if they will ever be able to bond again.

Violet, a second-year student, is preparing for a fight against General Sorrengail and her aide, Colonel Aetos, who are planning to execute her. Brennan, a member of the group, believes that General Sorrengail knows Violet's whereabouts and is willing to let them know her story. Ciaran, a rider, is not involved in the War Games and believes that her mother won't let them kill her.

Ciaran and Eya, another student, agree to go back to the Dais, as they must risk losing their lives if they don't return. Garrick, another student, agrees to risk it, as they cannot cut off the flow of weapons from Basgiath. Xaden, a member of the group, suggests training Andarna to shut out Aetos, a memory reader, by hitting him in his pride.

Andarna struggles to stand, causing her to struggle with balance and time. Violet, feeling disappointed, reassures her that she is alive and that the gift of time will only last as long as she was little. Tairn, another student, agrees to fly Andarna back to the Vale, but Xaden warns her that they need to make modifications on her harness for flight time.

Andarna argues that she can fly herself, but Violet promises her that she can do so. Xaden tells her to get the harness done quickly, as they must be back in forty-eight hours for the plan to work. The goal is graduation.

In summary, Violet, Ciaran, Brennan, and the others are preparing for a fight against General Sorrengail and their aide, Colonel Aetos. They must decide whether to return to the Dais or risk their lives.

CHAPTER THREE

In the hour before sunrise, the flight field at Basgiath appears deserted, but Tairn reminds the riot of their mission. They must land Andarna in the Vale without her being spotted, as they risk putting every hatchling in danger. The Empyrean would never allow dragons to bond human riders, knowing they would have to guard their own young against gryphon fliers and the very humans they're supposed to trust.

Tairn explains that it's a delicate balance, and the First Six riders were desperate to save their people when they approached the dens over six hundred years ago. They formed the first Empyrean and bonded humans only to protect their hatching grounds from venin, who were the bigger threat. Both species have never been entirely truthful, using each other for their own reasons and nothing more.

The riot is a reminder of the importance of avoiding betrayal and working on landings before taking the bonded group on a flight to meet Malek. Tairn warns them about rolling dismounts, which are a second-year maneuver, and suggests they work on their own landings before taking the bonded group on a flight to meet Malek.

As they approach the flight field, the riot tries to distract them, but they are met with resistance from the riot. As they continue to navigate the flight field, the riot's wingleader approaches, and they are left on their own.

In July at Basgiath, the protagonist and Xaden are walking towards an obstacle course to discuss their relationship. They are both upset about Xaden's lack of intimacy and the fact that they have been wrapped around him multiple times. Despite this, the protagonist is determined to protect herself from Dain and works on their relationship.

As they approach the quadrant, Xaden asks if they can talk about a question they've been thinking about since Aretia. The protagonist is hesitant to talk about it, as she believes he has never trusted Dain and is concerned about the consequences of their actions. Xaden agrees to give them a shot at handling the question first, and they are ready for combat.

The bells of Basgiath interrupt, and they have fifteen minutes until formation will be called for graduation. Xaden, who killed every attacker in her bedroom without breaking a sweat or losing a minute of sleep, is the wingleader who killed every attacker in her bedroom without breaking a sweat or losing a minute of sleep afterward. Garrick, Masen, and Garrick all agree to join them in the tunnel, with Xaden plastering himself on her side.

As they enter the tunnel, mage lights flicker on, and the other door is already open, the protagonist doesn't argue with Xaden, knowing that there's a high chance they will be arrested or killed depending on what everyone knows.

The protagonist, Xaden, and his squadmates are entering a rock-filled courtyard, where they have minutes until they are filled with riders and cadre. They encounter riders with Second Wing patches on their uniforms, who ask if they thought they had the games locked down. Xaden explains that no one knows what really happened, and they break apart wordlessly according to the plan.

Xaden follows them down the corridor and into Liam's room, where he triggers the mage light overhead. The protagonist is devastated by the news and decides to hide the twine-bound stack of letters in her room. Rhiannon, their closest friend, walks out of her room with Ridoc, another squadmate. Rhiannon hugs the protagonist, and she tells her that they were both dead. Ridoc adds that they were all betting on the dead theory, but they were wrong.

The protagonist needs a favor from Xaden and Rhiannon, who asks her to keep the letters for her. She assures her that her family doesn't always obey the custom of burning everything, and she promises not to let anyone burn them. Rhiannon agrees, but she is not hurt. The protagonist assures Rhiannon that she is not hurt and that her body is perfectly healthy now.

In summary, the protagonist is left feeling grief and helpless as they navigate the chaos of the quadrant.

The protagonist, Xaden, and his friends are in the crowded first-year dorms, preparing for graduation. Xaden warns them not to lie to the people they care about, as it puts them in danger. They pass a bust of the First Six and follow the crowd to the courtyard, where Xaden leads them through the rotunda. Xaden explains that they must master the art of telling selective truths to keep the truth compartmentalized. He knows that they cannot lie to their friends, but they must keep their distance.

Xaden reveals that he has known about Brennan since his death and promised some answers. He admits that he will always prefer the truth, but he cannot promise that he will always do it. He admits that it cost him his life, but he knows it is the truth that will save them. He promises to do it differently if he could, but he cannot.

The protagonist is left feeling uneasy and unsure of where they are. Xaden flinches, and the protagonist's heart sinks as he realizes that he must keep the truth from his friends. The situation is tense and Xaden's words are a reminder of the importance of honesty and truth in the lives of those around them.

The protagonist, Xaden Riorson, is upset with Xaden for not sharing everything about her life, despite their previous promises. She demands full disclosure from him,

Reviews for Summary of Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

[Lorraine Wynne · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It seems to be an error filled AI generated work. Don’t waste your time. Not accurate at all.

[Beth Ann Shriner · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This summary was worse than useless. I needed to clear up a point so reached for the summary. No such luck. I could not understand it and I've READ the full book. Ended up reading several more chapters of the summary to see if I was mistaken. Nope, it is all gobbledygook. Don't waste your time.