“Violence, remember it’s only the body that’s fragile. You are unbreakable.”
Iron Flame is a 2023 new adult fantasy book by Rebecca Yarros. The second entry in the Empyrean series, the story continues on from her viral sensation Fourth Wing, following Violet Sorrengail as her second year of training at Basgiath War College gets underway. The tests are gruelling and maliciously brutal, and the new vice commandant has made it his personal mission to educate Violet on how powerless she is. Nevertheless, Violet still has her wits and an unwavering will to prove everyone around her wrong. But a determination to survive may not be enough this year. Hidden secrets are still lurking around Basgiath War College and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save those inside in the end. If you love all things Rebecca Yarros, new adult romantasy tales and stories featuring dragons, join us at What We Reading for the best books like Iron Flame!
A Court Of Thorns And Roses (A Court Of Thorns And Roses #1) – Sarah J. Maas
Kicking off our list of the best books like Iron Flame is another viral fantasy series on BookTok, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. The story begins when nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods. A terrifying creature then arrives, demanding retribution. Feyre is dragged to a dangerous magical world that she only knows about from legends passed down.
Feyre also discovers that her captor isn’t truly a beast, but rather one of the deadly, immortal faeries who ruled her world once upon a time. And, as she adapts to her new home, she finds her feelings for Tamlin begin to change. As an ancient and wicked shadow grows in the land of the Fae, Feyre must find a way of stopping it before Tamlin and his world are doomed forever. Seductive, beautiful and jam-packed full of romance and adventure, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the perfect follow-up for anyone who loved Fourth Wing and Iron Flame!
The Serpent And The Wings Of Night (Crowns Of Nyaxia #1) – Carissa Broadbent
The adopted human daughter of the trueborn Nightborn vampire king, Oraya has forged her own place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance of becoming something more than prey is by entering the Kejari, a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But, to overcome the deadliest warriors from the three vampire houses, Oraya is forced into an alliance with a mysterious rival.
Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, a bloodthirsty killer and an enemy to her family. Yet, there is something about him that Oraya finds herself drawn to. As War for the House of the Night bubbles, Oraya’s understanding of her world is shattered. Raihn understands her more than anyone else, but their blossoming connection may just prove to be their undoing in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than true love.
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One Dark Window (The Shepherd King #1) – Rachel Gillig
Another one of the best books similar to Iron Flame for readers looking for more gothic and horror vibes, One Dark Window is a 2022 fantasy novel by Rachel Gillig. Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder – she needs a monster. She has named him the Nightmare, an ancient spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a dramatic turn. She soon finds herself in a world of deception and shadow, joining in a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. The highwayman turns out to be the king’s nephew, captain of the most dangerous men in the kingdom, and guilty of high treason. Together, they must gather twelve Providence Cards whilst navigating the dangers of the world and their growing feelings for each other, all before the Nightmare takes over Elspeth’s mind for good.
From Blood And Ash (Blood And Ash #1) – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is a lonely one: never to be touched, experience pleasure, looked upon or spoken to. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be alongside the guards, fighting back against the evil that took her family. But it’s never been her choice to make.
The entire fate of her kingdom rests on her shoulders. But when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard entrusted to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, Poppy’s sense of duty and destiny collides with desire and need. As the shadow of a fallen kingdom grows larger on the horizon, the line between what is forbidden and what is right soon starts to blur. Similar to Iron Flame, From Blood and Ash follows Poppy as she finds herself pulled between losing the favour of the gods and her own heart.
The Cruel Prince (The Folk Of The Air #1) – Holly Black
Jude was seven when her parents were killed. She and her two sisters were stolen away and condemned to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. A decade later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, regardless of her mortality. But many of the fey loathe humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and most wicked son of the High King.
In order to win a place at court, Jude must defy him – and face the consequences. As she finds herself more and more ensnared in the daily palace intrigues and betrayals, she discovers her own ability for trickery and bloodshed. Like with Iron Flame, dangers soon threaten to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence. Once again caught in the midst of it all, Jude will have to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save herself, her sisters and Faerie itself.
Daughter Of The Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom #1) – Sue Lynn Tan
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is used to solitude, living unaware of the fact she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing the elixir of immortality. But, when her magic flares, her existence is discovered and Xingying is forced to flee from both her home and her mother. Alone, powerless and afraid, she finds her way to the Celestial Kingdom, pouncing on the opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic as a passionate flame between them begins to burn.
To save her mother, Xingyin sets off on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and ruthless enemies across the earth and skies. One of the best fantasy books for fans of Iron Flame, Sue Lynn Tan’s debut takes inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and is a sweeping adventure filled with immortals, magic, honour, dreams and love.
Divine Rivals (Letters Of Enchantment #1) – Rebecca Ross
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. Yet, for eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow, all she is interested in is keeping her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother has disappeared from the front lines. Her best solution is to ensure she wins the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To overcome her anxieties, Iris pens letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door where they vanish. Right into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the Gazette. When he sends an anonymous reply, a connection that will encompass everything from Iris’ brother to the future of mankind is forged. Another cutesy new adult romance tale, Divine Rivals is an enemy-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope, heartbreak and the incredible potential of true love.
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The Priory Of The Orange Tree (The Roots Of Change #1) – Samantha Shannon
The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must produce a daughter to preserve her realm against destruction. But, assassins are getting closer to her door. Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has climbed to the position of lady-in-waiting, her loyalty lies with a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a close eye on Sabran, protecting her with forbidden magic.
Across the dark seas, Tane has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child. But she is soon challenged with an impossible choice that could see her life unravel. And as East and West refuse to parlay, the forces of chaos continue to stir from their sleep. One of the best LGBT fantasy books like Iron Flame, Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree is the perfect follow-up for anyone nursing a Rebecca Yarros hangover!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
