What. The. Heck. WAY TOO much happened in the last 20%. Like hello?? Not a single break was given. First, the “betrayal”, then we learn the TRUTH ABOUT EVERYTHING, then it’s choose one route or another (iykyk), then attack after attack, then that person's death😢 I knew it was coming, but it hurt. So. Bad. Then we see badass Violet, but something bad happens again, but they survive it. Then finally, the final plot twist 🤦‍♀️. Too much. Sorry that was very vague, but that’s the best I can do without spoiling it.

But aside from that, this book was truly an experience. This world is so cool. We’re literally on a deadly adventure everytime we open this book!! Like we’re transporting ourselves to a war college and it’s insane. And experiencing all the challenges Violet persevered through is AMAZING. And like I said, everything gets 10x crazier in the last 20%.

I love Violet. She never prepared for this life, but she WAS destined for it. Like her upbringing made her the perfect rider. Her resilience, her ferocity, her strength, and even her vulnerabilities were perfect. Like this poor girl has immediately two enemies on her first day. Even though only one is her true enemy. But she persevered through EVERYTHING, and I LOVED experiencing it all through her POV. Like when she first saw Xaden 🤭. I was like, oh yeah, there’s our man. It was exactly like Feyre seeing Rhys for the first time. And then, Xaden. Gosh, I love that man. Like this man is supposed to be her enemy, but he helps her every chance he gets 😩. Like he sees her potential, and he doesn’t hold her back like Dain does. He pushes her to be the best she can be, just like Warner does for Juliette. And I loved EVERY single moment they had together. Like you could see that every little interaction was bringing them closer and closer, especially on Threshing Day. And then from there, EVERYTHING changed, and it was for the better😩. Like the bond they share because of their dragons, UGH. AMAZING. HOW THEY CAN COMMUNICATE?? *chef’s kiss* And their first kiss!!!! 😩 .The tension was tensioning and ugh the instant gratification once they went for it.  And I love that Violet is weak in the knees for Xaden, like me too girl, me too. Then, what she did for him on that day of “celebration”. It was so sweet 😭😭. But honestly, I needed more Xaden and Violet scenes. Like they spent MONTHS together, and so many months passed in the span of ONE chapter, I feel like we could've gotten more.

I loved Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Liam. I loved that Violet was friends with Rhiannon since DAY ONE, and how they both helped each other since DAY ONE. Of course, I love dumbass Ridoc. I swear that man is so funny. DEFINITELY need more of him. And then even though Liam didn’t come out until later in the book, he truly became Violet’s friend. Like he made her a wooden figurine of Tairn AND Andarna 😭😭. Why was that so sweet?? And he was always there for her, even on the day he didn’t have to 😢.

And don’t get me started on Dain, he wasn’t even that bad until the War Games, and that’s when EVERYTHING changed. Little shit.

I’m totally not ready to start Iron Flame especially since I know the ending 🫣🥲. And I definitely need a break from this world for a teeny bit 🤏, so I can process everything. Because wow. Amazing. Crazy. Spectacular world. I am so glad I started this book and CANNOT wait for what the rest of this series entails.


*prepare yourself for about 5 million quotes*

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.”

“He’s the most exquisite man I’ve ever seen.”

“Damn it, I don’t want to find a single thing about Xaden Riorson admirable, and yet here he is, being all annoyingly admirable. Asshole.”

“I'm more dangerous than you think.”
“So I see. I’m quaking in my boots.”

“You’re not going to handle me?”
“Not tonight!”
“What are you waiting for?”
“It’s not fun if you expect it. Now, get back to bed before your wingleader realizes you’re out after curfew.”
“What? You’re my wingleader!”

“Going for blood today, are we, Violence?”
“My name is Violet.”
“I think my version fits you better.”

“You’d rather I die, no doubt.”
“And be denied the pleasure of your company?”
“I fucking hate you.”
“That doesn’t make you special.”

“Beautiful. Fucking. Asshole. My breath catches and my body warms, the traitorous bitch. You are not attracted to toxic men, I remind myself, and yet, here I am, getting all attracted. I have been since the first second I saw him, if I feel like being honest.”

“Look, are you going to kill me or not?”
“Haven’t decided yet.”
“Well, could you? It would definitely help me make my plans for the week.”
“Am I affecting your schedule, Violence?”
“I just need to know what my chances are here.”
“That’s the oddest way I’ve ever been hit on—“
“Not my chances with you, you conceited prick.”

*Violet free falls off of Tairn*
“You’re making us look bad. Stop it.

“You only fell about a dozen times that trip.”
“I can't tell if that's a compliment or not.”
“Take it as you wish.”

“I never get to see her. I'm always stuck with your grumpy ass.”
“I’m always here”
“This grumpy ass just caught you a dozen times.”
“Eventually you could call me Violet, you know.”
“I know. And I could call you Violence like the wingleader.”

“Even the most effective poisons come in pretty packages, and Xaden’s exactly that—as beautiful as he is lethal.”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice, nothing I wouldn’t give up to have one unguarded moment with this man I’m going to be tethered to for the rest of our lives. “

“I am completely, utterly obsessed with Xaden.”

“Kissing you would be a cataclysmic mistake.”
“Calamitous.”
“We’ll both regret it.”
“Naturally.”
“Fuck it.”

“I want him. Only him. Here. Now. Anywhere. Whenever. I've never been this out of control over a single kiss. Never wanted someone the way I do him. It's exhilarating and terrifying as the same time because I know that in this moment, he has the power to break me. And I’d let him.”

“You never considered that it was you I couldn’t stay away from?”
I crook my right arm and jab it into Xaden’s biceps.
“Now, now, you’ll give our little communication secret away if you can’t keep from being so…violent.”

“Quit telling Sgaeyl about my sleep habits.”
“I’m not dignifying that demand with a response.”
“Andarna is my favorite.”

“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.”

“Bet it would be even more awkward if I kissed you now, huh?”
Yes, please.
“The next time we kiss had better not be just to piss off Dain.”
“Next time, huh?”

“Violet. This isn’t what you want.”
“It’s exactly what I want. You said to do whatever I need.”
“And I’m telling you that I’m the last thing you need.”
“Are you suggesting someone else?”
“Fuck no.”
“Good. Because I only want you, Xaden.”

“Mine. In this moment, Xaden Riorson is mine.”

“I always fucking want you. You walk into a room, and I can’t look away. I get anywhere near you, and this is what happens. Instantly hard. Fucking hell, I can barely <i>think</i> when you’re around.”

“Fuck me, this hair. And this mouth. All I ever want to do is kiss you, even when you piss me off.”
“So kiss me.”

“He’s the worst kind of addiction, dangerous, and impossible to sate.”

”Fuck, I’m never going to get enough of you, am I?”
“Shut up and fuck me, Riorson.”

“Should I get the wingleader?”

“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”

“You’re still looking.”
“You make it hard to look away.” (Violet)
“I’m over here keeping my hands and memories to myself because you asked me to, and you’re fucking me with your eyes. That’s not playing fair.”

“If you’d just man up and admit there’s something between us, I would strip down to my skin so you could see every single inch of me. And one I had you begging, I’d drop down fo my knees, undo those flight leathers you’re wearing, and wrap my lips around—”
Xaden chokes.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Xaden’s done more than save me. He believed me when I told him Amber led the unbondeds to my room. He has an entire arsenal of daggers crafted just for me. He designed a saddle for Tairn so I can ride into battle with my peers. He’d protected me when I needed and taught me to defend myself so I wouldn’t require protection forever. And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.”

“I want to be wherever you are.” And I mean it. Everyone else—everything else in the world can fall away and I won’t care as long as I’m with him.

“There’s only you, Violence. Is that what you needed to hear? Even when I’m not with you, there’s only you.”

“I don’t deserve you. But I’m going to keep you all the same.”
“Good. Because I think I’m in love with you.”
“You think? Or you know?”
“I know. I’m so wildly in love with you that I can’t imagine what my life would even look like without you in it.”

“Oh gods.”
“Which one are you calling out for? Because it’s just you and me in this room, Vi, and I don’t share.” 
“You. I’m calling out for you.”
“I appreciate the elevation to deity, but my name will do.” 

I’m not going to survive this. I’m going to die right here in this bed. 
“Then I’m going to die with you.” (Xaden)

“The fact I get to touch this man is absolutely mind-blowing, and I plan on taking every advantage of the privilege while I can.”

“I’m going to keep you. You’re mine, Violet.”
“Only if you’re mine.”
“I’ve been yours for longer than you could ever imagine.”

“It’s been. My honor.” 😢

“I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart, and I’m keeping it.”