Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: A Complete Guide
If you haven’t read Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros yet and you don’t want spoilers, check out Fourth Wing: Complete Guide to Dragons, Characters, Signets, & More. Now, if you’ve read Iron Flame and are prepping for a refresher before starting Onyx Storm, you are in the right place.
Bear in mind, that this will have A LOT of spoilers, so if you’re not ready for that, stop now.
Worldbuilding
In this book, we obviously get more worldbuilding, so I am hoping to keep more of a record of that continuously as this series goes on. Here’s what we learned about the world in Iron Flame.
Venin
Venin are the humans that pull magic directly from the Earth instead of using dragons. They fly wyverns, which are created through the power of the venin. So, to kill wyverns, it’s better to find the sage that’s controlling them.
When they pull the magic from the earth it kills anything touching it. Interestingly, we also find out at the beginning of chapter 46 that the only thing capable of killing venin is power, so we will see how that continues to be interpreted throughout the series.
There are also levels of venin with different characteristics to identify them.
“Initiates have reddish rings to their eyes that come and go depending on how often they drain, Asims’ eyes fluctuate in degrees of red, and their veins distend when riled. Sages’ —those responsible for initiates—eyes are permanently red, their veins perpetually distended towards their temples, expanding with age. Mavens—their generals—have never been captured for examination” – Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, Chapter 46.
We also find out in chapter 66 that what we assumed was a sage that attacked them at Resson for the entirety of Iron Flame was actually a general. I am assuming that this may be why this venin seems to haunt both Xaden and Violet in their dreams. It seems like maybe it is actually causing it? Hopefully, we will find out more in Onyx Storm.
Rebellion Relic
In this book, we find out more about the rebellion relic. Specifically, we find out that it was created by Liam and Salone’s mother, who imbued the runes into 107 stones that every child of the rebellion always carried with them.
The rune was designed to be a protection rune and to counter the signet of the rider whose dragon killed them and it could only be activated when killed by dragon fire. Since Melgren killed all of their parents, all of their kids were able to counter Melgren’s signet.
Main Group
| Character | Dragon | Signet | Relationships |
| Violet Sorrengail | Tarin/Tairneanach (Black Morningstar) Andarna/Andarnaurram (Multicolored Scorpiontail) | Lightning wielder | In a relationship with Xaden. Childhood best friend of Dain |
| Xaden Riorson | Sgaeyl (Blue Daggertail) | ShadowsMind Reading (Inntinnsic) | In a relationship with Violet. Liam’s foster brother. |
| Mira Sorrengail | Teine (Green) | Ability to extend the protective wards | Violet and Brennan’s sister |
| Brennan Sorrengail (Lieutenant Colonel Aisereigh) | Marbh (Orange Daggertail) | Mending | Son of Lilith, Brother to Violet and Mira. |
| Dain Aetos | Cath (Red Swordtail) | Ability to read a person’s recent memories by putting his hands on a person | Violet’s childhood best friend |
| Rhiannon Matthias | Feirge (Green Daggertail) | Ability to have items disappear and reappear in her hand | Violent’s best friend.In a relationship with Tara. |
| Jack Barlowe | Baide (Orange Scorpiontail) | ||
| Sawyer | Sliseag (Red Swordtail) | Metallurgist | Has a crush on Jesinia. |
| Ridoc Gamlyn | Aotrom (Brown Swordtail) | Ice | |
| Imogen | Wipe recent memories | ||
| Garrick | Chradh | Xaden’s best friend | |
| Bodhi Durran | Can counter signets | Xaden’s cousin | |
| Quinn | Cruth | Can create a projection of herself or others | Imogen’s best friend |
New First Years
| Character | Dragon | Signet | Relationships |
| Aaric Graycastle (Cam) | King Tauri’s third son | ||
| Sloane Mairi | (Red Daggertail) | Siphon |
Professors/Leadership
| Character | Dragon | Signet | Relationships |
| General Melgren | Codagh (Black Swordtail) | Ability to see a battle’s outcome before it happens | |
| Vice CommandantVarnish | Solas (Orange Daggertail) | Sees people’s weaknesses |
Gryphon Riders
| Character | Gryphon | Mindwork | Relationships |
| Catriona (Cat) | Kiralair (Silver Wings) | Amplifies emotions you’re feeling | Syrena’s sister Niece of Tecarus |
| Syrena Cordella | Cat’s sister Niece of Tecarus |
Deceased
| Character | Dragon | Signet | Relationships |
| Lilith Sorrengail | Aimsir (Brown) | Storms | Mother of Violet, Mira, and Brennan |
| Liam Mairi | Deigh (Red Daggertail) | Farsight | Xaden’s foster brother |
I am so excited to read Onyx Storm, but in the meantime, make sure to check out some other great series, such as Blood and Ash & Flesh and Fire Series, or my list of spicy booktok books.
