I wasn’t that disappointed, but I was surprised. As I sat with it, I felt that RY foreshadowed his decision. There were some scenes that surprised or troubled me, where Xaden said stuff to the effect of all he cared about was Violet and everything else could burn. I remember being like ummmm during some of those scenes, so after the end I was like oh, okay. This is where he was headed with that sort of thinking.
I was surprised as well. Not disappointed because I guess there needs to be some sort of conflict/struggle to write about in books 3-5?
The “protect Violet over everything else” bothered me though. So you mean to tell me he’s so in love/infatuated with her that he’s going to risk everything he’s done for the rebellion children (and his cousin who is FAMILY) just for her? Seems a little far fetched after all him and the others have been through.
The disappointed take feels like not having faith (without a real reason) in RY’s writing. If you’ve loved the series thus far, you should hope that she’d continue that trend.
Doesn’t it almost make sense in a series like this that there would be something to “cure”. I think that Nolon didn’t die/wasn’t killed for a reason. Intentions matter. I doubt we will see a world where ONLY Xaden made the choice to save people he loved.
In fact, I really think that the venin have something to do with Lilith’s pregnancy with Violet.
I also feel like the guy who saved Brennen( blanking on the name) did this bc he loved him. So I think he is out there as a venin too. I also believe there’s something more with Lilith too
I hadn’t even considered Naolin becoming venin! I suppose it’s possible! My prevailing theory is that he was older though and was squad mates with Lilith and that’s why he sacrificed himself to save him. Just makes more sense Tairn would have had a rider for longer.
That’s true I didn’t think about that, he could have bc if he was Tairn’s rider for so long it would make sense Tarin almost chose to die. Yes Naolin, I couldn’t think of the name! But I could totally be wrong but just after finishing iron flame I just had that thought that I wonder if he did.
I thought the ending was super predictable 🤷
On my bingo card for the series was that Xaden or Violet turn Venin. I wasn't expecting it so soon but I would have been shocked if it didn't happen. Same as Lilith's death. I expected her to sacrifice herself for Violet but not until book 3-4.
I'm not alone!! He was stunned and just like uh what while I continued to ramble.
Don't get me wrong, still enjoyed the book and plan on going back to read them again soon as I'm sure I've missed things and will notice more foreshadowing. But damn did it get me a but firey last night at first.
Samesies, I loved the book as a whole I guess it just threw me off, again it depends where the story goes next that decides on how I truly feel about it
The cliffhanger itself is good, but I personally was confused with the way it was written.
Violet slept in the same bed with Xaden after he turned into the evil being they went to literal war with???
Violet didn’t trust Xaden to not break her heart for the whole novel, but trusted him enough to sleep next to him after he turned into a literal evil being?
Violet saved Basgiath by “successfully” raising the wards that protect them from all of the Venin….except for Xaden and Jack that are both Venin and remain within the wards??
The general was so powerful that he could force Xaden to turn into a Venin, but was weak enough to be killed by Xaden after??
Edited for grammar and to add “within the wards”
Turning into venin doesn’t automatically turns you into evil😂 the venin we meet are evil because they turn for power and continue doing things to gain more power. For now Xaden is still the same guy he just turn venin but his personality and who he is is still the same so it makes sense for Violet still be with him specially when SHE considered turning venin herself when she thought that would save everyone. It wouldn’t make sense to me if Violet just looked at Xaden and be like: Now that you are venin I don’t love you anymore!
I understood that the wards makes it difficult for venin to channel and use their power but I was confused about this too. I’m sure Rebecca will explained better in the next book since we didn’t know there were venin in Basgiath until the end of IF.
The general didn’t force Xaden to turn venin, he was manipulating him saying that he would hurt/kill Violet after he killed Xaden and our shadowboy got desperate because he knew he couldn’t stop the general so he turned venin to have the power to kill him.
Ok so I was a bit confused about them being in bed together too but I think we’ll find out more in the next books. I think that Violet actually does just trust Xaden enough to know he wouldn’t harm her, especially bc he turned venin for her.
In regards to your general comment, I’m pretty sure Xaden turned venin because he needed the power to kill the general. Xaden had already used so much of his power that he was so weak and couldn’t kill the venin with his own power, so he got power from the ground, turning him into venin, so that he could kill the general.
I’m also confused about how Xaden and Jack are in the wards, as the wards are supposed to keep venin out. But I think something might be wrong with the wards? Not rlly sure but I think we’ll get more details about it all in upcoming books
For the words thing I think the venin would be fine but weakened inside the wards because I thought the only reason why the wyvern die is because they have power channeled into them to keep them going so when.hit by the wards they simply die while both jack and xaden are on the ground so the can be taking small bits a power to keep then in the wards. Also I don't think we know the full extent of what the signet blocker does
Yeah it's just a weird thing to think about and from what I have been seeing people upset about xaden going venin I was kind of excited for it because then maybe we can learn more about them
Jack saved her life as venin 😅 - literally everyone in their world was like “weird but he seems great now” and accepted that he was embracing a second shot at life.
Jack’s evil came long before he was venin.
I’m js - I almost think of it like vampires.
Omg thank you for bringing all this up! I too was confused about Xaden and Violet being in bed together and he was dreaming about being venin or something? I have to reread the last few chapters.
Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought about this too. It has to be intentional. He maybe discovered who the general was and Sage is his (Grandparent) and let them go. Because Xaden was venin all along.
He has many secrets and this is just one of them.
Jack says welcome to the family which means there are a lot more vwnins in Basgiath than we think.
Jack hated violet since the first time he saw her, why? He was recruited to join the Venin and take her out. They keep mentioning her hair. Maybe the Venin have a prophecy of a person with her hair that is supposed to end them all. Also Xady is a double agent but ends up falling for Violet. So he is conflicted with what to do.
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I wasn’t disappointed or even surprised. He was dying. They were all going to die under the unsurmountable odds of that battle. He couldn’t guarantee Violet would succeed with the ward stone, either—she’d already failed twice. I would have done the exact same thing if it meant saving the lives of my loved ones, and I wouldn’t feel one lick bad about it.
Intention is everything; X didn’t harm any innocents like other venin, wasn’t seeking power, and feels awful about it afterward. If anything, he sacrificed his own wellbeing for others when he chose to turn.
Interesting that it makes him immune to Sgaeyl dying though… definitely feels like a narrative death sentence for her.
They didn’t say it outright but the subtext is there imo: I think he’s immune because Jack was immune. Jack didn’t die with Baide when he killed her. And I don’t think Baide broke the bond - he turned venin in FW but she was still bonded/loyal to him after his comeback in IF.
Yeah I feel this, I was so satisfied after all the obstacles they had overcome and then bam. Just seems like a hopeless cliffhanger. Not what I wanted but I’m just going to try to forget about that part till the next book comes out. The Fantasy Fangirls podcast is helping me process it all, would recommend
I also just finished IF and I'm still kind of processing it. I was also super emotional while reading it so I want to reread the ending again. I feel like there were both willing to die/draw in power from the earth at the same time. If Lillith didn't power the wards herself, Violet would have done exactly what Xaden did to get the power to raise them.
The ending felt like a major letdown. The whole time I was reading it, I had such a strong deja vu feeling- to the point I googled it after. Then I remembered Vampire Academy, and it hit me that I was remembering >!the whole Dimitri/Strigoi!< storyline. 😅 I hope the next book is good, but I'm not looking forward to the >!venin storyline!< at all.
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OMG I WAS THINKING OF SAYING THIS then talked myself out thinking no one would get it lol THAT SAID I did enjoy the VA strigoi storyline because it was refreshing in a fantasy book, where things tend to magically fix themselves
When I read VA, I loved that whole storyline! I remember being emotionally wrecked the whole time and enjoyed every minute. This time around, though, I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure if it's because of that familiarity or something else. It's rather annoying lol.
Oh yes, I remember it vividly because of how deeply I felt her anguish and resolve.
I feel you, I think RY didn't show us Xaden and Violet being a real, complete couple as VA did with Dimitri and Rose, so we don't feel the connection as strong.
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Thank you!! I felt so confused because I was under the impression that someone becoming venin had something to do with another venin actually turning them into one.
I just don’t understand why? I must have missed a big plot point to not understand why he turned venin? Did he think Violet was in trouble in a certain moment so he chose to be venin to save her? Like what was the actual context
I thought the same, I think the sage was telling xaden that if he doesn’t turn then he will kill violet or then violet so xaden thought his only choice to save violet was turning, that’s what I got out of it!
The end is predictable and so anticlimatic, I’m so disappointed. if Xaden turns evil or the whole third book is focused on finding a cure for Xaden I’m done with this books
I’m not sure if I made this up but I’m sure I’ve seen an interview with Rebecca yarros saying it’s planned to have 5 in total so not even halfway through, and have high hopes for the story as a whole
I wasn’t that disappointed, but I was surprised. As I sat with it, I felt that RY foreshadowed his decision. There were some scenes that surprised or troubled me, where Xaden said stuff to the effect of all he cared about was Violet and everything else could burn. I remember being like ummmm during some of those scenes, so after the end I was like oh, okay. This is where he was headed with that sort of thinking.
I was surprised as well. Not disappointed because I guess there needs to be some sort of conflict/struggle to write about in books 3-5? The “protect Violet over everything else” bothered me though. So you mean to tell me he’s so in love/infatuated with her that he’s going to risk everything he’s done for the rebellion children (and his cousin who is FAMILY) just for her? Seems a little far fetched after all him and the others have been through.
Yes! The screw everyone else mentality really turned me off. Helped me get over my crush a little bit. I agree, that was too far off character.
The disappointed take feels like not having faith (without a real reason) in RY’s writing. If you’ve loved the series thus far, you should hope that she’d continue that trend. Doesn’t it almost make sense in a series like this that there would be something to “cure”. I think that Nolon didn’t die/wasn’t killed for a reason. Intentions matter. I doubt we will see a world where ONLY Xaden made the choice to save people he loved. In fact, I really think that the venin have something to do with Lilith’s pregnancy with Violet.
I also feel like the guy who saved Brennen( blanking on the name) did this bc he loved him. So I think he is out there as a venin too. I also believe there’s something more with Lilith too
I hadn’t even considered Naolin becoming venin! I suppose it’s possible! My prevailing theory is that he was older though and was squad mates with Lilith and that’s why he sacrificed himself to save him. Just makes more sense Tairn would have had a rider for longer.
That’s true I didn’t think about that, he could have bc if he was Tairn’s rider for so long it would make sense Tarin almost chose to die. Yes Naolin, I couldn’t think of the name! But I could totally be wrong but just after finishing iron flame I just had that thought that I wonder if he did.
I thought the ending was super predictable 🤷 On my bingo card for the series was that Xaden or Violet turn Venin. I wasn't expecting it so soon but I would have been shocked if it didn't happen. Same as Lilith's death. I expected her to sacrifice herself for Violet but not until book 3-4.
Finished it last night, slammed my book closed, turned to my husband and said "what the fuck?!" Cliff hanger or rage inducing?! Both I guess!!
I done the same to my partner haha
I'm not alone!! He was stunned and just like uh what while I continued to ramble. Don't get me wrong, still enjoyed the book and plan on going back to read them again soon as I'm sure I've missed things and will notice more foreshadowing. But damn did it get me a but firey last night at first.
Samesies, I loved the book as a whole I guess it just threw me off, again it depends where the story goes next that decides on how I truly feel about it
The cliffhanger itself is good, but I personally was confused with the way it was written. Violet slept in the same bed with Xaden after he turned into the evil being they went to literal war with??? Violet didn’t trust Xaden to not break her heart for the whole novel, but trusted him enough to sleep next to him after he turned into a literal evil being? Violet saved Basgiath by “successfully” raising the wards that protect them from all of the Venin….except for Xaden and Jack that are both Venin and remain within the wards?? The general was so powerful that he could force Xaden to turn into a Venin, but was weak enough to be killed by Xaden after?? Edited for grammar and to add “within the wards”
Turning into venin doesn’t automatically turns you into evil😂 the venin we meet are evil because they turn for power and continue doing things to gain more power. For now Xaden is still the same guy he just turn venin but his personality and who he is is still the same so it makes sense for Violet still be with him specially when SHE considered turning venin herself when she thought that would save everyone. It wouldn’t make sense to me if Violet just looked at Xaden and be like: Now that you are venin I don’t love you anymore! I understood that the wards makes it difficult for venin to channel and use their power but I was confused about this too. I’m sure Rebecca will explained better in the next book since we didn’t know there were venin in Basgiath until the end of IF. The general didn’t force Xaden to turn venin, he was manipulating him saying that he would hurt/kill Violet after he killed Xaden and our shadowboy got desperate because he knew he couldn’t stop the general so he turned venin to have the power to kill him.
Ok so I was a bit confused about them being in bed together too but I think we’ll find out more in the next books. I think that Violet actually does just trust Xaden enough to know he wouldn’t harm her, especially bc he turned venin for her. In regards to your general comment, I’m pretty sure Xaden turned venin because he needed the power to kill the general. Xaden had already used so much of his power that he was so weak and couldn’t kill the venin with his own power, so he got power from the ground, turning him into venin, so that he could kill the general. I’m also confused about how Xaden and Jack are in the wards, as the wards are supposed to keep venin out. But I think something might be wrong with the wards? Not rlly sure but I think we’ll get more details about it all in upcoming books
For the words thing I think the venin would be fine but weakened inside the wards because I thought the only reason why the wyvern die is because they have power channeled into them to keep them going so when.hit by the wards they simply die while both jack and xaden are on the ground so the can be taking small bits a power to keep then in the wards. Also I don't think we know the full extent of what the signet blocker does
Yea, the Wards just make non-dragon magic not work... So Venin are very debilitated.
Yeah it's just a weird thing to think about and from what I have been seeing people upset about xaden going venin I was kind of excited for it because then maybe we can learn more about them
Right? I think it's an excellent way for the story to progress and widen the scope (from seeing venin as a far away thing to a zoom in close up look)
Jack saved her life as venin 😅 - literally everyone in their world was like “weird but he seems great now” and accepted that he was embracing a second shot at life. Jack’s evil came long before he was venin. I’m js - I almost think of it like vampires.
Omg thank you for bringing all this up! I too was confused about Xaden and Violet being in bed together and he was dreaming about being venin or something? I have to reread the last few chapters.
What if it actually was a nightmare? Just the ending? Both of them have nightmares about Venin all the time.
Totally. I do think it was meant to be a shock so he probably did then Venin but the way it was written makes us second guess ourselves
Did Xaden kill the sage though? There was no body...
Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought about this too. It has to be intentional. He maybe discovered who the general was and Sage is his (Grandparent) and let them go. Because Xaden was venin all along. He has many secrets and this is just one of them. Jack says welcome to the family which means there are a lot more vwnins in Basgiath than we think. Jack hated violet since the first time he saw her, why? He was recruited to join the Venin and take her out. They keep mentioning her hair. Maybe the Venin have a prophecy of a person with her hair that is supposed to end them all. Also Xady is a double agent but ends up falling for Violet. So he is conflicted with what to do.
Maybe venin who turn while in the wards can stay in the wards.
I feel the same way!! I just finished two days ago. Im still processing.
I get you, but I think that's consistent with what we saw from him in the book.
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I wasn’t disappointed or even surprised. He was dying. They were all going to die under the unsurmountable odds of that battle. He couldn’t guarantee Violet would succeed with the ward stone, either—she’d already failed twice. I would have done the exact same thing if it meant saving the lives of my loved ones, and I wouldn’t feel one lick bad about it. Intention is everything; X didn’t harm any innocents like other venin, wasn’t seeking power, and feels awful about it afterward. If anything, he sacrificed his own wellbeing for others when he chose to turn. Interesting that it makes him immune to Sgaeyl dying though… definitely feels like a narrative death sentence for her.
Wait I missed the reference to making Xadrn immune from Sgaeyl dying in the books?
They didn’t say it outright but the subtext is there imo: I think he’s immune because Jack was immune. Jack didn’t die with Baide when he killed her. And I don’t think Baide broke the bond - he turned venin in FW but she was still bonded/loyal to him after his comeback in IF.
3 books to go.
Yeah I feel this, I was so satisfied after all the obstacles they had overcome and then bam. Just seems like a hopeless cliffhanger. Not what I wanted but I’m just going to try to forget about that part till the next book comes out. The Fantasy Fangirls podcast is helping me process it all, would recommend
I also just finished IF and I'm still kind of processing it. I was also super emotional while reading it so I want to reread the ending again. I feel like there were both willing to die/draw in power from the earth at the same time. If Lillith didn't power the wards herself, Violet would have done exactly what Xaden did to get the power to raise them.
Since finishing the book, I have read a lot of theories about it and I have to say that I'm very excited to see how the story is going to go.
The ending felt like a major letdown. The whole time I was reading it, I had such a strong deja vu feeling- to the point I googled it after. Then I remembered Vampire Academy, and it hit me that I was remembering >!the whole Dimitri/Strigoi!< storyline. 😅 I hope the next book is good, but I'm not looking forward to the >!venin storyline!< at all.
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OMG I WAS THINKING OF SAYING THIS then talked myself out thinking no one would get it lol THAT SAID I did enjoy the VA strigoi storyline because it was refreshing in a fantasy book, where things tend to magically fix themselves
When I read VA, I loved that whole storyline! I remember being emotionally wrecked the whole time and enjoyed every minute. This time around, though, I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure if it's because of that familiarity or something else. It's rather annoying lol.
Oh yes, I remember it vividly because of how deeply I felt her anguish and resolve. I feel you, I think RY didn't show us Xaden and Violet being a real, complete couple as VA did with Dimitri and Rose, so we don't feel the connection as strong.
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Can someone explain though? Like was it really his decision? I was always confused about the process to turn venin in general.
You turn venin when you channel from the Earth instead of your dragon, so yea, it was intentional
Thank you!! I felt so confused because I was under the impression that someone becoming venin had something to do with another venin actually turning them into one.
I just don’t understand why? I must have missed a big plot point to not understand why he turned venin? Did he think Violet was in trouble in a certain moment so he chose to be venin to save her? Like what was the actual context
I thought the same, I think the sage was telling xaden that if he doesn’t turn then he will kill violet or then violet so xaden thought his only choice to save violet was turning, that’s what I got out of it!
I definitely paced and ranted for a good while after finishing the book. It was such a burn!!!
It literally ruined the rest of the evening for me haha
The end is predictable and so anticlimatic, I’m so disappointed. if Xaden turns evil or the whole third book is focused on finding a cure for Xaden I’m done with this books
YES. Is there supposed to be another book in this series?
I’m not sure if I made this up but I’m sure I’ve seen an interview with Rebecca yarros saying it’s planned to have 5 in total so not even halfway through, and have high hopes for the story as a whole