Iron Flame Shows Violet and Xaden Shouldn't Have Got Together in Fourth Wing
Though things seem to move more rapidly in romances, many fantasy tales include slow-burn relationships that evolve over the course of a serial. This includes Fourth Wing, which very early addresses Violet's difficulties with Xaden. Yarros intends to produce five Empyrean Series volumes overall, therefore it's very odd she let the main couple get together so early. Based on Iron Flame, the author may have gained from dragging out the will-they, won't-they stage of their relationship.
Violet and Xaden being together so early in Fourth Wing leaves not much for the couple to do. Yarros will probably start generating fresh fights to keep things interesting, and that might go fast. Iron Flame's ending reveals probably will keep them apart in more intriguing ways in Onxy Storm, but it's difficult to see how Yarros will keep readers on their toes for several more sequels. Violet and Xaden's evident endgame does not help either. Iron Flame never has a real break-through feeling. Worrying readers will want far larger stakes.
Iron Flame Story Feels Forced for the Sake of Conflict: Violet and Xaden
Violet is rightfully furious with Xaden for keeping secrets from her in Fourth Wing, but the truth of Dain's betrayal emphasizes that he was right to do so. It makes sense to keep Violet away from important rebel plans and details until Violet can stop Dain's mind-reading. She sadly does not view it this way. Spending much of Iron Flame rejecting a connection with Xaden, Violet insists she cannot be with someone she does not trust. Xaden keeps things from her, and the couple battles their romance as well.
The attempts to make Violet and Xaden's relationship intriguing in Iron Flame indicate, if anything, they got together too soon. Both characters gain trust and clarity only at the book's conclusion. And although Yarros brings some insightful observations about Violet and Xaden's Iron Flame story, it feels forced occasionally. It is almost as though keeping things interesting requires ongoing tension between the characters. Although it simply seems annoying, keeping them apart should increase their anxieties. If anything, the attempts to make Violet and Xaden's relationship intriguing in Iron Flame show that they got together too early.
The relationship of the Main Couple can provide difficulties for the Empyrean Series.
It could be challenging to keep Violet and Xaden's romance intriguing in next Empyrean Series volumes unless Yarros greatly increases the stakes of their connection. Readers certainly like the build-up to a relationship more than the relationship itself most of the time. And any effort to spark their interest with forced conflict and poor communication runs the danger. Ultimately, only so long can an author keep their key couple apart before it also becomes annoying. Obviously, in this sense Onyx Storm and its successors will have to surpass Iron Flame.
The second book's twist will complicate everything in more fascinating ways, and its possibility to endanger Violet's and Xaden's life will assist Onyx Storm. And maybe Yarros can keep the stakes rising steadily until the couple in the last Empyrean Series novel gets a (probably) fulfilling ending. Though it won't be easy, this will require the author to stray from romantic subplots such as Iron Flame's. Should Violet and Xaden still not be together, the drama and sadness must be more extreme than what Fourth Wing sequel readers are exposed to.
The Iron Flame Story of Violet and Xaden Highlights One Challenge Facing the Empyrean Series
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean Series's stakes are raised very effectively by Iron Flame, but Violet and Xaden's narrative in the Fourth Wing sequel draws attention to a problem confronting next books. Violet and Xaden begin Fourth Wing as natural rivals; Violet's mother is in charge of quashing the uprising Xaden's father previously spearheaded. Violet and Xaden's relationship swings in the opposite direction as they grow to know one another, though. Violet and Xaden join together in Fourth Wing, despite their best attempts to avoid falling for each other.
Their romance is sadly somewhat fleeting since talks about dishonesty and trust keep them apart for most of Iron Flame. And even if Violet returns under Iron Flame's finale, Yarros throws another twist in their relationship with the major revelation of the sequel. At times, Violet and Xaden's tale in the second Empyrean Series novel is difficult; it also highlights a significant obstacle Onyx Storm and future successors will have to negotiate. Yarros hopefully will be able to go past them.
Fourth Wing Fans Already Want the Next Book Can Explore These Fantastic Pieces of Fan Art to Boost Their Excitement Even More
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean Series's stakes are raised very effectively by Iron Flame, but Violet and Xaden's narrative in the Fourth Wing sequel draws attention to a problem confronting next books. Violet and Xaden begin Fourth Wing as natural rivals; Violet's mother is in charge of quashing the uprising Xaden's father previously spearheaded. Violet and Xaden's relationship swings in the opposite direction as they grow to know one another, though. Violet and Xaden join together in Fourth Wing, despite their best attempts to avoid falling for each other.
Their romance is sadly somewhat fleeting since talks about dishonesty and trust keep them apart for most of Iron Flame. And even if Violet returns under Iron Flame's finale, Yarros throws another twist in their relationship with the major revelation of the sequel. At times, Violet and Xaden's tale in the second Empyrean Series novel is difficult; it also highlights a significant obstacle Onyx Storm and future successors will have to negotiate. Yarros perhaps can work around them.
