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Tales in the Café is like stepping back into that warm, comforting coffee shop where magic lingers in every corner. The book continues the gentle, nostalgic vibe of its predecessor, offering a series of stories that, while treading familiar themes of grief, loss, and the bittersweet yearning for what might have been, manage to evoke a sincere sense of comfort and solace. The narratives feel intentionally cliche—designed to stir emotions and transport you back to moments of quiet reflection—yet they are written with such care that they never feel trite.

What makes this installment even more engaging is the return of beloved characters from the first book. Their reappearances ground the stories, making it easier to connect with the unfolding tales. Once I accepted that this work was originally a play, I found myself appreciating the deliberate theatricality of its execution. Yes, the repetitive exploration of themes like seeking closure and the longing to rewrite the past can sometimes feel a bit exhausting, but it’s also a reminder of the timeless nature of these human desires.

In the end, Tales in the Café remains a beautifully comforting read—one that envelops you in its magical ambiance, even if it sometimes leans on well-worn tropes. I’m still eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in this series.

Rebecca Yarros’s Iron Flame is a wildfire of a sequel—blistering battles, molten tension, and a world that crackles with danger. This book doesn’t just raise the stakes; it sets them ablaze.

The strength of this series remains Yarros’s mastery of high-octane action. Battle scenes roar to life with cinematic ferocity: dragons swoop and scorch, magic crackles like live wire, and every clash of steel feels visceral. The pacing is relentless, a relentless drumbeat of chaos that leaves you breathless. If Fourth Wing was the spark, Iron Flame is the inferno.

Violet Sorrengail continues to be a paradox—a heroine both fragile and fierce. Her resilience in the face of impossible odds is admirable, but her choices occasionally feel like sparks flying too close to gunpowder. There’s a rawness to her humanity—the doubt, the desperation—that makes her relatable, even when her decisions make you want to scream into a pillow. Paired with Xaden’s smoldering intensity, their dynamic is a tempest of loyalty, secrets, and magnetic friction.

Yet, for all its fire, Iron Flame falters slightly in the shadows. The dragons—those magnificent, ancient beasts—sometimes feel tethered to human whims, their legendary autonomy dimmed by plot convenience. And while Yarros’s refusal to slaughter characters à la GRRM may comfort some, it risks cushioning the story’s edges, muting the gut-punch stakes this world deserves.

Still, this book is a triumph of world-building. The lore deepens, revealing veins of political intrigue and ancient magic that thrum beneath every chapter. New alliances form, old betrayals fester, and the line between hero and villain blurs into smoke.

Iron Flame shines with dragons that steal every scene—as they should—while its battles are rendered so vividly that you can almost taste the ash in the air. The romance in the book teeters on the knife’s edge between ruin and redemption, adding an emotional depth that resonates with the reader. However, the story sometimes stumbles with character choices that test credulity and a safety net that ultimately softens the weight of consequences. Overall, Iron Flame is like a storm in a bottle—chaotic, dazzling, and impossible to look away from. It may not be flawless, but it burns bright enough to leave a lasting mark. If you crave fantasy that thrills like a runaway train and don’t mind clinging to the edge of your seat, even if it means a few bruises along the way, this is the book for you.

Mark Your Calendars: Manila International Book Fair 2024 is Coming!