Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Britt's take

Book 2 in the Empyrean series—start with Fourth Wing if you haven't. Chaotic, emotional, and impossible to casually read. The first half feels like everything and nothing is happening at once, but the second half is a full sprint to the finish. The war gets clearer, the stakes get bigger, and the last 200 pages are relentless. Ridoc's appearances keep things from getting too heavy, and you get more Tairn and Andarna. Xaden remains the only logical person in this war college—for now. A fun sequel if you're already emotionally invested in Basgiath.