Iron Flame

Violet Sorrengail is the novel’s protagonist and first-person narrator. She was born with a physical disability that results in chronic pain, easily torn ligaments and fragile joints that frequently dislocate under pressure. Violet compensates for her physical limitations with her psychological strength and intelligence. As the weakest among her peers, Violet is often underestimated and considered an easy target, but her resilience and intellect earn her an unprecedented bond with two dragons—Tairn and Andarna—and the ability to wield lightning. Violet has “the heart of a rider but the mind of a scribe” (539). Her prior training for the Scribe Quadrant gives her an advantage in battle strategy and politics, as well as valuable connections to the Scribe Quadrant including her intimate knowledge of the Archives and her friendship with second-year scribe, Jesinia. Her intelligence and connections allow her to gain powerful information that no one else has access to, which proves invaluable to the war against the venin.

Violet’s strong moral code and courageous love for others motivate her decisions. The Power of Love allows Violet to surpass her physical limitations to protect those she loves. Where characters like Brennan value loyalty to their cause over moral duty, Violet prioritizes her moral duty over everything, even if it compromises her or her loved ones.