S.E. Wendel has done it again. A wonderful harmony of romance and fantasy, Ironling is an amazing addition to the world of Eirea. I did enjoy the first book, but what ultimately brought me to Ironling was the fact that I could not stop thinking about this world. And when I finally picked it up and realized that it was a romance between two disabled characters I was immediately hooked.

The love between Hakon and Aislinn is so compelling and even though I’m not one to reread books, I know I’ll be going back over passages in this story. I’m also impressed by how different storylines run alongside each other, how instead of each story starting where the previous one ends that everyone’s lives are happening at the same time. It was really well done and it’s fun to catch sides and scenes where you know what’s going on outside the main character’s purview. Anyways it was a great time and I can’t wait to read the next one.

It was lovely to go back into the Darrowlands and to see more of Aislinn who we met in the first book. I really liked Aislinn, she felt a strong sense of duty and was so determined to do her all to earn the role that had been thrust upon her. Her neurodivergence was clear in different moments but it wasn't used as a way to make her look weak, instead she was strong and forward thinking and hopeful, it was just a part of her character. The way moments developed between Aislinn and Hakon were lovely, they weren't rushed although they easily could have been and I liked how what they wanted developed as they grew to understand each other and their obligations better. 

There was an actual plotline surrounding the potential siege of the Darrowlands by Jerrod which increased the tension and the risk surrounding everything and allowed the characters to show themselves as the leaders they could be. It showed loyalties and questions of loyalty and how people will manipulate themselves times to suit themselves. 

Honestly a really good book where it felt like the characters grew into the roles they were supposed to hold and ultimately found their way together after some ups and downs. 

Unlike the first in this series, this book does not qualify as a cozy read. In a departure from the road trip plot point, this book focuses on a war brewing with danger from within and without the castle of Lady Aislinn Darrow.

Still, there is tons of longing and slow building romance to be had and Hakon is a delightful MMC with plenty of dashing bravery, heartfelt love and abounding loyalty to savor.

Loved the neurodivergence representation with Aislinn. I felt conversely that Hakon's disability was represented well initially, then relegated to pointless character device in the second half of the book.

It had the opportunity to be important to his character development and success or to at least be acknowledged as still there.

Ah, well. Not a 5 star read like the first, but still enjoyable and I would definitely read another in this series.