Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.
Tropes & Other Parts
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Heroine-in-the-Making
Romantasy
She Fell First, but He Fell Harder
Slow Burn
Ugly Cry
Thoughts …
You know when your heart is pumping in the last 100 pages of a really intense book? Rebecca Yarros’ “Fourth Wing” will make you feel the same thing – just for the entire 528 pages.
Violet Sorrengail
Violet is on the Pinterest boards of every fantasy reader who daydreams about being the heroine.
Her character introduction was not at all what I expected. Here I was thinking she was going to be a skilled rider from the start but our girl just wanted to have a quiet life and read books for the rest of her life, which I very much can relate to.
Having it written from her perspective, I do think she was so hard on herself and I very much empathized with her insecurities. This made it easy for me to connect with Violet’s character as well as her emotions and most definitely the way she expresses them. Other characters might call her “fragile” and “weak” but don’t be fooled. Violet Sorrengail is the most cunning little spitfire who won’t give up without a fight.
Her character development was honestly one of the most devastatingly emotional but extremely gratifying stories to read about. Every challenge and asshole she had to endure made her stronger not just physically but mentally too. Not going to lie, it was hard to see her get her ass handed to her in almost every chapter but I can’t help but a lot of respect for her. The way she becomes more self-assured and confident about who she is without needing to live up to anyone’s expectations is always one of the best moments a character can have.
Shadow Daddy Xaden Riorson
Alexa, play “The Great War” by Taylor Swift.
Plot Vibes
The plot itself was not as intimidating as I thought it was going to be. I might be traumatized by Sarah J. Mass books that I am always so nervous to start a new fantasy series. Like, I have mentally prepared myself and be in the right space and mood before actually starting.
Fortunately, “Fourth Wing” did not have complicated worldbuilding. The world-building was actually written so naturally that it didn’t feel to overhwhelming. So for those of you who might be intimidated right now, don’t be!
The beginning had been so fast-paced. I felt like I was right there with her when she was thrown into the Rider’s Quadrant. I was instantly hooked. There weren’t intense or slow plot build-ups but it paired surprisingly well with the vibe of the book. The Rider’s Quadrant is supposed to be life or death and at no point in the book do you forget it.
The direction of the story aligned with every fantasy element you would expect. You can also get the sense that Violet’s story is playing a part in a much larger one. I wouldn’t say it was a “fun” read because I had quite a bit of second-hand anxiety (but in a good way too?) But the humor, wit, and romantic buildup had me giggling and blushing uncontrollably. I found myself becoming so attached to the plot and especially its characters, which by the way will break your heart a million times over.
Tropes
Friendship and found family were a huge part of Fourth Wing. I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from the emotional roller coaster these characters and their relationships put me through. I am emotionally damaged by people who aren’t even real (but they are real in my heart *hysterical sobbing*.)
The romantasy aspect was a slow burn that is well worth the wait. But be prepared for anything and everything because rumor has it, there are still four books left in the series. I personally am still reeling and have been known to be a hopeless romantic. Please wish me luck.
In Short …
I am going to assume that the middle school fantasy and dystopian readers from the 2013-2014 era are all grown up, and are now just teenage girls in their 20s. Fourth Wing is one of the books that is now part of your “teenager in their 20s” era of reading.
Fantasy [and romantasy] Readers won’t want to miss out on the intense and thrilling high from reading Fourth Wing. The word building and introduction to characters will have you hooked from the start. It isn’t as intimidating as you might think it will be and most definitely lives up to its popularity. The story will make you get your heart beating so fast, and have you unexpectedly laughing and crying all at the same time.
I will never not recommend this book but I do have to warn readers: Fourth Wing will have such an emotional impact on you. Good impact or bad impact? I won’t say but it will be your next Roman Empire.
I mean who doesn’t fantasize about being the main character of a fantasy book, especially one that is a badass dragon rider? Did I also mention this dangerous and life-threatening journey involves the sexiest wingleader you’ll ever lay eyes on?
MAIN TAKEAWAY
Middle school readers from the “Hunger Games” and “Divergent” era, “Fourth Wing” is part of your “just a teenage girl in her 20s” era.
Lives up to its popularity.
Easy world building to follow.
An intense plot that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Badass Heroine-in-the-Making.
A slow burn that is well worth the wait. (im blushing)
Characters to add on your list of “Emotional Attachments to People That Aren’t Even Real.”
Fantasy & Romantasy Reader’s new Roman Empire.
where to get my prescription cialis filled
Fourth Wing Book Review – 12am reader