Fourth Wing: Discover the brutal and addictive world of the global bestselling fantasy phenomenon (The Empyrean)

What a story! This was probably the most unexpected purchase of the year for me. I bought the book for my partner originally after she was raving about it from TikTok. And once she had finished it being a fantasy book fan I gave it ago. Well what a story it is. It has action, romance, a surprising amount of graphic steamy stuff (not suitable for under 18’s if your kids asking for this book!) and just well written characters. The story starts slow but quickly gets you hooked in and I struggled to out it down and quickly went on to buy the sequel. In short, if you like dragons, got style raunchyness, and a decent amount of Skyrim level magic you’ll likely find some enjoyment in this.

I picked this book up because of all the hype I was seeing on Tiktok and Instagram, everyone was reading and loving this book. It did no disappoint, I was hooked from 3 chapters in and it easily became one of my favourite books I've read in a while. I am obsessed with everything about this book, every word, every page had me gripped and on the edge of my seat. I went through so many emotions while reading this, the absolute unflinching brutality the characters face is both addictive and shocking, but there are also so many triumphs and heart squeezing moments. Rebecca Yarros has done what some authors can't do, and that is write a book that has everything you could ask for. Violet Sorrengail is among my all-time favourite FMC's ever, she was everything you could ask for in a female MC. She is the embodiment of determination, grit and bravery. Her willingness to bet on herself time and again when so many around her keep telling her she will never be good enough is so inspiring, her absolute grit to survive or at least giving it her all when she thinks she can't do something. She never gave up and became an ultimate badass. Having had chronic illness, people always underestimate her (all but one) but that's what makes her an underdog. I liked how balanced her character and personality was, never over the top and I liked how the author didn't make the chronic illness her whole personality, she showed that it didn't stop her from being amazing. Xaden is the most powerful and brutal Wing leader at the academy and also the main person likely to kill Violet, we love an enemies to lovers, but I knew from the start he had a hidden agenda and feelings. I loved his character, he only gets more interesting as the story goes on and the TENSION between Violet and him, was steaming, it is hotter than the dragon fire. I was screaming at the book for them to finally kiss! Xaden defiantly had his secrets and it made him seem more broody but once he started opening up, and we got to see the softer side of him, it made him even better. He's always up for a challenge and he serves every freaking time. He has such a soft spot when it comes down to it. Him showing his love through his actions and constantly challenging Violet to do better, even in moments she didn't believe in herself, was everything you could ask for in a MMC. He made me swoon multiple times. The romance is an angsty slowburn, enemies to lovers (what more could you need?!) and it was brilliantly it was executed. Even though it was a slowburn, the romance came at the right time. And if you like the characters being jealous, you'll enjoy that trope here too. Xaden and Violet's chemistry is off the charts from the beginning, just him looking at her makes you swoon. They compliment each other so well and I like how open and honest they are with each other, and that both of them don't hold each other back and give the other room to make mistakes, learn and grow. It is a mature relationship, which I love to see in fantasies. The Dragons were an amazing surprise, they all have their own personalities and I love it! I got major How to Train Your Dragon vibes. They're lethal, terrifying, and spectacular and I know need to find more dragon books! The found family in this book is the most precious thing ever, I feel in love with each side character but also had major anxiety whenever they were in a dangerous situation. I loved to read how they’re bonded together and I can see that each relationship has the potential to grow into something really special. The camaraderie and rivalry between the riders is such a significant part of the story. The plot was addicting from start to finish, with some many wow moments, WTF moments and sad moments. Rebecca Yarros has written such a thrilling, addicting and compelling introduction book to this wonderful world of dragons and their riders, and I can't wait to see where the story continues! I don't know how I am going to wait till November, but I am defiantly going to be rereading and discussing theories!

Let's kick this off with a little confession: Fantasy isn't my usual cup of tea. I mean, I don't think I've ever wandered into the fantastical realms of dragons and magic before. But, as luck would have it, this book was the chosen one for my book club this month. Intrigued, I dipped my toe in the fantasy pool, read the sample, and before I knew it, I was diving headfirst into the enchanting world of Fourth Wing. (Since reading this, my go to genre is now fantasy). Now, here's a little quirk of mine – I wish these fantasy books came with character pictures. You know, sometimes I need a visual nudge to help me picture the characters, so thank you, Google, for being my trusty sidekick on this reading journey. Speaking of characters, I fell head over heels for Xaden, with his mysterious aura and protective instincts. He begins as a walking red flag but he's like the enigmatic guy you meet at a masquerade ball - utterly captivating. And then there's Violet, a fierce and formidable leading lady. She's the kind of strong female character who's a force to be reckoned with, but I'll admit, her penchant for sassing her dragon and basically everyone around her, even the higher-ups, made me cringe at the same time. And the word she uses constantly that gives me the ick 'Gods' - no, please stop. Now, let's talk about Dain. Oh, Dain. The guy's like that pesky little mosquito buzzing around your ear during a summer night's sleep. Annoying and a TRAITOR. I so wanted to like him. But wait, can we talk about the hierarchy in this fantastical world? Wings, squadrons, sections – it's like a military organizational chart on steroids. A family tree-like diagram would've been more helpful than Google Maps in navigating this intricate social structure. And the last page of the book? Wowza. It hit me like a dragon's fiery breath. I was ready to sell my soul, my left shoe, heck, even my favourite bookshelf to start the next one right away! Rebecca Yarros knows how to leave her readers hanging on the edge of their magical seats. So, there you have it, my unexpected dive into fantasy, courtesy of Fourth Wing. It was bewildering, enchanting, and left me yearning for more. If you're a seasoned fantasy lover or just dipping your toes like me, this book is a ride you won't want to miss.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has been a BookTok/Bookstagram sensation, with some readers absolutely obsessed with it and others forming a sort of counter-culture of hate. But for me, it’s a good easy-reading romp that kept me gripped, even if it’s not the best thing I’ve read this year – so a 4 star review from me. So, first, it has to be said that I love that our female lead is disabled. It isn’t explicitly stated, but she reads as having Ehler Danlos or some other connective tissue disorder. And contrasting that with a really cutthroat fantasy setting where only the physically strong survive is a really accessible way to demonstrate the reality of physical disability to readers and develop empathy rather than sympathy – especially with an emotionally and mentally strong character like Violet. So big props to Yarros for this portrayal, I really liked it – and it’s nice to have a main character who isn’t a perfect Mary Sue, as can be a bit of a trend in fantasy romance. Whilst her intelligence is told about a bit more than it was actually portrayed (she has a good memory for facts but we all know that’s not the same as smarts!), her mental fortitude was demonstrated on numerous occasions. However, saying that, we didn’t really see a whole lot of character development. Violet got a bit less perpetually terrified as she adapted, but she didn’t exactly read as a shrinking violet (sorry for the pun) at the beginning – I mean, she had a knife to a guy’s balls before she even officially joined the quadrant after all. And other than her coming to realise that her disability wasn’t perhaps as much of a death sentence as she had believed, she doesn’t really grow as a character. And we don’t ever really find out why she was special enough for not only the most badass dragon going to bond to her, but for a second rare shiny (literally) dragon to bond to her too – and the double dose of special magic powers that go with it. So that aspect falls a little flat. I did, however, really like the crazy death school for dragons setting we had going on. It wasn’t the most descriptive and immersive world building I’ve ever encountered, but Yarros absolutely got across the feeling of never being able to relax and stop watching your back. This book pales in contrast to other crazy death school novels like The Novice by Tracy Canavan (Book 2 of the Black Magician Trilogy) or the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik (beginning with A Deadly Education) that have much more world building and a feeling of impossibility in actually getting to graduation – something we never reaaaaally feel for Violet despite the quoted statistics. But it kept moving quickly and the new challenges kept on piling up, and it was simple enough to follow without getting confused. The male lead, Xaden Riorson (I must say, a pretty cliched fantasy romance lead name if there ever was one), was superficially hot. As in, I absolutely was convinced he was very sexy – Violet could only seem to think about that any time she was in a five mile radius of him – but not convinced that she fell in love with him. Where was the actual bonding (dragons aside)? I loved how her crush on Dain developed (best bit of character development in the book actually), but falling in love with Xaden was more like… just falling in lust, really. On both sides. And don’t get me started on the horny dragons. Yes, many readers of Fourth Wing that found it via BookTok will be too young to remember the Dragonriders of Pern series by Ann McCaffrey, but it’s not an original idea, and if you’re going to do it, at least commit to how non-consensual it is like Dragonflight did. But despite my criticisms, I did actually really enjoy it, and spent not only an international flight reading it (hi again to the lovely Aussie sitting next to me who was a massive ACOTAR fan) but stayed up way too late reading it once I got home because I couldn’t put it down. So I’ve added Iron Flame to my pre-order pile!

I devoured this, did’t want to put it down & in fact I didn’t put it down often.. Characters were very enjoyable, I love witty comments and this was packed. The world building was fantastic and the introduction to the magic system was smooth. Plenty of secondary characters that I really enjoyed and the FMC & MMC were on point! I literally went straight onto the next book!

So you all were not kidding when you said this would be my new obsession. If infinite stars were an option, this book deserves it all. No because I don’t even know what day or time it is and yet here I am trying to string together words that will somehow makes sense and do this masterpiece justice. There are some stories you read and enjoy but every so often you come across one that just obliterates everything and takes over your entire being within a few pages and becomes your world and personality. Well, this is the one. "Tell me what you're thinking?" "I was thinking you are exactly as I predicted the first time you took me in my room." "Oh yeah? And what was that?" "A very dangerous addiction." What Rebecca has created is something that not only exceeded everything yet at the same time made me feel as if I was returning home. Growing up with books like The Divergent or The Hunger Games I always yearned for more reads like this, and you guessed it, I found my new religion. The world not only captivated me but dragged me in so deep I was living, breathing, and watching the action unfold and spread amongst these pages. The characters truly all felt larger than life itself. This is still one I think about daily even though it has been a few weeks since I turned the last page. What you can expect to find • High fantasy romance • Underdog FMC/Broody morally grey MMC • Enemies to lovers forbidden romance • Academia War College setting • DRAGONS • Slow burn with delicious spice pay off • Hand to hand combat • Chronic illness rep • Unique magic system “I’m not going to die today.” Violet “Violence” Sorrengail aka my newest ride or die gal. I have never experienced this much love towards a FMC before. She is one tough, resilient, badass strong, compassionate, strong soul that has this vulnerability to her that just makes her relatable, real, and raw. Her bravery and the lengths in which she goes to protect those she cares and loves has brought tears to my eyes. I could spend my days being inside her head. Her heart is her biggest gift. ”Here’s the thing, Sorrengail. Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.” ”I’m not sweet. Please don’t mistake any part of me for soft or kind. That will only get you hurt, and whatever you do…” “Don’t fall for me." Xaden oh the way this man has ruined me for everyone else... Seriously not only has he overtaken my thoughts and have been the star of a few recurring dreams but just his whole being is my new addiction. He is an enigma. Even though we weren’t in his head, just the glimpses we got had me weak in the knees. I loved the tension between the two. If anything, it made my angst loving heart soar. He has the whole touch her and d!e attitude without actually coddling Vi and how he believes in her and pushes her to be her strongest self was everything. He was not smothering yet he was still folding over at the sight of her was what my soul needed. His past is not easy but once we got to see him treacle in through her eyes, it was honestly something beautiful. He is delicious and divine. Plus, that mouth on him… *chefs kiss* “Am I affecting your schedule, Violence?” There’s a definite smirk on those lips. “I just need to know what my chances are here.” My hands curl into fists. The ass has the nerve to smile. “That’s the oddest way I’ve ever been hit on—” “Not my chances with you…!” I could read about these two and their delicious chemistry forever. ”"Oh, gods." "Which one are you calling out for? Because it's just you and me in this room, Vi, and I don't share." ”Come on, let’s get you to bed.” I lean in and kiss the scar on his eyebrow. “It will be tomorrow when you wake up.” “I don’t deserve you.” His arm curls around my hips and he tugs me closer. “But I’m going to keep you all the same.” The found family healed parts of me that I didn’t even think needed it. Liam, Rhiannon, Imogen, Garrick. I love them so much. They really made me feel like I was part of their chosen clan. But I swear if we don’t get justice for a certain character I will riot. Of course I cannot end this without giving a shout out to one of the main factors of what made this book so unique; Tairn and Andarna. These two have been such a breath of fresh air. Their interactions and acceptance of Violet was incredible. "A dragon without it’s rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.” Truly thank you, Rebecca, for creating the perfect escapism and my new lifeline. I can speak with all the certainty that this is a world I will be returning to time and time again. The hangover I am still experiencing from this is strong!

Having heard raving reviews and whispers about 'Fourth Wing' for what felt like an eternity, I finally decided it was time to make it my next literary adventure. I have previously had no encounter with a Rebecca Yarros novel, though the prospect of diving into a book showered with overwhelming acclaim did give rise to a touch of apprehension. What if my expectations were too high? However, the persistent curiosity surrounding this book left me with no choice but to take the plunge. Luckily, fate smiled upon me. From the very outset, 'Fourth Wing' ensnared my attention, refusing to release its grip until the very last page. This novel is an irresistible escapade. Violet's journey commences abruptly as she finds herself thrust into the perilous Riders Quadrant, a stark departure from her envisioned sanctuary in the Scribe Quadrant amidst books. With a physical fragility that seemingly marks her for demise, she becomes an unlikely contender in a place where survival is a fierce battle. Undeterred, Violet channels her tenacity into relentless efforts to fortify herself. Gifted with intellect, she navigates the challenges, becoming adept at outsmarting those around her. In a cutthroat environment where trust is scarce, distinguishing allies from foes becomes a daunting task. Enter Xaden Riorson, the formidable wingleader in the Riders Quadrant, whose power and ruthlessness make him a force to be reckoned with. However, buried beneath his dominance lies a deep-seated vendetta fueled by the shadows of the past—Violet's mother having played a pivotal role in the demise of his father. 'Fourth Wing' effortlessly encapsulates everything I adore in a book—fantasy, romance, suspense, and unexpected twists. Returning to the realm of fantasy after a brief hiatus, I relished every facet of this narrative—the dragons, the magic, and the harsh yet captivating world that held me in its grasp. The story lingered in my thoughts throughout the day, a testament to its compelling characters and intricate plot. And the romance, an exquisite torment! It left me yearning for more, and the ending spurred me to hastily order the next instalment. 'Fourth Wing' effortlessly earns a place on my favourites list—a resounding five-star rating and the easiest decision of the year.

I loved this book from beginning to end! I love her writing style, the way the story grows and the characters. I can’t wait to read the next book.

I'm not a native speaker but I understand the hole story very well. It is well written with much emotion, at some parts I had to cry. The story is exiting with everything you need to get addicted. It has humor, action, romance and later a little spice ( mature). But there are parts which are tragically and with moral questions to be answered und you can ask yourself if you would do the same as violet did. Violet is such a badass woman and I love her for her standards. I like her friends and Xaden. The story is written in the view of Violet and that makes it difficult to judge Xaden and his intentions. I love the chapters written in the view of Xaden at the end of book one and wish more of these. To sum everything up, you will fall for these books.

I absolutely loved Fourth Wing! It pulled me in right from the beginning and kept me wanting to read more. I’ve now read all of the books in the series, and this is definitely one of those series that is hard to put down. I loved the mix of dragons, romance, action, friendships, and unexpected twists. The characters are easy to get invested in, and the story just keeps getting better as the series goes along. I was a bit skeptical at first because I am not a fantasy reader but kept hearing good comments about the book. If you enjoy fantasy (or not) with plenty of action and romance, I definitely recommend giving Fourth Wing a try. I’m so glad I started this series, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Para quem ama esse universo de romantasy, Fourth Wing é uma ótima escolha. Superficialmente, é como se a autora pegasse Jogos Vorazes, As Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo, Harry Potter, ACOTAR e batesse em um liquidificador para criar essa obra. Porém, ao nos aprofundarmos na história, esquecemos essa primeira impressão, pois é notável que a Rebecca Yaros sabe escrever uma trama envolvente, que transporta o leitor para aquele universo e consegue fazê-lo sentir o que a personagem sente. Inicialmente, sobre a trama: Violet Sorrengail é a clássica heroína que se difere dos outros porque nunca quis se encaixar naquele contexto em primeiro lugar. Em uma escola dividida em quatro esquadrões - escribas, infantaria, curandeiros e montadores de dragões -, ela queria se dedicar ao primeiro, mas é forçada a ir para o último. Daí pra frente, apenas existir lá dentro se torna uma luta pela sobrevivência, pois os montadores de dragões não aceitam alguém que enfraqueça essa unidade. Lá, ela conhece Xanden Riorson, o qual é um, também clássico, anti-herói que será o interesse amoroso - e muito, muito carnal - da personagem. Ele tem tudo que amamos em um mocinho de romantasy: é lindo, é forte, chama a Violet por um apelido especial, apoia a liberdade e a liderança dela com um jeito de malvado, de perigoso, de irônico... mas tem todos os motivos do mundo pra fazer o que faz, é justo, é leal, é irresistível...e, no final das contas, completamente devoto a ela. É a receita infalível para um enemies to lovers de devorar em uma madrugada. Jogue no meio o perigo constante, ameaças mortais, dragões amedrontadores, inimigos POR TODA PARTE, uma revolução no mundo em que a protagonista vive e no jeito que ela vê as coisas e temos Fourth Wing nos prendendo à leitura como maníacas obcecadas. Claro, o livro tem defeitos: existem muitos clichês - desde bad boys vs mocinho, a garota diferente das outras garotas, protagonista superidealizada (vulgo Mary Sue/a escolhida/se errou, foi com razão) em alguns momentos, mommy e daddy issues pra todo lado -, pelo menos 1 palavrão por página (o que, em minha opinião, deixa o livro adolescente demais), e se você é apaixonada pelo Rhysand de ACOTAR, você provavelmente vai notar umas certas... semelhanças entre ele e o Xaden. Em suma, o livro cumpre o seu papel: é uma leitura divertida, te mantém interessada o tempo inteiro, te faz torcer por alguns personagens e odiar outros, te faz passar mal com as cenas hot (muito bem escritas, por sinal!), e ir correndo pro próximo livro da série só pra não nem 1 minuto de distância daquele mundo e daquele casal. Eu não diria que é super revolucionário, pois acho que esse nicho literário (fantasia com romances épicos para jovens adultos) já não tem tanto pra onde correr mais. Dito isso, cá estou eu, já terminando o segundo livro e em agonia por ter que esperar o terceiro. Enfim, recomendo!

I never write reviews, but now I have to. This book is like heroin! You start, and you can't put it down any more. You can't focus on reality, your work, you just want to go back into the World of Basgiath. You fall in love with Xaden, though he doesn't even exist. You turn the pages, and you only have relief when he is present. I don't know if he is a traitor, but I want to trust a dragon's instinct. I was looking for a book for a long time, and I was very sceptic ordering it, with the reassurance, that I can return it any time. It won't go anywhere!!! The only thing I would mention, that there are a bit too much wear word at the first sex action. And I would never use the expression of 'f. me', when a woman asks a man to make love with her. It just humilates womenkind.

I was so hesitant about reading this. I loved ACOTAR and tried many other romantic fantasy novels trying to find something that was actually good. Mages of the Wheel and All Souls were the only other things that felt intelligent with a great plot and didn’t have an annoying FMC. And when I saw this was about a ‘dragon school’, I honestly thought it would be lame and too YA. After several dumb books and feeling desperate and with low expectations, I figured I’d just try it. And omg this is incredible!It’s one of my favourite fictions I’ve ever read. There must be crack in this book, it’s unbeatable, I haven’t gotten out of bed for 3 days just devouring this. Brilliant FMC that’s not all “you’re an ass!” and stomping off all the time, actually smart and courageous in a very real way. MMC that’s hot as hell and considerate. The plot is intricate and exciting and the world building is beautiful and thought out, and revealed slowly. Dialogue is funny and relatable. I read in reviews that some people found the modern style of talking and cursing off putting, but I didn’t find that at all, they are in college, it felt normal and world-appropriate. Urggg obsessed and can’t believe it took me so long to give this a go!