Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Series: The Empyrean #1
on May 2, 2023
Pages: 664
Genres: Fantasy
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Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros
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
Divergent meets Harry Potter in Fourth Wing—a heartstopping, epic fantasy romance set in a war college for students willing to die for the chance to be dragon riders. It’s entirely consuming, and even at over 600 pages in length, I did not want to put it down.
Fourth Wing is perfect for readers like me who enjoy escape but aren’t huge fans of fantasy. I tend to get lost in too much world building and sorting out the various species, fae, gods, etc. to fully enjoy most of the fantasy novels I’ve read. This book has just the right amount of world building for me, probably because the story takes place primarily at Basgiath War College.
Violet captured my heart from the very first chapter. Her body is frail and people doubt her, but she has an audacious, rebellious spirit, a brilliant mind, and a virtual spine of steel. You’d be a fool to underestimate her abilities. I loved the complexities of her relationships with childhood friend Dain and sworn archenemy Xaden. Violet’s navigation of relentless tests of endurance, strength, and bravery was intoxicating. The danger surrounding her ruthless classmates kept me on the edge of my seat.
I’m a diehard romance lover, but the couple of explicit sex scenes felt out of place and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the novel. There’s a bit of humor mixed in though, which I appreciated.
The dragons! What a surprise to have a whole different set of characters. The bonds with their riders are remarkable. I enjoyed learning about each of them and their relationships, and the delicious anticipation of discovering each student’s magical gifts.
The book ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. I can’t believe I have to wait three more months before Iron Flame is released. I’m already counting down the days.
Recommended for fans of:
Fantasy
Romance
Dragons
Magical Colleges
Underdogs
About Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, including Full Measures, the award-winning Eyes Turned Skyward, Beyond What is Given, and Hallowed Ground. Her new Renegade Series features Wilder and the upcoming Nova, and is sure to keep your heart pounding. She loves military heroes, and has been blissfully married to hers for fourteen years.
When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching brat-pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet, and a bunny named General Fluffy Pants who torments the aforementioned bulldog. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same.
I had a feeling you were going to love this one and I am happy you did! I’m with you on not loving the 3 more months of waiting, but I am sure it will pay off. Great review!
Thanks! Hopefully my next book will cure my book hangover.
I am so happy you loved it too Angela!
Thanks, Sophie
I’m currently reading this book. I didn’t know it’ll end on such a cliff hanger!
I hope you enjoy it! Prepare to have your socks knocked off.