Book review | Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

January 8, 2024

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Published on: january 8, 2024

Publisher: Luna Van den Borre

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Book Blurb

"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. - Goodreads

My thoughts

As one of the most viral books of the year and with a sold-out first edition, Fourth Wing crushed it. At first I was a bit skeptic about the whole scene around it, but I actually quite enjoyed getting to know the characters and the whole world-building. There are a lot of politics in this book and the background can be a bit overwhelming, but it's such a delightful book. The praise this book has is mind-blowing and I don't think I've seen many series been hyped up like this. Of course there are the Harry Potter books and PJO but I think that pretty much covers it in my case. There are so many reasons why this book is a must if you're a book lover.

Foremost, the language used in the book is so wholesome. Fourth Wing is written quite modern which makes it more relatable and easy to read. There are certain sentences and curses that make it so believable, and it gives the book a certain edge. Most writers don't use cursing in their books for valuable reasons, but in the end we all curse in reality. It feels more familiar when the character in the book show their real thoughts and feelings. As a reader I can understand that not everyone is a fan of this, but I certainly am.

Secondly, the plot is amazingly well written. There is so much context to it, but not too much to be overwhelming. Certain times I find the book a bit slow paced, but overall the plot itself is really fast-paced. I think the author likes to dwell on certain bits without slowing the story too much. It's fast past in the way that you don't have to wait a hundred pages to get some action. The adventure sweeps you off your feet at the very first page. I love how the story unfolds itself more and more each page. You get to discover something new every few minutes.

Next we have the romance. I think this is the most developed aspect of the book besides the plot itself. We all love some good enemies-to-lovers if we're being honest. Fourth Wing certainly understood the assignment at this part. If there's one thing I despise it's love triangles, and although there is a tiny bit of a love triangle going on, it's not nearly enough to hate it. I think it actually made the romance more interesting. I love however the fact that it's so straightforward. There is no dwelling on who to choose or doubts, Violet knows what she wants. I do think that at the end of the book there could've been a better way around the situation. I didn't like how the book ended, or at least I had the feeling Violet's character didn't feel quite like Violet anymore. However, I am really curious how the relationship further develops in Iron Flame.

Overall, I think if you're into shocking plot twists, intriguing friendships, complicated politics and a good amount of magic and dragons, you're gonna love Fourth Wing. It's fast-paced, easy to read and definitely worth a read. The world building is quite unique and the characters are so lovable. I can't wait to read Iron Flame and get some more of Violet and Xaden. There really isn't a better dragon tale with such a high rating.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Bookshop.org / Amazon

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