Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros

Plot or Character Driven: A mix Strong character development: Yes Loveable characters: Yes Diverse cast of characters: Yes Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated Fourth Wing has been on my TBR list for quite some time. I finally had the time to read, and I now know why so many people have been talking about this series. I quite enjoyed reading Fourth Wing. The story is engaging, with a plot that leaves you wanting to know more, and the characters are entertaining. This slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance is definitely a page turner. Adding the dragons to the mix makes the read even more exciting. Violet always thought she was to be a scribe, writing the times and reviewing the history of the city and its future. She was not like her brother, a healer or a badass rider and fighter like her sister. She was a scribe like her father. Violet is also quite fragile; every week, something happens to her resulting in an injury. However, times have changed, and her mother, who is the General, demands that she become a rider. Violet has to go through the list of challenges, just like the others. The only rule is that one must stay alive. As Violet makes it through the challenges. She learns that not only is her fragile state something she has to work on, but also the other prospective riders who may view her as competition or even harbour hatred towards her because of her family name. Violet finds the courage and strength to overcome these challenges one by one. She is even chosen by one of the most powerful dragons to be his rider. Xaden, a third-year wingleader, has revenge on his mind towards Violet. After all, her mother killed his father in battle. He moves Violet and her squad to his section and lets her know that he intends to kill her. After watching her move through the challenges, he has started to develop respect for her and thinks less of killing her. Xaden's dragon and Violet's dragon are mates. This leads to them spending more time in each other's space. The attraction between them starts to sizzle. Xaden has now turned his focus toward keeping Violet safe. Reasons I enjoyed this book: Action-packed, Entertaining, Great world building, Page-turner, Romantic, Twisted, Wonderful characters

Let's get those two small warnings out of the way, okay? 1. Amazon lists this as a three book series (likely because that's all the author has written so far), the author plans it as a FIVE book series. Yeah, I failed research - after reading the sample of Fourth Wing, i bought books 1-3 and went aaarrrrgggggggh at the end of Onyx Storm, only to find reviews that noted there are two more books to come. My own fault, but trying to help others here. 2. Forget about doing *anything* else while reading these. Compelling? Absolutely. Full throttle from beginning to end? Yes, sir/ma'am! Keep you reading till way after your bedtime? Find yourself reading while fixing and eating breakfast/ lunch/dinner? Yes, and very yes. 2(a) If you have trouble with f-bombs or explicit sex scenes, this series is not your best bet as there are plenty of each. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book(/series - I gobbled up Iron Flame and Onyx Storm also). Our protagonist, Violet? I like her. She's far from perfect, but she is smart and resourceful, capable of thinking outside the box (without things becoming too cryptic). And there are plenty of other three-dimensional characters to interact with her. Characters show true growth in this series and the world building is solid (and expands beyond the initial borders in books 2 and 3). Clearly our author is thoughtful, careful, and determined to write books that you want to/ought to read. Technically a romantasy rather than high fantasy, but there is a lot to like, especially if you don't mind 100mph rides. And hey, there are way cool dragons.

An extraordinary ride full of dragons, danger, shadow daddy enemies to lovers, friendship, lies and deception, and so much more! I absolutely loved this one so much!! I was interested and entertained the entire time! The danger, fear, friendship, love, tension, all of it! The characters were also so amazingly written! The plot was incredible and had its own uniqueness and the ending had me on my toes ready to dive until the next book! The plot: I thought it was so interesting that the main characters were studying at a war college that they could literally die during. Like what?! They had all these challenges they had to complete or lose their lives and not only did they have that danger they also had to watch out for fellow schoolmates who might off them. But it kept me on my toes nervous for Violet and all her friends and classmates. And we can't forget about the dragons and the huge role that they play in the story and plot. I love a plot where dragons are an integral part of the story! Violet: I loved her character! I loved seeing her growth throughout the book. I loved how she proved that she wasn't some fragile girl and she could and would find a way to hold her own. And I loved that her friends stood by her and helped her as well. I think she was a very well-rounded character. She loves her family and friends dearly, she's kind but can be ruthless at times when need be, and she's incredibly smart and witty. I loved her banter with Xaden and the fact that she didn't step down. Overall, great character! Xaden: Oh, the shadow daddy of all shadow daddies! I totally get all the hype for him now! Oh my did I love and enjoy his character. His wit, his banter, his sexiness, his teasing, his fierceness, and everything in between. He's everything you want to see in a MMC. I loved his nickname "Violence" for Violet. I also can't wait to see more of his growth to come and everything else he has up his sleeve! Violet's friends: I loved and adored Violet's friends they each had their quirks and were so loyal and loving to her. I'm still heartbroken over a certain someone IYKYK. I think they all played a great part in the storyline and her development. I'm excited to see what comes next for them, hopefully, it's some good. Dragons: I loved the various dragons and how there were different species per day with different colors, tails, traits, etc. I loved that we got to know what they were thinking and saying. I thought that was really cool and unique. I hope we get more of them in the next one! Romance and spice: Man should this book write notes on how to do an enemies to lovers with witty banter and tension amazingly. There was tension, build-up, banter, and so much more. And man did it get steamy and spicy in this one! The detail was to die for. Loved the MMC and FMC's romance with a passion! Tropes: • Dragons • War college • Shadow daddy • Enemies to Lovers • You can talk in my head • Tension and witty banter • You 💀, I 💀 • Spicy • Grief ... And more! Check trigger warnings!

Guys. I’m not lying here: 2023 is MY YEAR for reading. I cannot tell you how many books I’ve read that have been so astonishingly beautiful and amazing and overall top tier. This novel is no exception. Coming into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The only other book I’ve read by Rebecca Yarros is The Things We Leave Unfinished. Also amazing, but if you’ve read it you know it’s on a completely different playing field than this book. I mean, Fourth Wing is on a different world and isn’t a historical romance novel. It is epic, though, and I’m not using that word lightly. Fourth Wing is a fantasy novel set in the world of Navarre where dragons, griffins, and magic are real. If you’ve followed a majority of my reviews on my blog, you know that I hardly ever review fantasy novels. I honestly think the only other fantasy novel I’ve reviewed was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, which honestly was a real world fantasy, so wasn’t that far outside of my realm. With that being said, this book is outside of my typical comfort zone but holy hell did I love it. Now I’m thinking I’ve been missing out on all of these amazing fantasy novels and I might just go on a binge. So, what exactly did I like about this novel? Everything. But to break it down: the world building that went into writing this is absolutely insane and makes it an amazing read in itself; the characters that don’t necessarily make you think “oh this again” with the main heroine; the unbeatable plot; and the beautiful, comical writing style that Rebecca Yarros demonstrates. The world building speaks for itself, but the characters that don’t follow typical patterns particularly made me like this novel. For instance, our main heroine, Violet, is way weaker than other riders. She doesn’t fit the mould. While this is typical for our main character, what follows isn’t. Instead of her beating all odds and becoming the strongest rider of all, she basically just… adjusts. She has to do things differently and doesn’t just become a natural born rider. It’s amazing and you’ll know what I’m talking about if you’ve read the book. The plot is just like what I said: unbeatable. You have foreshadowing, a romantic subplot, tension and high stakes throughout the entire novel, and man is it satisfying. I’m not sure how long this series is going to be, but I am here for it. Lastly, Rebecca Yarros’ writing style in this novel is nothing short of spectacular. You get epic battle scenes, romantic moments that play with your heart, and comical snips that make you laugh out loud. It really does have everything and I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire novel. Overall, this review is huge but I had a lot to say. I honestly can’t even point to something that I disliked about this novel, which just goes to show you how much I loved it and how great I think it is. If you enjoy fantasy novels, you’ll fall in love with this book. If you don’t enjoy fantasy novels? You’ll still fall in love with this book. I’ve already recommended it to my book club, my mom, and my brother. Y’all are welcome. Favorite quote: “And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.”

I’ll admit upfront. I’m not usually drawn to fantasy or “other world” stories. So, when a friend recommended Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, I hesitated. But credit where credit is due, Yarros pulled me in, and I found myself more captivated than I expected. What impressed me most was the world-building. Yarros doesn’t just describe a setting, she crafts an atmosphere that breathes life into every corner of the story. Her descriptions are rich without ever being overwhelming, giving your imagination room to play while still anchoring you in the reality of Basgiath War College and its brutal demands. And boy, are they brutal. The heart of the novel, though, lies in its characters. Violet Sorrengail is immediately someone you want to root for. She is far from the strongest contender, being physically fragile and underestimated by nearly everyone. Still, she carries an inner strength that shines brighter than brute force could ever hope to. Her wit, intelligence, and relentless determination make her not only relatable but admirable. There’s something honorable in the way she chooses to face impossible odds rather than shrink from them. The supporting cast creates a compelling dynamic around her. Dain, Violet’s best friend, seems protective at first, but his need to shield her quickly turns into a kind of limitation, fueling her frustration and mine, as a reader. Then there’s Xaden Riorson, the rider everyone respects, fears, and whispers about. With his family’s history tied directly to Violet’s mother, he’s the last person she should trust. Yet his sharp watchfulness and ruthless insistence that she prove herself bring tension to every interaction. Is it vengeance, or is there something deeper driving him? Watching this tension unfold was one of the highlights of the book. And then, of course, there are the dragons. No one expects Violet to walk away from her mission, bonded to even one dragon, much less two. That twist ties her fate irrevocably to Xaden, raising the stakes on both a personal and political level. If I had one critique, it’s that some of the major turns in the plot were easy to see coming. The “cliffhanger” ending didn’t shock me, I had my suspicions early on, and they proved correct. That said, even when I anticipated where things were going, the journey was still fun. Yarros’s pacing and emotional stakes kept me engaged. Will I continue the series? Honestly, I’m undecided. But I can say this, stepping into Yarros’s world was a refreshing break from my usual reads, and I’m glad my friend nudged me outside of my comfort zone. Fourth Wing is not just another fantasy novel, it’s a story of grit, intelligence, and resilience wrapped in dragons, danger, and slow-burning tension. Kudos to Rebecca Yarros for creating something both accessible to fantasy newcomers and satisfying for long-time fans.

For starters just the look of the book itself is gorgeous. This is hands-down the prettiest book I have on my bookshelf and I will be getting the rest of the series in the same design as they continue to come out. The actual story itself, is by far one of the best fantasy stories I have ever read. And I am a huge snob for stories. If I read something and do not like it, I will simply put the book down and just throw it away or donate it. This one however I was not able to put down. I read the sample online before I ordered it, and read it all over again as soon as the book came in instead of skipping over what i already read because it was simply that good. From cover to cover is nothing but cliffhangers or jaw dropping moments that make you want to read chapter after chapter until it’s finished. The only critique I would give making the story a 4 out of 5 would simply be all the romance and intimate scenes between the main characters. This is where the book really drops the ball and almost seems like someone else wrote these scenes rather than the original author. ( with no spoilers ) there are only so many times that someone can call a person; beautiful, gorgeous, sexy, or “worship” a particular muscle or body part before everything starts to get a little old. And every… single… intimate scene plays out exactly like this saying the same things over and over again. They literally take what should be a five page “love scene” and draw it out for a whole chapter obsessing over hair, skin, eye color, etc. to the point where myself and others who have read the books actually started skipping these scenes entirely because they were pointless and annoying. Aside from that one little annoyance, the story is solid, the fantasy is believable, the dragons feel like real fire breathing dragons with personality and morals, not some cartoony how to train your Dragon or some demonized always evil monster. I would also definitely recommend even though this series started out for “ young adult “, this is not something that I would ever let an early teenager read between the sex and the violence that takes place throughout this story. Literally nothing gets held back. They actually threw in the sex scenes to try and get out of the young adult category as the series progresses. Coming from someone who is currently halfway through the second book already, I can say that it just gets more and more brutal as you go. Overall, this is an incredible story with amazing dragons, lovable/enraging characters, great action, well choreographed combat, believable fantasy when it comes to magic and lore, and I would definitely recommend this for anyone over the age of 17. Like I mentioned earlier, the only letdown was the annoyance of the romantic/intimate scenes with its repetition and over obsessive tendencies.

📖 Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros ★★★★★ "Fourth Wing" isn't merely a novel; it's a cultural phenomenon that demands your attention—a rare work that transcends its genre to become something transformative in the fantasy landscape. Rebecca Yarros has crafted a masterpiece of moral complexity that delivers precisely what discerning readers seek in dark fantasy. The world of Navarre unfolds with remarkable restraint, revealing its brutal war college, quadrant structure, and dragon-human bonds through immersion rather than exposition. This approach creates an experience that feels both intellectually stimulating and viscerally affecting. What elevates this narrative beyond mere entertainment is its commitment to moral ambiguity. There are no clear heroes or villains here, only individuals making difficult choices in impossible circumstances. As one character observes, "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead"—a statement that resonates as both lore and foreshadowing. This ethical tension permeates every relationship and decision, creating a profound sense of unease that heightens emotional investment. Violet Sorrengail's journey from physically limited scholar to dragon rider exemplifies the novel's thematic depth. Initially underestimated due to her physical limitations, she enters a world of brutal competition where survival seems impossible. Her evolution isn't merely about gaining power but about redefining strength itself. When Xaden declares, "I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail," we understand the weight of recognition in a world built on deception. The political intrigue surrounding Basgiath War College provides a compelling backdrop for character development. The failing wards, the mysterious rebellion, and the secrets maintained by those in power create a labyrinthine plot that rewards attentive reading. Each revelation feels earned, each twist consequential to both narrative and character. While the prose occasionally falters with contemporary phrasing that seems at odds with the setting, and the final act's pacing becomes somewhat breathless, these minor flaws do little to diminish the overall achievement. The romantic elements, though following familiar patterns, are executed with such emotional intelligence that they transcend their tropes. "Fourth Wing" represents the beginning of something significant in fantasy literature—a reference point that will influence conversations for years to come. Its high-octane intensity demands full attention and rewards it with an experience that is intellectually stimulating, emotionally devastating, and utterly unforgettable. 📦 What to Expect ✨ Epic Fantasy 💖 Slow Burn Romance 🔥 Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic 🤯 Complex Politics & Power Struggles 💔 Deep Emotional Growth 🦴 Magical Beasts or Sentient Magic ⚔️ A Lead Who Fights for More Than Survival 📚 Book Tags Keywords: Dark Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Political Intrigue, Found Family, Survival, War Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Enemies to Reluctant Allies, Found Family, Mentor/Protégé, Slow Burn, Power Couple Triggers: Violence, War Themes, Emotional Abuse, PTSD 🎯 Final Thoughts This isn't just a book you read—it's an experience you surrender to. For those who appreciate fantasy with intellectual depth and emotional resonance, "Fourth Wing" offers a rare combination of accessibility and complexity that will leave you simultaneously satisfied and desperate for more.

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I have actually felt tension while reading a book. I can read the biggest action scenes at the end of various books and the majority of the time they just don't affect me at all - because I don't care that much about the characters. But THIS - this was different. I felt the tension. And it was real. Plus the author is very willing to kill characters so there is some uncertainty there as well. And the battle at the end of this most excellent book - it was hot and raging. Plus the enemy leaked danger as well. True menace. Very rarely does some enemy in a book impress me at all but this one most certainly did.. Right from the description I just KNEW there was something different about these mages called venin. They seemed impressive too. And very memorable. I wanted to draw them based off of the description. Very rarely do I get that urge. But what a battle at the end! It was touch and go. What would happen? Would the heroes win or lose? I didn't know. And I felt concern. This book has made me feel things. Earlier it had made me cry - tears of joy. And the book has surprised me too. The plot twists! I guess I should have seen it coming but I didn't so I was quite surprised. But it certainly makes the story way more interesting! And I am certainly eager to read the sequel too! This is a massive book and worth reading every word! And rarely do I feel that way. But its exciting and the characters face so many challenges. And there is death too. In fact there is a lot of death in here. Its a very violent world, a tough world of dragons and griffins and things that are supposed to be only legends to scare kids to eat their vegetables... But what I love the most in here in the main character Violet. She has a connective tissue disorder. I have one too (its called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - EDS - and I am pretty confident that Violet actually has EDS). I have never run across a character in a book before that has EDS. And certainly not one that is bold enough to be in a fantasy world where she rides a dragon. How cool is that? So yes I certainly can relate to her very well! And so much of the stuff in here is quite accurate too. Exercise is the best way to protect the joints (and personally I find diet matters a ton too). And yes it certainly can make many things way harder. The joints are all wonky and they naturally hyper-extend so doing things - even just balancing - is way harder. But riding a dragon!!! I remember when I was much younger I used to read this other very popular fantasy series that included dragons and I used to try to imagine what it would be like to ride a dragon. Of course I never thought about the issues of staying ON said dragon... But since I ride horses these days I have a better idea of some of the issues. But wow this book is totally AMAZING! it totally captivated my attention. The first evening I started it I got 50% through. And I certainly would have powered through the second half yesterday but unfortunately I have packing to do as I am moving at the end of the month. If I could I would rate it 6 stars! The characters are just so real. And they go through character arcs too. They change. They face obstacles and have to find solutions. And there is certainly a bit of romance in here too. The story moved so smoothly. Never a dull moment at all. None. And I just loved the first person writing in here from Violet's viewpoint. But the story is about a young woman named Violet who has been forced by her very powerful mother to become a dragon rider. That is a warrior. But her body is weak and ill suited for it. So she was training to be a scribe (but all of that writing would be a huge strain on her too - in fact I cannot write very long at all by hand anymore without pain + numbness going down my arm and I get horrid shoulder pain) but that changed - she had to go be a dragon rider or die trying. But its not that easy in fact its very dangerous. Most people who try to become a rider end up dead. And you can be killed by your own classmates! Yes, its a very brutal school. And after all of these difficult obstacles - which Violet is ill suited to pass - she has to hope that a dragon will pick her. But what dragon will pick someone with a body that doesn't work right due to genetic mutations? And all of that is near the beginning of the book! For a huge mysterious and dangerous problem is brewing in the Kingdom! And poor Violet will run smack into it - err - fly into it. If she can stay on the dragon that is... You definitely should read this!