Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Empyrean Series Book 1, New Adult Fantasy

eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook, 528 Pages

May 2, 2023 by Red Tower Books

Blurb:

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times 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.

My Review:

Three things you must know about me before I begin:

1. I rarely read or enjoy fantasy anymore

2. I usually hate majorly hyped up books

3. I only decided to read this book to prove I was right about # 2

I was wrong. So very wrong. I loved this book. Absolutely loved and devoured this book.

Is it really that unique or original? Absolutely not. I can compare elements of it to probably a dozen other fantasy novels, but in this case it worked because it reminded me of books and tropes that I love.

Violet grew on me throughout the book. In the beginning you can tell she’s kind of teasing and bold toward Dain but has low self-esteem and is constantly wanting her mother’s approval but she grows throughout the book, gets stronger, stops comparing herself to others and decides to not give a damn.

I love the crew of friends that Violet assembles through the book. Each one is fully developed and shines on the page and you root for them as much as you root for Violet.

Then there is Xaden. *sigh* Definitely the kind of love interest that I go for! The broken inside, tough outside, falls first type. His and Violet’s chemistry is off the charts.

For a 500 page book this one moves along at a good, steady pace and I didn’t get bored or feel like the story was lagging at any point. The book ends on a cliff-hanger that makes you instantly want to jump into book 2.

Overall, in this case this book’s hype is well deserved. I’m glad I gave it a chance. It reminds me why I used to love fantasy so much and that occasionally I still can.

**Be aware that as of this writing Fourth Wing is sold out on most US book retailer websites. Possibly in stores as well. I’ve seen potential ship dates of 1-2 months from now (June 2023). If you cannot wait you can get this book instantly in ebook or audiobook (and the audiobook is really good!) Please do not spend $800, $1000, or $2000+ on a first edition copy on PangoBooks, Mercari, eBay, etc… that’s just insane.**

My Rating:

5 of 5 Knives (This Book Was Killer)