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Fourth Wing

Book 1 in the series:The Empyrean

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'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros is a fantasy romance novel set in a world where dragons play a significant role. The story follows Violet, who forms a unique bond with her dragons, Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Andarna. As Violet navigates through a mysterious and dangerous problem brewing in the kingdom, she faces challenges, heartache, betrayals, and friendships that shape her character. The book is praised for its well-written banter, emotional moments, and mind-blowing naughty scenes between the characters. The plot twists, character development, and the strong chemistry between Violet and her dragons keep readers engaged in this page-turning story.

The book is described as a mix of adrenaline-filled scenes, soul-ripping moments, and tender romantic moments. The diverse cast of characters, including those with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and from LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, adds depth to the story. The author's writing style is appreciated for its witty banter, comedic touches, and the ability to immerse readers fully into the world she has created, making 'Fourth Wing' a captivating and engaging read.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with Violet representing strength in adversity and Xaden embodying a protective, complex romantic interest.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is contemporary and relatable, yet sometimes criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth typical of high fantasy literature.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Violet's struggle in a deadly dragon rider academy where she must confront both personal and external challenges while navigating a complex love story.

Setting:

The setting is a dangerous dragon rider institution that adds a backdrop of tension, magic, and political intrigue.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and engaging, with consistent action that sustains reader interest and anticipation.

Notes:

The main character, Violet, has a disability that reflects Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which the author Rebecca Yarros also has.
The book is set in a war college where dragon riders train, combining fantasy elements with a military academy setting.
The storyline features a strong enemies-to-lovers romance between Violet and Xaden.
The pacing of the book has been praised for being well-structured, allowing for adequate exposition and tension build-up.
Violet's journey includes themes of personal strength and overcoming adversity in a brutal environment.
The narrative includes well-developed side characters, contributing to a diverse cast.
The dragons in the story are not just pets but have personality and play significant roles in the plot.
Readers noted the emotional depth in both friendships and romantic relationships, particularly the support characters provide each other.
The book has been described as a mix of 'Harry Potter' and 'The Hunger Games' with a unique twist involving dragon riding.
Fourth Wing is a part of a planned series, with the second book soon to be released, generating anticipation among readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of violence, death, and ableism, particularly in how chronic illness is portrayed.

Has Romance?

The romance in Fourth Wing is a central component, highlighted by the intense relationship between the main characters, Violet and Xaden.

From The Publisher:

An Instant New York Times Bestseller

A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book

"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." -Booklist, starred review

"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." -#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

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.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 Fourth Wing

Book #2 Iron Flame

Ratings (722)

Incredible (292)
Loved It (255)
Liked It (91)
It Was OK (45)
Did Not Like (25)
Hated It (14)

Reader Stats (1058):

Read It (726)
Currently Reading (20)
Want To Read (221)
Did Not Finish (16)
Not Interested (75)

31 comment(s)

Loved It
4 days

4⭐️

This was a 3 star book max. . . and yet here I am. I had so much fun reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It is cliche and predictable and overly dramatic. The fantasy elements are underbaked, poorly explained, and simply don’t make sense. However, despite all of that, it was so fun. Don't go into this with your expectations high. Set them as if you are going to read a 300 page romance novel.

This is a goofy silly romantasy (in which I mean everyone is trying to kill each other for seemingly no reason). I can see why the ACOTAR girlies enjoy this book as well. They have extremely similar vibes. Even similar romance plots when it comes to Tamlin vs Rhys and Dane vs Xaden.

The chemistry between the love interests was palpable. While I don’t think this book deserves any awards, it is still worth a read for people who like romance novels but want more dragons, magic, and murder in them. I do think this book is overrated (as well as ACOTAR) but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good time.

 
Incredible
3 weeks

I'm late to the party, I know. I'm now among those who fell for this series and the girl who could. While the story was predictable, it was so well told I didn't care if I knew what was coming or not. How can you not fall for Violet and admire her strength? The two boys closest to her

(b/c of course there's a love triangle feel in the air) are both annoying and intriguing, as you'd imagine. The school is remeniscent of that found in Kristoff's [b:Nevernight|26114463|Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle, #1)|Jay Kristoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500688832l/26114463._SY75_.jpg|42805826]; they're very different in that one focuses on training dragon riders and the other assassins, but each has its vicious ruthlessness and students who find ways to survive, and thrive, what most would consider unsurvivable.

The best part of joining a "this is all the rave" party late? Getting immediate access to the next book! WIN! I've already begun reading [b:Iron Flame|90202302|Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)|Rebecca Yarros|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706724269l/90202302._SY75_.jpg|114498467] and was thrilled to see there'd be more than three books with at least 5 books promised.

 
Hated It
3 weeks

The shallow romance and weak characters completely undermine what otherwise could have been an enjoyable book

 
Loved It
1 month

I'm surprised, but here we are!

 
Incredible
1 month

This was my first series on Graphic Audio, and really the 6th or 7th audiobook I got through.

Usually, I find it hard to follow the rhythm of the narrators, I either disassociate and have to go back a few seconds or feel bored and want it to pick up the pace. I guess that's because I went almost 30 years with my inner voice doing all the work with paperbacks/e-books.

BUT let me tell you that I adored this way of living and breathing a book through a full cast with sound effects and dramatization. It helped that Fourth Wing is a book I have been excited to read but felt it would ruin me a la ACOTAR, which it still did, leaving me with a big hangover and DNFing more books that usual because they're nothing like this awesome universe.

About the story I have little to say, being a 'typical' romantasy book that did EVERY trope it went with in a tasteful and incredible way, and staying far away from the more tiring and overused ones.

I fell irrevocably in love with Violet, her struggles and her resilience, and OF COURSE shadow daddy Xaden has my heart forever and ever. But many characters felt more mature and substancial than most books, Rhi, Mira, Imogen, our beautiful and sweet Liam, Bhodi, Garrick. I feel like I've known and loved them for ages, kind of when you read fanfiction and it's characters you already know but in a different light, situations or universe. That's how close to them I instantly felt!

Can't wait to read other series by Rebecca and of course counting the days until book 3

 
Incredible
1 month

Was this book a literary masterpiece? No. Were the vibes immaculate? Yes. This book is the closest I’ve come to the feeling I had reading in my youth. I can’t wait for the next book to come out

 
Liked It
2 months

There’s a lot of fun, exciting, and harrowing content here. Much of it feels fresh and is wildly entertaining. There is a central character extremely similar to a prominent character in ACOTAR, though—down to personality, hidden depths, and even the powers he wields. While the rest of the book felt fresh, that character and his dynamic with the lead felt a bit recycled. I’d have liked to see the story lean more into what made him distinct from the template/trope they’re drawing from.

But the disability rep was pretty solid—she’s not magically cured or fixed or killed. That element was rather well handled, as far as I can tell.

 
Loved It
2 months

I liked it but I didn't love it like others did. I read a LOT of romantasy so I wasn't blown away like I expected to be, I felt like the ending and the last page were kind of predictable. I wish there was more of an emotional development between Violet and Xaden. I LOVED the dragon aspect of the plot and Xaden is a great MMC. Violet is a good FMC who isn't annoying or whiney which i liked. Overall definitely worth the read but i dont know if i woud say it's worth the hype. I will read the next book before the third comes out though.

 
Incredible
2 months

WHAT JUST HAPPENED

 
Incredible
2 months

NO SPOILERS! This is now my all time favorite book. Not only is if well written book the world building is amazing. I am so attached to these characters I would sell my souls for an early release of the second book. I devoured this book in 2 days it was that good. I was hesitant that it wouldn’t meet my expectations but holy shit it did. It was a rollercoaster I would gladly ride again. I have read over 300 books and rarely do these books meet or are 4/5 star rating. But this book is a 6/5 star book! Spice level: 3/5. Stars: 6/5.

 
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