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
my thoughts:
It is incredibly difficult to articulate my profound love for this book, and by now, my review might seem superfluous. I’m convinced that virtually everyone online has already declared their unwavering adoration for it. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to add my own perspective.
Fourth Wing delivers an experience akin to watching an adult-themed Disney movie. Imagine a story that blends the spirit of Mulan, the dragon-bonding elements of How To Train Your Dragon, and the high-stakes survival drama of The Hunger Games—this book is the exhilarating result. Readers are instantly plunged into a world defined by relentless battles, treacherous alliances, and magnificent dragons. Despite its 500+ page count, this was one of the fastest reads I’ve ever encountered.
Violet Sorrengail is a brilliantly crafted, intelligent protagonist. Physically smaller and managing a disability, she faces significant disadvantages. Yet, thrust into a brutal environment where the choices are simple—become a Rider or perish—she demonstrates remarkable resilience. Violet strategically compensates for her lack of brute strength with sharp intellect and a willingness to fight unconventionally, ensuring she can hold her own against larger, more physically prepared opponents.
The novel boasts a diverse cast of characters, each receiving substantial development for a series opener. While some backstories could be fleshed out further, this is understandable as the first installment in a planned five-book series. A word of caution: avoid becoming too attached to any character. Within the deadly halls of Basgiath War College, no one is safe. Without revealing spoilers, a particular death towards the end moved me to tears so intense I could barely see the pages—a testament to Rebecca Yarros’s powerful, heart-wrenching storytelling.
The romance is a masterclass in the slow-burn trope. The dynamic between Violet and Xaden is electric, characterized by an immediate, hate-fueled attraction that will delight enemies-to-lovers enthusiasts. Their relationship builds with exquisite tension and chemistry, culminating in several genuinely spicy scenes that are well-integrated and never overshadow the main plot. As for Xaden himself, I will simply state that I adore him completely.
In summary, Fourth Wing features compelling writing, a sizzling romantic subplot, and a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you haven’t yet dived into this book, I urge you to stop delaying. The widespread hype is not only real but entirely justified. Be forewarned: once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop. And upon finishing, you will be desperately counting down the days until Iron Flame.