Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Delve into a tale of resilience, self-discovery, and emotional vulnerability in a world of dragons.

2025-01-30 05:50:44 UTC

Intro to Fourth Wing

Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing is a spellbinding entry into the romantasy genre, blending high-stakes fantasy with a powerful coming-of-age narrative.While you're reading, you will join over 2 million other readers who want to attend Basgiath War College and become dragon riders!

Amazon Book Description of Fourth Wing

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.

Themes Explored

At its core, the novel is a testament to human resilience. Violet Sorrengail, born with physical vulnerabilities that make her ill-suited to the brutal world of dragon riders, is forced to confront her limitations and find strength in unconventional ways. Her journey highlights the idea that determination and intellect can be just as powerful as brute strength. This theme resonates with anyone who has faced obstacles and fought to carve out their own space in a world that demands conformity.

Violet’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she confronts not only external challenges but also her own fears and insecurities. Her growth from a reluctant participant to a confident and capable dragon rider mirrors the universal struggle of finding one’s place in the world. The novel explores the tension between who Violet is expected to be (by her mother and society) and who she chooses to become.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Violet and Xaden Riorson serves as a lens to explore themes of emotional vulnerability and trust. Their relationship challenges Violet to open herself up, even in a world that demands constant vigilance and self-preservation. The romance is not just about physical attraction but also about mutual respect, growth, and the willingness to risk one’s heart in the face of uncertainty.

Yarros expertly builds a vivid world filled with political intrigue, dangerous alliances, and awe-inspiring dragons, creating a setting that feels both immersive and perilous. The depiction of dragons, not only as fierce creatures but also as intelligent and emotionally complex beings, elevates the narrative’s fantasy elements.

Readers’ Reactions and Reviews

Fourth Wing has been met with widespread acclaim from readers and critics alike. Its gripping plot, engaging characters, and steamy romance have earned it a devoted following. Fans have praised its fast-paced storytelling, intricate world-building, and emotional impact, leading to its viral popularity, particularly on social media platforms like BookTok.

The novel’s commercial success is reflected in its bestseller status and recognition as one of the standout fantasy novels of its time.

Fourth Wing quickly climbed to the top of prominent bestseller lists, including The New York Times, where it maintained a spot for multiple weeks, and Amazon’s Top 100 Books, where it reached No. 1.

Goodreads Choice Awards 2023: Fourth Wing won the Best Romantasycategory, reflecting its widespread popularity and critical acclaim. It was also among the most highly voted books across all categories.

My Impression

I am still pretty new the world of romantasy, and I have loved everything I have read so far. The world of Navarre and dragon riders has got me by the throat. I am dying to find out what is next!

I usually won't read books more than 450 pages, because I always assume it drags on too long like a boring movie. I also tend to avoid books that have as much hype as this one, because I am usually disappointed. However, Fourth Wing, Violet and Xayden were well worth the 600+ pages. The story is so captivating! Between the sexy romance and violence and unbelievable world that these characters all adapt to, it is so hard to focus on anything else. The narration is beautifully done. While I read I felt almost like I was reading Violet's diary, which helps so much by keeping the outside noise (and by this, I mean the over-explaining of a world that does not need to be that complicated to be interesting, like many fantasy worlds are) quiet and the real action alive in the story. Yarros did a wonderful job of making it a "figure it out as you go along" story, rather than having too much explained at once. It made every chapter a page-turner.

The excerpts from Brennan's journal, textbooks and other literature at the beginning of every chapter is an excellent tool for keeping up with the world-building, and often offers some foreshadowing for the next chapter. I feel like I am reading an external guide on how to understand Fourth Wing better, and I am here for it.

As for the spice🌶️, it is moderate and tasteful. I think more men should read spicy books especially told from the female's point of view. There is a lot to learn about seducing a woman that books like this make very clear. It's not a joke when book girlies talk about their book boyfriends- we all want a piece of Xayden.

Speaking of boyfriends, the love triangle does not go unnoticed. However, there are no team hashtags that you will see people choosing with this book. One of them is like the high school boyfriend you have outgrown, and the other is the sexy, broody badass of a man you have been waiting for. The choice was made by your loins.

Conclusion

In sum, Fourth Wing is a deeply thematic novel that resonates on multiple levels. Its exploration of resilience, identity, power, loyalty, and love creates a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, ensuring its enduring appeal to readers of all backgrounds. It offers something for every reader, whether they are drawn to pulse-pounding battles, heart-melting romance, or richly layered characters.

Get your copy of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean Book 1) here!