Fourth Wing

Its taken me some time to process this book. I am a big fiction reader, an even bigger fantasy reader. But dragons, I typically struggle within the genre. Simply put: I needed time to breathe, to appreciate and to understand so many things this book opened me up to. I assumed, as many mere mortals do, that the crazed reaction of booktok was overly played. A book like this one was introducing many to the genre, but that means nothing to the quality. I sit here, a week later. Still spellbound by Yarros' command of a quill (okay pen whatever!). Filled with enemies to lovers, Disability representation, devastating split second moments, beautifully described environments and dragons- wow. Ticks so many of my dream book boxes. The thing that stays with me the most? The disability representation. I had to place the book down for a moment, because I was caught by the one thing I always tend to avoid within the fantasy genre. I ignore my disabilities, because who could ever see a female main character limping around, assistance dog in tow, taking a breather from running to adjust medications? I certainly could not! I've never imagined myself in the fantasy genre, I've imagined myself as versions of my favourite characters, always shoving the things that make me ‘different' into the corner of a mental backpack, always niggling, never taking centre stage. This book interwove our MC's disability within the story in a way that felt like home. When she struggles to walk a flight of stairs, I hear the echo of my own footsteps. I feel like I could, like many other readers, write an essay on how this book will be ingrained into my life and my future book tales forever. Typically,-and true even of those who have disabilities- when approached in writing, a characters disability often feels leaden, and added as an afterthought. Yarros creates a calamity of chaos that welcomes the silver thread of Violet's imperfections as if it crests the waves of the stories chartered waters. Thank you Yarros. How do I follow that brief explanation? I can't. But the plot and the intricacies within the story have me reeling days after a one sit wonder of a read. There are moments I am still going back over, analysing in seven different ways, sharing with friends and discussing. Only SJM and JLA have had such a grip on me with theories, tribulations and discussions I could revel in for hours. I am rushing towards November, and where the adventure leads...


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?!?!?!?!?!??!! I FREAKING LOVE THE NICKNAME?!?!?!?!?!!?