Fourth Wing

february 2024 reread

i completely understand the criticisms, but my reread confirmed this is one of my favorite books. i'm completely obsessed with the romance and DEMAND a rewrite from xaden's pov

original june 2023 review

this is sooo tropey but i genuinely don't care. i had so much fun following violet through dragon school and watching her adapt. the romance was fun and bantery. i cannot wait for the next book to come out. this is perfect if you're looking for an adult fantasy romance with a YA formula. i love a good old underdog-enters-some-kind-of-school-and-becomes-so-powerful story so this hit the spot. please let me know if you have read alike recommendations because i just inhaled this.

violet also has a chronic illness, which read like a connective tissue disorder (the author also has a connective tissue disorder). violet is not magically ‘cured' or changed in any way, she figures out how to use her strengths to her advantage. she faces her fair share of ableism but also has people who care about her and are willing to find accommodations that work.

The Fourth Wing is spicy fantasy, I'm not sure how high it ranks within that crowd of books (mainly because I don't usually read spicy fantasy) but it was a good read, I liked it. The premise is a crowd-pleaser, who doesn't love dragons! And the school/academy setting puts it among the rest of the heavy hitters. I enjoyed the characters and their growth, I found the dialogue charming and contemporary, if a little out of place. It's no wonder this book is topping the charts right now.

This was a book club pick so I just dove right in, the buzz about the internet was that this was the start of a great new fantasy series so I figured it'd be in my wheelhouse. I will give credit where it's due, as a fantasy story this book has an incredibly strong opening and introduction into its world. The imagery and illustration of the magic were also top-notch! This is a story about a college where new adults are transformed into dragon riders, and getting to go along for that first ride was exhilarating (Really the high point of the book for me). There's definitely a world to explore around here, and I found myself getting impatient to explore it. It was about halfway through that I realized that while this is a fantasy book, it is a romance novel first.

I did know that I was diving into something a little explicit here, but I didn't realize that the second half of the book would transform into a full-on romance. This being the first romance I've read in a while, it took me a while to catch on to the quirks of the genre. The romance is worth reading, I liked our characters and I liked how the romantic plot played out (Team Xaden for sure). I also have to say that I liked the language choice when it came to the explicit portions, I hate it when authors get too artsy or too clinical with their smut, this is how it should be done. If I had one note as far as the romantic plot was concerned it was that the main love interest seemed incapable of saying the wrong thing. I swear that guy had a line for everything, and from the brief glimpse into his perspective, it seemed like he was incredibly self-aware. There is such a thing as too perfect of a guy, and he's toeing the line.

There is a reason that I don't really gravitate to this genre, and it's primarily because of its overreliance on tropes. I think that when your story is focused on the intimate details of its characters it tends to paint the plot in broad and predictable strokes. I enjoyed the romance, a nice and steamy enemies-to-lovers romp, vanilla but not too vanilla, right in the pocket. I did not enjoy having my access to Dragons shut off just so the horny 20-somethings can get it on, especially when it's a little bit of a slow-burn romance that takes up the next 200 pages. (I totally agree that this could have used 50% less horniness and about 50% more dragons and world-building). When the big reveals happen they fall a little flat; if the author gives me half a book's worth of time to ponder the story I am going to figure it out before they want me to. I think I knew how this book would end around the halfway point, (once they get the map) and this book is totally guilty of putting its story on pause while the romance develops.

A final note: Please tell me I am not the only person who kept thinking of the slut dragons episode of Rick & Morty. I hate to bring the show up because of the negative connotation the fan base has rightfully engendered but this book is eerily close to that premise. I guess when you mix sex, soul bonding, and dragons you are already playing in the same ballpark. This book was ruined just a touch for me once I made this observation, and the episode kept ringing around my head. I would not be surprised to see some version of the soul-orgy phoenix dragon make its appearance at some point later on in the series.

TL;DR: Slut Dragons. This is a perfect book for someone, but that someone isn't me. A fairly standard dragon-focused fantasy with some excellent romance smashed at the end of it.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked how the world building was done throughout the story, I loved the tension between Violet & Xaden, I enjoyed the battles and how sassy Violet's dragon was at times BUT I feel like something was missing. However, I am so excited for the next book!

4.5 stars. Is this an important novel? Absolutely not. Is it fun as hell? Fuck yeah! (Although I had to take 0.5 off for the romance (eye roll))

First off, physically I think it's the prettiest book I've ever owned. I caved in to the hype and bought it strictly because I saw it all over my feed. All I knew was that there were dragons in it. Sometimes I like not reading reviews or summaries, and I'm glad that's what I did this time.

The chemistry between MMC Xaden and FMC Violet is off the charts. I love how he looks out for her but doesn't necessarily coddle her. She is able to grow throughout the book and he doesn't doubt her abilities. I did feel that there was an element lacking as far as the progression of their relationship. Like there was some insight that we didn't get to see.

Originally, I gave this one 5 stars, but ended up going back and changing it to 4. Mostly because it didn't stick with me afterwards like some of my other favorite books.

With that being said, I am looking forward to continuing the series when the next book is released in November.

Look, I'll start this review by saying this book wasn't for me. It got picked by my SFF book club, but it's definitely a romance book with a fantasy setting. The setting itself is essentially just Pern meets the Hunger Games, but mostly just the parts of each of those that are most nonsensical and problematic. A military school where there's a focus on killing off the weak at home instead of sending them to die at the front lines and classmate murder is essentially encouraged? Why?

The whole thing reads like bad self-insert fanfic down to the main character with magical color changing hair and eyes. Also it's over 500 pages which is just ridiculous for how little story there is. I never go lower than 3 stars unless something is morally offensive to me, but ooh this one was not my cuppa at all.

Ahhh!!! I literally can't say anything without spoiling the book! I definitely cried, I for sure laughed, and it for sure got a little steamy. Feels like this is just the beginning of a great series. Super excited for the next book that I will be pre-ordering! Super fast pace book, a few twists and turns and so much fun!! Pick up this book!!

The plot, when not sidetracked by the love triangle and ‘does he love me', angst is good. Too much of the sidetrack for my taste.

Yes, there are parts that are predictable.
Yes, there are the tropes.
But damn, it is a blast to read.

I really enjoyed the book, it was a fast read and I felt like I knew the world without it feel like an info dump. Was it revolutionary and breaking the mold? No, but it didn't need to be. I smiled at the times I was suppose to smile, I was tense at the moments I was suppose to tense up and Xaden made me blush more than a couple times and that's good enough for me. I loved the dragons, and would love to see more of the gryphons in future books. This was an excellent read and I'm excited to continue the series.

Very tropey and a bit too YA for my tastes (it feels like a very YA book that has had some explicit sex added to age it up a bit), but for all that it is still a good read for the most part - as long as you don't think about it in any depth (and the wheels do finally come off in the final climatic battle). So, it passed the time but I don't have a strong desire to read the next in the series (I am a bit perplexed as to why it is getting so many 5 star reviews).

I wasn't sure military college with dragons was my thing but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Fantasy, slow burn, enemies to lovers, all the fun things.

It's not perfect. Some of the pacing feels rushed and occasionally the writing feels a bit clunky for me. Definitely room for more world building. And the enemies part of the enemies to lovers isn't super convincing but none of those were deal breakers for me. It's a good time.

Reminds me of the divergent series.

I made a goodreads account for the sole purpose of ranting about this book:

I have a personal vendetta against everyone thats glowing review caused me to put myself through reading this book. I went into this knowing it was more Romantasy than Fantasy and for the most part thats how I like it, but I think even considering this Romantasy is giving it way too much credit.

- Characters in this book are so underdeveloped that I dont even have the energy to dislike them. I cared about absolutely nobody in this world other than maybe Violets dragons. Violet has some mysterious illness that makes all her joints dislocate (ehlers danlos?) but only causes her problems when it works for the plotline and for some reason makes her have natural dip dye (dont even get me started on this) that makes her not like other girls. This supposedly makes her stand out and a target despite another recurring character having literal bright pink hair. Rhiannon is meant to be her closest friends and all we know about her by the end of the book is that she fucks alot?
- The dialogue is horrendously cringey. I dont expect ye olde englishe in my fantasy books but this whole thing just read like a creative writing story from a 16 year olds english class. Dont even get me started on Violet and Xaden conveniently being able to telepathically communicate.
- The romance in this was AWFUL. Enemies to lovers literally where. You cant just SAY theyre enemies and pat yourself on the back. There was no tension. No longing. No explanation as to why they liked each other. No lead up them being together. And then immediate marriage level life long devition from both parties like they had known each other since childhood. I read this FOR the romance plot and it was rushed and unfulfilling in every aspect. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because the second star is a thank you to the author for not using the word ‘member'.
- The world itself is not fleshed out at all and just a dumpster fire of the plots for like 5 other series mashed together. I cant begin to tell you how often during reading this my brain fully replaced scenes in the book with scenes from how to tran your dragon.

There is so much more but I am honestly just disappointed that this book is currently the face of NA Fantasy. It could have steered super violent and bloody and the deaths could have been impactful and the MC's could have found safety and calm with each other, or it could have been super gritty and had the FMC pine after and MMC that still wanted her dead. Instead its just a mish mash of divergent, how to train your dragon and 50 shades of grey and I wish I had never wasted my money buying it.

My first introduction to fantasy romance genre which I only realized when reading the streamy bits! Great story, compelling characters, cool magic and world building! Can't wait for book 2

FUN!

I don't recommend starting this book unless you are ready to be obsessed. This book has a little bit of everything that makes a good romantasy great. My only regret is that I have to wait so long for the next book.

Easiest 5 stars I've given in a while!! This is definitely one of my top 2023 faves. I cannot adequately describe how much I loved this book. It has been a while since a fantasy has captured my heart as much as this one has.

I mean... underdog who is, of course, badass underneath. Dark academia and man is that place DARK LOL. Dragons. Magic. War. Secrets and death. Not to mention the emotions and just throwing my feels every which way. Just WHEW!!

Fantasy fans HAVE to grab this book. For once, the hype is real and justified...at least for me. I was blessed to get an ARC of this gem and now I'm off to get a hardcover copy because yes...it's that good.

I sincerely appreciate Entangled Publishing for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

The dragons!!! I loved the dragons!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quoting Dr. Seuss “oh I did not like it, not one little bit””

Frankly, it is hard to believe I have read the same book everyone else is reading and rating 5 stars. I don't even know how to write a review about it.

What I liked about the book:
- FMC with disabilities and I always like to see people embracing their difficulties and achieve what they are meant to be.
- banter and spice.
- The ending was not bad and I believe it can lead to a better second book.
- Dragons and magic. The riders have a lot of interesting powers that I hope to see more in the future.

What I think it could have been done better:
- The story and writing is very juvenile and in no way should it be marketed as adult fantasy. The characters feel like horny teenagers with poor communication skills.
- The writing is just awful. Everything is written as teenagers would speak in school. This is obvious aligned with the school setting but the characters are in their 20's. Moreover, Violet was supposed to be a scribe, I would expect her to use more vocabulary and proper sentences.
- The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth. Both MCs have characteristics that are distinct from other romantasy books, however, as those where not explored, they ended up looking like copy cats of other novels. This is especially relevant for Violet as we could have seen her develop and end up only reading about it.
- The world building is absurdly vague and most of it passed as info dump in random moments (e.g. violet reciting everything she knows as a strategy to stay calm).
- You can have beautiful men and not objectify them. I only know Xaden is nice because he has done multiple incredibly nice gestures. Violet, however, appears only able to speak about his beautiful and strong body. Absolutely no one would find this ok if it was a male writer describing women. If we don't like to see women objectified, it is only fair to treat men with the same level of respect.
- Every little thing about this book was obvious since the beginning.
- Some parts of the plot just don't make any sense to me:
- in the last quarter of the book Violet is very concerned about where Xander is going to be placed after graduation as the long distance relationship would be very hard.. why would she think this? It was established quite earlier in the book that the mated dragons could no be separate for more than 3 days! She is never going to be separate from him for long, they would just need to be changing places.- We know feathertails don't bond because they can accidentally give their gifts to humans and therefore, they are guarded and never leave the vale. Since dragons are very protective of their hatchlings, and strictly followers of their rules, it would be impossible for 100 dragons to simply accept the presence of one feathertail in presentation day to analyze bonding candidates.

I do believe the story has potencial to become better and I still plan to give a chance to the next book in this series. However, don't pick up this book expecting adult fantasy, this is YA romance marketed as adult due to the smut.

TLDR: maybe I'm just old

I liked the book, but it has flaws. Too much easy foreshadowing, shades of bad writing and too much silly in lusting. I loved the dragons, the dialogue with the dragons and thought Vi was great character. I think this comes down to to what you might enjoy escaping with. I do believe I am enjoying the discussion/review around the book more than the book itself. I will read the next book when it comes out and hopeful the world and characters expand. Maybe some dragon POV.

I'd have given this is 3.5 if I could have.

Okay, so I did not realize this was a romance book when I requested it on Netgalley. The blurb seemed interesting and I suspected there would be some romance, just based on the age and description of the character, but the rest sounded interesting enough to overlook it. And that's mostly what happened, because this is a good book. But it's also a romance book, and what I didn't know about romance books, because I don't read them, is that they're just cringey as hell (to me).

And so while there are aspects of this book that are excellent, I can't give it a full rating, because dammit, I detested the romance in this book. I'm not even talking about the sex scenes. There are only a couple. I just think saying things like “you have extremely touchable skin” is stupid in any context. If that works for someone else, power to them. But it was lines like that I couldn't deal with.

Anyways, on to the positives. First of all, Violet is a great main character. I rooted for her the entire time and her initial belief that she was too broken to be a dragon rider, and her gradual understanding that she was not defined by her illness and that she could be a dragon rider, was very well done. I liked most of the side characters, and her relationships with them. I also realized during this book that I expected her older, accomplished sister to inherently be a bitch to her because that's how these tropes tend to go, and so I appreciated that the bond with her sister was strong and that she was supportive. I liked the depiction of her overbearing best friend/potential love interest not understanding how coddling Violet was not helpful to her, and some of the best scenes were her standing up for herself to him.

I also really liked the dragons, which were probably my favorite part. Everything involving the dragons in this book was very fun, and some of the political and war machinations going on in the background of the book were very interesting, and make me wonder how much of this outside conflict that Yarros is planning to incorporate. The magic being tied to the dragons and manifesting unique powers was fun. In general, the plot of this book was very propulsive and I always wanted to know what happened next.


Which, not to harp on it, is why the romance overpowering the narrative at the 3/4s mark was just insufferable to me. I know I'm not the target audience. I know a lot of people will love this part. I don't dislike romance for the sake of it existing. But I think if it didn't suddenly take over every thought Violet has in any situation and she wasn't super horny every minute, I could have probably tolerated a slow-burn romance here. Alas. Take all this with a huge grain of salt.

Anyway, the book was very fun. I think it deserves the hype. I probably won't read the sequel, but hey, I survived a fantasy romance book! Am I on the road to becoming a Maas stan?

8/10

Great start to a new series by Rebecca Yarros. Compelling characters, both human and dragon kind, plus an actual enemies to lovers romance made for a very entertaining read. The second book can't get here fast enough after that ending!

Violet was meant to be scribe, but instead she's sent to the War College to attempt to become one of the elite: a rider. Violet starts out seemingly fragile and definitely breakable but she finds her fierceness and becomes determined to make it through the gauntlet and threshing to have a chance at bonding with a dragon. We have a few typical tropes, tiny love triangle, enemies to lovers. I really enjoyed the romance aspect which seems just as important as the main plot. Only slightly spicy but it was good spice. A few twists and turns but they were pretty expected if you've read this type of book before. I'm really excited for the next and I hope we get more world building in that one.

3.5