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• BLURB •
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 REVIEW •
“I will not die today.”
Okay. Okay… I get it. I can see its appeal. This world may just be my next big romantic fantasy addiction! 😜
I’m going to cut to the chase. Yes, Yarros’ story feels heavily influenced by other well-known Romantasy books written by other authors. I can see why so many romance readers love this one (even if you’re a not a fan of fantasy fiction, with the amount of angsty romantic elements it contains, romance readers will 👏 eat 👏 it 👏 up!) The similarities in characters, backdrops, and plotlines within a fundamental fantasy fiction world is why it lives up to the hype (at least for the majority).
Talking from the opposite side of the spectrum for a second here, others may find the similarities too much alike and just end up comparing. 🤷♀️ I’ll be honest, I was of two minds. Still am. I did thoroughly enjoy this book— and I’m excited to read Iron Flame, buuuuut I also couldn’t help but make comparisons. It was hard not to when there are some very strong resemblances.
- Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series, A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and Crescent City series— because honestly, a lot of the characters and elements screamed SJM. It played a big factor in making a lot of Fourth Wing’s storyline predictable (at least to me). If you’re a fan of “Maasverse”, you’ll undoubtedly see uncanny similarities. It’s not necessarily a bad thing; this book is actually the perfect SJM hangover cure (but caution: Fourth Wing may drag you right back into a reading slump).
- Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. Once again… similar vibes. Fourth Wing has a real “kill or be killed” setting, so the characters have their survival mode on from start to finish. It’s actually one of the elements of this book that I enjoyed. The suspenseful, “edge of your seat” feeling really elevates the reading experience, especially when you’re still sussing out each and every character, figuring out which ones are trustworthy.
- Veronica Roth’s Divergent series. Again, the whole survival setting. Roth’s series has Factions, this story has Quadrants. So there are divisions amongst their people. Just like in Divergent, I was very much intrigued by the different groups. I can only hope we get to see the other Quadrants a little more in the forefront as the series progresses.
- Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. It encompasses spellbinding, elemental powers in and around its cast of characters, and same goes for FW. But like the similarities with Divergent, I love the supernatural potentiality exhibited, and it’s another element of the story I’m truly anxious to see develop further.
- J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. This series is mammoth and always has an air of infinite magic and a journey of fantastical proportions surrounding it. I can picture FW paving a similar path— a journey of discovery, growth, and independence. FW also has a heart-warming found-family element that gives me the same warm and fuzzy feeling and had me immediately invested in not only Violet’s story, but the handful of secondary characters that equally caught my attention.
- George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire series). And of course… who can forget the mother of all dragon series of series’!? If you like books packed with action and suspense, brutality, grit, and fire breathing beasts just GOT… then FW is for you!
Like I said, it’s hard not to see strong resemblances but regardless, I still enjoyed reading FW immensely! A brilliant diverse cast of characters have been introduced that I’m eager to see more of in the next book, alongside up-and-coming new characters.
It was hard putting off reading this book with all the spoilers I’ve constantly had to dodge on socials. Haha. But I’m so glad I stuck it out to the possible last second because with how things concluded, I don’t think I would’ve survived that wait until Iron Flame. To think this is only book one of five! Eeep.
Honorary mention to the fictional character that was the sole reason why I took the plunge in reading FW. I couldn’t avoid all fandom posts, and I saw countless artist-portrayed illustrations of the characters. One took my breath away and right there and then I decided I needed to know who this beautiful man was.
Liam Mairi has entered the chat
(I had to include the image that had me cracking open FW, and ultimately winning me over). Ahh, swoooooon! 😍😍😍
All in all, I was wholly invested from start to finish. Yes, Xaden and Violet, and their romantic drama is something to get perked up over, no doubt. But it wasn’t the only thing. I was on the edge of my seat during the entirety of Violet’s training— from the second she walked out onto the parapet, to combat training, to surviving hordes of dragons who give no fucks! And that’s only the beginning with Violet Sorrengail and her ever-evolving character.
Violet is also a chronic illness representative. She’s a relatable character with personal struggles, genuine emotions, and inner dialogues that effortlessly held my attention. This book for the most part is from her POV. I’m used to dual or even multiple perspectives especially when there are more than one leading character, and whilst I am curious to know Xaden’s POV, it’s evident fairly early-on that this is Violet’s journey, and I’m all for it!
There’s also a sweet lightness added throughout, usually from the friendships and comradery formed. I adore the found-family element, it’s actually one of the highlights of this book for me.
This is my introduction to Yarros’ writing. FW’s storytelling is well-paced, simple to follow, and delivered an overall youthful tone for a deathly backdrop. It’s NA romantasy containing a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, with a few racy scenes thrown into the mix.
If you don’t mind the similarities, you will absolutely devour Fourth Wing. You’ll fall in love with the strong, badass characters. You’ll wish for your very own Xaden (or in my case, your very own Liam). And you’ll wish for the world of The Empyrean, and more specifically the Rider’s Quadrant to leap off the pages. But just know it ends on a eyebrow-raising cliff-hanger. Lots of questions to be answered.
Hmm. Is it possible to sigh in utter heartbreak and happy contentment at the same time?
Nevertheless… BRING ON IRON FLAME! 🔥
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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🗡 More Romantasy Reads
If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, I recommend these…
Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Cruelest Oblivion by M. A. Heard
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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo
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