Fourth Wing by: Rebecca Yarros
DISCLAIMER: Review WILL contain spoilers… I can’t help it haha… you have been warned!!!
Fourth Wing has altered my brain chemistry! Like many others I have been wholeheartedly obsessed with all things Fourth Wing since I picked up that beautiful masterpiece of a book. This book joined my bookshelf when it started blowing up everywhere around June/July of this year. However, it then sat there until I heard the sequel Iron Flame was already set to release within the same year. Once I heard that news, I decided to crack open this book and my life hasn’t been the same since. When I tell you I have one of the biggest Book Hangovers I have experienced in years… I mean it! This book pulled me in from the first chapter and I never turned back. It was a whirlwind of a read, from the detailed fight scenes, the amazing signet powers, to the budding romances, and lets not forget… the dragons!!! My biggest regret is that I waited 3 whole months until I read it!
A lot of fantasy books spend the majority, of a first book doing nothing but world building. However, Rebecca drops you right into the thick of it on conscription day where thousands of young adults are lining up to choose which Quadrant they go into… now you might be thinking - Conscription Day? Quadrant? What are you talking about Amanda? and if you are thinking that… then turn back now, go read the book, and return because there is gonna be nothing but spoilers this whole review and it will still be here when you finish the book…. now for those who have read the book- Lets take it from the top!
This story follows our main protagonist Violet Sorrengail, through her journey at Basgiath War College in Navarre. This school unlike the ones in the modern world have 4 Quadrants where you can choose to go. Healers is where you go if you wish to be a medic and help heal others. Scribe is where you go if you wish to document all the innerworkings of the world, all the battles, wars, politics… everything! Infantry is essentially where you go if you wish to fight and protect Navarre but either didn’t pass the entrance exam or had no desire to go into the Rider’s Quadrant. Which brings us to the one and only Rider’s Quadrant, which is the deadliest but most elite Quadrant at Basgiath. This is where we will be spending our time throughout this book as it follows Violet’s first year journey within the Riders Quadrant. She will have to navigate how to survive when she is smaller and weaker than those around her, most of whom want her dead. They either see her as a liability due to her weaknesses, or want revenger because of what her mother (General Sorrengail) has done to their families. At the top of the list for those who want her dead is none other than Xaden Riorson…
Xaden Riorson is the son of the Great Betrayer who started a rebellion that fought against Navarre. His father was put to death, like many others involved in the rebellion, by none other than Violet’s mother. You would think that if anyone had reason for wanting Violent dead it would be him… and now he has all the access to do it as the head of her Wing. However, as the story unfolds and Violet survives many encounters with the Shadow-Wielding Wingleader one can’t help but wonder - Does he truly hate her? Because one would think if he wanted her dead then she never would have made it past Conscription Day…
As Violet goes through her first year at Basgiath, she forms bonds all around her. With her Squadmates, her childhood friend (who shall not be named), and even with some of those who she thought would want her dead. Although the most important bond is formed at Threshing where Violet bonds not just one but TWO DRAGONS! Tarin, the large Black Morningstartail dragon, chose her after she bravely fought other cadets to protect Andarna, the small Golden Feathertail dragon, who later also chose to bond Violet as her rider. These two dragons with all their snarky banter and support are there for Violet has she comes to find herself and her own strength within the walls of the Rider’s Quadrant.
Rebecca Yarros has done a phenomenal job crafting a story that truly grips you from the first page and doesn’t let you go. The way she has created all these characters that you feel an almost immediate connection to, whether it’s the protective sister, goofy friend, or loyal protector. You can’t help but care about these people as they navigate through countless deadly tasks, which makes it all the more painful when someone inevitably meets their end. Death is around every corner, from the deadly tests that all first years must pass in order to make it to Threshing, the countless dragons that could fry anyone who looks at them the wrong way, and the countless cadets that are just looking for a moment to strike down the competition. Even when they are surrounded by these dangers, you start to think they are invincible. However, Rebecca makes it perfectly clear that no one is invincible at Basgiath, no matter who you are.
There were so many things I had initially overlooked on my first read through. However, upon rereading I couldn’t help but notice all the hidden references, the foreshadowing, and even the glaringly obvious moments that were right in front of my face but I couldn’t compute what was actually happening. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was full of suspense, that kept me on the edge of my seat. Humorous moments of banter that allowed me to laugh and forget how horrifying a situation is. Moments that I couldn’t help but swoon. Then the moments where I couldn’t help but sob and cry due to the heartbreak and loss a single line of text made me feel. I feel like I can speak for all when I say this… It was an honor to know you Liam Mairi…
Before reading this book all I heard was Enemies-to-Lovers, Dragons, and Powers, immediately to which I jumped onboard. Upon reading and uncovering more about Navarre’s past, what secrets the Rebellion kids were hiding, seeing the lines blur between fact and fiction for Violet - it was mind altering. There were moments I thought I knew what was happening only to turn the page and be knocked down again in disbelief. Being able to see Violet come into her own self, fall in love, find her inner strength and power was amazing. Being able to see how her mind works was fascinating, she truly is a brilliant woman and I know I’m not the only one to appreciate it…
On that note… the bond that grows between Xaden and Violet is unique. They go from hating one another on the basis of who their parents were, to having a forced proximity placed on them due to their dragon’s bond. Which, the fact that they truly can’t live without the other brings a whole new level to forced proximity. After many training sessions and close encounters a reluctant respect starts brewing, that then turns into an unbeatable love and admiration. This is even more obvious when you take a look through Xaden’s eyes during his POV Chapters. While they were both immediately attracted to one another, there was also a level of pure infatuation and curiosity that ate away at him. Upon my re-read I took a closer look at their moments together and couldn’t help but notice how in-tuned Xaden was to those around him, almost like he could read people’s thoughts… There have been theories swirling the internet that he is an Inntinnsic, which I supported after my second read. There are even more theories surrounding Marked Ones and their signets, could they have two signets? Could Violet have two because of her two dragons? All I know is that I was glad I didn’t have to wait long for the next book. I hoped my questions would be answered, and while some where answered, some were left unanswered; however, I mainly walked away with more questions! But more on that in my next post…
Some say Fourth Wing is ‘over-hyped’ and I wholeheartedly disagree. This was an amazingly well written story, where everything flowed together beautifully. As you read, you can tell that Rebecca has a plan that she has thought out in detail. Nothing she has added to the book was meant as a throw away line… everything seems to have a hidden meaning or significance. Which also causes me great anxiety when I think of lines potentially foreshadowing Xaden and/or Violets demise… but I am gonna leave my head in the sand and refuse to believe that will happen. Something I was intrigued by was the inclusion of the Xaden POV Chapters, as it allowed us to get an insight into his mind without revealing too much before moving into the sequel, Iron Flame. During certain interviews Rebecca has mentioned how she had to be very cautious with which moments of Xaden’s POV was shared as he is a man with many secrets. That is a perfect example of how intricate this whole universe is and how carefully planned out everything has been by Rebecca. Overall, I truly can’t recommend this book enough! I am beyond excited to see what else is in store for us upon this five book journey!
QUOTES THAT MADE ME FEEL THINGS:
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.”
“Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”
“I will not die today.”
“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”
“Lies are comforting. Truth is painful.”
“Should I get the wingleader?”
“I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if it means I have to prove myself over and over, then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart, and I’m keeping it.”
“Even temples can be rebuilt, but books cannot be rewritten.”
“I’ve been yours for longer than you could ever imagine”
“It only takes one desperate generation to change history - even erase it.” honor
“It has been my honor.”
