I’ve always been drawn to high-stakes fantasy filled with danger, loyalty, and dragons—so Fourth Wing seemed like a no-brainer. But I’ll be honest: I was skeptical. When a book dominates BookTok, climbs bestseller lists, and inspires merchandise before you’ve even cracked the spine, it raises a red flag (or at least a cautious eyebrow). I wondered: is this the next A Court of Thorns and Roses, or just another overhyped fantasy-romance hybrid with an attractive lead and conveniently shirtless love interest?

To my surprise, I found myself genuinely invested not only in the book, but in the overall series as well. Rebecca Yarros has crafted a story that, while not revolutionary, is undeniably addictive. Think dragon-fueled Hunger Games with a chronic illness subplot and a brooding rebel love interest who probably writes poetry when no one’s looking. And yet, it works.

Fourth Wing is the first installment of Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, published in May 2023. The story follows Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old scholar-in-training who dreams of becoming a scribe. Unfortunately, her mother—who happens to be a high-ranking general—has other plans. Violet is thrown into the brutal Rider Quadrant at Basgiath War College, a place where students either bond with a dragon or die trying. No pressure.

Despite her chronic illness and bookish inclinations, Violet is expected to survive brutal training, vicious classmates, and, oh yes, fire-breathing dragons. Along the way, she meets the mysterious and alarmingly attractive Xaden Riorson, whose brooding demeanor is matched only by his tragic backstory and sharp cheekbones.

Strengths of the Book

• Compelling Underdog Arc: Violet’s arc from reluctant trainee to dragon-riding badass, is the stuff of page-turning legend. Yarros doesn’t shy away from portraying pain, doubt, and vulnerability, making Violet feel real even when she’s flying dragons into battle.
• Worldbuilding That Holds (Mostly) Together: War colleges, secret rebellions, and magical powers assigned by dragons? Sign me up. While some world elements felt a bit familiar, they’re executed with enough flair and momentum to keep things fresh.
• Romance with Teeth: Violet and Xaden have undeniable chemistry—equal parts steamy and emotionally complicated. Their banter strikes a nice balance between swoon and sass, though the amount of smoldering looks may constitute a drinking game.
• Representation Done Well: Yarros incorporates Violet’s chronic illness with thoughtfulness and grace. It’s not a plot device or a dramatic flourish—it’s part of who she is, and it shapes her choices and challenges.

Where the Wings Start to Wobble

• Secondary Characters on Standby: While Violet and Xaden are well-developed, other characters feel like they wandered in from Central Casting and forgot their lines. More depth and variety among the supporting cast would have elevated the stakes.
• Some Familiar Tropes: The “training academy” structure, mysterious rebel boy, and mean-girl rivalries aren’t breaking any new ground. Fortunately, Yarros leans into them with enough energy that they feel more comforting than cliché.
• A Dash Too Much Drama?: At times, the stakes seem so perpetually high that they lose their weight. It’s hard to gasp when every other chapter involves betrayal, death, or dragonfire. Sometimes, a breather wouldn’t hurt.

Final Verdict

Fourth Wing is fantasy comfort food: spicy, dramatic, and a bit predictable—but you keep going back for more. Rebecca Yarros knows how to hook a reader, and while the book doesn’t reinvent the genre, it taps into what readers love about romantasy: high emotion, high danger, and the occasional magical tattoo.

⭐ Rating: 4/5

Have you read Fourth Wing? Would you survive the Rider Quadrant or be dramatically incinerated in chapter two? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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