Book Review: Fourth Wing By Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing By Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing By Rebecca Yarros - Book 1 in the Empyrean series
Tropes: Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dragons, War College Setting, Slow Burn, Chronic Illness Rep
Summary:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is an epic fantasy romance that throws readers headfirst into a brutal war college where only the strongest survive. Violet Sorrengail, a twenty-year-old who was destined to live a quiet life as a Scribe, is suddenly forced by her commanding general mother to enter the Riders Quadrant, where she must train to become a dragon rider. But Violet isn’t like the others. With a fragile body and sharp intellect, she must outsmart cadets who would kill her for a chance to bond with a dragon.
With enemies lurking in every corner, dragons that incinerate the unworthy, and a ruthless wingleader, Xaden Riorson, who seems determined to hate her—Violet must rely on her wits, grit, and growing power to survive. But secrets buried within the kingdom may prove to be more dangerous than anything inside Basgiath War College.
💚 LD -
I honestly don’t even know where to begin—this book completely took over my life. Saying it had me in a chokehold is an understatement! Fourth Wing is without a doubt my favorite read of the year so far. The world-building, the pacing, the twists—it had everything I never knew I needed in a fantasy romance.
The dragons? ICONIC. Their personalities added so much humor and intensity. They were such standout characters on their own and completely stole the show. That said… I can’t not mention Xaden Riorson. Daddy Xaden, if you will. Broody, powerful, morally grey, and completely irresistible—he made every page sizzle.
Violet Sorrengail also became one of my top-tier favorite female leads. She’s smart, fierce, and determined to prove herself despite her physical limitations. I haven’t been this obsessed with a character since Lana Myers. And don’t get me started on the deaths... absolutely shattered me. 💔 I was already a mess, and then that final page happened, and I haven’t recovered since.
Counting down the days until Iron Flame, I need more of this world. Immediately. 🔥
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy.
A rider without their dragon is dead.”
🤍 AD -
Fourth Wing was actually my first dive into fantasy, and wow, what a ride. I will say that knowing all the spoilers beforehand did impact my experience a bit, but it didn’t take away from how much I ended up enjoying it overall.
The beginning was a little overwhelming with all the world-building, but once I got into the swing of it, I was hooked. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Violet and Xaden? Absolutely perfection. The tension, the banter, the slow burn... it was chef’s kiss. Xaden Riorson is everything.
But honestly, what stole my heart were the dragons. Their bonds with the riders, their personalities, the sass, it was pure magic. The way they’re written made them feel just as alive and important as the human characters, if not more. This book had me laughing, crying, and swooning all at once. It truly is something special.
Fantasy might just be my new favourite genre.
“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”
💙 AG -
I was really hesitant to read Fourth Wing at first—I didn’t think fantasy would be my thing. But I’m so glad I gave it a shot because it was completely unexpected in the best way.
Every challenge Violet faced had my heart racing. I was so drawn into the danger, the training, the bonds, and the intensity of life at Basgiath War College. And don’t even get me started on the dragons—they were everything I didn’t know I was missing in a book.
The enemies-to-lovers storyline between Violet and Xaden was incredible, but I also loved how deeply layered all the characters were. Everyone had secrets, agendas, and depth. And then the heartbreak... just when I thought I was emotionally stable again BOOM—the ending hit me like a truck.
Fourth Wing had action, romance, heartbreak, and fantasy perfection all rolled into one. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
“I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I'll do it. You gave me your heart, and I'm keeping it.”
