🔥 Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A wildly addictive romantasy that blends dragons, danger, and emotional depth in a brutal academy setting.
Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing, the first book in The Empyrean series, has taken the fantasy world by storm—especially on BookTok and Bookstagram. With its blend of high-stakes action, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a deadly dragon-riding school, it’s earned comparisons to ACOTAR and Divergent, while carving out its own fiercely loyal fanbase.
🐉 Plot Overview
Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old with a fragile body and a sharp mind, was raised to be a scribe. But when her mother—Navarre’s commanding general—forces her into the elite and lethal Basgiath War College, Violet must train to become a dragon rider or die trying.
The odds are stacked against her. Dragons don’t bond with weak humans—they incinerate them. Her classmates are ruthless, especially Xaden Riorson, the brooding wingleader whose father was executed by Violet’s mother. As Violet navigates brutal training, political intrigue, and a growing rebellion, she must decide who to trust—and whether she can survive long enough to bond with a dragon.
💫 Why It Works
- Romantasy Gold: The enemies-to-lovers tension between Violet and Xaden is electric, layered with betrayal, longing, and slow-burn chemistry.
- High-Stakes Worldbuilding: From dragon lore to rebel factions, Yarros builds a vivid, dangerous world that feels immersive and cinematic.
- Emotional Depth: Violet’s internal struggles—grief, identity, and resilience—add heart to the action.
- Twist-Packed Plot: The story moves fast, with cliffhangers, betrayals, and a jaw-dropping ending that sets up the sequel Iron Flame.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some reviewers noted uneven pacing and occasional cringey dialogue (yes, “Violence” as a nickname didn’t land for everyone).
- The romantic subplot occasionally overshadows deeper political themes, though many readers found that part of its charm.
⭐ Reader Reception
- Goodreads Rating: 4.6/5 from over 1 million readers
- Buzz: A BookTok sensation, with fans obsessing over dragons, Xaden, and the emotionally charged ending.
- Praise: “Unputdownable,” “intense,” and “the perfect gateway into fantasy for romance readers”.
🏁 Final Verdict
Fourth Wing is a thrilling, emotionally rich fantasy that delivers on both romance and rebellion. If you love morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, and dragons that choose their riders with deadly precision, this book will leave you breathless—and desperate for book two.
