Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros
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.
From the very first chapter I was pulled into this world. Basgiath intrigued me. The people intrigued me. I was immediately curious, and I fell into the book. Violet is a very likable character, as is Mira. Commanding General Sorrengail on the other hand is clearly a bit of an antagonist. It wasn't long into the story that we began to learn about Violet, her love of history, her love of books, and the fact that her body is built a bit different. Her joints are a bit looser, and she doesn't have a lot of strength. However she is quite mighty. The first task is to cross the parapet. Once on the other side she'll have a familiar face waiting for her in Dain. He's her childhood best friend. Violet will also meet the person her sister says to stay away from: Xaden Riorson. Prepare yourself to choose, as it is very much a Gale vs Peeta, or Jacob vs Edward, or Tamlin vs Rhysand situation.
There is so much action and suspense in this book. I loved it so. There was also a romance storyline building, and as a romance reader I loved it. If you're looking for a mystery, this also falls into that setting a bit, as there are definitely secrets being kept, and we need to sort those out.
Witnessing all of these first years go through the process, and having their dragons select them, was fascinating. That had me captivated. I was wondering what dragon would choose which rider, and of course paying closer attention to my favorite characters. It was also during this dragon selection, or rather rider selection, scene that some very memorable action moments popped up. I was holding my breath during that one.
The connection between Xaden and Violet continued to grow. The tension between Dain and Violet continued with intensity. Not to mention the attempts made to harm Violet by others. It was wild. Back to the dragon/rider selection scene for a moment. I loved how that all transpired. I loved how Violet was chosen. How that was shocking. It was just everything I could have wanted. Okay back to relationships and such. The friendship that Violet had with Rhiannon was something heartwarming. These two bonded immediately back at the parapet. So to see them still side by side, surviving, thriving, and preparing for the future was reassuring. There were so many young people that attempted to get to where these two are, but they are just now names on a scroll.
Now listen, a lot happened between rider selection and the war games. But I can't tell you everything because that would be rude. It would ruin the story, and I'm not about that life.
Let's talk a little bit about the war games scenes. OH MY WORD, the action, the suspense, the heartache. It was so much, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout. My jaw dropped so many times it was ridiculous. It's all because of how enthralled I was with the story, and the characters. Rebecca Yarros created this world that I just want to know more about. There are secrets being kept, and we are slowly learning a couple of them. I want to know the rest. Plus that ending? WHAT WAS THAT?!? AHHHHH! Is it November 7 yet? I need Iron Flame IMMEDIATELY!
If you've watched any of the review on TikTok for this book, you'll hear varied responses. Many will comment on the writing, and how it isn't necessarily their cup of tea. That's their opinion. They may be right, they may be wrong. What I know is that there was something magical about this book. Rebecca immediately pulled me into this new world. I fell for the characters. I despised the antagonists. The dragons stole my heart (Andarna!). The action was superb. The drama was intense. Everything was just so good. Even that bit of spice we had with Xaden and Violet was explosive. From the moment I picked this book up, until the very last page, I could not get enough. Here I am, a week later, and I am still thinking about Fourth Wing. This very well maybe my favorite of the month, as well as of the year. Time will tell.
If you are someone who doesn't typically read fantasy, like me, give this one a try. If you've read Rebecca's romance novels you know her style, and this is just taking us out of contemporary, and adding a few more magical elements to it all. The action, suspense, drama is delightful.
If you do typically read fantasy, and have been on the edge about Fourth Wing, pick it up. Seriously. Give it a read. Form your own opinions. Trust your gut, and enjoy the ride. I hope you love Fourth Wing as much as I did.
Who has recommendations for me? Anyone? I crave something similar to Fourth Wing. The dragons, the setting, the characters, the gryphons, all of it. I need something that will pull me in as much as Fourth Wing did. If it has a romance story to it as well, then that's even better.
Thanks for reading,
Laura
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