Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Empyrean Series #1
4.5 / 5 Stars
517 Pages
Originally Published in 2023
Finished on October 21, 2024
I knew I was in for something good when Fourth Wing opened with a girl who would rather catalog books that ride dragons. But I didn’t expect to be holding the book through the kitchen while cooking dinner because I couldn’t put it down. (Don’t worry, no books were harmed in the making of this obsession.)
“I would rather have a broken body than a broken heart.”
What I Loved
This book is PEAK fantasy escapism with all the emotional payoff I crave. Violet is the perfect reluctant heroine. Smart, stubborn, and surprisingly brave despite the odds. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming. And the dragons? ICONIC. Think How to Train Your Dragon, but with sharp teeth and sharper banter. And let’s talk about Xaden Riorson. The morally gray, scarred, slow-burn dreamboat who might just be my new favorite fantasy love interest.
“You don’t get to choose the circumstances. Only how you respond to them.”
What I Didn’t Love
Okay, my only gripe? The pacing occasionally dipped in the middle. I wish we had gotten a little more insight into the dragon bond mechanics early on. But honestly, I’m nitpicking. This book delivers exactly what I wanted and left me desperate for more.
“I am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been.”
Final Thoughts
Fourth Wing explores the weight of legacy, the strength that comes from defying expectations, and the complicated bonds we form. Both human and dragon. It’s about resilience in the face of death and the fire that can ignite even in the darkest moments. Bonus points for a romance that’s earned, not rushed. And a heroine whose growth feels powerful and earned.
This book is perfect for:
- Readers who love fantasy with high emotional stakes
- Anyone who lives for slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension
- Fans of dragon riders, deadly trials, and morally gray characters
Fourth Wing completely lived up to the hype. With its gripping plot, swoon-worthy romance, and jaw-dropping final twist, it’s a book that will haunt your thoughts long after you finish.
I’m giving it 4.5 / 5 stars!
Counting the days until I can dive into book two! Have you read Fourth Wing yet? Did you bond with a dragon in your imagination too, or was that just me?
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