Series Name:
The Empyrean, #1
Review By Veronica
Fourth Wing has become one of my favourite fantasy books.
Favourite Quote:
I will not die today.
The words become my mantra, repeating in my head as Rhiannon gives her name to the rider keeping tally at the opening to the parapet. The hatred in Xaden’s stare burns the side of my face like a palpable flame, and even the rain pelting my skin with each gust of wind doesn’t ease the heat– or the shiver of dread that jolts down my spine.
Goodreads Synopsis:
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
This is going to be one of those reviews that I am going to have a hard time coming up with the words to describe how much I am obsessed with this book. Unless you have been living underneath a social media rock, you have probably heard about or have seen this book on your newsfeed. I am here to tell you this book lives up to, and surpasses all the hype it’s been getting. There are only a few authors that I have read that have completely shattered my world with their writing. Sarah J Maas, Jennifer L Armentrout, and Mary E. Pearson are the authors that have all written books that I have become so obsessed with and now Rebecca has joined their ranks.
Fourth Wing is a masterpiece. Rebecca has brought together all the things that make a fantasy novel spectacular. She has created something that grabs onto your soul and doesn’t let go even after you are done reading it. When you read Fourth Wing, you will get action, betrayal, battles, friendship, lusty romance, and dragons. Right from the very first chapter, you know you will be in for one hell of a ride. We meet Violet, who is being forced by her mother to train to become a dragon rider. The problem is Violet is smaller and weaker than any other candidate, and her chances of survival are slim to none. Not only does she have to survive the actual training, but she also deals with threats from fellow candidates who would love to kill her because of who her mother is. Her mantra throughout this book is “I will not die today.”
Fourth Wing has such an interesting and engaging story. The world-building in this book is so rich and lush with detail. Rebecca has put a lot of thought into this world that she has created. Rebecca masterfully gives her readers just enough information so that they can understand what is going on well, while leaving her readers wanting or needing more. It really is an addictive read. The dragons in this book are amazing! I loved the way that Rebecca used dragons in her stories. They are these powerful creatures that aren’t to be trifled with. Violet’s relationship with her dragons is this wonderful mixture of gruff, sarcastic banter and a fierceness to protect Violet. All the characters in this book, whether primary or secondary, play a role in advancing the story. There was a character that I didn’t like (even if they were assholes). I loved their interactions, personalities, and the overall richness they added to the story.
Violet is a damn near-perfect heroine. First off, I love her name, and I love the fact that Xaden calls her Violence. Her name suits her so well. She is small and beautiful but also very deadly. Violet is smart, fierce, and sticks to her moral compass. She is willing to help others and do the right thing, even if it means putting her life in danger. I adored her wit and loved how she interacted with everyone around her. Xaden is the broody, tall, dark, handsome hero of my dreams. Xaden is powerful, mysterious, and so secretive. You find yourself becoming obsessed with him because you want to know what is happening in his gorgeous head. I devoured the interactions between Violet and Xaden. The tension between these two is delicious, and all I wanted was to read more scenes with them together. If you like your fantasy with spicy bits in it, then you are going to love this book. When these two finally get together, let’s just say sparks fly and furniture is destroyed.
