Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Hatchette (2023). 512p.
Description
Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last . . . 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. Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies . . . or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member grizzly.anderson
Fourth Wing is a pot-boiler romance set in a barely-thought-out fantasy world of Dragons and perpetual war.
Apparently this is a world with 12 months, named January, February, etc. and 7 days a week Monday, Tuesday, etc., and distances measured in feet and miles. But everyone has to write with quill
The country of the Dragons has been surrounded by and at war with the country of the Griffons for 600+ years. Why? Never explained. Why no peace? Because the other side refuse peace at all turns. Or says the ruling military leadership that is Hiding Things. The Dragon Riders are the elite of the 4 parts of the armed forces. The others are the Infantry, the Scribes, and the Healers. Nope, that really doesn't make much sense, but who cares, the point is not to make a believable world. The Dragon Riders MUST all be volunteers. Except for 107 children of rebellious parents, orphaned when the military leadership executed their parents, literally branded them all as traitors and then conscripted them into the "all volunteer" Dragon Riders.
Despite the Dragon Riders being the lynchpin of the nations army and defense, candidates are encouraged to try and kill each other at every turn guaranteeing that only the most brutal, or those with plot immunity, will survive.
But its a romance, right? Violet, the daughter of the General of the Dragon Riders, who just wants to be a Scribe like her dear, dead, sensitive father is forced to volunteer for the Dragon Riders just like her older sister and (now dead) brother. Because. Since the protagonist is female, all of the roles have to be switched and the distant, cold, uncaring, military parent is her mother. Who does not care if she lives or dies as long as Violet isn't a Scribe.
From about the third page it is painfully obvious that the childhood friend and love/crush of Violet is not the "right" guy after all. He is too by-the-book and protective to realize that she needs to fly free unprotected, to become who she must be. Instead, the bad-boy child of traitors, too old, a commanding officer, who vowed to kill her on first meeting and whose body is described frequently in detailed gushing purple prose will be her one true love (turn-about is fair play, and thanks to the gender role reversals Violet is never really described, but she does wear sexy leather armor.) Of course, he also protects her, imposes his rules and limits on her. But it is OK because Violet loves him and trusts him despite all of that, and despite every revealed secret or betrayal she sticks with him. And oh yeah, their two dragons a mated-for-life so they are stuck with each other in a we all live or we all die sort of emotional-telepathic mutually-assured-destruction.
Eventually the story does have to do something other than build up sexual tension, describe sexual release, friendly and romantic betrayal and sometimes reconciliation and come up with a story. The last 10% or so of the book has the very predictable setup, battle, and revelations. No shock, no surprise.
And the inevitable sequel of Violet, her Lover and Their Dragons against The World. I will not be reading it.
Apparently this is a world with 12 months, named January, February, etc. and 7 days a week Monday, Tuesday, etc., and distances measured in feet and miles. But everyone has to write with quill
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pens, except for the magic Dragon Riders who can channel magic to use an "ink pen." Is it some weird future Earth? Who knows, who cares? Building a world is not the point.The country of the Dragons has been surrounded by and at war with the country of the Griffons for 600+ years. Why? Never explained. Why no peace? Because the other side refuse peace at all turns. Or says the ruling military leadership that is Hiding Things. The Dragon Riders are the elite of the 4 parts of the armed forces. The others are the Infantry, the Scribes, and the Healers. Nope, that really doesn't make much sense, but who cares, the point is not to make a believable world. The Dragon Riders MUST all be volunteers. Except for 107 children of rebellious parents, orphaned when the military leadership executed their parents, literally branded them all as traitors and then conscripted them into the "all volunteer" Dragon Riders.
Despite the Dragon Riders being the lynchpin of the nations army and defense, candidates are encouraged to try and kill each other at every turn guaranteeing that only the most brutal, or those with plot immunity, will survive.
But its a romance, right? Violet, the daughter of the General of the Dragon Riders, who just wants to be a Scribe like her dear, dead, sensitive father is forced to volunteer for the Dragon Riders just like her older sister and (now dead) brother. Because. Since the protagonist is female, all of the roles have to be switched and the distant, cold, uncaring, military parent is her mother. Who does not care if she lives or dies as long as Violet isn't a Scribe.
From about the third page it is painfully obvious that the childhood friend and love/crush of Violet is not the "right" guy after all. He is too by-the-book and protective to realize that she needs to fly free unprotected, to become who she must be. Instead, the bad-boy child of traitors, too old, a commanding officer, who vowed to kill her on first meeting and whose body is described frequently in detailed gushing purple prose will be her one true love (turn-about is fair play, and thanks to the gender role reversals Violet is never really described, but she does wear sexy leather armor.) Of course, he also protects her, imposes his rules and limits on her. But it is OK because Violet loves him and trusts him despite all of that, and despite every revealed secret or betrayal she sticks with him. And oh yeah, their two dragons a mated-for-life so they are stuck with each other in a we all live or we all die sort of emotional-telepathic mutually-assured-destruction.
Eventually the story does have to do something other than build up sexual tension, describe sexual release, friendly and romantic betrayal and sometimes reconciliation and come up with a story. The last 10% or so of the book has the very predictable setup, battle, and revelations. No shock, no surprise.
And the inevitable sequel of Violet, her Lover and Their Dragons against The World. I will not be reading it.
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
Ahh! I jumped on the train and was swept away on a sea of dragons, magic, and more. It was not what I was expecting. In addition to the frequent comparisons to Hunger Games and Game of Thrones I've heard, I'd add Ender's Game and Divergent, because so much of it is about strategic planning and
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competing with fellow cadets as well as divisions within the society. No spoilers, but I haven't been this caught up in a book in a long time. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Baochuan
I like a good adventure story with flying dragons and battles. This one has the whole kitchen sink plus the romance mixed in. The story flows well and with fast pace, but I think It could be shorten to cut out some of the googly eye stuff.
LibraryThing member TadAD
Bordering on romance instead of fantasy genre, but somehow this really worked. I want to see how this story continues.
LibraryThing member Verkruissen
I can't believe I waited this long to read this book. Talk about amazing. Great character building, world building, magic system. Perfect for people who love a slow burn, enemies to lovers trope. I will be reading ALL the books that come out in this series.
LibraryThing member alizarin
This is a a review of the audio version. I didn't have a problem with the narrators...I think they did a good enough job. I liked the story line and though the main characters were a little stretched in their credibility, they were for the most part likeable/unlikeable and genuine. I even liked the
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story line and where it was going. What I really didn't like was the soft porn. The fine details seemed to be plunked in to add more appeal to a sector of the audience but it turned me right off. Seems like people don't have imagination anymore. I don't need to be regaled with every caress and sigh. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I loved this book! I had a feeling that this was going to be really good. How can a book involving dragons not be really good? But this was I couldn’t put the book down and read it in 2 days even though it was longer than 500 pages good! When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it
Violet was ready to live her life as a scribe. That is what she planned on and studied for. Her father was a scribe but he is now gone. Her mother is a general with other plans so she pushes Violet to become a dragon rider. The only problem is that candidates are just as likely to die as they are to bond with a dragon and survive. Violet is smaller and weaker than most of the other students so she has her work cut out for her.
This story was exciting, sometimes heartbreaking, and full of surprises. I thought that the romantic element of the story was incredibly well done. I fell in love with this cast of characters and thought that they were very well-developed, including the dragons. The world-building was very well done and I really appreciated how Violet’s knowledge that she gained for training to be a scribe was worked into the story. There were plenty of surprises and enough action to keep me glued to the pages.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators did a wonderful job with this story. Rebecca Solar handles the bulk of the narration in this book. Anyone who is considering picking this one up because of Teddy Hamilton may be disappointed because we hear very little of his voice in this book. I thought the narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. I liked the various voices that were used to represent the characters and I felt that she added just the right amount of emotion to her reading.
I am going to be recommending this book to everyone. I loved being with Violet as she made this journey toward becoming a dragon rider. This book was fun of action, wonderful world-building, excitement, romance, great characters, and dragons. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series.
I received a review copy of this book from Recorded Books and Red Tower Books.
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and when I finished it, I considered going back to the beginning and reading it again.Violet was ready to live her life as a scribe. That is what she planned on and studied for. Her father was a scribe but he is now gone. Her mother is a general with other plans so she pushes Violet to become a dragon rider. The only problem is that candidates are just as likely to die as they are to bond with a dragon and survive. Violet is smaller and weaker than most of the other students so she has her work cut out for her.
This story was exciting, sometimes heartbreaking, and full of surprises. I thought that the romantic element of the story was incredibly well done. I fell in love with this cast of characters and thought that they were very well-developed, including the dragons. The world-building was very well done and I really appreciated how Violet’s knowledge that she gained for training to be a scribe was worked into the story. There were plenty of surprises and enough action to keep me glued to the pages.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators did a wonderful job with this story. Rebecca Solar handles the bulk of the narration in this book. Anyone who is considering picking this one up because of Teddy Hamilton may be disappointed because we hear very little of his voice in this book. I thought the narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. I liked the various voices that were used to represent the characters and I felt that she added just the right amount of emotion to her reading.
I am going to be recommending this book to everyone. I loved being with Violet as she made this journey toward becoming a dragon rider. This book was fun of action, wonderful world-building, excitement, romance, great characters, and dragons. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series.
I received a review copy of this book from Recorded Books and Red Tower Books.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Nooooo…I have to wait for more?!?
Rebecca Yarros has created an imaginative, entertaining and complex world full of intrigue and romance, magic and dragons in Fourth Wing, the first book in a what promises to be a compelling new fantasy series, The Empyrean.
Though twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail
Violet, of course, proves to have unexpected strength. Her physical weakness reflects the author’s own health condition so it’s authentically represented, and well integrated into Violet’s character. It’s with a mixture of sheer grit, smarts, and help from some loyal allies, that Violet not only survives the ongoing threats, but begins to thrive. She undergoes changes over the course of the novel, but her core personality remains steady. I liked her a lot, willing her through every challenge and cheering every success.
Violet’s allies, including childhood friend and crush Dain, and fellow student Rhiannon, are almost outnumbered by her enemies inside the Quadrant. There’s not only her fellow cadets which view Violet as vulnerable, but also the conscripted children of those who Violet’s mother executed for their part in the Tyrrish Rebellion around a decade ago, the eldest of which is Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
The stakes are high in the Riders Quadrant for everyone, all the time. Violence and death are almost a daily occurrence so there is plenty of ongoing action. Surviving each other, and their training is just the first step, Riders have to face the dragons who are easily annoyed, and even if they are chosen, they then risk death when they begin to channel the bonded power, and again when their signet magic manifests.
The romance in Fourth Wing goes someway to countering the brutality in the novel. Though I usually prefer the friends to lovers trope, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. There’s lots of sizzling tension between Violet and Xaden, believable emotion, and some truly explosive sex scenes.
Then there are the dragons, each with distinct personalities of their own, who are absolutely fabulous. Yarros offers some information about the bargain between the Navarre kingdom and the dragons, and the bond between dragons and their Riders, but there is still more to learn.
The cliffhanger ending, after an absolutely epic betrayal and battle, was not entirely unexpected but I did find it frustrating, tempered only by the knowledge that the sequel is being published this November. For fans of fantasy series, Fourth Wing could be described as a cross between The Scholomance by Naomi Novak, Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, and Divergent by Veronica Roth, but it has a magical appeal all of its own. Loved it!
Rebecca Yarros has created an imaginative, entertaining and complex world full of intrigue and romance, magic and dragons in Fourth Wing, the first book in a what promises to be a compelling new fantasy series, The Empyrean.
Though twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail
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always expected she would follow in the footsteps of her late father and become a Scribe, her mother, the commanding General of the Basgiath War College, insists that Violet volunteer for the cut-throat Riders Quadrant, like her siblings before her. At a distinct disadvantage because of her physical frailties, Violet knows that even if she is among those who survive the first terrifying challenge, crossing a narrow parapet more than two hundred feet in the air to make it through the door, her chances of making it to graduation are slim. Not only is Violet likely to be targeted by the other candidates because of who she is, but dragons choose only the strongest Riders to bond with, and incinerate those who show weakness.Violet, of course, proves to have unexpected strength. Her physical weakness reflects the author’s own health condition so it’s authentically represented, and well integrated into Violet’s character. It’s with a mixture of sheer grit, smarts, and help from some loyal allies, that Violet not only survives the ongoing threats, but begins to thrive. She undergoes changes over the course of the novel, but her core personality remains steady. I liked her a lot, willing her through every challenge and cheering every success.
Violet’s allies, including childhood friend and crush Dain, and fellow student Rhiannon, are almost outnumbered by her enemies inside the Quadrant. There’s not only her fellow cadets which view Violet as vulnerable, but also the conscripted children of those who Violet’s mother executed for their part in the Tyrrish Rebellion around a decade ago, the eldest of which is Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
The stakes are high in the Riders Quadrant for everyone, all the time. Violence and death are almost a daily occurrence so there is plenty of ongoing action. Surviving each other, and their training is just the first step, Riders have to face the dragons who are easily annoyed, and even if they are chosen, they then risk death when they begin to channel the bonded power, and again when their signet magic manifests.
The romance in Fourth Wing goes someway to countering the brutality in the novel. Though I usually prefer the friends to lovers trope, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. There’s lots of sizzling tension between Violet and Xaden, believable emotion, and some truly explosive sex scenes.
Then there are the dragons, each with distinct personalities of their own, who are absolutely fabulous. Yarros offers some information about the bargain between the Navarre kingdom and the dragons, and the bond between dragons and their Riders, but there is still more to learn.
The cliffhanger ending, after an absolutely epic betrayal and battle, was not entirely unexpected but I did find it frustrating, tempered only by the knowledge that the sequel is being published this November. For fans of fantasy series, Fourth Wing could be described as a cross between The Scholomance by Naomi Novak, Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, and Divergent by Veronica Roth, but it has a magical appeal all of its own. Loved it!
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LibraryThing member GeauxGetLit
Book of the Year!!
Every so often there comes along a book that breaks all the genre barriers and it’s so special that it’s making people who only read a book every 5 years to reach out and grab the book…because FOMO is real! This is that book y’all!
The characters will fill your heart and
Trust me all you non fantasy readers, RUN to read this one now so we can chat all about it around the water cooler at work.
Every so often there comes along a book that breaks all the genre barriers and it’s so special that it’s making people who only read a book every 5 years to reach out and grab the book…because FOMO is real! This is that book y’all!
The characters will fill your heart and
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the plot was so dark and suspenseful, I felt like I was reading a horror thriller book in a land of dragons. Trust me all you non fantasy readers, RUN to read this one now so we can chat all about it around the water cooler at work.
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LibraryThing member ericagraphman
This book has everything I want in a fantasy - dragons, magic, secrets, spicy, enemies-to-lovers, the good kind of cliff hanger. I can't wait for book 2.
LibraryThing member mcasassa
I read almost everything except romance, that is until I stumbled upon the new book by Rebecca Yarros. I loved this book! The action is intense, the world building is great, the character development great! Overall this was an exceptional read. Can't wait for the next book in this series. Also
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going to try out the last novel by this author. Highly recommend this!! Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
This was very exciting on audio, 20 hours but you literally race through it because you can't wait to see what happens next! I don't like a lot of romance in a book and I especially didn't like it in this book, a little eye rolling was done more than once! But, the dragons and the world building
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more than made up for it! Show Less
LibraryThing member philae_02
Holy moly! I don’t know if my review will do this book justice. It’s basically survival (think Hunger Games vibes) and dragons! Violet Sorrengail is an amazing MC — she’s not perfect and she has some personal challenges, but she doesn’t let others get her down— I loved her
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self-confidence (no thanks Dain). And all the while I’m rooting for her as she completes all the challenges at the war college. And Xaden— wow! What an awesome morally gray character! Just wow! This book is phenomenal and I can’t wait for book two to come out this fall! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
So I can see why there is all the hype about this book, but everyone doesn't accurately describe how much detail and bedroom scenes are on the page - as far as the sex, profanity, etc part of the book - it's like reading an R-rated movie basically, but the story is great and the dragons, but if you
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don't like sex, profanity, etc and a lot of it then don't read this. Show Less
LibraryThing member spacegirl3000
Best fantasy book I've read since a very long time. Kept me sleepless and on my toes. Can't wait for the next book.
LibraryThing member TiffanyCutshall
OMG!!!!!
Okay, I will admit I was a bit skeptical of this book as this book seemed out of my normal realm of romance, however… I LOVED IT!
Rebecca you have just earned a new fan!
I enjoyed the character growth, especially that of Violet and Xanden, throughout the novel. I loved how I was constantly
I can’t wait to see how this series continues to develop!
Okay, I will admit I was a bit skeptical of this book as this book seemed out of my normal realm of romance, however… I LOVED IT!
Rebecca you have just earned a new fan!
I enjoyed the character growth, especially that of Violet and Xanden, throughout the novel. I loved how I was constantly
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guessing who were the good guys or bad guys or were there even any actual sides. I can’t wait to see how this series continues to develop!
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LibraryThing member Citizenjoyce
This book is the first in a series about dragon riders engaged in a 400-year-old war. Dragon riders - who could resist? But, it seems every fantasy has to have a romance. There's sooooo much romance, it kind of gags me. She does write great sex scenes, but it would have been so much better if she
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could just have stuck with the dragon riding stuff. I thought this would be the only book in the series I would read, then I got to the ending. Darn, I guess I have to continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member florabundi
Violet, daughter of the general commanding the armies of the country, is a frail, easily injured girl. She has trained for years to be a scribe while learning some skill with her daggers. Her mother forced her to join the Dragon rider group where everyone will be willing to kill her for being weak
Do not advise this book for young teens as it contains explicit sex.
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or just for her name. The potential riders loose one half to two thirds of their members before graduation so her odds are not great. She makes friends and used her brain to defeat enemies, eventually acquiring her Dragon and great magic. Then comes the betrayal.Do not advise this book for young teens as it contains explicit sex.
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LibraryThing member mikedowd
Just started. Send like another angsty young adult chosen one story with a military recruitment/training system that is completely ridiculous - by setting people against each other from the very start, you're asking for trouble later. No wonder there was a big rebellion
LibraryThing member Madison_Fairbanks
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Fantasy. New adult. Forced to fight to protect the world.
Twenty-year old Violet Sorrengail thought her future would be as a Scribe. A quiet life among books and history. Her mother, the commanding General says otherwise. Violet is forced to train at the Basgiath War
The first test is walking a bridge over an abyss. The bridge has no railings or handholds and is known to be dangerous. The candidate behind her simply throws the person behind him off bridge. He’s coming for her next.
I will not die today becomes her mantra and pledge.
Lot of blood and death, but that seems to define most fantasy right now. Violet is determined and uses her pain and years of studying to survive. She makes friends which helps when most of the unwilling candidates would prefer to kill her. Violet’s sister has warned her to stay away from Xaden Riorson yet he’s the one giving her advice that helps.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version while often following along with a paperback. The narrative was performed by Rebecca Soler with Teddy Hamilton performing the last chapter as Xaden. The tense situations and devastation from Violet comes through clearly. The audio voice variance is clear and easy to listen to and held my attention as each situation held danger and Violet’s determination to not die that day. Her compassion and caring is heard.
I listened to this at my usual speed of 1.5. The length at regular speed is over 20 hours. I finished to this in less than 2 days because I didn’t want to put it down.
Compelling, exciting and engrossing. And that ending! Wow.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Recorded Books.
Fantasy. New adult. Forced to fight to protect the world.
Twenty-year old Violet Sorrengail thought her future would be as a Scribe. A quiet life among books and history. Her mother, the commanding General says otherwise. Violet is forced to train at the Basgiath War
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College to be a dragon rider, where the dragons make the choice of their riders. Violet knows she is more likely to be incinerated by the dragons but her only choice is to survive. The first test is walking a bridge over an abyss. The bridge has no railings or handholds and is known to be dangerous. The candidate behind her simply throws the person behind him off bridge. He’s coming for her next.
I will not die today becomes her mantra and pledge.
Lot of blood and death, but that seems to define most fantasy right now. Violet is determined and uses her pain and years of studying to survive. She makes friends which helps when most of the unwilling candidates would prefer to kill her. Violet’s sister has warned her to stay away from Xaden Riorson yet he’s the one giving her advice that helps.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version while often following along with a paperback. The narrative was performed by Rebecca Soler with Teddy Hamilton performing the last chapter as Xaden. The tense situations and devastation from Violet comes through clearly. The audio voice variance is clear and easy to listen to and held my attention as each situation held danger and Violet’s determination to not die that day. Her compassion and caring is heard.
I listened to this at my usual speed of 1.5. The length at regular speed is over 20 hours. I finished to this in less than 2 days because I didn’t want to put it down.
Compelling, exciting and engrossing. And that ending! Wow.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Recorded Books.
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LibraryThing member Enid007
I was up till almost 2am to finish, yet I couldn't keep my eyes open even though I had 2 chapters left and because sadly I do have a job and reading isn't part of it. The only way to finish since I am impatient was to download the audiobook and listen to it while I work and O MY God! I can't even
*** Update: After coming home and decompressing I am now ready to give my honest review on this book.
The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, and I thought "oh great here we go another overly hyped book that I am not going to enjoy." I admit now I was wrong. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the characters and I love that although I would have enjoyed more depth and background to them it still was just enough to keep me going and just enough info where the characters, I really cared about weren't just a name and a passerby in the story.
The story line sometimes was a bit predictable but not enough to ruin it for me.
Violet Sorrengail - what I like and dislike: Violet is your typical fantasy underdog, and everyone loves an underdog, however it was a bit over done for me on some parts. The constant reminder of what others deemed her weakness and even what she felt was her weakness did not always make sense to me how she managed to overcome those things if I put too much thought into it, if I just let go and went with the flow then it didn't bother me as much. I did admire her tenacity and her compassion. I love her loyalty to her friends and to what she wanted to accomplish.
Xaden Riorson- What can I say I love the bad boys, his whole blunt and forwardness yet mysterious secret keeping is and has always been one of my favorite traits in my Fantasy men, lol (in real life not so much, lol) although if Xaden popped out of the book I would not hesitate at ALL! lol. Strong and powerful and doesn't give a sh*t about anyone's opinion... my kind of man.
Mira - I wish there were more to Mira other than, big sister, bad ass dragon rider. I feel there could have been so much more to her had the author delved in more, Perhaps the next book.
Dain Aethos- Rule abiding, arrogant, over-all pain in the a$$, reminded me of Matt Donavon in Vampire Diaries (tv show), like why is here? Other than to annoy the hell out of me.
Other characters I enjoyed but wish there were more depth to them - Liam, Rhiannon, Imogen, Garrick. Violet's family.
What I did not like overall about most of these Characters was they are supposed to be in their early 20s, but they seemed at times juvenile like they were more like 15- and 16-year-olds so sometimes I forgot they were in a university (college type years). My daughter says probably because I was not like most 20-year old's and she is right, but I stand by that.
My favorite thing about this book is the dragons, I want more in the next book and maybe POV from the dragons and more history and story about them!!
And the ending, didn't see that coming, thanks for that 🙂
* Enemies to lovers
* War university settings (almost gave me divergent vibes, ALMOST)
* Dragon riders
* Magic
* Underdog
* Fantasy politics - what's truth, what is a lie??
* I would say 2.5 out of 5 spice
* Villains you love to hate
Final thoughts: I like the book enough that I preordered the 2nd book, I'd recommend it if you enjoy fantasy but do not expect too much depth and do not mind some things being glossed over. It is a fun read, at least for me, but I do also agree that it is overly hyped to the extent it is not the best read of all year but good enough that I would read it again and again 🙂.
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give my review yet because I need to process and recover. Stay tuned for my full review once I've pulled myself to fully grasp this as a whole and my rating. There is a lot to think about.*** Update: After coming home and decompressing I am now ready to give my honest review on this book.
The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, and I thought "oh great here we go another overly hyped book that I am not going to enjoy." I admit now I was wrong. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the characters and I love that although I would have enjoyed more depth and background to them it still was just enough to keep me going and just enough info where the characters, I really cared about weren't just a name and a passerby in the story.
The story line sometimes was a bit predictable but not enough to ruin it for me.
Violet Sorrengail - what I like and dislike: Violet is your typical fantasy underdog, and everyone loves an underdog, however it was a bit over done for me on some parts. The constant reminder of what others deemed her weakness and even what she felt was her weakness did not always make sense to me how she managed to overcome those things if I put too much thought into it, if I just let go and went with the flow then it didn't bother me as much. I did admire her tenacity and her compassion. I love her loyalty to her friends and to what she wanted to accomplish.
Xaden Riorson- What can I say I love the bad boys, his whole blunt and forwardness yet mysterious secret keeping is and has always been one of my favorite traits in my Fantasy men, lol (in real life not so much, lol) although if Xaden popped out of the book I would not hesitate at ALL! lol. Strong and powerful and doesn't give a sh*t about anyone's opinion... my kind of man.
Mira - I wish there were more to Mira other than, big sister, bad ass dragon rider. I feel there could have been so much more to her had the author delved in more, Perhaps the next book.
Dain Aethos- Rule abiding, arrogant, over-all pain in the a$$, reminded me of Matt Donavon in Vampire Diaries (tv show), like why is here? Other than to annoy the hell out of me.
Other characters I enjoyed but wish there were more depth to them - Liam, Rhiannon, Imogen, Garrick. Violet's family.
What I did not like overall about most of these Characters was they are supposed to be in their early 20s, but they seemed at times juvenile like they were more like 15- and 16-year-olds so sometimes I forgot they were in a university (college type years). My daughter says probably because I was not like most 20-year old's and she is right, but I stand by that.
My favorite thing about this book is the dragons, I want more in the next book and maybe POV from the dragons and more history and story about them!!
And the ending, didn't see that coming, thanks for that 🙂
* Enemies to lovers
* War university settings (almost gave me divergent vibes, ALMOST)
* Dragon riders
* Magic
* Underdog
* Fantasy politics - what's truth, what is a lie??
* I would say 2.5 out of 5 spice
* Villains you love to hate
Final thoughts: I like the book enough that I preordered the 2nd book, I'd recommend it if you enjoy fantasy but do not expect too much depth and do not mind some things being glossed over. It is a fun read, at least for me, but I do also agree that it is overly hyped to the extent it is not the best read of all year but good enough that I would read it again and again 🙂.
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LibraryThing member bell7
Violet Sorrengail trained to be a scribe, but at the age of 20 her mother the general requires her to join the dragon academy. The place is dangerous from day one, when she needs to cross a parapet just to arrive, and only gets more so as the cadets vie for a limited number of dragons and sometimes
This first book in a planned five-book series is rightfully drawing comparisons with Sarah J. Maas's books, and has similar strengths and weaknesses. It's that crossover romance/fantasy with some elements of political infighting and the hint of more to the story than the protagonist realizes at first that seems to be having a moment right now. If it's not the best-written story in the world, it does exactly what you'd expect that particular subgenre to do, steamy sex scenes and all. The ending, while not exactly being a cliffhanger, does make some revelations that will keep readers waiting for book 2, which is due to come out in November.
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kill each other in the process. Violet not only has a target on her back as the general's daughter, she has a condition that causes her bones to break easily, but she's determined to do the best she can. And then there's Xaden, the young man whose father was killed by Violet's mother, who clearly has it in for Violet.This first book in a planned five-book series is rightfully drawing comparisons with Sarah J. Maas's books, and has similar strengths and weaknesses. It's that crossover romance/fantasy with some elements of political infighting and the hint of more to the story than the protagonist realizes at first that seems to be having a moment right now. If it's not the best-written story in the world, it does exactly what you'd expect that particular subgenre to do, steamy sex scenes and all. The ending, while not exactly being a cliffhanger, does make some revelations that will keep readers waiting for book 2, which is due to come out in November.
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LibraryThing member witchyrichy
Another friend recommended Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. As I mentioned, science fiction fantasy is not my usual fare but Yarros's story of dragon riders who face death every day beginning with their admittance to the school where they will learn is an exciting adventure. Violet Sorrengail wants
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to be a scholar but because of her family ties, she ends up in the dangerous Rider Quadrant where she must battle her fears to succeed. She uses her brain as she doesn't have any brawn to get through her first year, growing stronger in body and mind. The story twists and turns with a major cliffhanger at the end that I won't get to pursue until November when the second volume in the Empyrean series arrives. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
I am not typically into fantasy novels, but this one has received so much hype, I decided to read it. I found the war college interesting, the jockeying for power, the various training exercises, and the friendships. I knew from the very beginning that Violet and Xaden would be an item, it was so
The ending guarantees a 2nd book!
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obvious. However, the storyline wasn't completely obvious, and I did end up enjoying it.The ending guarantees a 2nd book!
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LibraryThing member deslivres5
You get dark academia within a violent/deadly militaristic training academy and magic. Dragons galore! Nice dragons!
I listened to the audiobook and the main character, Violet Sorrengail is voiced by Rebecca Soler a fav of books with their strong female characters, so you know that Violet is going
There are MANY, MANY, MANY instances of the F word (the language sounds very modern for a world I pictured to be as somewhat medieval?). The story felt like YA to me, until, there were two VERY explicit sexual encounters in the second half of the book, and I realized why it was categorized in Adult Fiction in my library system.
I listened to the audiobook and the main character, Violet Sorrengail is voiced by Rebecca Soler a fav of books with their strong female characters, so you know that Violet is going
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to be one tough lead (although it takes her some time to get there).There are MANY, MANY, MANY instances of the F word (the language sounds very modern for a world I pictured to be as somewhat medieval?). The story felt like YA to me, until, there were two VERY explicit sexual encounters in the second half of the book, and I realized why it was categorized in Adult Fiction in my library system.
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Awards
Alex Award (2024)
Waterstones Book of the Year (Shortlist — 2023)
Libby Book Award (Winner — Fantasy — 2023)
NPR: Books We Love (2023)
Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List (Selection — 2024)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2023)
Denver Public Library Staff Picks for Adults (Fiction — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2023-05-02
Physical description
512 inches
ISBN
9780349440194
Local notes
Australian special edition with sprayed page edges.
Other editions
Empyrean, Book 1: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Hardcover)