Reviews with content warning for Body shaming - Fourth wing - Tome 01

I loved this book! It kept my attention and I am not a big fantasy reader. If you like hunger games and Harry Potter you will like this. But it’s with dragons! :)

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nikimorr's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book deserves every star. I am beyond amazed at the world the author has created.

There is a mix of everything - adventure, friendship, romance. I found the main character, Violet, to be lovable, and I was rooting for her from the beginning. Even when I did not always agree with her decisions, I was all in on Team Violet, which does not happen in many books. I appreciated that she wasn’t a “perfect” main character - she has many flaws but prevails nonetheless.

I love that this book took place in a school - there was so many different elements to the school and the student’s training that allowed us to learn about not only the world but also the characters and watch them develop, grow and bond (with each other and dragons).

At first, I wanted more world building, but by the end as more and more unfolded, I was grateful for the timing of development - instead of overly intense world building in the beginning, it all slowly unfolds making it very easy to read.

SPOILERS: Threshing and forward had me hooked. The personality of Tairn and Andarna added so much to the book - Tairn as powerful and grumpy, and Andarna as simply adorable. The ability for everyone to mentally connect made it all feel so intimate and special. It is as if Tairn and Andarna represent both sides of Violet.

SPOILERS: The slow burn between Xaden and Violet was ‘chef’s kiss.’ The grumpy/sunshine and protector trope developed perfectly. Their survival being connected added in all the best ways.

SPOILERS: The ending left so much open for this series. The first battle was perfect and emotional. Liam’s, and his dragon’s, death devastated me, and in that battle I knew this was a 5 star book for me. I am so excited to keep going on this journey.

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tieflingmom's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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amy_in_the_city's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book was really fun! Finally, a true "enemies to lovers" story, not "person-I-kind-of-dislike-for-petty-reasons to lovers." I appreciated that Violet clearly communicated what she wanted from Xaden, and he respected that boundary. That really should be the bare minimum, but is unfortunately rare in romance, especially fantasy romance. I loved the dragons and all of Violet's and Xaden's friends

except for you, Dain!

.

The world-building was clunky. There were several instances of unnatural exposition through dialogue starting with "as you already know" or someone explaining something to another character that they should already reasonably be expected to know. There was also a lot of telling us Xaden was "ruthless" and "vicious" without ever actually showing him acting that way. This was just fine with me since I don't like cruel love interests much, but it bothered me that they were trying to convince us he was a "dark and dangerous bad boy" when he's really not. Another minor issue was I really didn't like Xaden's nickname for Violet. I thought it was awkward and not cute.

I feel like Violet kind of overreacted to the third-act conflict.

I understand being disappointed that the guy she likes didn't tell her that he's been working with the enemy because the enemy is actually the good side. I understand needing some time to process that. On the other hand, it is unrealistic to expect a guy she only just officially got together with like the day before, who was also her mortal enemy for the longest time, to tell her, the daughter of a general, that he and all his friends have been committing treason. Did she really want him to risk his life and the lives of all his friends as well as the lives of everyone the rebellion is defending because she's just so important to him? His reasons for not telling her were solid, and I really don't think this warrants her saying she can never trust him again.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

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beltari's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

If you want to read an amazingly built world with multidimensional characters, I highly recommend Brandon Sanderson, especially the Stormlight Archive series.

This book was fun but I enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed Sharknado. I can see why some less experienced readers would love it too. It was written so that young female readers will identify themselves with the "not like other girls" protagonist and if that's your cup of tea, go for it. It has cool fight scenes, Mexican novel levels of drama, and smutty scenes worthy of AO3. It's a light read and made me laugh with all the cringy dialogue and obvious plot twists. I'm giving it 4 stars because it fulfilled my need for a popcorn book.

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