Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Fourth Wing

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

34 reviews

erynlasbelin's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book sorely needed an editor. And maybe a cowriter. Someone to shape the overall ideas of the story into something coherent. But at the very, very least, a strong editing pass.

The writing was clunky and repetitive, the author used words whose meanings she clearly didn't understand, and the logistics of what was supposed to be physically happening (especially during battle scenes) were often difficult to follow. The smut wasn't bad, but was outweighed by the endless stream of horny thoughts every single time the two main characters interacted with each other, even when they're supposed to be in dire circumstances or experiencing emotional devastation. The worldbuilding was weak as fuck and seemed to be made up on the spot throughout the book. The way the "war college" works doesn't stand up to even the slightest amount of scrutiny - why would they want to relentlessly kill off all their able-bodied young soldiers when they're at war? Luckily, given the death toll, other than maybe 3 of the main characters, no one has a personality at all; best friends, squad mates, teachers, and family members are basically cardboard cutouts with little to no identity. And while Violet herself is the best-developed of the bunch, it has to be said that her motivations simply aren't there. Other than ~proving people wrong~ once she's there, there is no explanation for why she would commit herself to fighting herself into a violent and early death, when she's given multiple opportunities to go back to the life she always wanted and planned for. She never thinks about the future at all.

All that being said, it was a quick read, and I do wonder where the story is going next. Future books could be good pulp romantasy fun if given the kind of editing they need. My one bit of praise is that I appreciate the hEDS representation, and that she receives accommodations for it. I have literally never seen this aspect of myself reflected in a book before (although I know of another one coming out soon!) and that element was genuinely well done.

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_rowantree_'s review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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micaelamariem's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

I'm in too many book clubs to keep up with. Four months ago, one of those book clubs chose Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, so I sent a hold request to the library. I had heard of it but was unprepared for how popular it was. I was 50-something in the hold request line and it took these four months to actually get my hands on it. Needless to say, I didn't read it in time for the club, but I'm still glad I read it!

The author, Rebecca Yarros, is a busy woman. Not only does she write books, but she's a military wife with six kids. While she has written a lot of books, I think Fourth Wing is her first fantasy novel.

"A dragon without a rider is a tragedy. A rider without a dragon is dead."

Fourth Wing is an elite fantasy romance. Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail is forced to join the war college and train to be a dragon rider, rather than join the scribe quadrant like she wanted. Violet is unsure she'll survive the tests and training--many die and she's weaker than most, with brittle bones and a small stature. To make matters worse, Xaden Riorson is there, the son of a traitor--he would want to kill her just for being a Sorrengail, the daughter of the general. When things can't seem to get more complicated, Violet starts to suspect that leadership isn't being completely honest about what's going on outside the college walls.

If that summary doesn't sell you, let me tell you how much I loved this book. I loved it so much that I'm not sure I can express it properly in words, actually. It has been months, almost a full year, since I felt so connected to a book like this. Maybe because it has some of my favorite things: magic schools, enemies to lovers, training sequences, political intrigue, dark secrets.

The characters were wonderful and well-rounded. Violet shows a good source of disability representation within a fantasy novel. Because her mom had a sickness when she was pregnant, Violet is very weak and her bones break easily and she's always in pain. While this is a fantastical chronic illness, I think a lot of people may be able to relate--for example, I have chronic migraines, chronic knee and back pain, and stomach issues and yet this book made me feel like I can still be badass. I also loved how there were things about her illness that she could not overcome but had to adapt instead, showing the reader that this difference was not weakness.

Xaden was the brooding dark figure we all love in a good fantasy novel. He had his secret and deep down a sweet, protective side. But his protectiveness was a foil from Dain's--their characters showed how protectiveness can be sweet if you still trust someone to make their own choices and support them or it can be overbearing and belittling if you box them into a corner.

The side characters were also amazing. My favorite, of course, was Liam. He showed what it means to be a quiet friend, what it means to be humble, how to show your emotions through facial expressions. And Rhiannon was also great--the girl best friend every girl should have who loudly supports her friend and is determined to train and help.

Talking about the characters would be so incomplete without mentioning the dragons! I loved these dragons. Tairn, the fierce but noble one. Andarna, the sweet and stubborn and sometimes naïve. Sgaeyl, ready to strike down any enemy. These dragons had their own personalities and their own laws and they provided more insight onto our mere human characters.

The worldbuilding and plotline were so intricately intwined. I don't want to give any spoilers, but one thing I thought was clever was to have a main character who was so interested in books and history that we as readers get tidbits of the world's history from her. But in all fantasy novels, what never fails to amaze me is the research and grit put into designing magic school's classes, magic systems, maps, borders, fables, history, governments, books, fantastical creatures, and more. And being able to keep track of it and incorporate it into the plotline so they become key plot points. If only I can be such a good world creator and writer someday!

And the writing style was also great. I truly felt like it was Violet's voice, like I was in her head as she took in everything, from gigantic dragons flying overhead to the deathly obstacle course she had to complete and more. It made reading the five hundred pages fly by and made me wish for more.

The only drawback is there was some predictability. Maybe it's just because I read a lot so I can instantly recognize key tropes and foreshadowing. I still loved the book despite being able to predict some of the key plot points. I still highly recommend the book.

In fact, I give this book five stars, which is rare for me this year. I need to get my hands on the copy AND preorder the sequel, Iron Flame.

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mythicalbookshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad medium-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 is fantastic for a fantasy romance, it is the perfect gateway for people who don’t typically read High Fantasy novels as it balances the act of world building and romantic subplots. I found the characters extremely lovable and the glimpses into their individual backgrounds intriguing. The pacing was good, it did slow down for me in the third-act but not to the point that it detracts from my rating.

I will say the *surprise spoiler* at the end was predictable to anyone who’s entrenched in a fantasy background but it still made me leap up in bed and shout! 5 stars across the board, this is a must read!

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pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

This was incredible. The plot was in constant drive and build, we get hints and tidbits of foreshadow that were so tastefully dropped that they spoilt nothing, we get disability representation from an author with the described disability, we get dragons and magic, fast-paced battles, boarding school style intrigue, a fully developed world with political strain, witty banter between allies and enemies, and the steamiest romance. For only having two sex scenes, they are the most well written, passionate, realistic throes I have ever read. No weird cringey descriptors or bedroom talk. Consent is also addressed and handled excellently.

I'm not even sure if I consider my only complaint a complaint; there is an attempt at LGBTQ representation, and it really fell short- it's a side note of a passing conversation. I would never require all authors to represent identities they are unfamiliar with, that's how you get offensive stereotypes streamlined, right?

While full of feminine power, this story is straight AF.

I listened to this via libro.fm and the narrator was absolutely phenomenal. Her voice is so dynamic and each character has a different, unique, recognizable lilt. She also actually sped up the reading pace during stressful battles, slowed down during introspective bits, and evokes so much emotion. Rebecca Soler deserves a damn award for this reading. I finished all 20 hrs and 45 minutes in a two day period. The final chapter is read by Teddy Hamilton, and while he did a good job, it was jarring for the switch to happen, and I wasn't a big fan of his intonation and representation of our heroine.

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katiekeske's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was an entertaining enough read, even though I thought about not finishing it in the beginning. I stuck with it and eventually got invested. I think it's generally a well written YA novel, but it was a little juvenile for me personally. It's a little weird how a violent, sexually graphic novel can come across juvenile. I would have preferred if it was written for adults as a New Adult novel, but I can't help thinking they want teenagers to read it.

I liked that the heroine had physical issues to overcome and usually thought things through.

Overall, I couldn't suspend my disbelief about certain things with the world-building. I find it hard to believe a school would be so okay with students killing each other. They are supposed to be training soldiers, but how can you trust people in the future when you've been thinking they will kill you all through school? Plus, rules kept being mentioned about not hurting others or using your powers during training, then a character would. There were never any repercussions for the rule breaking.

Warning for SPOILERS, the twists toward the end just frustrated me. Honesty is really important to me, and my views toward Xaden (and others involved in the secret) took a nosedive. I knew there was going to be a secret he was keeping, so that part wasn't much of a surprise. Then when it happened I just couldn't feel much respect for him. I don't plan on reading any sequels.

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hclin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? No

5.0

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notsobinaryart's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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zoeelora's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

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

2.0

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zanazy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Ok, this book has been all over so I was hesitant to read it for a bit. My overall opinion is that it’s good, worth hype, but not to the level it’s currently getting. The story has a boarding school setting with dragons and battles, which you see and explore through the eyes of Violet. The male lead is Xaden, the older, son of the rebellion leader. It’s meant to be an enemies to lovers, but I never felt like they were enemies. For me, this book gave me major Divergent book 1 vibes from the beginning with Violet and Xaden giving me major Tris and Four vibes. The overall concept is good, and I liked the pace of the story so it made for a quick read and keeps you engaged which is great. I was able to guess/know where some major plot lines were going, but I still enjoyed how she got there.

As far as characters, Violet is very relatable and Xaden is hot, but you knew he was into her from the first meeting which kills the enemies to lovers angle. We are told he’s the enemy and wants to kill her, but he NEVER gives off that impression. Their ages are adults but Xaden is the oldest at 23, so it’s a NA book. I say this because both get very horny and Violet spends so much time telling the reader how much she wants Xaden that it makes the burn 🔥 both uncomfortable and annoying. The supporting cast is great, but be prepared for deaths like in Divergent. The dragons and fantasy aspect add a lot, but this mystery between the attacks, the rebellion, and history is where this story shines.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one, but don’t let the hype raise your expectations to the max as it’s not THAT amazing. Lots of potential to get there though, so my expectations for book 2 are higher. As for the ending, I don’t think it’s a true cliffhanger. It’s more of an abrupt cutoff but no one is hanging off a cliff.

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