Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was lucky to snag this book when it was all but impossible to find in stores anywhere, and I can’t believe I waited weeks to read it! This story enraptured me. Violet was incredibly easy to like and root for the whole way. I’ll never get over how cool the dragons are.
I can’t wait to be back at Navarre soon!
I can’t wait to be back at Navarre soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, War, Classism
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, War
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW
Fourth Wing doesn’t do much that’s new — it’s a tropey hero’s journey — but it was super bingeable and a hell of a fun time. Can’t wait for book two.
For you if: You grew up on YA fantasy and love a steamy romance.
FULL REVIEW:
You know I had to see what all the hype was about. And I’m glad I did! This book doesn’t do much that’s new but it was super bingeable and a hell of a fun time.
The book is set at a catch-all college where students divide up into their chosen fields. Violet Sorengail trained her whole life to become a scribe, but at the last minute her mother, a top general of the army, forces her to enter the (dragon) Riders Quadrant instead because “Sorengails are riders.” Problem is, the entrance exam is walking across the ledge of a roof in a storm, and you either pass or you die. In fact, dozens of first years are killed off every day in the Riders Quadrant, and then those who do make it through have to hope a dragon chooses them. All the while for Violet, the hot, shadow-wielding son of the leader of the last rebellion has his eye on her.
This book is super tropey (hero’s journey with a bookish female protagonist, bad boy love interest keeping secrets, cold mother, dead father, etc) but simply fun — all the things people who grew up on YA fantasy will love. There are some worldbuilding mismatches (rubber boots, modern slang); Rebecca Roanhorse said it feels more like urban fantasy vibes than high or military fantasy, which I agree with.
Most of the plot has a familiar shape, but it does have a few good twists in there, including the very last one. And of course, it’s very steamy — although I wish there had been a bit more development of Violet and Xaden’s feelings for one another outside of pure sexual attraction.
Finally, there is some rare representation here — Violet, billed as small and “fragile,” has a condition resembling Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which makes joints loose and easy to dislocate, and skin easy to bruise. This leads to chronic pain.
All in all, this was a romp and I’m psyched for book two.
TL;DR REVIEW
Fourth Wing doesn’t do much that’s new — it’s a tropey hero’s journey — but it was super bingeable and a hell of a fun time. Can’t wait for book two.
For you if: You grew up on YA fantasy and love a steamy romance.
FULL REVIEW:
You know I had to see what all the hype was about. And I’m glad I did! This book doesn’t do much that’s new but it was super bingeable and a hell of a fun time.
The book is set at a catch-all college where students divide up into their chosen fields. Violet Sorengail trained her whole life to become a scribe, but at the last minute her mother, a top general of the army, forces her to enter the (dragon) Riders Quadrant instead because “Sorengails are riders.” Problem is, the entrance exam is walking across the ledge of a roof in a storm, and you either pass or you die. In fact, dozens of first years are killed off every day in the Riders Quadrant, and then those who do make it through have to hope a dragon chooses them. All the while for Violet, the hot, shadow-wielding son of the leader of the last rebellion has his eye on her.
This book is super tropey (hero’s journey with a bookish female protagonist, bad boy love interest keeping secrets, cold mother, dead father, etc) but simply fun — all the things people who grew up on YA fantasy will love. There are some worldbuilding mismatches (rubber boots, modern slang); Rebecca Roanhorse said it feels more like urban fantasy vibes than high or military fantasy, which I agree with.
Most of the plot has a familiar shape, but it does have a few good twists in there, including the very last one. And of course, it’s very steamy — although I wish there had been a bit more development of Violet and Xaden’s feelings for one another outside of pure sexual attraction.
Finally, there is some rare representation here — Violet, billed as small and “fragile,” has a condition resembling Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which makes joints loose and easy to dislocate, and skin easy to bruise. This leads to chronic pain.
All in all, this was a romp and I’m psyched for book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, War
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, War
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed Fourth Wing! It was fun and so exciting to see someone with the same disabilities as me on the page. I don't want to take away from the valued criticism and discussion of lack of proper descriptors for the BIPOC characters though. Along with Xaden's ambiguous skintone, you don't really get a hint that Quinn is black until 75% of the way through the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
No
2024 reading
It was still exciting to read it a 4th time as well. A year on, and I still couldn't put it down once I started the re-read. It was fun to catch on to some easter eggs now that I've read the sequel as well. I honestly still don't know whether this is actually a good book, but I can say that its definitely not just the tension between Vi and Xaden that carries this book. There's something really moving about watching Vi struggle and overcome her disadvantages - because it's mostly her mindset that changes. It is not that she becomes strong, but that she finds out that she already was.
2023 reading(s)
The hype around this book is super intense, so I struggle with this. I do not want to add to the praise, as I really wanted to dislike this book. But I just don't.
I was a little put off by the Divergent vibes I got from this book, but with dragons, cursing and sex. Aside from that, this book was really hard to put down (meaning I did not put it down until I finished it). That being said: I am unsure as to the quality of this book. The enemies to lovers slow burn was definitely hot (which I think most of the hype is focussed on), but I am honestly not sure about the quality beyond the 'hotness' of this book. My gut says the book isn't that great, once the tension is taken out of the equation. But, on the other hand, at this point I've read the book three times within the scope of five months. And when taking into consideration that I haven't really been reading a lot of novels, as I was too distracted and just read a lot of comics... It probably says something that it is still exciting to read, even the third time.
Nevertheless, immediately purchased the novel and obviously buying the sequel as well. So I guess Rebecca Yarros and Instagram/Tiktok got me in the end.
It was still exciting to read it a 4th time as well. A year on, and I still couldn't put it down once I started the re-read. It was fun to catch on to some easter eggs now that I've read the sequel as well. I honestly still don't know whether this is actually a good book, but I can say that its definitely not just the tension between Vi and Xaden that carries this book. There's something really moving about watching Vi struggle and overcome her disadvantages - because it's mostly her mindset that changes.
2023 reading(s)
The hype around this book is super intense, so I struggle with this. I do not want to add to the praise, as I really wanted to dislike this book. But I just don't.
I was a little put off by the Divergent vibes I got from this book, but with dragons, cursing and sex. Aside from that, this book was really hard to put down (meaning I did not put it down until I finished it). That being said: I am unsure as to the quality of this book. The enemies to lovers slow burn was definitely hot (which I think most of the hype is focussed on), but I am honestly not sure about the quality beyond the 'hotness' of this book. My gut says the book isn't that great, once the tension is taken out of the equation. But, on the other hand, at this point I've read the book three times within the scope of five months. And when taking into consideration that I haven't really been reading a lot of novels, as I was too distracted and just read a lot of comics... It probably says something that it is still exciting to read, even the third time.
Nevertheless, immediately purchased the novel and obviously buying the sequel as well. So I guess Rebecca Yarros and Instagram/Tiktok got me in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is so bad.
* None of the characters are fleshed out, so I don't really care about any of them.
* The enemies to lovers plot is so transparent that it's basically instalove. There is no relationship development, just sexual tension and possessiveness.
* The emotions are so overwrought that they have zero impact on me. Like how many times can our MC have "heart shattering," "soul rending" moments. Young adult/new adult usually does better than this. It's pure crummy writing.
* The MC has this sarcastic shitty attitude that drives me up a wall. I like a wry presentation. Violet is not wry, she's caustic.
* The idea that a military school finds it in their best interests to kill off swaths of eligible young recruits is comically short sighted. It seems like the book wants to make it all feel high stakes and dangerous, but we know Violet isn't going to die and we really don't have a chance to care about anyone else because of the stupidly shallow character development. So it just feels like bad writing.
* All of the ideas in this book are new skins for concepts from other books. There's a high level, 1 star review on Goodreads that breaks down all of the ripped off ideas - Rhysand-oops-Xaiden, Dragonriders of Pern, Hunger Games, Divergent, etc. It doesn't feel inspired by, it feels like a ripoff.
* The nickname was cringey. Violet being called Violence could be kinda fun, but her reputation is for being bookish and non-violent, so it doesn't really work. Then also Xaiden uses her nickname during intimate moments which is, well, weird and wrong.
* Declarations of love - gag. So unbelievable. There is no relationship development. The only sense of personality I get for Xaiden is he's hot, he has control issues, he seems to be the good guy, and he's overprotective just like Dane but she likes it from him.
* The setting - I don't have a good idea what this school looks like. I get vague castle-y vibes. The setting is poorly developed.
* The portrayal of chronic illness is convenient. It's like wow look how sad and frail and weak I am therefore I had to try soooo much harder than everyone else. But the things that this chronic illness causes - unexpected subluxations, frequent sprains, etc - are not at all represented as hardships she has to overcome when training. It's just trained > stronger > better joints. No difficulty training and she stops really having chronic illness issues when she's stronger. Yes, strength training helps keep the joints stable, but no, it's not as easy as get stronger and you'll be all better. It just feels like a shallow and convenient new skin for a main character, rather than real representation.
* And speaking of illness and healing - I am disgusted by the implications that you just HEAL from these traumatic injuries and are all better again. Healing means improvement, not eradication - a fracture dislocation with full tear ligament injuries isn't gonna be all better 6 weeks down the line. This is true for everyone, not just the MC.
* The sex scenes were a) so explicit they felt inappropriate and b) simultaneously cringey because it was like what fanfiction wants you to think sex is when you're a virgin. My issue is not with explicit writing, but the fact that it was poorly done, and plopped down into a book that feels written for a 13 year old (and is extremely graphic for a 13 year old like wow).
I really cannot get across how bad I think this book is. I like young adult. Young adult can be done well. It can be compelling and fascinating, novel and emotional. Yarros flat out did a bad job.
It wasn't until about 50% thru that I really gave up on this book getting good, and by that point I figured I could at least see it through. 70% on nearly broke me, it was so cringey. All of the dialogue made me roll my eyes. Even the last 10% is a slog through overdramatic action scenes, dumb declarations, and transparent "betrayal."
* None of the characters are fleshed out, so I don't really care about any of them.
* The enemies to lovers plot is so transparent that it's basically instalove. There is no relationship development, just sexual tension and possessiveness.
* The emotions are so overwrought that they have zero impact on me. Like how many times can our MC have "heart shattering," "soul rending" moments. Young adult/new adult usually does better than this. It's pure crummy writing.
* The MC has this sarcastic shitty attitude that drives me up a wall. I like a wry presentation. Violet is not wry, she's caustic.
* The idea that a military school finds it in their best interests to kill off swaths of eligible young recruits is comically short sighted. It seems like the book wants to make it all feel high stakes and dangerous, but we know Violet isn't going to die and we really don't have a chance to care about anyone else because of the stupidly shallow character development. So it just feels like bad writing.
* All of the ideas in this book are new skins for concepts from other books. There's a high level, 1 star review on Goodreads that breaks down all of the ripped off ideas - Rhysand-oops-Xaiden, Dragonriders of Pern, Hunger Games, Divergent, etc. It doesn't feel inspired by, it feels like a ripoff.
* The nickname was cringey. Violet being called Violence could be kinda fun, but her reputation is for being bookish and non-violent, so it doesn't really work. Then also Xaiden uses her nickname during intimate moments which is, well, weird and wrong.
* Declarations of love - gag. So unbelievable. There is no relationship development. The only sense of personality I get for Xaiden is he's hot, he has control issues, he seems to be the good guy, and he's overprotective just like Dane but she likes it from him.
* The setting - I don't have a good idea what this school looks like. I get vague castle-y vibes. The setting is poorly developed.
* The portrayal of chronic illness is convenient. It's like wow look how sad and frail and weak I am therefore I had to try soooo much harder than everyone else. But the things that this chronic illness causes - unexpected subluxations, frequent sprains, etc - are not at all represented as hardships she has to overcome when training. It's just trained > stronger > better joints. No difficulty training and she stops really having chronic illness issues when she's stronger. Yes, strength training helps keep the joints stable, but no, it's not as easy as get stronger and you'll be all better. It just feels like a shallow and convenient new skin for a main character, rather than real representation.
* And speaking of illness and healing - I am disgusted by the implications that you just HEAL from these traumatic injuries and are all better again. Healing means improvement, not eradication - a fracture dislocation with full tear ligament injuries isn't gonna be all better 6 weeks down the line. This is true for everyone, not just the MC.
* The sex scenes were a) so explicit they felt inappropriate and b) simultaneously cringey because it was like what fanfiction wants you to think sex is when you're a virgin. My issue is not with explicit writing, but the fact that it was poorly done, and plopped down into a book that feels written for a 13 year old (and is extremely graphic for a 13 year old like wow).
I really cannot get across how bad I think this book is. I like young adult. Young adult can be done well. It can be compelling and fascinating, novel and emotional. Yarros flat out did a bad job.
It wasn't until about 50% thru that I really gave up on this book getting good, and by that point I figured I could at least see it through. 70% on nearly broke me, it was so cringey. All of the dialogue made me roll my eyes. Even the last 10% is a slog through overdramatic action scenes, dumb declarations, and transparent "betrayal."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Medical trauma, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship
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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
I love the characters in this book. The perspective of the lead character changes so much from the beginning of the book. The dragons are on a whole different level in this book. I almost love them more than anymore character in this book. I loved the twist at the end. However, I have so many questions. I .can't wait until the next comes out in November!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail