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A review by sydneysavior
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I am not usually one to write out an actual review, but this book was insultingly bad. It is portrayed as a more mature, dark, and brutal take on the classic trope of "fantasy magic school", but the only way the author seems to be able to sell it as "mature" is by killing characters off whenever she feels like it. The main character is allegedly a fully-grown twenty year old, but she speaks and acts as though she's thirteen and just learned what sex is.
Any time one of the male leads is present in a scene, you have to suffer through no less than three paragraphs about how badly the main character wants to have sex with them. The male leads themselves become caricatures of human beings, reduced to having exactly three character traits: the first is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-loving good boy. The second is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-hating bad boy.
These issues are made worse by the fact that there are genuinely some interesting ideas here! The dynamics of humans and dragons are cool to read about, and (light spoilers)The rebellion relics and forced conscription of the traitors' children is a really interesting concept, but it is wasted by the fact that it is mostly played through the character of Xaden, who, as previously mentioned, is an extremely dull character if you're interested in anything other than Violet.
Overall, I'm truly not convinced I read the same book as everyone else, and I am utterly confused as to how this managed to get 4.75 stars on this site.
Any time one of the male leads is present in a scene, you have to suffer through no less than three paragraphs about how badly the main character wants to have sex with them. The male leads themselves become caricatures of human beings, reduced to having exactly three character traits: the first is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-loving good boy. The second is 1.) obsessed with the main character, 2.) obsessed with protecting the main character, and 3.) a rule-hating bad boy.
These issues are made worse by the fact that there are genuinely some interesting ideas here! The dynamics of humans and dragons are cool to read about, and (light spoilers)
Overall, I'm truly not convinced I read the same book as everyone else, and I am utterly confused as to how this managed to get 4.75 stars on this site.