Scan barcode
A review by caitlinexo
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall, I enjoyed Fourth Wing and I think it will make a brilliant series when it eventually translates to the screen.
That being said, I had some real issues with the writing quality and character development in some areas. Aside from Violet, Xaden, Dain, Liam and Rhiannon (sort of), I felt that the characters were very much cut and paste, and honestly a little lifeless. I couldn’t tell you the difference between them as none of the background/supporting characters have clearly defined traits or backstories. Perhaps that is more jarringly obvious in my case as I read this just after Throne of Glass where every character is well-rounded and developed (albeit over 7 books, not one one!).
In addition, I found some lines super cringy - especially the overuse of modern idioms and phrases. For me personally, it just takes me out of the story and makes the world lack immersion.
That being said, the plot was good (though there is a lot of ‘hand holding’ from the author), and the ending chapters were impactful and emotional.
I’ve seen a lot of discourse surrounding violets unnamed disability and how this isn’t fleshed out as well as it could have been. I agree with this to an extent, however I must say, the point in which I really began to enjoy this book was during the saddle scene and the emphasis on how there is no shame in making adjustments for yourself to improve accessibility. Yarros really drives home the point that people with disabilities/chronic illnesses do face additional struggles, but they are more than capable of doing anything they wish when properly equipped with the right resources and support. Not only this, but I felt a sense of accomplishment on behalf of violet and this, to me, translated into a celebration of the feats disabled/chronically ill people in our society should too be proud of. I do hope she continues to explore the complexities of violets condition in later books.
The romance/spice certainly got better towards the end of the book too!
That being said, I had some real issues with the writing quality and character development in some areas. Aside from Violet, Xaden, Dain, Liam and Rhiannon (sort of), I felt that the characters were very much cut and paste, and honestly a little lifeless. I couldn’t tell you the difference between them as none of the background/supporting characters have clearly defined traits or backstories. Perhaps that is more jarringly obvious in my case as I read this just after Throne of Glass where every character is well-rounded and developed (albeit over 7 books, not one one!).
In addition, I found some lines super cringy - especially the overuse of modern idioms and phrases. For me personally, it just takes me out of the story and makes the world lack immersion.
That being said, the plot was good (though there is a lot of ‘hand holding’ from the author), and the ending chapters were impactful and emotional.
I’ve seen a lot of discourse surrounding violets unnamed disability and how this isn’t fleshed out as well as it could have been. I agree with this to an extent, however I must say, the point in which I really began to enjoy this book was during the saddle scene and the emphasis on how there is no shame in making adjustments for yourself to improve accessibility. Yarros really drives home the point that people with disabilities/chronic illnesses do face additional struggles, but they are more than capable of doing anything they wish when properly equipped with the right resources and support. Not only this, but I felt a sense of accomplishment on behalf of violet and this, to me, translated into a celebration of the feats disabled/chronically ill people in our society should too be proud of. I do hope she continues to explore the complexities of violets condition in later books.
The romance/spice certainly got better towards the end of the book too!