Fourth Wing: 1 (The Empyrean, 1)

Fourth Wing, the first book in The Empyrean series released on the second of may, but I read it only a few days ago. I’m not sure what went wrong where that this book escaped my notice for so long. Either way, I’m not sure where I heard of this book (probably bookstagram), but I bought the Kindle version immediately *weeps a river of tears that there’s no paperback version available*. (Random anecdotal rant commences) Then (and this is the most heartbreaking part of the story), my best friend read the book before I could and loved it. This is of course fantastic, except it’s not. Why? Well, it’s because I should’ve read it first and suggested it to her and then she should’ve read it and loved it. I blame this all on whatever strange magic has been in the air that kept this book away from my awareness and made me lose the chance for my best friend to tell me how much she loves because I recommended this book to her. (Random anecdotal rant concludes) I don’t think it has ever happened that once I finish a book I immediately want to read it again. Usually when I love a book, I float on a cloud of bliss for a few days before hunkering down to put all my feelings into fairly comprehensible words for a review. I’ve never—as far as I can recall—dove back into the book. But with Fourth Wing that’s exactly what I did. I just dove back into the book and re-read a good portion of it. And then did it again. The writing made the scenes so vivid, I was surprised I was reading and not watching it all play out on a screen. Whatever it is that Yarros did while writing, she certainly added a large dollop of something addictive to her work because the book felt like it was written to suit my senses. There was never a stagger or a stop, just flowing prose, fantastic, witty dialogue, stunning imagery supporting thrilling, heart jolting events. Honestly, all the pages of highlighted content on my Kindle is testament to that. I truly won’t be surprised if this book is picked for a movie/series because of how strong the words read. The world-building is so closely linked to the writing because the author employs a very unique and effective method to explain some of the rules of the world to the readers. If you’re reading my review and then starting Fourth Wing, I’m sure you’ll understand what I mean when the world-building scenes roll by. My only advice would be to take it a little slow (the book is devour-worthy and will force you to consume it in way lesser time than is usual) so that you’re able to truly know the rules, past and happenings of the world. It also helps if you’re buddy reading; you can help fill gaps in understanding, if there are any, with each other. *stares at my traitor best friend who didn’t buddy read with me*. Imagine the fastest book you’ve ever read, Fourth Wing is 10X that. The narrative being so conducive to the pace only adds to the way the book reads. The book is just event after event after event racing against time without any pauses/lags or inconsistencies that I could feel/find. When a book reads this way, without a stumble or a gap, to me that usually means the book has been planned down to the last letter. I’m 100% sure that Yarros has this all played out in her head, laughing at us as she types away on her keyboard. There’s no other way that this series is a five book series if she doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing. The characters are truly very many and it might be quite impossible to keep track of everyone all the time. That being said, the people that you need to know you will because their personalities are clear and constructed. I’m aware that reading a name on page and not knowing who that even is sometimes doesn’t feel great, so if you do feel that in this book I would say ignore it, mostly because if you don’t know them they’re probably not important. Think of them as NPCs. *feels proud of her computer game reference* Being in Violet’s mind was a true pleasure. The girl is whip smart, funny, honourable and filled with all the complexities and contradictions you’d enjoy in a FMC. I loved how the author stayed true to Violet’s age, adding so much strength and courage not just in her actions regarding her path but also her emotions. She was so brave and I was so proud. It added to the realness of the story when Violet had to coach herself constantly to be brave, to keep going to just stay. Xaden reminds me of the song line “hit you like a shotgun shot to the heart” because that’s how it feels from the moment he enters scene. He’s a presence in the book you can’t see past and he certainly is here to steal your heart. He was an intense and complex character to understand until suddenly you do and all the pieces come together. He and Violet truly have my heart and I can’t wait for the mental and emotional wreckage this series is going to cause in me. The disability rep in this book was a very very important part of it. I personally felt I would've loved to see it be spoken about more. Perhaps the author intends to delve deeper into it more in the second book/in the rest of the series, we’ll have to wait and see. Five stars! Happy reading! Please do check trigger warnings! The book can be a heavy and intense read for anyone, so please go in warned that there’s violence, murder, killing, death, gore, graphic content, death of a loved one (to name a few). (Also, update on the betrayal anecdote) My best friend totally re-read the whole book and pretended I recommended it to her and sent me a billion messages reacting like she was reading it the first time. I am appeased, she has been forgiven. Also, I should probably mention that she asked me to start with her but I couldn’t because well I had another book to finish and review. The point here is however, that she didn’t wait for me. Just wanted to make that clear.

It has the perfect balance of plot with spice. The chemistry between the leads is amazing.

Well, Rhysand is safe that’s for sure! And so are my other fav fictional boyfriends. I just had to pick this up as it was all over booksta and also I could not ignore the hype around Xaden, overshadowing Rhysand. I mean how could I? This book also stirred up such a strong yearning for Manon and her wyvern - Abraxos ❤. Now I just have to reread Throne of Glass series! Violet has spent her entire existence preparing for a future within the scribe quadrant, a perfect place for her because of her love for books &history. However, her mother, who also happens to be the commanding general, has issued an order that shatters Violet's dreams. She is now compelled to enter Basgiath War College and undergo training to become a dragon rider. The challenge lies in the fact that dragons only bond with individuals who possess great physical strength, something that Violet, with her petite and delicate frame, lacks. To make matters worse, Xaden Riorson, the most formidable and ruthless wing leader in the Riders Quadrant, harbors a deep-rooted grudge against Violet solely due to her mother's actions and he is determined to bring her down. Violet possesses a remarkable blend of intelligence, cunning, and compassion. She compensates for her physical limitations with razor-sharp wit & clever intellect. In a world where everyone seems to have ulterior motives, she fights against all odds. I couldn't help but adore her. Xaden... is swoon-worthy, to sum it up in one word! The push and pull between his resistance to his feelings for Violet and his undeniable desire for her was captivating. I just wish there was more of him. And how can I not talk about the awe-inspiring dragons, Tairn and Andarna? No wonder dragons are my favorite mythical creatures. They are magnificent! This story also boasts a remarkable cast of characters like Liam, Rhiannon, Mira, and many others. Each one left a lasting impression, and I cherished them all. This book truly has a captivating plot, immersive world-building, and thrilling action. However, my main issue was around the sudden shift in their feelings. It felt somewhat jarring when one moment they were supposed to hate each other & the next there are feelings involved😳. There was no build-up to romance at all. Additionally, I found myself yearning for a dual POV, or even multiple, considering so many intriguing characters in the story. Relying solely on one perspective became somewhat monotonous and limiting. Further, while the plot was engrossing, the final revelations lacked the element of surprise, as they felt rather predictable. Nonetheless, it did not take away the fun from the story. An action-packed and captivating read. Absolutely recommend.

This is one of those fantasy books that completely pulls you into its world from the very beginning. Honestly, it’s the kind of immersive fiction I can only compare to the feeling I had while reading Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling — that same sense of stepping into a fully alive universe with its own rules, stakes, friendships, rivalries, and danger around every corner. The world-building is brilliant. Basgiath War College feels real, intense, and unforgiving. For example, the dragon-rider selection, survival pressure between cadets, and the constant threat of failure (or death) create a tension that keeps the pages turning fast. It’s the kind of setting where you’re not just reading the story — you’re experiencing it alongside the characters. The character development was another highlight. Watching Violet grow from someone underestimated by almost everyone into someone stronger and more determined makes her journey incredibly satisfying. And the relationships — friendships, rivalries, and especially the romantic tension — all add emotional depth without slowing the pace. The twists toward the end were especially well done. Just when the story feels like it’s settling into a direction, the narrative shifts and raises the stakes dramatically. The climax builds perfectly and leaves you wanting the next book immediately.

Okay, so the first time I ordered the book, the dust cover was torn and it did not had sprayed edges. I replaced it with the same item and MY GOD. This time? The book was in perfect condition. Untorn dust cover. Sprayed edges. Perfect. The packaging was better too. It came in a box this time rather than a paper package like the first time I got it. Thank you Amazon.

Great story and Great condition of the book.

Book came in good condition, paper and printing quality are good.

One of the best fantasy that also concentrates on story line.

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I have actually felt tension while reading a book. I can read the biggest action scenes at the end of various books and the majority of the time they just don't affect me at all - because I don't care that much about the characters. But THIS - this was different. I felt the tension. And it was real. Plus the author is very willing to kill characters so there is some uncertainty there as well. And the battle at the end of this most excellent book - it was hot and raging. Plus the enemy leaked danger as well. True menace. Very rarely does some enemy in a book impress me at all but this one most certainly did.. Right from the description I just KNEW there was something different about these mages called venin. They seemed impressive too. And very memorable. I wanted to draw them based off of the description. Very rarely do I get that urge. But what a battle at the end! It was touch and go. What would happen? Would the heroes win or lose? I didn't know. And I felt concern. This book has made me feel things. Earlier it had made me cry - tears of joy. And the book has surprised me too. The plot twists! I guess I should have seen it coming but I didn't so I was quite surprised. But it certainly makes the story way more interesting! And I am certainly eager to read the sequel too! This is a massive book and worth reading every word! And rarely do I feel that way. But its exciting and the characters face so many challenges. And there is death too. In fact there is a lot of death in here. Its a very violent world, a tough world of dragons and griffins and things that are supposed to be only legends to scare kids to eat their vegetables... But what I love the most in here in the main character Violet. She has a connective tissue disorder. I have one too (its called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - EDS - and I am pretty confident that Violet actually has EDS). I have never run across a character in a book before that has EDS. And certainly not one that is bold enough to be in a fantasy world where she rides a dragon. How cool is that? So yes I certainly can relate to her very well! And so much of the stuff in here is quite accurate too. Exercise is the best way to protect the joints (and personally I find diet matters a ton too). And yes it certainly can make many things way harder. The joints are all wonky and they naturally hyper-extend so doing things - even just balancing - is way harder. But riding a dragon!!! I remember when I was much younger I used to read this other very popular fantasy series that included dragons and I used to try to imagine what it would be like to ride a dragon. Of course I never thought about the issues of staying ON said dragon... But since I ride horses these days I have a better idea of some of the issues. But wow this book is totally AMAZING! it totally captivated my attention. The first evening I started it I got 50% through. And I certainly would have powered through the second half yesterday but unfortunately I have packing to do as I am moving at the end of the month. If I could I would rate it 6 stars! The characters are just so real. And they go through character arcs too. They change. They face obstacles and have to find solutions. And there is certainly a bit of romance in here too. The story moved so smoothly. Never a dull moment at all. None. And I just loved the first person writing in here from Violet's viewpoint. But the story is about a young woman named Violet who has been forced by her very powerful mother to become a dragon rider. That is a warrior. But her body is weak and ill suited for it. So she was training to be a scribe (but all of that writing would be a huge strain on her too - in fact I cannot write very long at all by hand anymore without pain + numbness going down my arm and I get horrid shoulder pain) but that changed - she had to go be a dragon rider or die trying. But its not that easy in fact its very dangerous. Most people who try to become a rider end up dead. And you can be killed by your own classmates! Yes, its a very brutal school. And after all of these difficult obstacles - which Violet is ill suited to pass - she has to hope that a dragon will pick her. But what dragon will pick someone with a body that doesn't work right due to genetic mutations? And all of that is near the beginning of the book! For a huge mysterious and dangerous problem is brewing in the Kingdom! And poor Violet will run smack into it - err - fly into it. If she can stay on the dragon that is... You definitely should read this!

Para quem ama esse universo de romantasy, Fourth Wing é uma ótima escolha. Superficialmente, é como se a autora pegasse Jogos Vorazes, As Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo, Harry Potter, ACOTAR e batesse em um liquidificador para criar essa obra. Porém, ao nos aprofundarmos na história, esquecemos essa primeira impressão, pois é notável que a Rebecca Yaros sabe escrever uma trama envolvente, que transporta o leitor para aquele universo e consegue fazê-lo sentir o que a personagem sente. Inicialmente, sobre a trama: Violet Sorrengail é a clássica heroína que se difere dos outros porque nunca quis se encaixar naquele contexto em primeiro lugar. Em uma escola dividida em quatro esquadrões - escribas, infantaria, curandeiros e montadores de dragões -, ela queria se dedicar ao primeiro, mas é forçada a ir para o último. Daí pra frente, apenas existir lá dentro se torna uma luta pela sobrevivência, pois os montadores de dragões não aceitam alguém que enfraqueça essa unidade. Lá, ela conhece Xanden Riorson, o qual é um, também clássico, anti-herói que será o interesse amoroso - e muito, muito carnal - da personagem. Ele tem tudo que amamos em um mocinho de romantasy: é lindo, é forte, chama a Violet por um apelido especial, apoia a liberdade e a liderança dela com um jeito de malvado, de perigoso, de irônico... mas tem todos os motivos do mundo pra fazer o que faz, é justo, é leal, é irresistível...e, no final das contas, completamente devoto a ela. É a receita infalível para um enemies to lovers de devorar em uma madrugada. Jogue no meio o perigo constante, ameaças mortais, dragões amedrontadores, inimigos POR TODA PARTE, uma revolução no mundo em que a protagonista vive e no jeito que ela vê as coisas e temos Fourth Wing nos prendendo à leitura como maníacas obcecadas. Claro, o livro tem defeitos: existem muitos clichês - desde bad boys vs mocinho, a garota diferente das outras garotas, protagonista superidealizada (vulgo Mary Sue/a escolhida/se errou, foi com razão) em alguns momentos, mommy e daddy issues pra todo lado -, pelo menos 1 palavrão por página (o que, em minha opinião, deixa o livro adolescente demais), e se você é apaixonada pelo Rhysand de ACOTAR, você provavelmente vai notar umas certas... semelhanças entre ele e o Xaden. Em suma, o livro cumpre o seu papel: é uma leitura divertida, te mantém interessada o tempo inteiro, te faz torcer por alguns personagens e odiar outros, te faz passar mal com as cenas hot (muito bem escritas, por sinal!), e ir correndo pro próximo livro da série só pra não nem 1 minuto de distância daquele mundo e daquele casal. Eu não diria que é super revolucionário, pois acho que esse nicho literário (fantasia com romances épicos para jovens adultos) já não tem tanto pra onde correr mais. Dito isso, cá estou eu, já terminando o segundo livro e em agonia por ter que esperar o terceiro. Enfim, recomendo!

Real nice book, my jaw dropped to the floor with the last sentence.

Having heard raving reviews and whispers about 'Fourth Wing' for what felt like an eternity, I finally decided it was time to make it my next literary adventure. I have previously had no encounter with a Rebecca Yarros novel, though the prospect of diving into a book showered with overwhelming acclaim did give rise to a touch of apprehension. What if my expectations were too high? However, the persistent curiosity surrounding this book left me with no choice but to take the plunge. Luckily, fate smiled upon me. From the very outset, 'Fourth Wing' ensnared my attention, refusing to release its grip until the very last page. This novel is an irresistible escapade. Violet's journey commences abruptly as she finds herself thrust into the perilous Riders Quadrant, a stark departure from her envisioned sanctuary in the Scribe Quadrant amidst books. With a physical fragility that seemingly marks her for demise, she becomes an unlikely contender in a place where survival is a fierce battle. Undeterred, Violet channels her tenacity into relentless efforts to fortify herself. Gifted with intellect, she navigates the challenges, becoming adept at outsmarting those around her. In a cutthroat environment where trust is scarce, distinguishing allies from foes becomes a daunting task. Enter Xaden Riorson, the formidable wingleader in the Riders Quadrant, whose power and ruthlessness make him a force to be reckoned with. However, buried beneath his dominance lies a deep-seated vendetta fueled by the shadows of the past—Violet's mother having played a pivotal role in the demise of his father. 'Fourth Wing' effortlessly encapsulates everything I adore in a book—fantasy, romance, suspense, and unexpected twists. Returning to the realm of fantasy after a brief hiatus, I relished every facet of this narrative—the dragons, the magic, and the harsh yet captivating world that held me in its grasp. The story lingered in my thoughts throughout the day, a testament to its compelling characters and intricate plot. And the romance, an exquisite torment! It left me yearning for more, and the ending spurred me to hastily order the next instalment. 'Fourth Wing' effortlessly earns a place on my favourites list—a resounding five-star rating and the easiest decision of the year.

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰…” 𝘏𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬, 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺. “𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.” 🐉 Romance Fantasy 🐉 Slow-Burn 🐉 Enemies to lovers 🐉 DRAGONS 🐉 Power/Magic 🐉 Death, Betrayal, War-games/Trials 3 words : 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 I’m completely obsessed, completely in love … I can’t stop thinking about it .. Xaden is in the race for my favorite book Boyfriend ever, the dragons are perfect , they are characters not just .. big pets.. The plot sucked me in, the world building made me dream, the end made me cry and the cliffhanger made me gasp .. 𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. “𝘚𝘦𝘦? 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳.” 𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘺. “𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. » “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵,” Biggest hangover of the year so far, I need the sequel like I need my next breath and nothing else matters until then.. Of course it’s a big ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♾️ for me. Nothing else to say. 𝘈 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺. 𝘈 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥.