Fantasy

This book gave me a book hangover… because I had to finish it! Just had to!

Set within the confines of Basgiath War College, this gripping tale unfolds against the backdrop of a brutal war and the high-stakes competition to become the elite dragon riders of Navarre.

At the center of the narrative is twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail, originally destined for the Scribe Quadrant, where a quiet life among books awaited her. However, her mother, the commanding general, redirects her fate, compelling Violet to join the intense competition for dragon riders. The catch? Dragons don’t bond with “fragile” humans, and Violet’s size and physical fragility make her an unlikely candidate, facing not only the challenge of mastering the art of dragon riding but also the constant threat of being incinerated.

Yarros masterfully crafts a world where danger lurks at every corner, and the competition for survival is as fierce as the dragons themselves. The tension is palpable, especially given Violet’s physical vulnerabilities and the cutthroat nature of her fellow cadets, led by the powerful and ruthless wingleader, Xaden Riorson.

The character development is noteworthy, with Violet emerging as a resilient and intelligent protagonist. The dynamics between characters, whether friends, enemies, or potential lovers, add layers of complexity to the narrative. Each individual at Basgiath War College harbors their own agenda, creating an atmosphere where trust is scarce and alliances are fragile.

The world-building is immersive, painting a vivid picture of the war-torn kingdom, the majestic dragons, and the elite training grounds of the war college. Yarros skillfully balances the thrilling action sequences with moments of introspection, giving readers a chance to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

As the war outside escalates and the protective wards of the kingdom falter, Violet begins to unravel a dark secret. The overarching mystery adds an extra layer of intrigue to the plot, keeping me hooked until the final page.

There was something very addictive about Fourth Wing. It had some flaws… mostly some scenes were a bit verbose. Like I get it. But it was easy to flip past those to the more exciting parts. And there were lots of exciting parts. I highly recommend.

Here’s the blurb:
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.