Book 1: Fourth Wing
The hype about this book was so loud that I could no longer avoid it. So here you go, my review of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
If I had to summarize this book in one sentence, it would be this: Divergent meets Vampire Academy in How to Train Your Dragon.
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t even read the synopsis for this book. I just dove straight in. And it was so worth it.
The book follows 20-year-old Violet, the daughter of an esteemed commanding general. The general is forcing her daughter to attend the school for dragon riders, a death sentence. Most of the students die by just getting to the damned place, and for Violet, the danger is tenfold because her body has been weak and sickly since birth. Even if she manages to survive the school and students, who constantly try to kill each other, she still has to find a dragon to bond with. But dragons don’t bond with “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
“Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda – because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.”
On the Parapet is the first time we see the main love interest, too, Xaden Riorson, a dark, brooding warrior with tattoos who wields the power of shadows. Sounds familiar? (Cough, Rhysand, cough). Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for brooding moody warriors with tattoos; any time, any day, I will sip them up like my morning coffee, but they became ubiquitous in YA and New Adult. I just found the same character in Raven Kennedy’s Guild. I would love to see some new characters too. To be honest, I liked Liam, who was always smiling, joking around, and sweet, just as much as Ridoc, who never failed to make me laugh, but was just as fierce and brave.
All of this aside, Xaden is a great character. He always supports and believes in Violet and is the only one who doesn’t treat her like she is made of glass. He respects her and her potential.
“And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.”
So we met Xaden, but there in the school, there is another man who holds our heroine’s heart: Dain. Dain is Violet’s childhood friend and crush. He abides by rules and is trying to protect Violet. Still, his good intentions transform into overprotectiveness, and instead of recognizing her accomplishments, he diminishes her by constantly reminding her that she is weak.
The book has a variety of characters. My favorite was Ridoc and Liam. We have an excellent girl-friendship with Violet and Rhiannon. All of those make the reading experience more enjoyable.
The heroine herself was fascinating. I loved that she was not super strong or something like that. She had to work twice as much and exercise daily to catch up to kids with normal strength. Her joints and bones are weak, and she lacks muscle or training like others, but she is the most determined and intelligent. As a potato myself, this character inspired me.
She has a good sense of humor, which eased the mood and improved the reading experience.
I loved the dragon rider concept and the dragons themselves. The dragons themselves were terrific, I loved Tairn and Andarna. They balanced each other perfectly, and I felt Tairn was acting like a father or older brother with Violet and Andarna.
The plot was predictable, but the writing and romance were so good that it kept me up all night. The magic system was exciting the dragon riders’ concept was very nice.
The first book’s plot was very well-paced, and the ending left me raw and sad. The author certainly doesn’t spare any characters, whether or not they are good or evil. But despite the sad ending, there is so much mystery and, anticipation, desire to learn more and explore more of this amazing world Rebecca Yarros has created.
Book 2: Iron Flame
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.”
Xaden Riorson
Everyone thought Violet Sorrengail was a goner in her first year at Basgiath War College—yep, even Violet herself. Threshing was just the start of those crazy tests meant to weed out the weak, unworthy, and unlucky bunch.
The training starts, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll make it through. It’s not just brutal or brutally intense—they want to see how much pain these riders can take before they break. And to top it off, the new vice commandant’s got a personal mission: show Violet she’s powerless unless she betrays the guy she loves.
Violet’s body might not be as strong as the rest, but she has brains and an iron will. And you know what she’s learned at Basgiath? Dragon riders make their own damn rules.
But this year, determination alone won’t cut it. Violet’s got a secret that’s been hidden at Basgiath War College for centuries. And even dragon fire might not be enough to save their hides.
This second book will uncover the Empire’s true nature and plans. We might also learn the real reason behind the rebellion that Xanden’s father orchestrated.
We also have a fascinating new character appearing at the end of book one. This character’s backstory is once more an exciting mystery to be unraveled.
The book will be published on the 7th of November, 2023, and will probably set the tone and increase tension for the final book.
