Fourth Wing

Fourth WingThe EmpyreanRebecca Yarros

Mar 17

Written By Ally Talley

The Empyrean #1

By Rebecca Yarros

TheStory

Violet Sorrengail is forced into the Rider’s Quadrant at Basgiath War College - the dragon-riding, high death rate, violent section of the college. Having trained to be a scribe her entire life and working with the issue of her fragile body, Violet also has to deal with her mortal enemy - Xaden Riorson. Both families have deeply betrayed one another and neither has forgotten a second of it. Violet has no fantasies about what her life in this quadrant will be like. She knows the odds.

However, everything is turned upside down when the dragons make their decisions. No one can ignore the choices being made by the most powerful being on the continent. Violet might just stand a chance. When secrets are revealed and loyalties shift, Violet’s reality takes a dramatic turn.

TheReview

This book was utterly enthralling. I didn’t know that it wasn’t a completed series when I started it the year it came out. And I RIOTED when I found out there was only one book out. So I read it a second time. And a third time. Just to satisfy my love of this world while waiting for book two. This book was totally enthralling from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down.

Now for the bits I’m just dying to discuss…

Are we all obsessed with Xaden?! Or is it just me? I feel like it can’t be just me. His and Violet’s relationship is wonderful. The changes in their relationship throughout the book tell a story of how prejudices can damage everyone. No one is 100% right all of the time. It takes a special person to see someone for who they truly are AND change their preconceived notions. Beautiful.

Though Violet and Xaden’s relationship was a central focus, the overarching storyline was just as good. Not only are the characters getting through their first year of college in the Rider’s Quadrant, but more is going on than we realize. There is heavy foreshadowing to an altogether bigger picture that one can assume is coming in later books since this is set to be a five book series.

So the ending?! What a wild ride. The LIES! The SECRETS! Oooooohhh the lies and secrets. What a shocking, banger of an ending. Now, I don’t want to spoil anything so this is a little cryptic but Xaden's confession at the end is so unrealistic to me. With the way they were with each other and their history?? No way his confession makes any sense. But I digress, you’ll see when you read it.

On a not-so-important note for me but seems to be a good note for a reader, the writing is definitely written as a teenager. Violet is nineteen. It SHOULD sound like a nineteen-year-old thinking and speaking. But I’ve seen reviews that dig on this particular point, but I thought it sounded exactly as it should for being from the perspective of a nineteen-year-old.

I have been absolutely obsessed with this book every single time I’ve read it. It’s slow to start (lots of world building but not too much… just the right amount), romantic throughout, and action-packed, especially at the end. There is even tension-breaking humor sprinkled all throughout, which just makes a book more enjoyable, in my opinion. Solid ending and a great set up for the next book.