The Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yaros
Jun 15, 2025
3.50 / 5
Plot & Structure
4.0 / 5
Character Development
3.0 / 5
Emotional Engagement
3.0 / 5
Writing Quality
4.0 / 5
Trigger Warnings: Violence, Death, Torture, Parental Abandonment
“The weak don't survive here, and we don't coddle the fragile.”
With those chilling words, Rebecca Yarros sets the tone for a book that promises brutal truths wrapped in dragon scales and the drama of a military academy. "Fourth Wing" swoops into fantasy romance with immersive world-building that grabs you immediately. From the moment Violet Sorrengail steps through Basgiath War College's imposing doors, you're living in this visceral world of sweat, fear, and dragon smoke.
Violet is that rare protagonist who's both vulnerable and fierce without falling into tired tropes. Physically fragile in a world worshipping strength, she's desperately trying to survive an environment designed to break her. Her sharp, self-deprecating internal monologue immediately draws you in, making you emotionally invested from the very first page. What's frustrating, though, is how often Violet's brilliance feels wasted—she'll analyze a situation perfectly, then somehow bungle the execution, only to have circumstances conveniently align in her favor. You find yourself longing for those satisfying moments where her strategic mind saves the day, rather than watching her succeed through fortunate accidents.
Then there's Xaden Riorson—dark, brooding, and disappointingly two-dimensional. Underneath all that smoldering intensity, there's little substance. He feels like a collection of romantic tropes rather than a fully realized character, with motivations that remain frustratingly opaque. The middle section doesn't help, becoming predictably repetitive with training sequences that blur together, causing pacing issues just when momentum matters most.
Thankfully, the dragons are magnificent, complex beings with distinct personalities that elevate everything around them. They're the true stars of the show, bringing razor-sharp wit and unexpected humor that had me laughing out loud. The friendship dynamics are equally compelling, showing characters learning to care while preparing for constant loss. Watching the cadets become desensitized to death is both realistic and heartbreaking.
The final act redeems much of the earlier stumbling, picking up pace and delivering genuine emotional payoffs. Despite its flaws—pacing issues, underdeveloped romance, missed character opportunities—Yarros has created something special. The world-building is immersive, the dragons spectacular, and Violet worth rooting for.