Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1) Paperback – September 17, 2024

I wasn’t sure if Fourth Wing would live up to all the hype, but honestly... it did. I flew through this book way faster than I expected. The world-building is super immersive without feeling overwhelming, and the stakes feel real. Characters die, people make tough choices, and nothing feels too predictable.I really liked Violet as a main character. She’s not this overpowered heroine — she’s struggling, constantly being doubted, and you’re just rooting for her to prove everyone wrong. She’s clever and tough in ways that feel believable. And the dragons are honestly some of my favorite parts — they have personalities, they’re sassy, and they add so much to the story.Also, the romance? So good. It’s a slow build with tension that feels natural, not forced. The banter and chemistry between Violet and Xaden felt authentic, and I actually cared about both of them as characters, not just as a couple. The last few chapters absolutely messed me up, and I’m still thinking about that ending.

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!

Fourth Wing was epic, breathtaking and consumed my every thought. This is easily one of my top favorite books, ever. This book had me screaming from excitement, gasping from betrayal, and crying all the happy and sad tears. Foreshadowing of what was to come was secretly laced into the pages, leaving us with the feeling of dread that was all consuming. The betrayals cut deep. The friendships were beautiful. The enemies to lovers romance was a slow burn that was passionate and steamy. And the battles were intense and epic. If you love romantasy, you definitely need this one on your tbr!Violet Sorrengail is one of my favorite heroines. She was smart, cunning and brave. She was so easy to connect to and feel all of her emotions. She thought she was destined to enter the Scribe Quadrant, but her mother changed her future. As the commanding general, her mother forced Violet to go to the Basgiath War College. And there she would either survive and become a dragon rider or die trying like countless others. The trials she went through were gutting, and I found myself cheering out loud for her every step of the way! Violet is a heroine that you can respect and love!Xanden Riorson was someone that was so easy to obsess over. He was Violet's enemy, because his parents had a rebellion that went against Violet's mom. In punishment, he and the other children of those who rebelled had to attend the Basgiarth War College. Yet by the end of Chapter 7 I was definitely betraying Violet, I was obsessed. Xaden was smart, sly and seemed honorable. His subtle banter with Violet was EVERYTHING! So when Violet would follow through with one his suggestions for training, I was grinning from ear to ear. And when he taught her how to grapple on the mats, it was so hot *fans face*. It seemed like Xaden was trying to protect Violet, yet in her world deception and backstabbing were done without a second thought. So while I was under his spell, I still didn't know whether I could trust him or not. I kept whispering for him not to betray her.This world was fascinating! Maybe I was putting the clues together wrong, but it seemed like not everything was as black and white as Violet was taught. All the while, others around her elicited so many emotions. It was terrifying not knowing who you could trust. There were those who had no problem killing a threat, or just killing for fun. Even the grappling was intense, and I was shocked with my mouth left hanging open over how that would play out. Broken bones were the least of your concerns. So as people showed their true colors over time, some of that made my blood simmer. But at the same time, be careful who you get attached to. Death found some of them too soon. One especially I still can't handle, even after finishing this book *sobs*.The dragons in this book were larger than life! I can't say much, because of spoilers, but the conversations and interactions were spellbinding. Also I loved the friendships that were formed between the humans. They were the type of friendships where you knew they would do anything to protect your life. Which is desperately needed since life and death moments were always present. Throughout this story, there was always this charge in the air that left me terrified of what was to come. And it was impossible not to have sweaty palms during some of the scenes or to feel your heart pounding in your chest! Plus the twists and turns were done beautifully! Some of it I saw coming, but others left me with my mind blown!With the most epic of last lines, this book left us at the perfect spot where we can breathe. For a bit. Yet you'll still be left desperately wanting to grab that next one! With emotions and tensions running high, this was an action packed ride! The dragons, sparring, battles, political intrigue, friendships, and scorching hot and seductive scenes made this book beyond memorable. It had my whole heart in the palm of its hand and made me cry all the tears! Fourth Wing was beyond addictive and will easily become a favorite for romantasy fans!PS The nickname that was given to Violet? I loved it so much!

Just wow! Everything was perfect from this book. The writing, the story, the world building, the characters! This was my first time reading something by Yarros and it definitely will not be the last because I have to finish this series! Yarros makes you go through all the emotions. It's written in such a manner that you can practically feel the fire, smell the scent of sweat and FEEL that sexual tension! You are captivated by the first few words and are NEVER lets you go. I definitely suggest starting the book when you have a lot of time to read because this is a book that will consume you and you will not want to do anything else but read. The FMC reminds me alot like Mare Barrow from The Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard.