Every single fantasy fan, or anyone debating trying it out, here you are!
This book.
It is quite remarkable to see a fantasy book so popular amongst fantasy fans and fans like myself who are newer to the genre.
This is AMAZING.
The characters, the drama, the romance.
It shows exactly how incredible the fantasy genre is. The world building Yarros has created is something else. Genius. The quadrants, the training, the skills. So well crafted. There is so much scope for further books, and I, for one, I'm here for it.
One of my books of the year.

Let’s just say throw all the stars at this book!! I am unwell! This book has left me emotionally exhausted. Hello book hangover, happy to greet the incoming book slump bc this book was beyond excellent!!! 🖤

No notes. None. There was not a damn thing I would change about this excellent book. I am kicking myself for not buying one of the first edition hardcovers.

I laughed, I cried, I paced, I cheered, and I was shook!

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Off to read all this authors backlog. Some people complained about the audio book but I do 1.75 to 3x speed and had no issues. It was great. I loved that for the last chapter you got Teddy! 🥵🥵🥵

Added my profile for my Amazon reviews as my review has not been approved yet.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for my advanced audiobook copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Fourth Wing is an addicting read. One that completely transports you while reading with its world building and its details, that immerses and engrosses you so deeply in the plot-line. Violet got exponentially stronger and powerful throughout the storyline, something I commend. It was also interesting and enticing to witness how she had to adapt to a role she wasn’t meant to fulfill in the first place. Xaden’s character was your typical tortured, dark hero. Without diving too deep into the explanation, his intentions and political beliefs were relatively easy to deduce from what the story was leading me on to believe. However, the motivation behind his beliefs and intentions were without a doubt a genuine surprise and the actual puzzle to solve. The dragons also carried the book. How they had their own personalities and felt so real through the pages is still astounding to me. I was completely immersed in this brilliant world from the very first page. The plot was had me hooked and I was engaged in the story the whole time. There are several twists and turns that I didn't expect while reading, which is always a nice surprise. The pacing was near perfect from the beginning to end. Expect to be heartbroken and shocked towards the end! The emotional rollerocaster at the end had me in shambles for a while. This book will stay in my mind (and heart ) for a long time. I can't wait to re-read the book! 😁

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

4.5⭐️
I. Loved. This!

Hear me out, a lot of people won’t want to hear this, but I mean it as a compliment. This book, especially the beginning portion, was giving me serious Divergent vibes. The quadrants reminded me of the factions, the separating from one’s own family, the choices the candidates had to make. Yarros wrote a world that was so exceptionally written and thought out! Its vibes were uncanny and it was so so fun because I haven’t had a book give me those early 2013 dystopian vibes in the longest time. Like you can’t tell me the riders quadrant doesn’t resemble Dauntless in the slightest?
I loved how I could see these similarities and also keep it entirely separate from that series, because it was just that - an entirely separate, new thing. I can’t explain how Yarros did it. She’s good at what she does, because from the first chapter, I was hooked.

The internal monologue and communication between characters felt real and witty. The character development was *chefs kiss*
The narrators for the audiobook also do an exceptional job at conveying the story. And honestly, I’m so glad I got to listen to this first before reading it physically because ya girl struggles with pronouncing most fantasy words in her brain and it was a relief to be able to hear these before picking up a physical copy of the book.

The only negatives I had with the story were: 1. Because I read the audiobook, I obviously didn’t get to see a map of the world and had to try and navigate that mentally. 2. I called the big twist ending from a mile away (no spoilies, we’ll just leave it at that), and 3. Now I have to wait (gods know how long) for book two to be released!

This story was the perfect start to a fantasy romance series. It had the suspense, dragons, betrayals, character growth, budding friendships, and lots of sexual tension. (Oh, and some spice too 🌶️🥵).
Some key focuses of the story that are worth noting: an enemies to lovers storyline, a story where the guy falls first, and very good disability and chronic pain representation.

The rumours are true - this book is indeed bloody fantastic. And I suggest that if you like a good fantasy romance series, that you NEED to pick this book up.

You can guarantee I’ll be picking this up on release day because ya girl needs to do a sneaky reread and to see the map of the world with my own eyes!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you're like me, you've seen this book all over booktok and bookstagram - people can't seem to get enough. I can't remember the last time I saw so many reels and fanarts posted so quickly after a book's release date. Let me tell you - this book is WORTH THE HYPE!!

✅ Dragons (!!!)
✅ Magic bonds
✅ War college
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Spice
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Chronic illness rep (in a fantasy novel!!!)

Violet Sorrengail is the 20-year-old daughter of a war general and a scholar. The youngest child of the family, she has always struggled with broken bones and painful dislocation as a result of chronic health problems. As a result, Violet was trained to become a Scribe for the military, like her father, rather than following in the footsteps of her mother and older siblings, all of whom became Dragon Riders. 6 months before Violet is set to enter the war college her mother heads, her mother informs her that no Sorrengail will be a lowly scribe. Like it or not, Violet will be entering the training program for Riders, of which 15% of cadets die on the first day alone. If she manages to make it across a high stone parapet without falling hundreds of feet to her death, she will have to contend with deadly challenges and assassination attempts from other students, not to mention the risk of death by dragon barbecue.

Unluckily for Violet, she will be an even bigger target because of her family history. 6 years before, a rebellion was violently squashed by the kingdom, with the adults being put to death in front of their minor children. In order to have a chance to live, these children must fight for their lives at Basgiath War College. The most dangerous of them is Xaden Riorson, powerful wingleader and son of the leader of the rebellion. He has every reason to want her dead and his father is the reason for the death of her brother during the rebellion. The hatred between them is matched only by their attraction and by the begrudging respect they begin to have for each other.

A fabulous new adult fantasy romance, I couldn't recommend this highly enough!

Thanks so much to RB Media and Rebecca Yarros for this Audiobook ARC through NetGalley. I loved the narration by Rebecca Soler as much as the story! Fourth Wing is available via audiobook, ebook, or physical book now!

I wasn’t able to get into the audiobook and dnf’d the book. There was something about the narrator that put me off. There’s a lot going on and I probably would have made it further with a physical copy. I’ll try it again later because I do love a book with dragons.

I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

I’ve always been a big fan of dragons, so I’m always automatically interested in any book involving them. Despite this, there aren’t actually all that many dragon books I actually really love, because I feel like dragon books often expect to be carried by the fact they have dragons, and the rest of the story can easily fall flat. Luckily, that’s not the case at all for Fourth Wing.

I went into this book with the same sort of expectations I go into for every dragon book, and had honestly forgotten about the magic school aspect of all of it. Needless to say, I was very quickly reminded that there was going to be so much more to this story and world than just dragons, and my excitement shot up. While it did take me about 10-20% to be super into the book, once I’d gotten into it, there was no escaping. I read 52% of this book in a single sitting, and probably would’ve finished it had it not been 2 am, with at least 4 hours in my audiobook still. I often make bad decisions when it comes to reading, but no part of me could justify skipping the entire night (even though I desperately wanted to!)

If I had to compare Fourth Wing based on how it felt to read it, I’d say the following: the dragons and bonds of Fireborne, the deadly atmosphere and survival elements of A Deadly Education, the training and tension of the beginning of The Poppy War (the classes and learning aspect of it, done under the shadow of impending war), and a romance that’s as addictive as From Blood and Ash (with better communication and more depth). It’s an odd mix for sure, but it’s honestly the best way I can describe this book. It’s entirely unique, and yet hits those same feelings that these other books gave me.

I also absolutely adore the audiobook, and I’m still forever grateful I was approved for an advanced copy of it. Something about the narrator truly brought the book to life, and it made the already strong narration even stronger. Violet in general is quite a strong narrator, so she needed someone that could truly carry the weight of her character. I felt like the narrator did a fantastic job of truly bringing to life all of Violet’s emotions, and it made some tough scenes hit even harder. I will definitely be continuing this series as audiobooks!

Overall, though, this book’s main strength is how genuine it felt. Often, I can be invested in a book but not feel the emotions of the main character quite as strongly as they seem to be feeling them. I’ll feel sad or scared, but I won’t feel miserable or terrified. Fourth Wing is an exception here, and I loved how strong a connection I was able to create with the characters, especially Violet. I felt such utter joy during some scenes, and utter despair in others, and I’ve rarely been as terrified while reading a book as I was during moments in this one. Violet just had so much depth, and it has me so excited (and scared if I’m honest) for the next books in this series and world.

Omgz if you love eragon , you jump into this magical dragon academy book!!!! And the audiobook was on point the narrator brought the MFC violet to lofe so well!!!

Violet joins training to become a dragon rider in her kingdom's infantry. In a four year program, students are weeded out via death from physical trials, competitions and murder. On the day that dragons are to choose their rider, something unprecedented happens and leads to Violet’s entire life and all she knows changing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5

Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Magical Creatures
Childhood Friendship

Deb’s Thoughts:
Bravo to the author for representing an MC with an autoimmune disease. I love that her disease isn’t mysteriously/magically fixed and that she learns how to use her other strengths and work with the people around her to accomplish her goals.

I pre-ordered the sequel before I even finished the book. It was that good. Just fucking fantastic. It’s what our Harry Potter generation needed now that we are adults. I’m so excited to read the next book in November.

The audiobook sounds a bit nasaly. Im not sure if she had a cold while recording. Kind of took me out of the story. However, the story itself is very good. When it comes to this book I prefer to read it rather than the audio book.

A 5-star read, it has great elements of magic, dragons, and mystery. Violet is thought out and fleshed out as a character, with a backstory and strengths and weaknesses. Xaden is more of a mystery that I hope we get to learn about in the next book. Fourth Wing brings a whole new world that is being fleshed out as you read, the magic system is different and unique. I can tell in the next book we're going to get more political and action based but that made this stand out to me. I co-read this with both the novel and the audiobook, and the audio brings emotions into the reading that one may not get from reading themselves. The only issue I had was in the last chapter with a change of reader, as they were kind of emotionless but one chapter did not ruin the audiobook for me. I'm ready for the next book.

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars. This is the first instalment in The Empyrean series.

Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant. She had made her home amongst books and saw her future there as well. After the death of her father however, her war general mother altered her plans and forced her to follow in her sister's footsteps and become a dragon rider. Her frame and her lack of training means she is unlikely to last a single day there so she must use her alternative strengths to salvage whatever friendships and win whatever quests she can. At first survival is her motive but later it is the dragons.

I love any academic setting and the fact that this is a fantastical one only makes me adore it all the more. The focus throughout most of this novel stayed on the brutal training methods that the trainees were forced to endure in order to gain their dragon rider status. Much bloodshed, death, and tragedy marred these pages as did underhanded scheming and revenge plots. No-one could be trusted and neither Violet nor the reader were granted a moment's reprieve from the fast-paced onslaught of quests, battles and trials thrust upon both. I loved every moment of it!

The latter focus shifted to a more political one and both reader and protagonist were invited an insight to how the kingdom was governed and the upheaval occurring throughout it. This removal from the academy walls had me eager for book two, where just as much brutality is sure to feature.

This was an incredible first series instalment. I loved the focus, the setting, how the author built relationships between the central cast, and how turmoil was created and showcased. The dragons were slowly introduced, as was an understanding for them, and it only made an already stellar fantasy book that much more exciting!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros was an amazing, fun, rollercoaster of a ride! I absolutely loved this audiobook!! The narration was perfect and added so much to the story. The book had me at dragons and watching the characters develop and grow was the best.
My only complaint is now I have to wait for the next book!!
Highly recommend to anyone who lives fantasy!!

I can already tell this will become a phenomenon in the book community. Another Cruel Prince, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Game of Thrones. One of my favourite comfort movies is How to Train Your Dragon and when I heard about this book I knew I had to try to get my hands on it ASAP. Fourth Wing is an action-packed fantasy. I would just go straight into it, without reading any reviews, spoilers or anything and just enjoy the feeling of needing to take a day off or stay up late to finish it. Rebecca Yarros really did it with this book and the sequel will be an even bigger bomb. Warning: Addiction to the universe and a big effing cliffhanger.

Thank you Netgalley and Recorded Books for the audio arc.
This book was amazing, my attention was gripped from page 1.
Our main character Violet wants to be a scribe like her father and be surrounded by books all day, but little does she know what her future holds when her mother forces her to become a dragon rider. This book was a whirlwind with all the twists and turns. You are missing out if you don't pick this one up.

I really tried to go slow and savor this book but it was IMPOSSIBLE. It sucked me in from the first chapter and I had to know how it was going to end. I listened to the audiobook and Rebecca Soler and Teddy Hamilton absolutely killed it! Rebecca's voice weaves a spell around you that pulls you into each and every emotion as the story winds it's way to that EPIC ending. I seriously cannot wait for the next book in the series. This is a must read for everyone who reads no matter what your normal genre or trope, it's THAT GOOD!! READ IT!!!!

The hype has been lived up to with Fourth Wing. I've read a few Rebecca Yarros romance novels and was a little skeptical when I heard she was coming out with a fantasy. She completely blew past any expectations I had for this book. I loved the Hunger Games/Divergent feel. Violet is a kick ass heroine who really came into her own. The dragons....I loved the dragons. The way the story ended has me craving more. I will definitely be pre-ordering the next book in this series. Five stars!!!

Stunning, gorgeous, atmospheric, and everything in between. It's very rare for me to listen to audiobooks but this one kept my attention and was extremely fun to listen to. The narrator for this audiobook is talented in her work. The way it was narrated felt immersive and engaging. I literally felt like I was inside the book. I'd love to listen to future fantasy audiobooks from this narrator, she was great!!!!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Empyrean series, book 1

WHAT A RIDE. This was an incredible fantasy romance story set in a war college where participants are competing in a fight to the death to become dragon riders and wield magic. I always love getting lost in a new world when I find a good fantasy story, and this one did not disappoint.

I loved the added tension of the competition and the looming threat of death by other participants made the story suspenseful. The plot held a tiny bit of predictability for me, but I loved it nonetheless. The chronic illness representation that was shown through a highly intelligent, and tough as nails FMC was top tier.

This world is like a combination of all of your favorite parts of fantasy books that you’ve read before. It was like reading an adult version of The Hunger Games meets Fireborne meets From Blood and Ash. Cunning and powerful dragons + their bond with the rider they selected was so fun to read. The romance really picked up in the second half of the book, and THAT ENDING. 😱🤯😵

I listened to this on audiobook and enjoyed the performance. I recommend this format!

Perfect for you if you like:
THERE’S ONLY YOU + “I can’t seem to stay away from you”
The love interests can TALK TO EACH OTHER IN THEIR MINDS 🫠 IYKYK
Dragons 🙌🏻

🛑 open door romance + explicit language
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 2 open door romance scenes
⚠️ minimal TWs

Thank you @netgalley, @redtowerbooks, and @entangledpublishing for the advanced review copy. Well done, @rebeccayarros. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻