Title: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, Book 1)
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Year of Publication: 2023
Date of Publication: May 2, 2023
Pages: 528
ISBN-10: 1649374046
ISBN-13: 978-1649374042
Summary of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
In Fourth Wing, twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail lives in a kingdom called Navarre. For most of her life, Violet has been preparing to be a scribe, a role that does not involve combat but is equally important in Navarre for keeping records, researching, translating and pretty much documenting its history.
When people turn 18, they must report for assignment into one of Basgiath War College’s quadrants i.e. Rider’s Quadrant, where dragon riders are trained; Healer’s Quadrant, where medics and magical healers are trained; Infantry/Support Quadrant for ground soldiers and logistical support; or Scribe, where Violent had trained for two years.
But everything changes when Violet’s mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, forces her to join the Rider’s Quadrant, going against everything she had previously planned for. Violet always believed that she was meant for a much quieter life as a scribe. Physically she has a smaller frame and fragile health but mentally a brain that could retain so much more.
Her sister, Mira, who is already a skilled dragon rider, completely opposes their mother’s decision to send violet to the Rider’s Quadrant. She makes every attempt to protect violet as much as she can. According to Mira, Violet is frail and her stature is not really suited for combat or dragon riding but their mother insists and so Violet heads to the college.
A lot of the story centers on how violet survives against impossible odds and how she forms alliances, and earns the trust of a dragon. Violet also learns about secrets that could change everything she knows about her world.
Main Plot & Characters
- Violet Sorrengail finds herself thrown into a training program where failure is not really an option as it means death. To survive, her only options are to outthink and outlast her opponents.
- Xaden Riorson is a wingleader with his own motivations. He is not only a challenge to Violet but he becomes an unexpected presence in her life.
- Dain Aetos is Violet’s childhood friend, Dain is very protective of her however his need to continue to protect her actually clashes with her need for independence.
As Violet fights for survival, she learns that strength is not just about physical power but also about determination and strategy.
Key Themes of Fourth Wing
This book is about resilience, ambition, and the pressure to live up to expectations. It looks at power struggles, personal growth, and the risks that come with challenging the status quo. Violet must decide who to trust and how far she is willing to push herself to succeed.
Writing Style
Rebecca Yarros creates a new world in this book. There’s so much world building, it is truly remarkable! From her descriptions of Conscription Day, Threshing, the different gods, to understanding what signet means, just fascinating.
Half way through the book, when someone would die, and they would read the roll call, I found myself reciting “we commend their souls to Malek,” that’s when I realized the author had successfully built a world because I knew what the expectation or appropriate response should be.
Above everything else, the dialogue feels natural, and the world of dragon riders is described in a way that makes it easy to follow.
Favorite Quote
- “It only takes one desperate generation to change history—even erase it. One generation to change the text. One generation chooses to teach that text. The next grows, and the lie becomes history.”
Impact of Fourth Wing
The mix of fantasy, romance, and competition in Fourth Wing made this book a favorite for fans of high-stakes storytelling. It’s definitely a conversation starter and a great pick for book clubs.
Fourth Wing is the first in a trilogy, followed by Iron Flame and Onyx Storm in the Empyrean series.
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