Look at me go! Two reviews in one month, someone better get me a prize. Anyways here we go…again. Today’s victim is the infamous Fourth Wing, which took the world by storm and somehow became a New York Times bestseller. So let’s see what damage I can do to its shiny reputation. 

At 528 pages, the book tells the story of our young heroine Violet Sorrengail as she lives through a dragon war college despite being “weak, fragile and small.” (Forgive me while I roll my eyes.) And while there, she lives through some…interesting life  experiences. These can include: falling off a sassy dragon hundreds of times, accidentally killing someone and crossing a balancing beam in the middle of a storm with two different sized shoes. Despite her “weakness” she becomes one of the strongest riders at Basgiath War College (Feel free to let me know how the heck to pronounce it.)

Now…time to see what damage I can do. Firstly, the government needs people in their dragon rider army, but is happy enough to watch them die in training? Seems counter productive if you ask me.

Secondly, dragons are giant mother fluffing reptiles who breathe and most likely poop fire, they. Do. Not. Need. Humans. And the excuse Yarros gave us is not good enough. 

Thirdly, why does this story feel like it’s piggy backing off of The Dragonriders of Pern? Like there are some overlapping scenes and themes…especially with the dragon telepathy thing. 

And finally, what was the world building? You can’t just have a heroine spew geography facts as a hobby and call it world building. 

However, Yarros does know how to write a good romance, especially since all her previous books were military love stories. And it shows, I loved Xaden and Violet. Their story might as well be my Roman empire…next to my cats of course but like…details. 

Anyways here are my final thoughts:

1. World building could use a lot of work, but it was Yarros’ first fantasy book so it could have been worse. 

2. The plot twist was pretty well planned and thought out, but not unpredictable like other books. 

3.  Xaden’s pep talks will be forever iconic in my mind. 

Overall, it was a pretty solid story with a constant plotline, wonderful romance and incredible characters. My final score? 4 stars. 

Feel free to email me at beatrice.calkin@stu.ocsb.ca if there are any books you’d like me to review!