by Rebecca Yarros

So this book constantly popped up as a recommendation while I dove into the Maasiverse (ACOTAR, CRESCENT CITY, THRONE OF GLASS author) so of course I picked it up. I supported one of my favorite bookstores and purchased it at Rough Draft in Kingston, New York while I was there for work. I finally got to reading it when I arrived home in California fall, just in time to fall in love and preorder the next installment coming in November!

FOURTH WING features one Violet Sorringale, daughter of General Sorringale and sister to Mira, a famous Dragon Rider. (Yes, this fantasy book has dragons!) She has essentially been told by her mother, the general, that instead of becoming a scribe and heading to a quiet life in the Scribes Quadrant, she must become a dragon rider or die trying. Given that she has had health and weakness issues her whole life, she will likely die; but not today, as she tells herself every day. Before she undertakes the harrowing initiation to Riders Quadrant, she is given the advice from her sister to find Dain Aetos (Violet’s best friend, thus best protection at Basgiath) and for the love of the gods, avoid Xaden Riorson like the plague. Turns out Xaden is the son of one of the rebels who was executed by Violet’s mother, so he will likely be seeking blood once he finds out about Violet.

Task after task, drill after drill, Violet manages to find a way to use her intelligence and wit to make it to the Threshing, where the Dragons choose their riders. When a surprising choice is made by one of the most powerful dragons in Navarre, Violet finds herself up against Xaden. Dain does all he can to protect her, which usually includes him trying to help her find a way out of the --, which she does not want to do. Relationships are put to the test as they fight their way to graduation and ultimately warrior status, which is all I can say without giving away anything.

 Normally, I am not one who flocks to fantasy featuring Dragons. I think maybe I was burned (no pun intended) after getting through only two books of the ERAGON series. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised when I fell in love with this book. I enjoyed the complex characters Yarros created, dropping curiosity seeds little by little until the entirety of the characters is finally revealed. Her world building is also fantastic. The secretive military leadership and the essentially disposable way they tend to treat those they find inferior sets up the plot for a world of troubles, some of which I can already see coming but can’t wait to see how it all plays out. Of course, the couple of spicy scenes are just the cherry on top of this new series!