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diana_raquel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy.
A rider without their dragon is dead.”
I started this book because I friend of mine wanted to start reading again and didn't know what to read. And because this was something that was recommended to her, we decided to do a buddy read. However, not gonna lie, I had a lot of doubts about this one. This book gets a lot of hype and I tend to have a very 50/50 reaction to hyped books: I either love them or hate them.
Well, take this review with a grain of salt (because I'm still riding the fumes - that's why I'm not going to give 5 stars to this book) but I f****** love this book! I loved every single second of it. The drama, the action, the romance, everything has its time and blends together to make a really good story! The characters are well written and structured!
I'm excited to start the second book, and really recommend this series!!!
A rider without their dragon is dead.”
I started this book because I friend of mine wanted to start reading again and didn't know what to read. And because this was something that was recommended to her, we decided to do a buddy read. However, not gonna lie, I had a lot of doubts about this one. This book gets a lot of hype and I tend to have a very 50/50 reaction to hyped books: I either love them or hate them.
Well, take this review with a grain of salt (because I'm still riding the fumes - that's why I'm not going to give 5 stars to this book) but I f****** love this book! I loved every single second of it. The drama, the action, the romance, everything has its time and blends together to make a really good story! The characters are well written and structured!
I'm excited to start the second book, and really recommend this series!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse
phoricho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t read much fantasy in quite a while, so I am incredibly grateful that I read this book because now I am out of my fantasy reading slump.
The tension between Xaden and Violet is perfect for a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers Romantasy. The violent family history they share makes them instant enemies and adds yet another life-or-death stake for Violet to overcome.
I enjoyed seeing the different relationship dynamics change throughout the story as Violet’s character develops and grows into her own person.
I loved the fast pace. The constant high risks and jumping straight into action instead of long world-building or history really helped move the plot along. For a 498-page book, it was a fast read that I desperately wanted to finish in one sitting. Unfortunately, I had to put it down and go to work, but trust me; it was all I was thinking and talking about.
The representation throughout the entire book was amazing. There were people of colour, disabled (Deaf character who signed and Violet has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) and LGBTQIA+ characters. The way Rebecca sprinkled the representation throughout the book instead of info-dumping or shoving wokeness down our through was great.
I especially loved that Violet has EDS because my bookish best friend also has it. Many times throughout reading this, I was reminded of her. Rebecca and her children also have EDS, so this point of view was incredible to see. I found it so beautifully written. The emphasis on different kinds of strength made me, and I imagine many other readers dealing with varying conditions, feel seen and heard.
What I Didn’t Like
Dail.
Seriously there wasn’t anything in this book that I really didn’t like. The character of Dail annoyed and pissed me off, but that’s his character.
I have heard some criticisms from other readers. However, I personally can’t fault this book.
I loved this book. I give it five stars. I cannot thank Rebecca Yarros enough for writing this and getting me out of my fantasy slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Racism, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
alibrarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Fourth Wing definitely made me feel things and I can absolutely see why people have hyped it to the levels they have, buuuuut… it just didn’t land? It feels like ACOTAR with dragons.
First, I don’t know why we all want characters like this? She’s weak, but not that weak because she can throw knives. Naive, but don’t worry because she’s still super observant and can figure out a weakness super easily. Then she proceeds to Mary Sue her way through dragon-y death college. What happened to deep and developed character growth arcs that result in a well-rounded character we can easily root for from the beginning? Honestly, Violet was just kind of annoying.
Most annoying about every character, however, was that these were supposed to be college-aged people. They were in their 20s! Yet, none of them spoke or acted like they were adults in a war college. Instead, we’re treated to a YA novel that got aged up because the author wanted to include some pretty graphic smut. The book would have been just as good or maybe even better without because the experience didn’t meet the expectation anywhere and I don’t need to read about what two people are doing in the bedroom just because nothing else is happening to further the plot and this was the only way to give the love interests chemistry.
Also, they have to have magic to use pens. I don’t know why I’m hung up on this detail when there’s a lot of modern conveniences included and ye olde-fied for the sake of the setting, but here we are.
If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’ll probably like this, too. Or if you’re not looking for confusing world-building and difficult plots, this is a good one.
First, I don’t know why we all want characters like this? She’s weak, but not that weak because she can throw knives. Naive, but don’t worry because she’s still super observant and can figure out a weakness super easily.
Most annoying about every character, however, was that these were supposed to be college-aged people. They were in their 20s! Yet, none of them spoke or acted like they were adults in a war college. Instead, we’re treated to a YA novel that got aged up because the author wanted to include some pretty graphic smut. The book would have been just as good or maybe even better without because the experience didn’t meet the expectation anywhere and I don’t need to read about what two people are doing in the bedroom just because nothing else is happening to further the plot and this was the only way to give the love interests chemistry.
Also, they have to have magic to use pens. I don’t know why I’m hung up on this detail when there’s a lot of modern conveniences included and ye olde-fied for the sake of the setting, but here we are.
If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’ll probably like this, too. Or if you’re not looking for confusing world-building and difficult plots, this is a good one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In a Divergent kind of world set at practically Hogwarts with dragons, this book will draw you in. There’s a small love triangle but that isn’t the main plot focus, just like it isn’t in the Hunger Games. The adventure, the challenges, and the war set the scene for this great book. I marked down one star because I don’t find detailed smut essential for a good book, I am more of a closed door/fade to black type of reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Hate crime, Racism, Grief, and Toxic friendship