Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Fourth Wing

I was worried that it may not live up to the hype, but I really enjoyed this. There were moments when it felt a bit predictable, or maybe it was just really effective foreshadowing. I was surprised by the final twist though. This could have also been impacted by the fact that this book is all over social media so it was impossible not to know how certain things turned out. The worldbuilding felt a little forced at the moments that Violet was reciting facts but otherwise it was cohesive and detailed. The final battle scenes were so action-packed. I could not put it down and sped through the final chapters.

And despite the fact that the plot did not often surprise me, the characters did. I am not disabled and am open to hearing otherwise, but I feel like I recognized the experiences of disabled friends and students in Violet’s development. From people underestimating her, to stifling her through protection, to the way accommodations were handled. But again, I would like to know how someone with similar disabilities felt about it.

Spoiler

When Xaden and Tairn made the saddle for her, I cried. Also cried when Tairn shielded her after she had her first kill.

I also appreciated that she was not the only character with a disability. Violet’s backstory of wanting to be a scribe, and all of the knowledge she has at her command due to her scribe training, feels like a love letter to bookish kids everywhere.

Speaking of love…I would not call this a love triangle. Dain was never even a remote possibility. So horrible right from the start. Xaden is of course the deliciously tortured kind of dark MMC that I adore. When the enemies became lovers I was giggling and smiling. The banter…oh, the banter! 😍

The secondary characters were rich and added depth to the story.

Spoiler

I sobbed alone in the dark at 6 in the morning reading Liam’s death scene

I hope we will see more of Rhiannon, Heath, Sawyer, etc in the next book.

The spice builds at a decent pace. And the waiting pays off.

Spoiler

Right before our hearts are ripped out (even though all the signs were there that this was coming, it still hurt!)

I give it 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

Aside from characters with chronic illness or loss of hearing, the book’s characters are described as having a range of skin tones and hair types/textures, suggesting racial diversity. Though this is largely limited to the background characters. Xaden is described as having darker hair and skin so he’s maybe not white? There are bi and non-binary characters as well. Overall the book has a fair amount of diverse representation, with disability representation being the most prominent.

There is some controversy with this author appropriating Scots Gaelic and being pretty careless in a recent interview when asked about it. I removed a half star for that. This is a developing situation and I hope she listens to her fanbase and learns from it (as well as apologizes, of course).

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and Violet’s story arc. The action scenes were well-written and the pacing overall worked well. And I am excited to read the next one in just a few days. I ended up pre-ordering the kindle version despite the fact that I have a hardcover copy on the way. 🤭

Content Warnings

azaghini99's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

Content Warnings

lakinglaze's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is my most favourite book I’ve ever read now. I just loved every single thing about it. I will forever be completely mad for this world and these characters. Thank you Rebecca Yarros! I can’t wait for all the books to come!! Xaden is the dark Mr. Darcy I never knew I needed.

Content Warnings

danielle_isreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

That ending makes up for every annoyance early on. Dang!

Content Warnings

meeileen's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

It's a 10/10, but by the end it got a bit too cheesy.

Content Warnings

kmsander4's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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 literally just finished this book and I'm not sure I'm ready to review it yet or that I'll truly do it justice.

I saw this book explode online and simply decided I had to read it to see what all the fuss was about. I didn't read a summary, didn't watch a single review video, nothing. I was honestly surprised when I saw the dragons on the cover and pages when I picked it up.

But I could not shut up about this book as I read it. There was a dystopian feel that reminded me of books I read when I was much younger, but then there was spice that was definitelt not from the books of my childhood. I just couldn't put it down AND I couldn't stop picturing it as a movie or tv show at every turn.

And then, and then you get to that ending. The final battle. The twists. The turns. The betrayal. And then the FINAL REVEAL?!? That had me truly gobsmacked. While I did see the creatures they battled at the end coming, I did not see the final scene unfolding like that at all and hooooooly crap was I surprised!

Cannot wait to get my hands on book 2!!

Content Warnings

one_more_chapter96's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

Devoured this book. Loved the new world of fantasy with the different quadrants & learning about signets, and of course the dragons. So cool to see the training aspect and all the side characters grow alongside the main FMC. The romance/tension/banger was brilliant too. So many mysteries and questions at the end and I can’t wait for the next book to start revealing them!

Content Warnings

erinvenuti's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Reminded me a lot of the YA dystopians I read as a teenager (felt really like Divergent)! Hooked me just as quickly.

Content Warnings

More...