A review by alibrarymouse
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
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. 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.
Spoiler
Then she proceeds to Mary Sue her way through dragon-y death college.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: Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, War, Bullying, Violence, Cursing, Murder, Blood, Chronic illness, and Racism
Moderate: Medical content