A review by thebibutterfly
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The last few chapters were better plot-wise than the entirety of the rest combined. That alone earned that 1/2 star. The writing is mid and the dialogue is horrible. The main character is positioned as “clever,” but seems completely oblivious and at times bone-dead stupid. I hate the nickname that Xadyn gives Violet, it makes zero sense since she’s the only one posited as “merciful” throughout the story. Loved the dragons more than the people, but they’re all flat, one dimensional characters. The concept of killing off cadets during (and even before) training makes even less sense than the nonsensical “challenges.” On top of which, it cheapens the deaths of the characters that we’re meant to care about. It’s repetitive and tedious all throughout with far too many unrealistic plot conveniences. I hated how heavily this relied on tropes rather than focus on a logical plot and character development.

The couple were cringey at best, but her weird obsession with his looks is incredibly creepy. He was controlling and obnoxious. Kind of hated both of them, to be honest. The cliff-hanger ending was cheap and entirely unearned.
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