Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1) Hardcover – May 2, 2023

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros completely took my breath away. From the very first page, I was drawn into the brutal world of Basgiath War College—a place where survival isn't promised and trust is a luxury. But what made this story unforgettable was how deeply I came to care about the characters, their relationships, and the raw humanity that pulses through every chapter.Violet Sorrengail is a protagonist you can root for—fierce, vulnerable, and determined despite the odds stacked against her. Watching her grow into her own power was incredibly satisfying, but what really kept me turning the pages was her dynamic with Xaden Riorson. Their relationship is a slow burn, layered with tension, distrust, longing, and ultimately, something stronger and deeply earned. Xaden is complex and guarded, but his loyalty and quiet protectiveness toward Violet make their evolving bond one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs I’ve read in a long time.And then there’s Liam. Brave, kind, and endlessly loyal—his friendship with Violet is pure gold. He’s the kind of friend everyone wishes they had: supportive without overstepping, protective without being controlling. Their camaraderie brought a lightness and emotional anchor to the story that balanced the intensity of the college and the combat training. When that moment came—“It’s been my honor”—I was wrecked. It was heartfelt, tragic, and deeply beautiful. It encapsulated the cost of war and the strength of the bonds formed under fire.The friendships Violet forms throughout the story, from Rhiannon’s unwavering support to the shared respect and teamwork among her squadmates, are just as compelling as the romance. They’re a testament to how connection and trust can bloom even in the harshest environments.Yarros delivers high stakes, sharp dialogue, fierce dragons, and emotional depth in equal measure. Fourth Wing isn’t just a fantasy novel, it’s a story of resilience, of finding your people, and of learning to fight not just for survival, but for those you love.If you’re looking for a book that’ll make your heart race, swoon, and break all at once, this is it.It’s been my honor to read this story and I can’t wait for the next.

Amazing book. I am completely obsessed. It starts off a bit slow, but only because the author is providing context, world-building, and is giving a backstory on the main characters, which I appreciated. I love the idea of a magical war college and dragon riders. I love that gryphons and wyverns are also part of the list of magical creatures. While some of the magical concepts in this book may sound familiar if you read a lot of fantasy novels like I do, this plot and these characters are completely different from anything I've ever read before. I really like that the author wrote a female main character who is intelligent, isn't a damsel in distress, and has a good sense of sarcasm! And the romance in this book... whew. Don't even get me started. All I can say is... wow! Very well-written. I don't want to give any spoilers, so you'll just have to read it for yourself. 🥵 I also really enjoyed the plot twists toward the end of the book. I definitely did not see some of it coming, and now I'm really looking forward to reading Iron Flame and Onyx Storm even more!If you like Harry Potter and Hunger Games, and also like a spicy read, you will thoroughly enjoy Fourth Wing. Rebecca Yarros' writing is really great. She will be one of my "automatic-buy" authors from now on. 🤩Overall rating : 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Spice rating: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

I used to read a lot growing up. Once I became an adult, college, work, marriage, divorce, and a child halted any extra reading time I once had. I struggled finishing books. Usually one per year is all I’d have time for.I must’ve been reading the wrong books because this one took me less than a week. I started reading it last Sunday at 11am and just finished it this morning (the next Sunday) at 10:40am. I found time to read while brushing my teeth, making dinner, waiting in the school pick-up line, at the gym on the treadmill, I’d even sneak a page or two in while on the toilet. I’m not ashamed to admit that this book had a literal grip on me that I could not stop thinking about it any time I wasn’t reading it. My boss and my best friend have already finished the series and hearing the excitement in their voices when they ask where I’m at in the book made me want to read more. The slow burn between Violet and Xaden, being inside Violet’s head throughout the entire book and Xaden’s at the end, the bond between a dragon and its rider, the crazy turn of events I was definitely not expecting, the literal drop of my jaw/audible gasp/full body CHILLS as I turned the last page ready to devour the next chapter that was nonexistent…. This book brought back my desire to read again, to make the time to read again and I wish I could re-read this book for the first time. To feel everything I felt all over again in its truest form. I can’t wait to experience the feeling of reading books 2 and 3 of this series. I’m certain I’ll be able to finish them just as quickly as I finished this one. Just in time for me to be able to actively participate in Fourth Wing trivia night with my best friend sometime in June.