#11 fourth wing

Plot Summary

Fourth Wing is a high fantasy romance with a female chosen one protagonist. There are dragons who can mind-link with dragon riders, magic systems, and different types of warrior class systems. Dragon riders seem to be at the top which is why it is the most dangerous and most of the people who attempt to become a dragon rider die. Violet Sorrengail is the main character who initially is training to become a scribe like her father who passed away. However, her general dragon rider mother has other plans and has decided that despite Violet not having ANY training whatsoever she’s going to be thrown to the wolves and will be trying out to be a dragon rider. Violet has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder which causes her to be smaller and weaker than most which is another wrench in the difficulty for her in becoming a dragon rider. However, her older sister gives her some pointers (she is a dragon rider) and she is determined to try and not die despite all the odds and while she attempts the first challenge she meets the handsome and seemingly dangerous Xaden who everyone tells her to stay away from because apparently he also wants her dead.

Soon, she trains, everyone seems to want to kill her, a bunch of people die, she somehow survives and becomes a BADDY dragon rider all while falling head over heels for Xaden despite all the alarm bells ringing telling her it’s wrong but oh-so-right.

Author Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros is best known for the Empyrean book series which is what Fourth Wing is a part of. The Empyrean series will be a television series on Amazon Prime. (Wikipedia, 2025).

Rebecca Yarros interview:

What do I like about this book?

I enjoy the banter between the dragons and Violet. Honestly some of the funniest dialogue. I cringed, giggled, blushed, and winced so many times! I love the romance, too. I think the obsession is very real for a first love romance. Seeing the point-of-view from the male character and his pining is fantastic. I always enjoy the character switch. I enjoy the queer side characters and the fact that the main male character is a POC. The world building is also my favorite. I know a lot of people do not like that about books, but I do and I could get lost in the magic systems and understanding everything about the worlds. It is my absolute favorite. More world building books and magic systems please it is the best!

Critical Evaluation For the Book:

I want even MORE magic systems! I want to understand it so much more. I want drawings! I want clear diagrams! Another critical evaluation would be the beginning of the book was a bit slow and slightly confusing. It got much better, but it took quite a bit of reading to get there. I think many people would have abandoned the book series quickly without giving it a chance.

Creative Uses for A Library Program

Fantasy book week! Let’s create a magic system! Let’s learn to play Magic the Gathering! Let’s play Dungeons and Dragons!

Speed Round Book Talk

Violet Sorrengail isn’t meant to be a dragon rider but she’s being forced to try out despite the danger. She ends up killing it, connecting with a big ‘ol dragon, falls in love with a dangerous guy who kind of wants to kill her named Xaden, and becomes the baddest dragon rider with an awesome power anyone has seen in a long time.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation

There are queer characters, POC, and of course the sex between the characters. This certainly straddles the line between YA and an adult book, although I did see that this book was in the top of the teen section at my local library. Once again I point to the fact that this book is popular amongst teens and that according to library policies people can read what they want.

Reason for Inclusion:

I included this book because it won the Alex Awards. I think it’s a fun book, even if it’s not the most well-written book I have ever read. It has a truly fleshed-out story and it seems like the plot is well thought out. The characters are fun and I love high fantasy.

Title: Fourth Wing (April 5, 2023)

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Genre: