Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a fantasy masterpiece that draws you in and leaves you reeling straight onto a cliffhanger. I have not felt this level of excitement getting stuck in a good book since reading the end of A House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas (if you know, you know).
Yarros opens every chapter of this page-turner with a quote from a book, fable, or text from within The Empyrean universe that is the Fourth Wing.
A quote that hovers above the first chapter reads: “A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead,” setting the tone for what becomes a masterful sci-fi fantasy.
Violet Sorrengail, our feisty protagonist, demonstrates a love for history that sets the tone for the world you find yourself in.
Despite being weak and fragile due to an illness passed on from her mother at birth, Violet defies the odds. She overcomes the judgement of others, as well as her own self-degradation, and grows into a formidable dragon rider, with the potential of becoming the most powerful the land has ever seen.
Of course, what is a good slow burn without tension that builds? This enemies-turned-lovers narrative follows Violet and the son of a traitor, Xaden Riorson. He’s a wingleader for the Fourth Wing, and the most powerful rider in Navarre. Dark, brooding and somewhat uncouth – he’s the perfect brute that you hate to love.
Yarros fleshes out Fourth Wing’s side characters beautifully, hooking you into a web from the get-go. Rhiannon is the witty best friend, while Liam is the loveable friend that warms your heart the instant he waltzes onto the page. Dain…well, we’re not sold on him…
The plot of Fourth Wing builds wonderfully. Action keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. If you’re keen-eyed enough, you’ll pick up on the subtle foreshadowing in this novel, however, the biggest twist is not one you would predict immediately…
Is it worth the hype? Yes, Yarros is brilliant and we need more!
You can pick up your copy of Fourth Wing at your closest Exclusive Books for R400.
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Featured Image: Supplied
