Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Reviewed by BroMantasy on March 10, 2025
Quick Info
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: The Empyrean (Book 1)
Published: May 2, 2023
Rating:
ISBN-10: 1649374046
ISBN-13: 9781649374042
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
At a Glance: Dragons, Romance, and a Deadly Academy
Within this world people face the ultimate honor through dragon bonding but also risk their lives. The Basgiath War College tells the story of Violet Sorrengail who anticipated joining the scholars’ quadrant but her general mother compelled her to undergo dragon rider training. Violet struggles to survive her training at the academy because of her brittle bones from a rare condition and insufficient combat training while facing dangers from a program that eliminates 20% of participants and hostile peers who target her for elimination. The attention of the arrogant commander’s son and a perilous rider with silver-scaled hands draws Violet into complex aerial battles and political conspiracies that threaten her understanding of the military kingdom she works for.
Dragon College: Where Death is Just a Wingbeat Away
The fictional world of Fourth Wing revolves around Basgiath War College which is a military academy training cadets to form bonds with dragons and join specialized Navarre military divisions. The college stands out through its well-defined hierarchical systems and its realistic training arenas and dormitories which establish a credible institutional atmosphere.
Dragon characters show distinct personalities and abilities that vary according to their elemental types including fire, water, air, earth along with rare mutations. The connection between dragons and riders involves a thoughtful design which merges psychic communication with shared suffering to establish profound bonds beyond simple partnerships.
The worldbuilding lacks depth when exploring aspects beyond the academy. Limited information exists about Navarre’s geography and economy as well as civilian life despite brief insights into its ongoing war with Tyrish rebels. The academy’s world appears restricted though it suggests unseen cultural dynamics and broader conflicts beyond its boundaries.
The magic system presents unique signet abilities for riders but suffers from a lack of consistent rules. Certain powers provide strategic benefits such as Dain’s emotion reading ability and Xaden’s silver scales power but other abilities prove less effective during combat. The emergence of Violet’s distinctive power generates narrative tension yet exposes inconsistencies in the system’s internal logic.
Those who appreciated the academy setting from The Name of the Wind or the military training in Ender’s Game will find Basgiath War College provides an analogous immersive experience of competition and character development with the unique addition of dragon bonding.
A Petite Protagonist with Mounting Problems
Initially Violet Sorrengail shows physical weakness yet mental strength as she possesses a near-perfect memory but has weak bones that turn combat training into a dangerous activity. Throughout her journey she transforms by using her mental capabilities to overcome bodily restrictions which helps her build confidence and reveal new hidden skills.
Readers find an approachable introduction to the story through Violet because she enters a new world unprepared which leads her to learn as we do. Her narrative voice captivates readers through its snarky tone and self-awareness which prevents her from being merely a passive observer in her own story. Her decisions stem from intertwined survival instincts combined with family obligations and developing political insight instead of plot-driven necessities.
The love interests present interesting contrasts: Dain Aetos is the commanding officer’s privileged son who uses charm to conceal his ruthless ambition while Xaden Riorson leads the Riders and holds mysterious abilities tied to the rebellion. The love interests demonstrate robust development beyond their romantic roles because each character possesses a detailed personal backstory and motivations that connect to the wider political struggles.
Among the supporting characters some achieve considerable depth while others stay basic; Violet’s friends Rhiannon and Ridoc evolve well but her sister Mira does not. Each dragon has its own personality which creates additional complexity in the character dynamics especially with Violet’s future bond-mate Tairn.
The storyline takes readers from academic beginnings to thrilling heights.
The novel Fourth Wing uses a training academy format known to fantasy readers yet incorporates distinct features and real threats to maintain reader engagement. The pacing successfully maintains equilibrium among training montages, character development scenes, political intrigue, and action sequences to prevent any one element from becoming too dominant.
The story progresses through distinct stages beginning with Violet’s fight to endure basic training followed by her evolving abilities and relationships before reaching the midpoint discovery of her unique power and ending with rising political conflicts that build toward an intense finale. The narrative structure generates multiple smaller climactic sequences throughout the story instead of reserving all the tension for the final moments.
The plot excels by keeping real threats and consequences active throughout the story. The academy story stands apart because Basgiath routinely kills cadets which turns routine exercises into tense encounters. As Violet discovers political conspiracies, her challenges expand beyond personal danger to encompass doubts about the society she protects.
Despite plot elements that depend on fortuitous events and convenient skills which appear at key moments, the story manages to maintain its momentum through rapid pacing combined with deep character connections.
Between the Sheets: Dragons Aren’t the Only Thing Heating Up
Fourth Wing maintains a spice rating of 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3.0) through romantic scenes that serve character development and plot advancement instead of functioning as mere titillation. The romantic tension emerges from the evolving relationships between characters who begin with antagonism but gradually reveal their hidden depths and vulnerabilities.
Intimate scenes enhance character development by exposing power dynamics and trust issues along with emotional vulnerabilities among the characters. As someone who remains critical of romantasy literature, I realized that these scenes advanced the characters’ relationships genuinely through shared dangers and trust evolution without being pointless or plot-disrupting.
The writing of these scenes emphasizes both emotional connection and physical description which results in them feeling essential to character growth instead of being interchangeable fantasy elements. The development from tense situations to intimate relationships appears plausible as characters confront life-threatening events.
Bro Reading Comfort: Choose Your Location Wisely
The 😳😳 (2.0) version of Fourth Wing presents multiple detailed intimate scenes that require careful consideration when reading in public areas. The romantic elements of the book appear in specific sections which could require careful consideration of where you read or who sees you reading.
The book cover features stylized wings instead of embracing couples which helps reduce worries about public perception. Training and dragon riding blended with political intrigue form the bulk of the book while romance adds to the narrative without taking center stage.
The book keeps intimate scenes confined to particular chapters which helps public readers plan their reading without encountering unexpected content.
Darkness Factor: Death From Day One
The Fourth Wing book has a darkness rating of 💀💀💀 (3.0) which demonstrates the lethal premise of its storyline. The training regimen proves extremely harsh because it includes detailed depictions of cadets dying from fire, being crushed, and falling to their doom. Yarros provides readers with visceral encounters of the system’s horror through his vivid depictions that are neither bloodless nor sanitized.
The book examines psychological darkness by revealing political schemes which view cadets as expendable components in a broader strategic game. Governmental corruption coupled with their readiness to sacrifice citizens deepens the darkness of the stakes beyond personal survival.
Dark power imbalances along with past traumas and conflicting loyalties form morally complex dynamics in the romantic relationship instead of providing simple wish fulfillment. The emotional intricacies transform the “chosen one” narrative into a multifaceted story.
Book Battlefield: How It Compares
The recently published Fourth Wing occupies a unique position in the romantasy genre by blending traditional military fantasy elements with romance-driven storytelling. Fourth Wing brings explicit romance and modern narration distinguishing itself from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series while maintaining the beloved dragon-human partnership theme.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas will find Fourth Wing delivers comparable romantic depth while presenting detailed worldbuilding rooted in military organization instead of traditional royal settings. The romance story progresses through known enemies-to-lovers patterns but set against life-or-death training situations which speed up the formation of emotional bonds.
Fourth Wing amplifies its romantic content compared to academy fantasy series such as Naomi Novik’s Scholomance while keeping parallel levels of institutional threats and stakes. The military framework establishes a more structured hierarchy compared to Novik’s magical school which thrives in chaos while presenting distinct tensions and power dynamics.
Should You Bother?
For Fantasy Readers: Fourth Wing provides impressive action sequences and captivating power dynamics partnered with substantial political intrigue for fans of military academies and dragon-rider relationships who look beyond its romantic elements.
For Romance Fans: The main relationship in this story evolves in a well-structured enemies-to-lovers storyline that faces true challenges beyond superficial miscommunications. Romantic tension develops naturally from mutual threats and progressive character revelations.
For Worldbuilding Enthusiasts: The detailed depiction of the academy setting contrasts with the insufficient exploration of the wider world which may cause readers to seek more context. The upcoming story promises significant growth in its worldbuilding elements.
Final BroMantasy Verdict
The novel Fourth Wing excels with its engaging mixture of military fantasy elements and romantic elements that both elements remain fully developed. The dragon-riding sequences deliver thrilling action and layered power relationships while romance emerges from authentic character development as opposed to base attraction.
The book stands out as an excellent read for new romantasy audiences because it merges traditional fantasy aspects with meaningful character development. The story presents believable dangers while characters face meaningful consequences for their decisions and romance develops through shared experiences instead of existing only to fulfill wishes.
Despite the thin worldbuilding outside the academy and some unbelievable magic elements the book’s quick pace and compelling character interactions maintain reader interest. According to the sequel’s premise it offers more settings outside the academy which can fix the main issue of the first book.
The military fantasy book Fourth Wing serves as an approachable introduction for male readers interested in romantasy by blending romance with military fantasy elements and political intrigue along with action-packed sequences. The final outcome delivers an enjoyable book which keeps readers anticipating the upcoming release.
