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
⚠️ Reviews may contain minor spoilers to provide meaningful analysis.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
At a Glance: Dragons, Romance, and a Deadly Academy
The process of dragon bonding represents a prestigious achievement but simultaneously exposes people to mortal danger. The Basgiath War College recounts Violet Sorrengail’s journey from her expected placement in the scholars’ quadrant to being forced into dragon rider training by her general mother. The program’s 20% elimination rate along with Violet’s brittle bones from a rare condition and combat training deficiencies make academy survival difficult for her while she battles against hostile peers who aim to get her eliminated. Complex aerial battles and political intrigue envelop Violet as she gets attention from the arrogant commander’s son and another dangerous rider which questions her grasp of the military kingdom she serves.
Dragon College: Where Death is Just a Wingbeat Away
Basgiath War College serves as the main setting of Fourth Wing where military cadets learn to bond with dragons and become part of Navarre’s elite military divisions. The college boasts well-defined hierarchical systems and realistic training spaces along with dormitories which together create a believable institutional atmosphere.
Each dragon character demonstrates unique personalities and elemental abilities according to their classification into fire, water, air, earth elements with potential rare mutations. This relationship between dragons and their riders requires careful development to blend psychic connection with mutual hardship which creates deep bonds that exceed ordinary partnerships.
The worldbuilding fails to deliver depth when it examines elements outside the academy. Navarre’s geography and economic conditions along with civilian life remain poorly documented despite occasional glimpses of its conflict with Tyrish insurgents. The academy’s world seems limited yet implies hidden cultural forces and larger conflicts that exist beyond its limits.
The magic system offers distinct signet abilities for riders while struggling with inconsistent rule enforcement. Certain powers deliver strategic advantages in specific conditions but reveal reduced effectiveness when applied in combat situations. The magic system builds narrative tension while sometimes revealing flaws in its logical structure.
Fans of the academy atmosphere in The Name of the Wind and the military training in Ender’s Game will discover that Basgiath War College offers a comparable competitive and character-building experience which includes dragon bonding as a unique feature.
A Petite Protagonist with Mounting Problems
Violet Sorrengail starts with physical limitations as her frail bones make combat training a hazardous endeavor. During her journey she evolves by utilizing her strengths to defeat physical limitations resulting in greater self-confidence and character development.
The story becomes relatable for readers through Violet who learns about her new world alongside us because she steps into it without preparation. Violet’s narrative voice engages readers by using a snarky tone and self-awareness that stops her from being just a passive observer of her own story. Survival instincts and family duties along with growing political understanding drive her decisions rather than plot requirements.
The love interests present interesting contrasts: Dain Aetos operates as the commanding officer’s favored son who hides his true personality with charm and Xaden Riorson commands the Riders while also continuing to be loyal to other marked riders. Both love interests show substantial character development beyond their romantic roles due to their detailed personal backstories and motivations which tie into broader political conflicts.
The supporting cast shows varying levels of depth as Violet’s friends Rhiannon and Ridoc experience growth while her sister Mira remains static. The distinct personalities of the dragons add complexity to character interactions, particularly between Violet and her future bond-mate Tairn.
Fourth Wing presents readers with a familiar fantasy training academy structure but keeps them engaged through unique elements and genuine dangers. The book achieves narrative balance by distributing attention equally between training montages, character development scenes, political intrigue and action sequences to ensure no single aspect overwhelms the story.
Violet’s struggle through basic training starts the narrative which develops her skills and relationships while political tensions intensify toward an explosive conclusion. The story builds tension through multiple smaller climactic moments rather than saving all suspense for the ending.
The plot maintains its strength by consistently presenting genuine threats and consequences throughout the narrative. Basgiath’s regular killing of cadets transforms routine exercises into high-stakes situations which sets the academy story apart. Violet faces escalating challenges which extend past personal threats to embrace her uncertainties about the society she defends as she investigates political schemes.
The story sustains its forward motion by blending fast pacing with strong character bonds even when plot developments appear convenient at times.
Between the Sheets: Dragons Aren’t the Only Thing Heating Up
The romantic scenes in Fourth Wing achieve their spice rating of 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3.0) because they advance the plot and develop characters rather than acting as simple titillating moments. The romantic tension develops as characters transition from hostility to discovering each other’s hidden depths and vulnerabilities through their evolving relationships.
Character development benefits from intimate scenes which reveal emotional vulnerabilities and power dynamics alongside trust issues between characters.
The narrative approach to these scenes combines emotional depth with physical description to make them crucial components of character development rather than generic fantasy components. Tense situations evolve into intimate relationships when characters face life-threatening events together.
Bro Reading Comfort: Choose Your Location Wisely
Readers should choose their reading locations wisely as the 😳😳 (2.0) comfort rating of Fourth Wing includes several explicit intimate scenes. Readers should consider their location and audience when reading specific sections that contain romantic content in the book.
The book design utilizes stylized wings rather than embracing couples on the cover to help minimize public concerns about perception. The plot of the book primarily revolves around dragon riding training and political intrigue while romantic elements contribute to the story without being the main focus.
The book strategically places intimate scenes within designated chapters so public readers can avoid unexpected content during their reading sessions.
Darkness Factor: Death From Day One
The Fourth Wing novel’s darkness rating of 💀💀💀 (3.0) shows how deadly its plot foundation is. The training program becomes torturous because it presents detailed images of cadets succumbing to fire, being crushed to death and plummeting to their deaths. Through his detailed descriptions Yarros immerses readers in the system’s terror without sanitizing or omitting bloodshed.
The work explores psychological darkness through its revelation of political strategies that treat cadets as disposable pieces in a larger strategic plan. The combination of government corruption and their willingness to sacrifice people escalates the stakes to levels beyond just individual survival.
Power imbalances together with previous traumas and divided loyalties create intricate moral dynamics within romantic relationships that fail to offer straightforward wish fulfillment. The story gains depth through its emotional layers which extend beyond regular fantasy genre conventions.
Book Battlefield: How It Compares
The new release Fourth Wing stands apart in the romantasy field because it combines military fantasy components with romance narrative elements. Fourth Wing stands apart with its explicit romantic elements and modern storytelling approach yet preserves the cherished dragon-human bond from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series.
Readers who enjoy Sarah J. Maas’s work will discover that Fourth Wing provides similar romantic intensity combined with intricate worldbuilding that focuses on military structures rather than royal settings. The romantic plot follows traditional enemies-to-lovers patterns but the life-threatening training scenarios quicken the development of emotional connections.
Fourth Wing strengthens its romantic elements beyond what academy fantasy series like Naomi Novik’s Scholomance offer but maintains equivalent institutional dangers and story stakes. The military structure presents a rigid hierarchical system which stands in contrast to the chaotic environment of Novik’s magical school that reveals unique power struggles.
Should You Bother?
For Fantasy Readers: Fourth Wing delivers dynamic action scenes and engaging power struggles along with significant political intrigue while showcasing military academy elements and dragon-rider relationships for readers who prioritize these aspects above romance.
For Romance Fans: The central relationship unfolds through an enemies-to-lovers plot that presents authentic challenges which go beyond mere misunderstandings. The romantic tension grows organically through shared dangers and evolving character insights.
For Worldbuilding Enthusiasts: Detailed descriptions of the academy setting exist side by side with the inadequate examination of the broader world which could lead readers to look for additional context. The next installment will show substantial expansion in its worldbuilding features.
Final BroMantasy Verdict
Fourth Wing succeeds because it presents a fully developed combination of military fantasy and romance elements. Dragon-riding scenes provide exhilarating action while power dynamics develop with romance stemming from genuine character growth rather than basic attraction.
New readers of romantasy will find this book an exceptional read because it combines classic fantasy features with deep character growth. The narrative maintains realistic threats while characters experience significant outcomes from their choices and their romance emerges through mutual experiences rather than existing solely to fulfill desires.
Although the setting beyond the academy lacks depth and some magical concepts seem implausible the book captivates readers through its fast pace and engaging character dynamics. The sequel expands its premise by incorporating additional settings beyond the academy to address the first book’s worldbuilding limitations.
Fourth Wing provides an accessible military fantasy entry point for male readers who want to explore romantasy through a combination of romantic elements and military fantasy with political intrigue and thrilling action sequences. The conclusion provides an entertaining read that maintains reader anticipation for the next release.
