Fourth Wing (Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

 Title: Fourth Wing (Empyrean #1)

Author: Rebecca Yarros 

Pages: 512

Publisher: Red Tower Books/Raincoast Books

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Thank you Macmillan/Entangled/Raincoast Books for the ARC for honest review

Summary (Goodreads)

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Todaybestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Review: 

"fly or die"

Start off by sprinkling a mixture of Divergent, a dash of The Hunger Games and From Blood and Ash of mix it all together with How to Train Your Dragon to create this magnificent masterpiece! When I heard about this book I knew I had to get a hold of it. Even after hearing about the hype I had a feeling it was going to be an amazing ride. 

Rebecca Yarros is an excellent storyteller because right from the start I was hooked. Fourth Wing was fast paced and you won't even realize how fast you are reading until you are done. After finishing this epic fantasy it will consume your thoughts and become one of your favourite books. 

Violet Sorrengail is one of those characters who is smart, cunning and 100% brave throughout the book. Even though she was destined to be in the Scribe Quadrant, her mother changed everything. Her mother is the commanding general to forced her to enter Basgiath War College to become a Dragon Rider. There are so many trials she has to face or die trying. I was on the edge of my seat while reading parts of it! 

Now onto Xaden Riorson. From the moment you meet him you can feel the tension between them. While he may be Violet's enemy because of the rebellion that his dad lead, there is so much more to learn about him while reading. I felt a little obsessed thinking about him as well. The banter was perfect and I was anxiously waiting until that moment and it did not disappoint! I love a good enemies to lovers and those steamy scenes!! :O 

The world building was definitely amazing. As you are reading be sure to pay attention to the detail! Even if your mind is busy thinking about Xaden. Now onto the Dragons. They definitely stole the show and I loved the conversations between Violet and Tarin. I loved all the relationships Violet forms with her wing, I may have cried during one scene! To the dragons, sparring, political and historical scenes this book had me in a chokehold as it was beyond addictive! So if you hadn't preordered it yet I recommend you pick it up immediately. 

100% this deserves 5 stars! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️