Thanks to NetGalley and Piatkus, Little brown book group for the ARC
This has been one of the best books I read this year. First of all, I adore most characters and even if I hated them, they are nuanced and make sense. This book made me cry and laugh and everything in between. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the continuation. Also, the worldbuilding was innovative and well done, making me hunger for more!

thank you netgalley and little brown for a review copy!!
5 ⭐️
This book is absolutely incredible. This is 100% in my top 3 books i have ever read. The plot was amazing, the world was amazing, the characters were amazing. I felt all the feels and I am still in shock. This book follows Violet Sorrengail as she is forced by her mother to join the Riders Quadrant when all her life she had been training to join the Scribes Quadrant. There are now many people who would take any chance to kill her because of her mother. The cliffhanger at the end of this book is immense and I don’t know how I will function without book 2 . I have read this book every moment I could for the last 2 days and now I don’t know what to do with myself. If I can convince you to read one book I recommend it would be this one

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐬 🐉🗡
✨️Spoiler free review + some quotes ✨️
♾️/5
🌶.5/5
‼️ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR‼️
💛What can I say about this book? A masterpiece, I loved it. It's one of the best books I've read this year! And a new favourite NA fantasy romance series.

It was fast-paced and kept me hooked. But the best part of this book? Was the fact that I can't stop thinking about the characters and the world. The plot twists were done so meticulous, and I just love every moment. I ATE THIS BOOK UP.

We were chucked in the universe so quickly. We see Violet enrol in the rider quadrant (like a fancy college for dragon riders, scolars, infimary, and healers) even though she was training to become a scribe.
The character development for Violet was everything. We see her being a huge target and seeing her grown from a weak character to being strong.
🐉There is a love interest with the most wonderfulness slow enemies to lovers. It was done so perfectly that I was waiting for every interaction. The tension throughout was palpable 🫠. I kept getting giddy. It got a bit of spice, and I loved it.
The dragons were just amazing and magical.

The twist at the end, i guessed, but I'm so hyped . I'm so ready to read more of the universe! This needs to be on your tbr.

✨️Read if you like
- slowest enemies to lovers
- best female character development arc.
-Fast pace
-dark tall and mysterious MMC. 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️
-Dragons
-Plenty of action/betrayal
-found family

Thank you @netgalley @yourswithlovex @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for an ARC of my honest opinion

This is one of the best books i have read in YEARS. I LOVED it. The last book that blew me away like this was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I finished it and had to read it again straight away, and i had to do the same with this book.

Violet Sorrengail is the daughter of Colonel Sorrengail. Violet wants to be a scribe, but her mother wont allow it and sends her to train to be a dragon rider. It is a dangerous journey, and even getting to the training centre carries a risk of death.

Her best friend Dain is a 2nd year rider there, but he doesnt think she has what it takes to be a rider and is not afraid to tell her so, and most of the other students there hate Violet because her mother murdered their parents. One of the people who hates her is Xaden, her wingleader and squad commander, and things become complicated between them when Violet bonds with a Dragon called Tairn, who happens to be mated to Xadens dragon.

I wont give away the story because i dont want to spoil it but if i could desribe this book in one word it would be SPECTACULAR. I am in my 50's and i thought it was amazing. Loved it and have pre-ordered it in hardback.
Cant wait to read the sequel coming in November.

Bravo!!

P.S. This needs to be a film. Its that good!

Not to echo previous feedback comments but this has definite Hunger Games crossed with Harry Potter vibes. You've got a magical school (powered by drgaon magic because why not) where 20-23 year olds battle it out on a daily basis with no real rules or protections against attempting to murder their competition so that they can attain the highest achievement - becoming a dragon rider. There is historic rebellion and a shadowy government agency, and of course a friend from back home as well as a dangerous new love interest. The story is fast paced (although there are a LOT of features of this world - such as the rules and guidelines I mentioned before) that had me either rolling my eyes or asking aloud WTF?! But overall it's an enjoyable story and I'll be reading the sequel when that's released to find out what happens to the group.

The only way I can think to describe this book is as a romp.

I did read it very quickly & enjoyed it thoroughly. It felt like reading a comfort show, you know what’s going to happen but you’re not mad at it. The plot flowed nice & quickly, although you know what’s coming, you just can’t stop!

This book is filled to the brim with classic tropes, that’s not to say it’s not good, but it just didn’t feel like it had much originality. The first 20% felt similar to a lot of books from the dystopian genre, the main characters have very similar powers to a few fantasy series & just overall everything felt reused. However, there is not a doubt in my mind that the vast majority of people will absolutely love this book & I am already eager for the sequel!

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group/Piatkus and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

No one, not even her best friend, not even her mother, believe Violet will survive the training to become a dragon rider. Still, when your mother, the General insists you switch from scribe to warrior, you have no choice. Most of Violet’s classmates are fated to die and Violet is considered more weak and delicate than the rest of them. Not only that, she has at least 107 of her mother’s enemies who wish to kill her. Can she beat the odds?

Wow. WOW. For years I have been searching for a fantasy book I loved as much as the ACOTAR series and FINALLY I have found it.

This book had me hooked from the first page until the last, where I stayed up to the early hours to finish it as I just could not stop reading.

It’s got everything you could ever hope for in a fantasy book; a character you root for straight away, a fascinating world to explore, a super spicy romance and so.much.tension in every element of the plot.

I really enjoyed every part of Violet’s journey. She is a fantastic, kind yet bad ass character and I rooted for her to survive so hard. Her friends felt like they became mine too and I became more immersed and invested in that world with every page. I couldn’t read the next chapter quickly enough to find out what Violet was up against.

I loved the sarcastic dragons and the excerpts at the end of each chapter, each of which revealed a little more about the world.

I was happy to guess a bit of the ending and I am so, so excited for the next book in the series! I feel like I can’t read the next book soon enough.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I didn't know I wanted. From the moment I started the book, the draw to continue reading and discover what was coming next is what I imagine a magnet stuck to the fridge feels like. I had to physically rip myself away from the pages. Rebecca Yarros did an incredible job with her characters. The development and depth of each of them was incredibly life-like. It was impossible not to become attached to them.

The ending of the book had me sitting, staring at my Kindle hoping that if I just keep swiping to go to the next page for long enough the next book would just magically appear there.

I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc my reviews are my own thoughts and are not influenced by anyone

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a captivating romance novel that delves deep into the complexities of love and loss, as well as the power of forgiveness and second chances. Set in a military academy, the story follows Jagger, a talented fighter pilot who struggles to balance his duty to his country and his growing feelings for his forbidden love interest, Kennedy.
The novel is written in dual perspectives, allowing the reader to get a glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of both Jagger and Kennedy. The author does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life, creating complex and multi-dimensional personalities that feel real and relatable.
The chemistry between Jagger and Kennedy is palpable, and their forbidden love only adds to the tension and excitement of the story. The author weaves together a captivating plot that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end, while also tackling serious themes such as grief, trauma, and the aftermath of war.
One of the things that sets Fourth Wing apart from other romance novels is the attention to detail when it comes to military life. This author clearly did her research, and the result is a story that feels authentic and grounded in reality. She also brings a unique perspective to the genre, highlighting the sacrifices and struggles that military families face every day.
Overall, Fourth Wing is a must-read for fans of romance novels and military fiction. It's a powerful story of love, loss, and the journey to forgiveness and redemption. Rebecca Yarros is a talented writer, and Fourth Wing is a shining example of her skills.

5 Stars!
This book had me in an absolute CHOKEHOLD!
Right from the beginning, this was giving a mix of Hunger Games/Divergent vibes, with a few elements from ACOTAR thrown in for good measure. It even gave "how to train your dragon" vibes in places which I LOVED.
This had everything I wanted in a fantasy romance - a badass female MC, contests and deadly trials, battles, intrigue, corruption, betrayal, female rage, enemies to lovers, slow(ish) burn with a very morally-grey love interest, and of course - DRAGONS. And grumpy, sarky dragons at that! *chef's kiss*
This would be perfect for fans of ACOTAR, From Blood and Ash, Hunger Games and Zodiac Academy.

I cannot wait for this to be released next week and for all of you to read it because you are going to LOVE IT! I really think this is going to be the next popular book!

Fourth Wing was engaging from the first page. Thrilling and action-packed, I absolutely devoured it.

Violet has spent her life training to be a scribe, after a childhood illness left her ‘fragile’. But her brother and father’s untimely deaths pull her mother away from her, and as General she decides that Violet will instead become a candidate for the Rider Quadrant. Riders are the toughest of the tough… and many initiates die in the attempt to become one. Violet will need to exceed everyone’s expectations - including her own - if she is to survive her first year and bond to a dragon. Or she’ll die in the attempt.

When I say I devoured Fourth Wing, I mean I knew I would love it within the first 15 minutes and haven’t put it down since.

I immediately loved Violet and her attitude to the situation she had been put in, as well as her relationship with her sister. The fact that she was determined to be her own person despite her legacy and her perceived weakness made her a fantastic main character, and the found family she built at the college made me so happy for her.

The relationships all felt realistic and developed at a rate which made sense. I loved that all the characters had their own distinct personalities, desires, and hopes for the future which made them feel very real.

The plot was fast paced and full of twists and turns. I did find many of them to be fairly predictable, but in a delightful way which I generally find very enjoyable. It was more a ‘Oh no, I know what’s coming 🙊’ rather than a ‘Well obviously this is going to happen 🙄’, and I adored the twist at the end! (I wouldn’t personally consider it a cliffhanger, but it does end on a reveal which makes you want to read more!)

The narrator was fantastic and really added to the story. The way they voiced the characters and the style they told the narrative with immediately drew me in, and I will definitely listen to more books narrated by her in the future.

Overall, I absolutely loved Fourth Wing and am delighted to see it was sold as part of a three book deal. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

“Are you going to die a scribe? Or live as a rider?”

FIVE. FREAKING. STARS. There is no universe where I could give this book any less of a rating. My inner YA dystopian teenage-obsessed self is crying tears of joy. Fourth Wing delivers on every single page. Enemies to lovers, slow-burn, unique fantasy setting with complex politics, suspense, a unique magical system with direct ties to the dragons, dragons and much much more.

Rebecca Yarros brings us Fourth Wing which is book one is the Empyrean series. We are introduced to our female MC Violet Sorrengail as she prepares to enter Basgiath War College, a dangerous and elite college where only the strongest can survive. You either graduate... or you die. Basgaith War College is split into four quadrants. The Scribe Quadrant, the Healer Quadrant, the Infantry Quadrant and the Riders Quadrant. Violet was set to enroll into the scribe quadrant, living a quiet and safe life amongst her books and history. However as the daughter of a notorious commanding war general as a mother and two older siblings as dragon riders, Violet is ordered into the riders quadrant by said mother. Sorrengail's either die a dragon rider or they die trying. With only minimal combat training as she embarks on the most dangerous venture of her life, Violet must fight for her place amongst hundreds of other candidates fighting for the chance to be chosen by a dragon as their rider.

My favourite thing about Violet was her fiery and resilient nature. As one of the physically weakest cadets in her unit, Violet has to fight harder than anybody else to prove that she deserves her place. Basgaith War College is gritty and unforgiving. One minor slip can be the end of your life. She is also very stubborn and witty, and never fails to speak her mind which was refreshing to read as a reader. Fellow cadets have no qualms with eliminating the weaker links, specifically the elusive and mysterious Xaden Riorson. Xaden is the son of the traitorous man who led the rebellion that led to many deaths. The children of the traitors were forced to conscript into the Rider's Quadrant when they reached the eligible age after having been forced to watch the execution of their traitorous parents. Executions led by none other than Violet's mother. And it so happens that Xaden's father is responsible for the death of Violet's older brother, leading to an immediate clash of unresolved trauma and hate. Xaden has every reason to want Violet dead in revenge for his family, and Violet has every reason to want to survive in spite of her family. Xaden is a well-trained and ruthless wing-leader in his third and final year. The history surrounding Xaden remains very much a mystery during a large portion of the book, leaving you in suspense needing to know more. Violet and Xaden's dynamic was a lot of fun to read. They serve enemies-to-lovers goodness and don't even get me stared on the tension. The natural chemistry between these two who could never decide at any given moment if they wanted to kill one another or not. Both are as stubborn as one another and often clash in different situations. However what happens when situations change, and suddenly friends can become foes. And foes can become friends. Unlikely allies and heart-wrenching betrayals... always be on guard for what comes next. Also U would like to add that I'd gladly have a Xaden in my life. Can I buy one on Amazon? Please let me know.

Not only did Rebecca Yarros create fully fledged main characters that immersed you into the story, but also side characters that got the right amount of attention. These characters were incredible in adding to the story and the dynamic of the overall setting. The banter, the comradery, the loathing and the hatred. Every side character were well balanced in writing with clear intent in their purpose in the story-telling, and I found myself immersed into every single page. And that also includes the dragons. Rebecca Yarros done an incredible joy to bring life to the dragons in this world, setting them apart from others I have seen. The lore around their existence was fascinating to learn about, and the bonds they can forge are unlike any other.

Fourth Wing has very easily climbed its way into my top three reads of the year. Dare I say it's even taken the #1 spot thus far? A truly gripping fantasy romance with an awe-dropping cliff-hanger which has left me desperate for more. If you want to do one thing right this year... please read this book.

I would like to take this moment to thank netgalley and little brown book group for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I'm so glad this lived up to the hype. There are only two ways to leave Basgiath War College: graduate or die. ⁠
⁠There’s quite a few tropes hit in here, there’s fantasy, romance, enemies to lovers, dragons, magic, underdog, world building and politics to match. And while it’s so many different points to hit, I feel it does that really well! It was easy to read and flowed well. The magic and the world systems make sense, and the romance actually feels believable, it happens at a decent pace as opposed to zero to 100. Our main character is relatable and yet someone you’d want to be, and she has depth, so again her highs and lows feel believable and take you along for the ride.
The side characters and peers are also excellent, you learn to love and hate them just as the MC does. The plot went as a reasonable rate, and kept me wanting to read more, I feel I could have read more pages to be honest. Can’t believe I have to wait so long for book 2.

Absolutely fantastic!!!
This is the first book of this genre I’ve read,and only read because of the author. It’s honestly not disappointed. Perfect characters and storyline. I was hooked from the very first page

“Don’t seek friendships in there. Forge alliances.”
“Keeping me safe is keeping me from growing”
“Lies are comforting. Truth is painful.”

This was a wild ride, pun intended. Immediately, heart-stoppingly, excruciatingly stressful and exciting. Yarros does NOT LET UP. It’s been compared to Divergent, Hunger Games, Scholomance, SJ Maas… I think that’s broadly right, but with an easy prose and incredible pace Yarros has stirred this mix up into something incredibly consumable.

Featuring:
- heroine with hypermobility representation
- Family yay but also family booo
- Lots of stabbing. So much.
- KILL HIM NOW GIRL GO ON YOU COULD JUST CUT THE FEMORAL ARTERY oh no wait she showed mercy, dang. Bet that will never come back to haunt you
- School setting (I always like these) complete with new best friend, old crush, awful bully, and sexy enemy
- Sinking a dagger into a tree and backing your sexy enemy up against it
- Chekov’s Dragon
- Incredibly stressful task completion and team building exercises during which you and/or your pals will probably die!
- The heady thrill of success
- secrets, secrets and lies
- Spicy slow burn
- Actual burn (because you know, DRAGONS)

I think I need a lie down

Fourth Wing follows Violet who has been training to join the scribe quadrant. but her cruel, cold General of a mother has decided she will join the hundreds on a perilous journey, striving to become Dragon riders.

Violet has suffered all her life with chronic pain and weakened bones so she is immediately seen as weaker and very likely to fail.. and that means death. But what happens when you have the intelligence of a scribe and the determination to be what others think you can't? There is of course big, beautiful, sarcastic dragons and big, brooding men!

It is full of the tropes so if you love enemies to lovers, mis-communication, touch her and you'll die .. with spice then this is going to be your not-so-guilty pleasure! This is very much only the beginning of this adventure and the book leaves you wanting more!

Loved this book, looking forward to the special editions that are being released and the anticipation for book two is real. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is incredible. It gave me everything I wanted. I'm a sucker for any books with dragons, and I was not disappointed by this one at all. I LOVED the dragon - Tairn and Andarna!!! I need more of this series asap. Amazing!

Fourth Wing starts The Empyrean series. It’s set in a preindustrial world that’s been divided in two by a war that’s raged for centuries. The kingdom of Navarra is protected by a barrier of magic upheld by dragons against the enemy’s griffins, but the barrier has started to break.

Dragons need riders that are trained in a brutal military academy where the weak are weeded by death. Violet Sorrengail has never thought to follow her older siblings there. She has a frail body and mind best suited to become a scribe. But her mother, the commander of dragon riders, orders otherwise, and so, at twenty, she joins the hopefuls of her age group to try and make it to the academy through a deadly test that’s only the beginning of the torments.

There is an enemy within the academy too. Children of a recent rebellion within Navarra are forced to take the deadly training to become dragon riders in the hopes that the academy will kill them. They all hate Violet as the daughter of the woman who killed their parents. And their leader, Xaden Riorson, is the most powerful wing leader in the academy, and Violet’s commander in the fourth wing.

This is a dark academy type of story that follows Violet’s progression through the military training. There is foul competition to best and friends and allies to gather, and the book doesn’t shy away from killing both. Violet struggles more than most, but she’s cunning and determined, and when she triumphs, she does it with flair.

There’s romance too, a not-so-difficult choice between a childhood friend and the gorgeous and sexy enemy. And since this is adult fantasy, and the author has written steamy contemporary romances before, Violet is a grown woman who goes after what she wants and the sex scenes are graphic and good.

The world is interesting with its dragons that bond with humans. They had very humanlike qualities too, making the reader root for them as much as the humans. The friendships were good, but since people could die at any moment, I didn’t dare to invest in them—and had my heart broken anyway. Violet was an excellent character with a good growth arc, and Xaden made a perfect counterpart for her.

The last fifth of the book opens the story to a more epic narrative. There’s an enemy within the enemy that turns the world upside down, and Violet doesn’t know who to trust anymore. The ending leaves everything open, with a bit of a stunner added in the mix. I’m desperate to read more.

{AD|GIFTED} Dragons are back and I couldn't be more excited! Set in a war college for dragon riders, FOURTH WING is sure to be one of the biggest fantasy releases this summer. It's over 500 pages yet the action never flags and I honestly could have kept reading and reading. The dragons were remote yet felt relatable. I loved finally hearing them speak and understanding their personalities. Plus Andarna is absolutely phenomenal.

Violet is one of my new favourite protagonists. She's clever, determined, and compassionate, and also has a chronic illness. This sort of representation is so important and I loved all the discussions about how other people (and herself, at times) view her disability. Her friendships (and enmities) with other riders were so engaging and her relationship with her older sister was beautiful. The toxic relationship with her mother was only touched upon but I would like to see this explored further.

Xaden is going to be a new book boyfriend for so many readers! He's typical of a number of alpha romance interests but feels fresh. He also has such an interesting backstory and I'm excited to see how his enemies-to-lovers relationship with Violet develops in the second book. Speaking of a second book, those final chapters will leave the reader on the edge of their seat! I would kill for the sequel as I need to know what happens next after those reveals.

I honestly can't recommend this new-adult fantasy enough and have already pre-ordered two copies.

ok, now where do i begin with this book? we were kindly sent a physically copy of this book by piaktus and we loved every minute of this book! this book was read in one sitting! i just kept wanting to turn the pages and find out more and more about this story and violet's adventure.

also... THIS BOOK HAS DRAGONS!! that immediately makes a book fantastic in my opinion. i really did not know what to expect from this book, the blurb sounded fantastic but i was not expecting it to impact me like it did. when i finished it, i just had to stop and think for a little bit to process what i had just read.

this book has a lot of tropes that everyone loves: slow burn, enemies to lovers, DRAGONS, chronic illness representation and much more. i know from the first few chapters that this book would be an absolute rollercoaster of a ride, i was crying over things right from the start. every character in this book has a purpose, sometimes with books, i find that some characters don't really serve any purpose, but EVERY character is pivotal to the story here. I loved Liam, Rhi and Imogen so much.

I wish i was a badass so i could be in the Riders quadrant, but i know i would be gone within five seconds. I think i'm more suited for the scribe quadrant! Yarros has such a talent with her writing and her world building leans you into the world so easily, which is so hard with a fantasy world!

THE CHRONIC PAIN REPRESENTATION FOR VIOLET??? i loved it so much. i suffer from chronic pain, so seeing it portrayed through violet, one of the most badass FMCs i have ever read, was a dream. she does not let her chronic pain stop her from achieving what she wants. i adored her character so much and i cannot wait to see her journey in book two.

thank you so much for allowing me to read this book prior to publication. i cannot wait for book two to come out!!