Rebecca Yaros, just released the second novel in the series, which has already received widespread praise. AMAZON/COURTESY
By Adrianne Hutto, Production Editor
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead,” is the opening line of the intense fantasy novel Fourth Wing. The author, Rebecca Yaros, just released the second novel in the series, which has already received widespread praise among readers, particularly in “Book-Tok,” a subsection of TikTok and recognition from the New York Times.
For lovers of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Fourth Wing is another in-depth fantasy novel with a loveable cast of characters and an enemies to lovers trope that will have you reading all night.
The novel follows Violet Sorrengail, daughter of a high-level military leader, who was meant to enter the Scribe Quadrant and live a quiet peaceful life among the parchment and books, as her deceased father would have intended.
“There is nothing more sacred than the Archives. Even temples can be rebuilt, but books cannot be rewritten,” (Fourth Wing).
However, her brutal general mother forces her to join a military academy that prepares 20-year-olds for battle against mythical “gryphons” while they ride on the back of dragons utilizing new found magical powers. In a sense the novel is how to train your dragons for adults meets a dystopian past.
“Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities,” (Fourth Wing).
Despite being born physically weak and having no training, Violet is forced to walk along the parapet, a long winding path thousands of feet into the air, to the entrance of a school filled with people who want her dead, and are allowed to as violence and murder among cadets being encouraged. With a limited number of dragons to bond with and her being the “weakest link,” among the cadets, she’s on everyone’s hit list. Including, the ruthless Squad leader, Xaden, and son of a rebellion leader, murdered by her mother.
“Lies are comforting. Truth is painful,” (Fourth Wing).
With every passing day, the war outside the school walls gets closer and more deadly as protective wards are failing and the death toll outside and inside the school continues to climb. Soon, Violet begins to suspect that leadership, in this case– her mother and sister, may be lying. As she struggles to make her way to the top and avoids daggers at every turn, she has two options: graduate or die.
“But I will not run. I wouldn’t be standing here if I’d quit every time something seemed impossible to overcome. I will not die today,” (Fourth Wing).
There’s romance, strong female characters, magic, fantasy, dragons and major plot twists. With the second book freshly in print and rumors of a third next year, now is the best time to start reading– just avoid “Book Tok” if you do not like spoilers. Overall, if you’re a lover of fantasy and a great read, this should be your next pick.