literary gluttony

Do you ever have those books on your TBR that are intimidating? I don’t mean the ones that are 800 pages or more. But the ones that you’ve seen all over social media, the ones everyone can’t stop talking about. It’s hard to come across anyone who hasn’t heard of Forth Wing. And if you do, you’re probably going to enlighten them about the new fantasy novel that’s taking the world by storm.

Violet Sorrengail was supposed to be a scribe. That’s what she trained for. That’s what her father was before he passed. Book and the Archives are her happy place. But her mother, the general, has other plans. Instead, Violet is being sent to the Riders Quadrant to train to ride dragons. A far cry from the quiet halls she is comfortable in. Her sister Mira knows this is a bad idea, that Violet will not survive all that it takes to be a rider. But their mother will not be moved. It can’t be that bad right? But being the general’s daughter puts a huge target on her back and all she can do is try to survive to graduation.

The tasks set forth are designed to weed out the weak, and that’s exactly what Violet is. Her body is not meant to handle all that Basgiath throws at her. But even if her body is weak, her spirit and her strength of will are anything but. Violet finds a way to move through and survive. Along the way she makes a couple of friends and even has her childhood best friend by her side. Dain Aetos knows all there is to know about Violet and he will do anything to keep her safe, anything but break the rules. Particularly when it comes to Violet’s involvement with Xaden Riorson, a separatist’s son who wants nothing more than revenge against Violet’s mother.

When I tell you I couldn’t put this book down, that’s not an exaggeration. I never wanted to take a break from this world, even to go feed myself. Fourth Wing was an incredible read that sweeps you away to a world of dragons and military maneuvers and romances that are absolutely a bad idea. My only complaint about this novel is that some of the interactions seemed too juvenile for the age of the characters. Bits and pieces felt like we were back in high school even though the characters are well into their twenties. Outside of that, the characters were well developed and so easy to fall in love with. Rebecca Yarros created a world I didn’t want to leave and am so anxious to return to. I can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters she’s created!