I Drank the Fourth Wing Kool-Aid and I Will Never Be the Same.

Getting back into reading this year I never thought I would find myself here. Where is ‘here’ you ask? Reading fantasy novels, thats where. When I expressed to my sister, who has always been very book-ish, that I was reading again she was excited to say the least. She then proceeded to go on and on about this duology that she was reading and how it was changing her life page by page. The book was called Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

When she expressed her seemingly undying love for this book and author that I had never even heard of I was less than intrigued. I have always been more of a thriller and/or mystery person. I think what I love are the twists and turns and (hopefully) sense of resolve that you most often get when reading a thriller. However, this summer I was introduced into the fantasy genre and haven’t looked back. I punctuate my reading here and there with a good thriller or non-fantasy book, but now fantasy (and it pains me to say it) is my new favourite genre. Like I’ve said before, what I love about reading is that when I’m fully invested in a book I feel like I’m transported to another place, time or in this case, another world. I laughed, I cried (if you’ve read this book you know what I’m talking about) and went through every emotion in between. It gives Hunger Games meets Harry Potter with spice and Game of Thrones without ~that~ kind of spice.

Score 4.5/5 ⭐️

Fourth Wing follows the FMC (Female Main Character) Violet Sorrengail, through her challenges as a first-year cadet at Basgiath War College. We see her tackle challenges she never knew she was capable of. She defies the odds despite physical challenges both physical and mental. Along the way we meet some strong and feisty fellow female characters—an added bonus. I felt completely engulfed in this story and the setting. Yarros’s ability to world-build and create an experience that extends beyond the page for the reader is something I find quite unique about her writing style. I was watching a movie about dragons, battle, betrayal, and finding love in the most unlikeliest of places. It was quite an experience.

The only reason why this book was not a solid 5 stars for me, was because there were some moments where I found myself rather confused during certain action scenes. There are so many things happening that I can understand when an author can’t paint the same picture for every reader. That being said, I still got the gist. The plot was fast-paced in a way that kept me engaged but I never felt like there were raging plot holes or I couldn’t keep up with the story.

Overall, if you are thinking about delving into the fantasy/romantasy world of reading this is one of, if not the best, books you can start with. Well done Rebecca Yarros. Well done.