Fourth Wing Review – Is It Worth the Hype?

Violet Sorrengail is a twenty-year-old who lives at Basgiath War College, where her mother is the commanding general. Until six months ago, Violet lived a quiet life sequestered in the Archives with the thought that she would join the Scribe Quadrant (they are in charge of preserving the history of the country). However, Violet’s mother decided that instead of joining the Scribe Quadrant, Violet would do what all Sorrengails do: train to become a dragon rider. Unfortunately, not only is Violet smaller than everyone else, but she bruises easily, dislocates joints, and breaks bones frequently - things that are less than ideal when riding a dragon. During training, Violet meets Xaden Riorson, the son of the rebel who killed her brother Brennan. Violet and Xaden have an instant attraction slash, loathing for each other despite Violet’s sister warning her to stay far away from Xaden. If figuring out her feelings for Xaden were difficult enough, the riders learn of a growing war outside the walls of Basgiath, and Violet suspects their leaders are also harboring secrets.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Easy five stars for me! This book is worth the hype! I loved the world-building, the enemies-to-lovers trope, the steamy scenes, and uh, THE DRAGONS!

“Going for blood today, are we, Violence?"

I would describe this book as a mix of Divergent, The Hunger Games, and House of the Dragon.

Read if you like:

-Dragons

-Fantasty/romantasy

-Enemies to lovers

-World building

-Academic settings

-Spice

2025/8/10 Edited to

... Read moreOkay, so you've heard all about Fourth Wing and the 'mommy daddy is the supreme dragonrider drama' buzz, right? I totally get it, that query perfectly encapsulates so much of what makes this book *addictive*! When I first picked it up, I was instantly drawn into Basgiath War College, just like that excited feeling you get when you finally hold 'the most brutally addictive fantasy' everyone's talking about. Let's talk about the 'supreme dragonrider' part first. It’s not just about flying cool dragons; it's about immense power, life-or-death stakes, and an almost sacred bond. The hierarchy, the challenges, and the sheer grit required to even bond with a dragon make these riders truly supreme. And with that power comes a lot of responsibility, and, of course, a whole lot of drama! Rebecca Yarros crafts a world where these riders aren't just soldiers; they're the pinnacle of their society, tasked with defending their kingdom, and their personal lives are just as intense. Now, for the 'mommy daddy' dynamic – if you know, you know! 😉 In *Fourth Wing*, this translates to the incredibly intense, protective, and sometimes deliciously fraught relationships that unfold. Without giving too much away, the enemies-to-lovers trope between Violet and Xaden is a masterclass in this. Xaden, with his brooding intensity and protective instincts, definitely embodies that powerful 'daddy' energy, especially as he guides (and challenges) Violet through her struggles. And Violet, despite her physical frailties, finds immense inner strength, sometimes even needing to be 'taken care of' or pushed by those stronger than her, which creates that compelling dynamic. It's not just a simple romance; it’s about power imbalances, hidden vulnerabilities, and two strong-willed individuals navigating a dangerous world while fighting their undeniable attraction. Their banter, the longing glances, and the way they challenge each other? Pure gold. It's the kind of push-and-pull that keeps you glued to the pages, wondering who will crack first. Beyond the central romance, there's also the broader 'drama' in the book. The political intrigue, the secrets held by the leadership, and the looming war outside Basgiath's walls add layers of tension. You're constantly questioning who to trust and what's truly at stake. The fight for survival, both against other cadets and external threats, creates a high-stakes environment where every decision has massive consequences. It's far from a quiet academic setting, even with its scholarly elements. The raw emotions, the betrayals, and the fierce loyalties are what make this fantasy truly brutal and utterly addictive. So, if you're looking for a fantasy read that delivers on all fronts – epic dragons, a complex world, and the kind of 'supreme dragonrider drama' (and all its romantic implications!) that keeps you up all night turning pages – then Fourth Wing is absolutely for you. Trust me, you'll be obsessed!

Related posts

Is fourth wing worth the hype?
Full Review coming soon but ...l was out of breath baby let me tell you!!!! I'm lost for words breath absolutely TAKEN. This is my first read of 2025 and we starting off right!! Now to IRON FLAME. #fyp #fourthwing #ironflame #onyxstorm
Ronni Lee

Ronni Lee

1877 likes

An e-reader in a pink case displays page 64 of the book 'Fourth Wing', showing text about 'Tyrrendor' and 'Riders Quadrant'. Overlays read 'on my Thoughts' and 'Current Reads Fourth Wing'. The device rests on a blurry background with a blue and yellow knitted item.
Is fourth wing worth the hype?
My Current Read 📖 Name of the Book: Fourth Wing 📖 Genre: Adult Fantacy Romance 📄 Day: First Day Reading 💭 My Thoughts: I hope is as good as everyone says. ⭐ Star Rating: Coming Soon... #reading📖 #kindleunlimitedromancebooks #day1 #fantasybooks #lemon8books
Yessica🌱💕🐈‍⬛️🐕👧👧🧒

Yessica🌱💕🐈‍⬛️🐕👧👧🧒

26 likes

A fantasy image featuring a dark castle on a misty cliff with a dragon flying in the sky. The text overlay reads "Dragon Books That aren't Fourth Wing," with a Lemon8 watermark and username at the bottom.
An image showing two dragons flying in a forest, with the book cover for "Empire of Flame and Thorns" by Marion Blackwood. Text highlights tropes like "Enemies to lovers," "Dragon shifters," and "Rebellion," along with a Lemon8 watermark.
An image depicting two dragons flying in a forest, featuring the book cover for "Fireborne" by Rosaria Munda. Text lists tropes such as "Dragon riders," "Political intrigue," and "Slow burn YA romance," with a Lemon8 watermark.
Dragon Books That Aren’t Fourth Wing🐉✨
Dragon girlies, this one’s for you 🐉✨ I’ve got 3 more dragon fantasies that will steal your sleep and wreck your TBR 📚: 🔥Empire of Flame and Thorns – enemies-to-lovers, rebellion, and dragon shifters 🐉🔥 You will ship them immediately. 🐉Fireborne – rival riders, political drama, and secrets tha
Sage|INHC

Sage|INHC

1577 likes

A person holds an open copy of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' on a white bed, with an overlay stating '5 fantasy books that aren't fourth wing or ACOTAR'.
The book 'When the Moon Hatched' by Sarah A. Parker, featuring a dark cover with a mythical creature. Overlays describe it as having a 'grumpy sarcastic SPICY AF mmc' and 'slow burn'.
The book 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black, with a cover showing a crown and thorny branches. Overlays highlight 'enemies to lovers' and a 'bad@ss fmc' who 'tries to kill him'.
5 fantasy books that aren’t fourth wing or ACOTAR
for the bestie who are tired of seeing just fourth wing and ACOTAR recs lol #lemon8bookchallenge #lemon8bookclub #lemon8bookworm #book #booktok #bookaesthetic #booksoflemon8 #bookrecommendations #bookrecs
Readers.archive

Readers.archive

2336 likes

Is fourth wing worth the hype?
#fourthwing #books #book recommendations #currentread📚 #lemon8bookclub
Elsie Milagros

Elsie Milagros

12 likes

Fourth Wing Special Edition🥹✨🐉
The best gift 💕 #fourthwing #specialeditions #fourthwingbyrebeccayarros #booktok #foryou
Lisa S. 💌

Lisa S. 💌

2666 likes

A book review image featuring the black and gold cover of 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros, with a 'BOOK REVIEW' overlay. A small review card rates the book 5 stars and notes it's great for getting back into reading.
Is fourth wing worth the hype? 🧐
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a great first book to get back into reading or to start reading adult fantasy. I can’t wait to read Iron Flame next! What books should I read after this series? ⭐️Overall rating: 10/10 #fantasybookreview #fourthwing #bookrecommendations #books #boo
Rae Yoder

Rae Yoder

4 likes

Convincing you to read Fourth wing🔪🔪
Y’all you DO NOT understand how amazing fourth wing is. Go read it. If I could read it again for the first time I would. It’s so worth it. Xaden is my Pookie🤭🤭 #fourthwing #book #books #booktok #bookaesthetic #foryou #foryoupage #Lemon8 #lemon #Lemon8PhotoStudio
🌷Books&Christ🌷

🌷Books&Christ🌷

142 likes

Fourth wing review
#booktok #books #fourthwing #BookReview #fourthwingbookreview #WorthTheHype
Julia

Julia

7 likes

Three Korean edition books, 'Fourth Wing' and two 'Iron Flame' volumes, are displayed on a wooden shelf with a green plant. The image has a text overlay 'Korean Edition •Fourth Wing•'.
A Korean edition 'Fourth Wing' book with an illustrated cover featuring two characters with swords is displayed on a wooden shelf next to a silver mushroom decor and a plant.
A close-up of the Korean edition 'Fourth Wing' book, showcasing its illustrated cover with two characters holding swords, positioned on a wooden shelf.
Korean Fourth Wing 🌿
so excited to add these to my shelf collection 🙂‍↕️ #fourthwing #bookshelfdecor #books #specialeditionbooks #prettybooks
shelbyreads ᵕ̈

shelbyreads ᵕ̈

551 likes

Is Fourth Wing Worth it?
This is my first re-read and I’m curious to see how much I missed. Any Fourth Wing fans excited for Onyx Storm?? ⛈️🌩️ #fantasybookreview #fourthwing
Al

Al

11 likes

A Kindle e-reader displays the cover of Rebecca Yarros's 'Fourth Wing,' featuring the title, a dragon silhouette, and the tagline 'FLY...OR DIE.' The cover also includes a quote from #1 NYT Bestselling Author Tracy Wolff praising the book.
Is Fourth Wing worth the hype?
I just started (haven’t even read the first chapter) and I’ve been lead astray by booktok before so is it REALLY worth the hype?? **No Spoilers PLEASE
🧚🏻‍♀️NinjaKitten🧚🏻‍♀️

🧚🏻‍♀️NinjaKitten🧚🏻‍♀️

1 like

Fourth Wing 🖤
REBECCCAAAAA #fourthwing #fourthwingrebeccayarros #ironflame #onyxstorm #booktok
𝕬𝖘𝖍 🖤📚

𝕬𝖘𝖍 🖤📚

1100 likes

A tablet displays the cover of the book "Fireborne" by Rosaria Munda, featuring red dragons and a fantasy cityscape. The screen also shows a quote from Rachel Hartman. Overlay text reads "Currently Reading," surrounded by black dragon silhouettes, on a white textured background.
Curing my Fourth Wing hangover
#booktok #fourthwing #fantasybooks #fireborne #readingaesthetic Updated review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is pretty much everything I could ever want in a YA fantasy book: dragons, dragon riders, a dragon riding academy, underlying political tension, etc. I took off one star just because when I
Ciara

Ciara

18 likes

Are these TikTok Famous Books worth it? Pt 2
We've been diving into some of the most talked-about books on TikTok to see if they truly live up to the hype. Here are our thoughts! ! #BookTok #lemon8bookclub #books #bookish #viral #fyp #booklove #creatorsearchinsights #booklover #tiktokpartner #historicalfiction #tbr #boo
jolieeggs_Books

jolieeggs_Books

80 likes

Series That Are Worth The Hype
Some Series that are worth that hype! If you are looking for a good series to get into here are some voices that you might love! There's a mix of romance and fantasy in here if you like either one of those genres. Series: -Acotar/TOG The most perfect fantasy series with a bit of rom
Daniella Marie

Daniella Marie

263 likes

FOURTH WING IS WORTH THE HYPE ✨
YALL I was definitely one of the ones who believed this series was OVERHYPED! Until a day ago I just gave up believing booktok because it let me down with other recs! 😭 SOOO HAPPY I gave it the chance because gurlllll it’s everythinggg.I’m on the second book now and can’t stop. 🤍🤍 READ I
Kyky

Kyky

6 likes

Fourth Wing rating !!🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
(not my pics!) ((somewhat spoilers)) - Love the enemies to lovers troupe/forced relationship type thing going on between Xaden and Violet (or as he calls her, ✨violence✨) - I audibly gasped at the end and had to start walking around my room at the INSANE plot twist - The spice in the book w
flwrov

flwrov

91 likes

KOREAN FOURTH WING BOOKS🤌
It’s worth it to me!! 📚 #fourth wing #bookish #booklemon8 #bookaesthetic #xadenriorson
BasicBev

BasicBev

127 likes

A book cover for 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros, surrounded by handwritten annotations like 'Enemies to lovers,' 'Dragons,' 'Magic college,' 'Shadow Daddy,' 'Political intrigue,' 'Disability rep,' 'Femme, not frail,' and 'Social commentary.' Five gold stars are drawn below the title, and a 'SWIPE FOR SELECTED ANNOTATIONS!' prompt is at the bottom.
An open book showing a page from 'Fourth Wing' with highlighted text. The highlighted section reads: "Oh. Shit. He's choosing...me. 'Get on your back?' I repeat like a fucking parrot. 'Have you seen how huge you are?' 'Do you have any idea how huge you are?'"
An open book showing a page from 'Fourth Wing' with highlighted text. The highlighted sections include: "I'm no longer a cadet [I'm a rider]" and "She blinks. 'Maybe I was saving you.' Her voice is higher, sweeter, in my mind."
✨ Fourth Wing Review 🤌
So... I decided to start the new year off with a dragon-themed bang… And boy howdy did this one exceed expectations!! It is honestly already a contender for top of the year, even though it’s the first one! I cannot wait to see where Yarros goes with Iron Flame, which I will be starting ASA
Sarah’s Bookish Musings 📓✨

Sarah’s Bookish Musings 📓✨

33 likes

A book cover for 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros is displayed over a misty landscape featuring a dark castle and two flying dragons. Text states ChatGPT wrote a roast of the book.
Two dragon heads emerge from mist, accompanying text that humorously compares 'Fourth Wing' to other fantasy works, mentioning its blend of elements.
A dark castle on a misty mountain with a flying dragon. Text humorously describes the character Violet Sorrengail as a fragile bookworm in a dangerous dragon school.
ChatGPT roasts Fourth Wing
I hopped on the trend today and had ChatGPT write a Fourth Wing roast and let me tell you, it DID NOT disappoint!!! What do you think? #fourthwing #chatgpt #onyxstorm #readersoflemon8 #reading
BayleyR

BayleyR

563 likes

WORTH THE HYPE???
IS IRON FLAME WORTH THE HYPE??? I loved Fourth Wing so much (A FIVE STAR READ)that im almost afraid to read the next book! What did you think of it???? #thefourthwing #fantasybookreview #lemon8bookclub #Lemon8Diary #booktok
J’s Life 🤍

J’s Life 🤍

5 likes

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
I’ve waited until the very last minute to hop on this train, but I’m so glad I did. What an amazing book so far. Life & death, love & loss, dragons and magic! Rebecca Yarros has created the ultimate fantasy series! I am already anticipating book #2 . The third book of the series is set to
Laken

Laken

23 likes

Love my fourth wing book nook ⚡️
Girls be like “I needed this” and it’s literally just a Fourth Wing book nook ⚡️🗡️ #fourthwing #rebeccayarros #xadenriorson #fourthwingbookreview #bookshelfdecor
Nooks’ Den📚

Nooks’ Den📚

60 likes

See more