I had this book before the social media hype but just recently had the chance to read it. I loved it so much that I immediately read the second one, and I am now patiently waiting for the third! I knew that I was going to like this book but I had no idea I was going to love it, to want to live in it.
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) 
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Published: May 2nd 2023
Book Length: 498 Pages
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Fiction
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Buy the book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die
I absolutely devoured this! When I began reading, I could not put it down; the pacing was perfect! From the first to the last page, Yarros pulls the reader in and makes them crave more. Some mentioned that the spicy scenes read like a novice wrote them, but honestly, this is a new adult novel, and I think they were well done—tasteful and realistic.
The world-building was wonderful, allowing the reader to learn about the history of the world as the story progressed. I was really happy that there was no info dumping here; there easily could and had been. A world where you have to survive challenges to make it into the War College, and these are no little challenges; many die in the process. This causes bonds to form between characters, making them more relatable and causing the reader to care about the outcome and their survival. At one point, I bawled…meaning the author really did well in pulling my heartstrings and making me feel connected to the characters.
I personally connected with Violet. I had EDS as well, but not as severe, thankfully. Finding books with representation for someone who has this disorder is rare, let alone to also have someone who passes out as I do when I overheat. I may not be as small and fragile as her, but healthwise, I understood her. Following her growth and success throughout the story, it really was heartwarming to see her overcome her physical challenges.
I despised a character: Dain. From the beginning, he treats Violet as if she is going to break as if she is incapable of anything. I personally felt this was a way of insulting Violet based on her disability; I have felt this as well. There was just something about him that I did not like from the beginning of the book. But Xaden…I love a morally grey character, and I really liked him from the start.
Enemies to lovers is my favorite romantic trope, so I really enjoyed this. It is often easy to let romance take over a book and become the main plot, but that is not the case here. The story is well-woven, and there is a twist at the end!!! Ugh! This book has everything, and the dragons each have their own personality! Choosing their bonded rider specifically.
If you love dragons, romance, realistic spicy scenes, enemies to lovers, and a strong female main character, do not hesitate to get this book. It is a prime example of escapism. Open the cover and allow it to transport you to Basgiath War College. But prepare to desperately grasp for book two.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the dragons and the way she did enemies to lovers here! This was such a fun book overall- and the sequel is even better!! Awesome review!
Thank you! I loved Iron Flame even more as well!! I need book 3😭