Short answer
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is an addictive, fast-moving romantasy that many readers adore and others find overhyped. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as entertaining and hard to put down, while criticizing its reliance on familiar tropes and uneven writing. If you want pure escapism with dragons, danger and a tense enemies-to-lovers romance, there is a good chance you will enjoy it. If you want original worldbuilding or restrained romance, you may not.
What Fourth Wing is about
The story follows Violet Sorrengail, who expected to become a scribe but is instead sent to Basgiath War College, a brutal school where cadets train to become dragon riders. Violet is physically fragile compared with her peers, and many cadets do not survive training. The story mixes survival, rivalry and a romance with a powerful, dangerous wingleader named Xaden Riorson. It is the first book in the Empyrean series, which continues with Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
What readers love
- Pace. The constant threat of death keeps the story moving, and many reviewers say they finished it quickly.
- The romance. Fans point to the tension and slow-burn feel between the leads.
- The dragon bonds. The magical connections between riders and dragons are a major draw.
- Fun factor. Several reviewers value it as an enjoyable, escapist read that does not take itself too seriously.
What readers criticize
- Tropes. Critics note that the plot relies on familiar young adult and fantasy conventions.
- The balance of romance and fantasy. Some reviewers love the romance but feel the fantasy elements are thinner.
- Writing quality. Opinions differ on the prose and dialogue, with some finding it repetitive.
- Hype. Because the book became a huge social media phenomenon, it can feel unable to meet expectations.
Content notes
Fourth Wing is written for adults. It includes explicit sexual content, strong language and graphic violence. To gauge the heat level before you start, see our guide to checking how spicy a book is. If that is not your preference, look for a young adult alternative. Readers who want a lower-heat dragon story may find our Inheritance Cycle review a closer fit.
Who will enjoy it
You are likely to enjoy it if you like academy settings, rivals-to-lovers romance, high-stakes survival plots and a quick read. You may not enjoy it if you prefer subtle romance, slow-building political fantasy or very original worldbuilding.
Which book in the series is best?
Opinions are divided. Many readers say the first book feels the most tightly paced and surprising, while others prefer later installments for the expanded world and plot. Because the series is ongoing, it is best to treat any ranking as personal taste.
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses good?
Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses is another hugely popular romantasy series and shares a similar audience. Like Fourth Wing, it divides readers, with fans praising the romance and world and critics pointing to tropes and tone shifts. If you liked Fourth Wing, it is a common next suggestion. For a sense of how Maas’s work is received, see our Crescent City book 3 review.
What other popular series are readers talking about?
Popularity changes quickly, so we avoid claiming a definitive list. Series that regularly come up in reader discussions include Maas’s ACOTAR and Crescent City books, the Zodiac Academy books for fans of dark academy romance, and Bardugo’s Grishaverse, which we cover in our Shadow and Bone book reviews.