It’s pretty polarizing online among book influencers but I don’t think Fourth Wing is bad for a first installment. This was actually my second time going through it (in anticipation for book three) and I will say that after a re-read the character flaws are VERY loud. Overall, the biggest issue is the (almost) love triangle. 

Dain is almost from the beginning, annoyingly condescending of Violet to the point that when he eventually betrays her, it doesn’t feel like the gut-punch it’s supposed to. You’re just left with this feeling of ‘well of course he would, he’s an asshole.’ And I think a large part of that is lack of development of their relationship prior to the story. We are told that they are childhood friends but we don’t really SEE their connection. He just babies her and makes references to their past that we never get to actually experience. A flashback or something would have been nice.

As for Violet and Xaden, for a first book their chemistry works but outside of physical attraction we aren’t working with much else. I would have loved them to have more opportunities, outside of the scene on the parapet toward the end, to really emotionally connect. But I’ve definitely been disappointed by worse, less developed insta-love before.

I had a good time regardless and at the end of the day that’s the important part.