WOW. Let me start by saying that I wanted to hate this book. The hype was so overwhelming that I thought, There’s no way it can be that good. But I stand corrected. By the end, I was so invested that it took a lot of willpower not to open book two immediately.

What I Loved

I love a story that has something to say about humanity and that’s layered with political intrigue, and Fourth Wing delivers on both fronts. The dynamic between Xaden and Violet is fascinating—Xaden is branded as a traitor, but his people were simply on the opposite side of a political conflict from Violet’s. I loved how the book explores the idea that children of enemies can carve out their own paths and redefine their allegiances, even if it means starting a revolution.

And the dragons? I’m a millennial who grew up watching Dragon Tales, so sign me THE HELL UP for dragons with attitude. Their banter and quippy remarks made the story even more enjoyable and added layers of personality that I wasn’t expecting.

What Was Hard for Me

I typically love my FMCs powerful, strong, and confident from the start, so Violet was a tough sell in the beginning. She starts off fragile, uncertain, and struggling, which made it difficult for me to connect with her at first. In fact, the first time I picked up this book, I DNF’d it. But I’m so glad I gave it another shot because the payoff is absolutely worth it. Watching Violet grow into a total badass made the journey all the more satisfying.

If you’re skeptical about the hype, I get it—I was too. But trust me when I say that Fourth Wing earns every bit of it.