Fourth Wing (International Edition) Paperback – International Edition, April 28, 2023

I wasn’t sure if Fourth Wing would live up to all the hype, but honestly... it did. I flew through this book way faster than I expected. The world-building is super immersive without feeling overwhelming, and the stakes feel real. Characters die, people make tough choices, and nothing feels too predictable.I really liked Violet as a main character. She’s not this overpowered heroine — she’s struggling, constantly being doubted, and you’re just rooting for her to prove everyone wrong. She’s clever and tough in ways that feel believable. And the dragons are honestly some of my favorite parts — they have personalities, they’re sassy, and they add so much to the story.Also, the romance? So good. It’s a slow build with tension that feels natural, not forced. The banter and chemistry between Violet and Xaden felt authentic, and I actually cared about both of them as characters, not just as a couple. The last few chapters absolutely messed me up, and I’m still thinking about that ending.

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I have actually felt tension while reading a book. I can read the biggest action scenes at the end of various books and the majority of the time they just don't affect me at all - because I don't care that much about the characters. But THIS - this was different. I felt the tension. And it was real. Plus the author is very willing to kill characters so there is some uncertainty there as well. And the battle at the end of this most excellent book - it was hot and raging. Plus the enemy leaked danger as well. True menace. Very rarely does some enemy in a book impress me at all but this one most certainly did.. Right from the description I just KNEW there was something different about these mages called venin. They seemed impressive too. And very memorable. I wanted to draw them based off of the description. Very rarely do I get that urge.But what a battle at the end! It was touch and go. What would happen? Would the heroes win or lose? I didn't know. And I felt concern.This book has made me feel things. Earlier it had made me cry - tears of joy.And the book has surprised me too. The plot twists! I guess I should have seen it coming but I didn't so I was quite surprised. But it certainly makes the story way more interesting! And I am certainly eager to read the sequel too! This is a massive book and worth reading every word! And rarely do I feel that way. But its exciting and the characters face so many challenges. And there is death too. In fact there is a lot of death in here. Its a very violent world, a tough world of dragons and griffins and things that are supposed to be only legends to scare kids to eat their vegetables...But what I love the most in here in the main character Violet. She has a connective tissue disorder. I have one too (its called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - EDS - and I am pretty confident that Violet actually has EDS). I have never run across a character in a book before that has EDS. And certainly not one that is bold enough to be in a fantasy world where she rides a dragon. How cool is that? So yes I certainly can relate to her very well! And so much of the stuff in here is quite accurate too. Exercise is the best way to protect the joints (and personally I find diet matters a ton too). And yes it certainly can make many things way harder. The joints are all wonky and they naturally hyper-extend so doing things - even just balancing - is way harder. But riding a dragon!!! I remember when I was much younger I used to read this other very popular fantasy series that included dragons and I used to try to imagine what it would be like to ride a dragon. Of course I never thought about the issues of staying ON said dragon... But since I ride horses these days I have a better idea of some of the issues. But wow this book is totally AMAZING! it totally captivated my attention. The first evening I started it I got 50% through. And I certainly would have powered through the second half yesterday but unfortunately I have packing to do as I am moving at the end of the month.If I could I would rate it 6 stars!The characters are just so real. And they go through character arcs too. They change. They face obstacles and have to find solutions. And there is certainly a bit of romance in here too. The story moved so smoothly. Never a dull moment at all. None. And I just loved the first person writing in here from Violet's viewpoint.But the story is about a young woman named Violet who has been forced by her very powerful mother to become a dragon rider. That is a warrior. But her body is weak and ill suited for it. So she was training to be a scribe (but all of that writing would be a huge strain on her too - in fact I cannot write very long at all by hand anymore without pain + numbness going down my arm and I get horrid shoulder pain) but that changed - she had to go be a dragon rider or die trying. But its not that easy in fact its very dangerous. Most people who try to become a rider end up dead. And you can be killed by your own classmates! Yes, its a very brutal school. And after all of these difficult obstacles - which Violet is ill suited to pass - she has to hope that a dragon will pick her. But what dragon will pick someone with a body that doesn't work right due to genetic mutations?And all of that is near the beginning of the book! For a huge mysterious and dangerous problem is brewing in the Kingdom! And poor Violet will run smack into it - err - fly into it. If she can stay on the dragon that is...You definitely should read this!

Fourth Wing grabbed me from page one and refused to let go. The world is dangerous, the stakes are sky-high, and the characters are equal parts fierce, flawed, and completely unforgettable. Violet is the kind of heroine you root for with your whole heart — clever, stubborn, and braver than she believes.The dragon bonds were everything I hoped for and more, with personalities that practically leap off the page. The tension (both romantic and otherwise) crackles, the battle scenes are pulse-pounding, and the betrayals hit hard. I especially loved how the story balances brutal action with moments of tenderness, friendship, and sharp-witted banter.It’s one of those books that keeps you up way past bedtime, whispering one more chapter until suddenly it’s 3AM. I’m obsessed and absolutely desperate for the next installment.If you love high-stakes fantasy with dragons, fierce heroines, dangerous romance, and enough twists to leave you breathless — Fourth Wing is a must-read.