If you loved the secret lives of dragons in How to Train a Dragon but want something that takes place in a magical school like Harry Potter and you’re missing the forbidden romance of Feyre and Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses, then Fourth Wing is the book for you.

Violet Sorrengail never planned on being a rider. Her whole life has been in anticipation of joining the Scribe Quadrant. Violet is not built to be a rider, as she is frail, small, and prone to multiple injuries. But her mother, General Sorrengail, doesn’t care about any of that when she demands that Violet join the Rider Quadrant.

Violet barely passes the first test and makes her way into the quadrant where she joins a group of other first years, many of whom are out to get her because she is the General’s daughter. Dain, her childhood best friend, is surprised to see her, but not as surprised as Xaden, the son of a rebel, who vows to kill her. But Violet can’t seem to stay away from Xaden, as she struggles to survive her first year without being incinerated by a dragon.

Every few years, there comes along a book that is all the rage. Fourth Wing has been that book for this summer. It has taken over Goodreads, Book Tok, and book clubs as everyone seems to be reading it and loving it. It’s easy to see the appeal. Fourth Wing is an action-packed story that is filled with dragons, magic, friendships, school drama, and of course, romance. There is also a bigger world outside of the school that is at threat. Their kingdom is at war with another kingdom that borders theirs, and all the students are being trained to be warriors and eventually go out to the front.

The romance, while predictable, has heat and gains new layers as the story progresses. It seems to be inspired by another well-loved fantasy couple from A Court of Thorns and Roses, as there are many similarities between their powers and abilities.

The writing, while it isn’t the best, moves the pace of the story along quickly, as there are many moments where Violet is faced with impossible challenges. She must figure out a way to beat the odds of survival, as she physically struggles to keep up with her classmates, many of whom think she should be eliminated.

Where Yarros shines is the intricate world of the dragons that she has created. The bond that dragons have with their riders and how they transfer their powers to them is fascinating, and I wish Yarros had spent more time describing it. Violet’s dragon has a personality, and he’s not afraid to show it. It would have been nice to see more of him.

The end packs a heated punch with an epic battle of dragons and other mythical creatures. Alliances change, secrets are revealed, and people die, leaving you at the edge of a cliffhanger and making your hands itch for the sequel.

Iron Flame comes out in November so place a copy of Fourth Wing on hold now!

Image source: https://read-love-blog.com/2016/01/14/hallowed-ground-by-rebecca-yarros-excerpt-reveal/