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Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

Rebecca Yarros

Start date: June 5, 2023

Finish date: July 8, 2023

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What Members Thought

Sep 23, 2023 Kay rated it did not like it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Book tok let me down once again.

If tropes are your thing than this book is for you because this book has just about every single fucking trope you could possibly imagine.

You can clearly tell Yarros thinks it’s clever world building but is still just very obvious info dumping. The parapet scene, which should’ve been an intense scene is utterly ruined by this info dumping. Like does she think having a character talk to themself mean it’s not an info dump?

Definitely needs to be more descriptive. Book tok let me down once again.

If tropes are your thing than this book is for you because this book has just about every single fucking trope you could possibly imagine.

You can clearly tell Yarros thinks it’s clever world building but is still just very obvious info dumping. The parapet scene, which should’ve been an intense scene is utterly ruined by this info dumping. Like does she think having a character talk to themself mean it’s not an info dump?

Definitely needs to be more descriptive. Complicated and made up structures were given a sentence or two only making it quite difficult to understand what’s going on. For example, I don’t understand the gauntlet at all. I reread it over and over again but the explanations aren’t enough. It doesn’t explain why she’s too short for the ramp (no one is 10 feet tall) or how momentum and height play a part on the chimney (if it’s 20* then no amount of running momentum can get you over that or else it’s super low angle which wouldn’t be that challenging?). Just hard to keep track of the stakes and challenges when I can’t picture what’s going on. And when it’s being interrupted by an info dump yet again.

The voice feels a little forced and doesn’t really fit with the characterization. Many of the paragraphs feel out of place, very distracting and derailing from the story. A lot of the dialogue feels jilted and doesn’t really flow doesn’t seem to go together in a way that makes sense in any context.

I cannot stand the “he’s scary and violent and wants to hurt me but he’s so hot” trope. Someone being an asshole or threatening is NOT attractive and never will be. Can we please stop pushing this? I would’ve been fine if as Xaden’s character is revealed and Violet learns that he is protecting her THEN she starts to become attracted to him as she sees him in a new light but having her be attracted even while she’s scared of him is horrible.

How many times does she describe wanting to “climb Xaden like a tree”? The answer is way too many.

Is it supposed to be romantic when immediately after he explicitly states that she isn’t in a state to consent but he is that they hook up? Because it’s not it’s fucking creepy. You don’t get brownie points for “trying” not to violate someone.

Total fake out on the love triangle.

Violence is such a dumb nickname. I hate it so much.

Kind of fucked up that he very explicitly tells her no and draws a very clear boundary and yet she still tries to push past it. Switching the genders on this does NOT make it okay. Ignoring a very clear “no” is NEVER romantic and it never will be.

There’s a lot of telling that there’s sexual attraction but it’s never really shown in a way that feels realistic and believable. It seems very forced and not some thing the reader can pick up on naturally. Especially when she’s all “I am a horrible murderer but oh who cares when he’s so hot.” “Ooh I’m upset and snapping at you but oh how I wanna lick you.” And all the random interjections of “you’re so hot“ in the middle of very serious discussions. I mean, I get that it’s written for YA (but given the lukewarm sex scenes I assume it’s for upper YA) but a 21 y/o acting like that? Especially when she explicitly states that she was past those “crazy teen years.”

I just really can’t stand this writing style. I wish that it was just a few sections that made me cringe but it’s the way the vast majority of it is written. And the acknowledgment page made me lose what little respect for her remained. ...more

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Jul 07, 2023 Mary Louise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, romance

Honestly loved this. Typical tropes, but done so well. The MCM is 🤌🤌

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Jul 05, 2023 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Fantastic. I couldn't put it down! Cannot wait for the second installment. ...more

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Nov 08, 2023 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

lives up to the hype and then some!!!

Omg! I flew threw this book! Pacing was great and kept my attention from the start! Has plenty of action and just the right amount of heat! Lovers of acotar will enjoy this book, so will lovers of the hunger games, and Game of Thrones. Highly recommend.

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