From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

Rebecca Yarros

Start date: July 15, 2023

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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* September 2025 Buddy Reads
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What Members Thought

Dec 02, 2023 John Kelly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Despite some issues, I found enjoyment in Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing." The narrative is a blend of fantasy (around 60%), early teen angst and juvenile actions (25%), and erotica (15%).

The fantasy element introduces dragons and magic, yet the setting feels more like a modified version of our current world in 2023 than the creation of an entirely new realm. If you are looking for Lord of the Rings-type worldbuilding, you will be disappointed.

The portrayal of teen angst and actions dominates the Despite some issues, I found enjoyment in Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing." The narrative is a blend of fantasy (around 60%), early teen angst and juvenile actions (25%), and erotica (15%).

The fantasy element introduces dragons and magic, yet the setting feels more like a modified version of our current world in 2023 than the creation of an entirely new realm. If you are looking for Lord of the Rings-type worldbuilding, you will be disappointed.

The portrayal of teen angst and actions dominates the narrative, making the book read more like a young adult novel. The protagonist, Violet, lacks the maturity expected of a 20-year-old, and the story includes a considerable amount of juvenile slang and ogling of shirtless characters.

The inclusion of erotica becomes a notable aspect, particularly towards the latter part of the book. Initially suitable for a high school library, the sudden shift to explicit content may raise concerns for some readers. I really found it unnecessary and needlessly graphic.

Character development is a weak point, with only the two main protagonists receiving substantial attention. Clear parallels to popular works like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Divergent, and Game of Thrones are evident, contributing to a sense of formulaic storytelling and trope reliance.

Rebecca Soler's narration, covering 95% of the book, stands out as a highlight. Her performance adds to the overall enjoyment of the novel. However, the decision to introduce Teddy Hamilton as a second narrator in the final moments, while providing a different perspective, feels more disruptive than helpful, especially after spending the majority of the book with Soler's voices. It's not that he did a bad job, I'm just don't believe it was needed.

Ultimately, the book proved entertaining, and I did like it. However, my undecided stance on reading the sequel reflects the presence of both positive and negative elements in the overall experience. Others seem to love the book--so your mileage may vary. ...more

32 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2025 ✨ tweety ✨ rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-in-english, fantasy-sf, romance, cliffhanger, enemies-to-lovers, 2025

*flexes fingers*

I think that If this book had come out ten years ago, I would've given it five stars. But I'm not the same reader I was ten years ago, and today I will say that this book is overrated. I understand why it appeals to a wider audience, though. This is the kind of book that can keep you entertained when you aren't looking for something deep.

I must admit that I was dragged in the first 40% or so, because the story is fast paced. But after the half of the book, I felt like the pace w ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 17, 2023 Ivy Deluca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Quick(ish) Review

Bear with me, I’m writing this on little sleep over the past few days because I took every spare minute to read this book. And you should too if you love fantasy with a good dose of romance.

I literally had no spoilers going in and I’d encourage anybody who’s interested in this do the same. The tension that Ms Yarros builds from page to page is truly well done, and while there’s things that played out as expected, there’s still plenty of surprises to keep you on your toes.

This ...more

5 likes · Like · see review