Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Apr 08, 2024 Brenda H rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4 stars

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Jul 18, 2023 Teddie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-fantasy, fantasy, bwormbitches, tt-x, npr-2023

I could see a lot of things coming, but still had a lot of fun getting there.

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Jul 22, 2023 Stacey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobook, own

Well that was fun! When does book 2 come out again?

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Jan 28, 2024 Marie (UK) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2024-reading-challenge

This is the first in what is expected to be a 5 book series. In itself it is a lengthy listen on audio and the whole series is going to require some commitment.

The Empyrean is a world built in four quadrants the most powerful seeming to be "the Dragon Riders" . The Sorendale family is powerful, Mother is a commander in the Dragon rider quadrant, Violet's sister an up and coming dragon rider with real nerve and success. Her brother was killed in a battle of what seems to be a continuous war. Viol This is the first in what is expected to be a 5 book series. In itself it is a lengthy listen on audio and the whole series is going to require some commitment.

The Empyrean is a world built in four quadrants the most powerful seeming to be "the Dragon Riders" . The Sorendale family is powerful, Mother is a commander in the Dragon rider quadrant, Violet's sister an up and coming dragon rider with real nerve and success. Her brother was killed in a battle of what seems to be a continuous war. Violet was supposed to follow her father into the "Scribe" quadrant but after his death her mother decides no Sorendale will ever again be a scribe and forces Violet into the decidedly dangerous selection process for Dragon Riders.

Young Adult fantasy isn't my first love but there is a lot to recommend in this book. The narrative is pacy and consistent in that pace. The reader isn't asked to plough through hours of narrative to get from one climactic action point to the next rather each point of Violet's journey is brought to life with powerful story telling.

I love the characterisation of the dragons, the power that they wield in the world and feel like there is a sense of Justice underlying the whole narrative

There is a predictability to the outcomes - we cannot lose our MC no matter how dangerous the situation or how unrealistic her escape from it might be. Suspension of disbelief is a vital part of reading the book. Of course Violet is going to tangle- in more ways than one- with the only person she is told to avoid at all costs. However there are a multitude of characters and some lovely friendships building throughout the book. Violet changes as her time as a dragon rider throws mor at her. I could do without the romance, the this relationship is on / off scenario and really don't understand why the sexual scenes need to be portrayed in such detail. I don't say this from a prudish sense but from the basis that it is unimportant to the narrative in my view and simply adds length to a book which is long enough already.

I think it will really appeal to the Younger adult audience who won't see the problems with the world building and the parts that feel unrealistic, but will really enjoy the speed and adventure of the narrative. However, I can see myself continuing the series. The Audio is excellent and would probably continue in this format ...more

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Nov 11, 2023 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

Ok well yeah, I see why this book is so popular. Although...did I not just read the first book in the Crescent City series except with dragons?? Seriously, a TON of similarities there. To be fair, I enjoyed that book too. But it's basically the same thing again. Still, I will definitely continue reading. ...more

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