Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.

Basgiath War College isn’t known for being kind to…well, anyone,

The weak don’t survive here, especially not in the Riders Quadrant. The dragons make sure of that.

“You’re the daughter of a rider, you are twenty years old, and today is Conscription Day.

Dragons don’t bond to fragile women. They incinerate them.

“Mira, Violet deals with more pain before lunch than you do in an entire week. If any of my children is capable of surviving the Riders Quadrant, it’s her.”

Decide, Violet. Are you going to die a scribe? Or live as a rider?”

I barely recognize myself in the mirror. I look like a rider. I still feel like a scribe.

“You’re the smartest woman I know. Don’t forget that. Your brain is your best weapon. Outsmart them, Violet. Do you hear me?”

“I’m not going to die today.”