Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

My heart lurches as I see a rider fall from the back of a Red Swordtail and, unlike Tairn, the dragon doesn’t dip to catch the first-year.

That is so crazy to me still. You would think that the dragons would give the NEW riders some relief or something…they’ve never actually been on dragon. Obviously it would take some getting use to riding it for the first time.. Smh. Ruthless. 🥴

“We’re going to have to put on a show.” “Awesome.” The idea is anything but. “You will not fall. I will not allow it.”

Here we gooooo. 😂

How ironic. Tairn is the most celebrated dragon in the Vale, and I’m the most unlikely rider in the quadrant.

Just makes you guys the most interesting and pair. Opposites tend to attract & just because you’re down right now, doesn’t mean you always will be.

“You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning.” I gulp at the compliment, brushing it off. I was trained as a scribe, not a rider.

The mind of a scribe and the heart of a rider. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🤭

“You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength. Since you apparently need to know before we land.”

That’s basically what Professor Kori said to her. Buck up Violet ! Get some confidence girly.

I’m alive, and I’m no longer a cadet. I’m a rider.

“Andarnaurram.” The sweet, high voice of the golden fills my mind. “Andarna for short.”

I was quite pleased with/ my self when I actually got this pronunciation correct on my first read.

Her eyes fly wide. “Both dragons?” she squawks. I nod. And all hell breaks loose.

Badass ! Ugh, thank goodness for Rebecca’s editor.. whew chile. This was a GREAT decision.

I look Jack straight in those evil eyes and smile. I’m done being scared of him. He ran back in that meadow.

👏🏽👏🏽😂 yeah, Jack was a bitch dawg. & very much sadistic. No wonder he became Venin.

Professor Kaori’s eyebrows jump as he glances between us. “You?” he murmurs. “Me,” I answer, keeping my focus on Jack.

Lmaooo, I love how surprised the professor is here. 😂

Tairn’s looking at you, he’ll have no problem scorching your bones into the earth if you take another step toward his rider.” Jack stares at me in disbelief. “You?” “Me.”

😂😂😂👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

My question dies on my tongue as the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen, even larger than Tairn, stalks toward us from the opening to the valley.

Dawg. You gotta really think here..if Tairn is the second largest Dragon on the continent..then Codagh gotta be HUMONGOUS. That is so craazzyyy. Like damn. Those 2 are HUUGGEEEE.

“The Green Daggertail!” Rhiannon grins. “Feirge. And it was just…easy.” She sighs. “I saw her and just knew.”

It fits that’s Rhi got a Green Dragon. Totally up her alley.

“Aotrom,” Ridoc says with pride. “Brown Swordtail.”

I always forget that there are brown dragons too. Go Ridoc.

“Sliseag!” Sawyer throws his arms around Rhiannon’s and Ridoc’s shoulders. “Red Swordtail!”

On my fist read, I was soooo happy for Sawyer especially. He worked hard for this. & after this moment he was in w/ our crew.

Out of all of us, I’m happiest for him, for all he’s had to endure to get here.

Same.

“Please, do tell me what it is you think I’ve done.” A shape emerges from the shadows, and my pulse quickens as Xaden steps into the moonlight,

Again, I love this scene from Xaden’s POV. 🤭 So goooddd.

“And out of curiosity, would you have, let’s say, bent those rules to save your precious little Violet in that field?”

We all know the answer to that… Smdh. Pathetic. That’s what Dain is.

Dain swallows, his eyes slamming

shut. “No. I wouldn’t have.” My heart hits the ground.

And at this moment.. I WAS OFFICIALLY DONE W/ Dain. 💁🏽‍♀️… she your best friend, and you wouldn’t have stepped in to help her against 3 superior assailants ?? WTF ?! Rules be damned !

“So yeah, unfortunately for everyone involved, there’s now an us if the Empyrean lets Tairn’s choice stand.” Oh. Gods.

Lmaaoo, oh pleaseeee. 😂🥴 it won’t be that bad.

I’m tethered to Xaden Riorson.

🤭♥️

I belong to Tairn and Andarna…and, in some really fucked-up way…Xaden. My scalp prickles, and I glance across the field at him.

Love this. From his POV he was feeling out the bind between them. I love itttt. ♥️

“Violet!” Dain reaches me, his smile wide as he cups my face. “You kept both of them!”

First of all.. Fuck off Dain. Secondly.. FUCK OFF !

“You have to know that I would do anything to save you, Violet, to keep you safe,” he blurts, panic in his eyes. “What Riorson said…” He shakes his head.

FUCK OFF ❗️🙄.. which is it ??? You liar. He’s pathetic. Truly.

Xaden was so pissed when he saw them kissing. & Garrick was taunting him. Aww man, Fourth wing from Xaden’s POV is goldeennn. I need the whole book in his POV.

It was over in an instant. It was everything I’ve ever wanted…except… Shit. I don’t want it anymore.

Yeah, I wouldn’t either..not w/ him.

Rhiannon’s door, across the small hall from mine, opens and I see Sawyer’s tall, lean frame come out.

I always forget Rhi is bi and that Sawyer and her hooked up after threshing. Crazzyyy. 😂😂

Following his line of sight, my eyebrows lift. Jack Barlowe is being squeezed out of his table. He’s forced to stand as others take his seat.

Mmmm, just more fuel added to the “Why he became Venin” fire.

but there’s no satisfaction in watching Jack struggle. Feral dogs bite harder when they’re cornered.

Yupp. Indeed.

My gaze snaps to Xaden, and my chest tightens. So. Freaking. Beautiful. Apparently my body doesn’t care that he’s as dangerous as they come

Always calling him beautiful,

using common lesser magic to project his voice so we can all hear. God help us when Ridoc figures out how to do that.

😂😂

Tairn dips his shoulder and makes his leg into a ramp for me. Defeat just about swallows me whole.

I always loved that Tairn accommodated her. He helped her helped him. If only all the other Dragons were like that.

“They’re accommodations for me. I’ve seen your memories. I’m not about to have you sticking daggers into my leg to climb up. Now let’s go.”

😂😂 fair.

“Have it your way.” The bands fall away. “Thank yoooooh shit!” He banks left and my thighs slip. My hands slide.

lol. Seee,you gotta learn the hard way I see.

“The closest translation for humans is probably ‘for fuck’s sake.’

😂👏🏽

“I have to be able to do this by myself. We both need me to do this,” I argue. “Stubborn silver human,” Tairn mutters, following Kaori into a dive. I fall again.

😂🤦🏾‍♀️oh Violet.

“The reason we’ll never be anything more than friends isn’t because of your rules. It’s because you have no faith in me.

This part ❗️

Even now, when I’ve survived against all odds and bonded not just one dragon but two, you still think I won’t make it.

Yupp. He just won’t quit doubting her. He won’t actually do something that strengthens her. He just wants her to be this she’ll version of herself instead of the strong woman she’s growing into.

Classes are out for the afternoon, and I see Xaden and Garrick leaned up against the wall of the academic building like gods surveying their domain.

Very much college like. Love it.

Xaden arches a dark eyebrow as I pass by. I flip him the middle finger. I’m not taking his shit today, either.

😂

Jeremiah’s signet power is manifesting. He can read minds—an inntinnsic. His power is a death sentence.

I would never understand them killing mind readers. Never. After some training and control they can easily be one of the greatest weapons you can use against your enemies.. why would you could them ?? I don’t get this, and I hate it.

“Do something,” I beg Xaden, glancing up at him.

Idk what it is about her turning to Xaden here..like she just trusts him to fix things or help.. idk..I like it.

“Start mentally reciting whatever bookish shit you’ve learned.” “I’m sorry?” I hiss up at him.

I love that he knows she led that when she’s nervous or scared.

“And you!” Jeremiah turns, his gaze locking on Garrick. “Damn it all to hell. He’ll know about—” The shadows around Jeremiah’s feet snake up

Damn. First of all, Garrick, why would you immediately start thinking about the one thing you don’t want him to know ?? That wasn’t very bright.

The professor grips Jeremiah’s head with both hands, and a crack echoes off the walls of the silent courtyard. Xaden’s shadows melt away and Jeremiah falls to the ground,

Smh… crazy.

“Remember that firsthand accounts are always more accurate, but you have to look deeper, Violet. You have to see who is telling the story.”

That’s really great advice and I love that he was preparing her this whole time to find out the truth and expose them. Ugh, sooo good ! Such good writing.

Your mother has never understood that while riders may be the weapons of our kingdom, it’s the scribes who have all the real power in this world.”

And he true he is. Damn. & that’s what makes Violet extra powerful. She’s both Scribe and Rider. 2 dragons. 2 signets. She’s astonishing.

There are seven cadets in my room. Four are unbonded men. Three are unbonded women—I

First of all… 7 ?! All of yall can’t bond her dragon if you kill her DUMBASSES. 🙄

“He’s almost there!” Tairn promises, panic lacing his tone. He who? I can’t breathe. Can’t think.

I would love this scene from Xaden’s POV