The craze for “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros is something the book world hasn’t seen since “Harry Potter.” 

First editions of the book flew off the shelves within weeks of publication, and it took weeks for more to be published, creating months-long waitlists for readers hoping to get a copy. During this time, copies sold on resale websites for up to $1000. Even now, first editions of the book sell for upwards of $400. 

This literary sensation follows Violet Sorrengail, a young woman trained to be a scholar in the Scribe Quadrant, a peaceful realm filled with books and history. However, after her commanding general mother orders her down another path, she is forced to join the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College, where students train to ride dragons and become soldiers. 

Violet faces intense combat training, terrifying dragons, and the daunting responsibility of protecting the kingdom. “Fourth Wing” is like “Top Gun” but with dragons instead of planes and hot guys with magic instead of hot guys with guns. Unlike Maverick, Violet’s journey is made even more challenging by her physical disability. 

Violet’s chronic pain disability provides good representation and allows the book to focus on mental strength, intelligence, and cunning rather than physical strength, something that is scorned in this world. Since Violet has brittle bones, she is often forced to use her intellect to get out of situations instead of brute force like the other cadets. 

Through her disability Violent meets her love interest, Xaden. She is originally drawn to the brooding, mysterious man because he does not try to stop her from participating like everyone else has. When describing Xaden, she says, “And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.” 

“Fourth Wing” shines in character development. All the characters are fleshed out and feel real. Violet’s journey from reluctant candidate into resilient dragon rider offers a captivating arc that keeps readers hooked. 

The book’s most addicting aspect is the romance between Violent and Xaden. Although the fantasy elements add an intriguing dimension and drive the plot forward, the romance is what hooks readers, making them so obsessed with the story that it becomes impossible to put down. The palpable tension Yarros creates between Xaden and Violet keeps the reader eagerly flipping pages, and the well written banter deepens the need to keep reading. People become so engrossed in the book they don’t realize they’ve read half of it already. 

The love story’s pacing is paralleled by Yarros’ writing of the training and fighting elements in the novel. Yarros keeps readers captivated throughout the entire story through the inclusion of action-packed training montages, thrilling fight sequences and gripping romance scenes.

Similar to the pacing, Yarros expertly handles foreshadowing in the novel. Hints and details are masterfully woven into the plot and keep readers guessing as to what will come next. While this adds intrigue to the story, it does not give away the thrilling plot twists or unexpected ending.

While Yarros excels in character development and pacing, she lacks in world-building. The hierarchy of squadrons, sections, and wings in the college can be confusing and the conflict occurring along the kingdom’s borders is somewhat undefined– readers are left wondering the intricacies of the war. Her exposition is mainly done through conversations and info-dumps.

Flaws and all, the “Fourth Wing” craze will return tenfold on November 7, 2023 when the sequel, “Iron Flame,” is released. Midnight release parties have been planned all over the world and the book has become the fastest selling pre-order title in a single day in all of Waterstones history. 

The hype is well deserved; “Fourth Wing” combines popular tropes and lovable characters into an utterly addicting read that will continue for years to come as Yarros releases the rest of the five-book series.