The Empyrean Book 1: Fourth Wing by Rebecca

Empyrean Book 1

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Oh. My God. I've been seeing this book EVERYWHERE. Didn't get what the hype was about. My first thoughts were oh well that is a pretty cool cover and oh, do I spy a dragon?? Read the back cover copy and thought huh that is right up my alley. Fantasy, dragons, magic, romance. And after again seeing everywhere (and also seeing it sold out everywhere), I decided to read it. And again. Oh. My. God. I get the hype. I really, really do. And trust me you don't want to miss this!! An action packed adventure filled with magic and dragons and high stakes and dragons and a very hot enemies-to-lovers romance and again dragons!!! This had everything I could have wanted in a story and has to be the best fantasy I've read in a while. Definitely this year. So what is this story about? Not gonna spoil because trust me, you don't want this story spoiled. Especially with an ending like that, that has been demanding for book two right now. 

Our heroine, Violet, has been studying to join the scribes basically all her life. But her mother, the commanding general, has other ideas. Not child of hers will be a Scribe. Her husband was one before died, but she won't have her daughter. She rather risk another child than see Violet not follow in her steps. Violet hasn't had it easy. Her body is frailer than most people. She has dealt with it for a very long time and knows how to handle pain. And her mind more than makes up for her lack physical strength. So with no choice, she goes to the Riders Quadrant. Where students are trained to be warriors and will have to endure a series of tests and challenges that will lead them to claiming a dragon. Dragons in their world work side by side with humans and bond to only the strongest. They work together to protect their home against all threats. Violet will have to work extra hard and survive using her mind to stay alive. But she'll face challenges every where she turns. Every one has it out for the general's daughter but no one like Xaden, the son of the Great Betrayer and the strongest warrior this college has. When a rebellion broke out years ago, it was Xaden's father who led the charge and died for it. And Violet's mother who saw his death met out. Especially when he was the reason for her son's death. Violet and Xaden have every reason to hate one another... but that still doesn't stop the chemistry and attraction between them. 

There is so much going on in this story and saying too much will spoil. But there are so many neat threads going on. I love Violet and Xaden. They are awesome characters and their chemistry is through the roof. It's a slow burn enemies-to-lovers that is so worth the wait. We have some other great characters as well that include the dragons. Wait until you how the dragons and the bonds between their riders work. It is one of the coolest and most unique things I've seen in fantasy in a while. I love the whole set-up. We have some great plot twists and story threads going on. We get the whole package. I really cannot wait for book two after an ending like that. This has the promise to be a great series.