I’m typically not a romance or spice reader, so diving into Fourth Wing was definitely venturing outside my usual comfort zone—but I’m so glad I did. As a lifelong fantasy lover, I was immediately hooked by the incredible world-building, the elite war college setting, and of course... the dragons. 

Violet is everything I want in a strong FMC—resilient, smart, and deeply human. Her friendship with Rhi is one of the emotional anchors of the story, and then there’s Ridoc, the comedic relief goofball I didn’t know I needed. But the true stars for me? The dragons. Especially Tairn. His sarcastic, dry humor paired with epic power? Absolute perfection. The banter between characters, especially human-dragon interactions, is one of this book’s secret weapons. 

Violet’s relationship with Xaden is electric, complicated, and layered with so much unspoken tension and history—it’s clear their story is only just beginning, and I can't wait to see how it evolves as the series continues. 

While this is often labeled as "romantasy," don’t let that turn you away if you're not typically into romance-heavy stories. The fantasy elements are rich and well-developed. Honestly, the romantic subplot is just one layer of a much larger, immersive epic. The spice is consensual, respectful, and never overshadows the real meat of the story. 

Let’s stop dismissing epic fantasy stories just because they’re penned by non-cis-male authors. Fourth Wing easily holds its own next to sagas like Game of Thrones. I’m all in for the long haul now.