Pop Culture Advent 2023: Door 7
Fourth Wing & Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
One of the biggest changes for me this year has been a permanent return to the office two days a week for my day job. One of the nicest things out of that, has been getting to know my colleagues better, and it’s been my pleasure getting to know the lovely Charlie Roe. Charlie is a passionate reader, who has introduced me to the world of Sarah J Mass, the ACOTAR series, and a genre known as “Romantasy”.
However, today we’re going to talk about Fourth Wing and its sequel, Iron Flame, both of which are on my TBR list.
Fourth Wing was published earlier this year and it quickly became a sensation, particularly on Book Tok. It follows Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail who is destined to be a scribe. But her mother – also her commanding general – has other ideas, and orders Violet to train at an elite college as a dragon rider. This is a particularly risky endeavour, given that the only rule for dragon riders is that they graduate, or be killed by their dragon. Iron Flame picks up the story, and I’ve been told that it was a hugely anticipated read.
I’m gonna hand over to Charlie to explain why these books are so special:
I am a big fantasy reader and there was soooo much hype around this book. I am not usually into books that are hyped like that (usually don’t live up to it) but my local waterstones shop assistant was very excited about it when I was there and I trust their opinions more than booktok/booksta so I caved. And it definitely lived up to it.
Full disclosure – Fourth Wing is not going to win any literature awards. It’s got some plot holes. But for me, reading is all about escapism, not education. And this book delivers on that front 1000%. It’s based in a deadly academy training cadets attend to ride dragons in order to aid an ongoing conflict in the kingdom. It’s high jeopardy, high drama, and high energy.
The romance is slow burn but is spicy enemies to lovers, with a very hot shadow daddy that is absolutely my vibes. But the best part is definitely the sassy, grumpy dragons, and the bonds that are forged between them and their riders over the course of their training. The plot twists don’t stop coming and the ending! In terms of Iron Flame – Oh my god! I’ve never preordered a sequel faster hahah. I do think that the world building and the character development could have been a little more… but I’m hoping (and so far seeing) that development happen in the sequel
I think it’s kinda like Eragon for the new generation, which I loved as a kid, so it appeals to me. Except more grown up, spicier and hella dangerous. I think readers of romatasy will really enjoy it, and I think it does a good job with representation. Characters with chronic illnesses, PTSD, from all kinds of different backgrounds. It’s just a really fun and exciting read, I’d highly recommend
Awesome, thanks Charlie!
Fourth Wing and Iron Flame are both available now from wherever books are sold.
