Wayward Reviews

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The sequel to Fourth Wing – a fantasy romance set in a world of dragons, gryphons and hostile enemies on your doorstep.

Book Synopsis

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

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Review

* Non-Spoiler Review*

It’s been a hot minute since I read a sequel straightaway, while I didn’t read this book in a day like the Fourth Wing – I thoroughly enjoyed this follow up.

To avoid being a spoiler review, I will mention that this follows directly from the ending of the last book – which I appreciate. What I will say is Yarros ups the anti on the world building, subplots and inter squad tension. There are more creatures, signet powers and places that you get to explore in the book – adding to the whopping 623 page tome.

Our main character has a lot of growth within this book, both emotionally and physically. I enjoyed the pace at which this happens, as I do find in other books that characters developed can feel quite rushed.

Overall, it was a strong sequel to the first book. I appreciated where the plot went and I became invested even more in not only the main characters but the support characters too. Bring on the third instalment!

Spice Rating: 5/6 – See my rating system here

Book Rating: 4.5/5