Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros

Written by Safa Alhassan 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros is one of the most widely read and talked-about fantasy books in recent times. I got this book in the early days of 2025 but didn’t get around to reading it until December of that same year. I had a pile of fantasy books on my TBR (to-be-read) list, and finally, the day came.

Lets start with the cover which is without a doubt, my favourite part of this book. It has a lovely gold cover and the hardback is especially really beautiful with a metallic finish that makes it look very powerful. There are special editions with sprayed edges, which I lowkey wish I could get my hands on. Many people used this book and its follow up books for aesthetics, decorating their bookshelves and homes with it. This book has also been translated into various languages. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros is a coming-of-age story about love and dragons. You know, like Harry Potter, but a lot intense with more dramatic romance, layered with suspense, revenge, violence, and a strong female lead paired with a nonchalant male character. Very typical of young adult fantasy.

I first came across this book when I was testing the waters to see if I would enjoy fantasy. And I must say, it has a massive following. Almost like a cult of young girls sworn to it. The reviews are loud and glowing, and there’s no denying that it is a good book.

But I didn’t enjoy it one bit.

It's not as if i didn’t enjoy it because it wasn’t well written. Infact, far from it. The language is simple and straightforward, and the narration is very descriptive. The author paints vivid scenes that are easy to imagine. However, for me, it falls squarely into young fantasy even though the characters were in their early twenties if I'm not mistaking. I’ve outgrown such books, i find them very childish and annoying. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it years ago, but now it just tires me out. I find myself rereading sentences multiple times just to stay engaged, and it becomes exhausting.

From the synopsis alone, I already suspected it might not be for me especially with the inclusion of dragons, fictional languages, maps, and all the heavy world-building. That level of detail can feel tedious, especially in an already bulky book. Still, I understand that it has its audience, and I’m clearly not part of it.

That said, I would happily gift this book to my younger brother, who I believe enjoys this kind of story. He is a writer and focuses more on fantasy with very heavy world building that is so commendable.

In summary, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros is a good pick if you enjoy fantasy, have a vivid imagination, and are drawn to stories about dragons and immersive worlds. If not, it might feel overwhelming or even confusing. If you’re new to fantasy, you could start with something lighter in world-building, like A Court of Thorns and Roses, before reading this.

Fourth Wing is part of a series, followed by Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.