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Fourth Wing (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros Series: The Empyrean #1
Published by GraphicAudio on December 27, 2023
Genres: Fantasy Romance, Military Fiction, New Adult
Length: 17 hours and 24 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Purchase Links: Amazon*Libro*Kobo*Chirp*Graphic Audio
Goodreads
Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders...
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.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
Performed by Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, LaMont Ridgell, Taylor Coan, Torian Brackett, Rob McFadyen, Laura C. Harris, Jessica Lauren Ball, Robb Moreira, Megan Poppy, James Konicek, David Cui Cui, Crystal Lee, James J. Johnson, Henry W. Kramer, Nazia Chaudhry, Mike Carnes, Marni Penning, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, Amanda Forstrom, Christopher Graybill, Ryan Haugen, Sarah Ruth Dawson, James Lewis, Yasmin Tuazon, Alejandro Ruiz, Nickolette Kong, Tyler Hyrchuk, Matthew Pauli, Yenni Ann, Danny Gavigan, Earl Fisher, Kay Elluvian, Steve Wannall, Megan Hastie, Wyn Delano, Christopher Walker, Eric Messner, Scott McCormick and Terence Aselford.
Fourth Wing is book one in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. This review is for the Graphic Audio Part 1 & 2 narrated by a full cast, sound effects, and cinematic music!
I had heard rave reviews for this new series and many love this novel. As for the story I found it interesting, but I didn’t fall in love like many other readers. The very first chapter reminded me of Divergent. I found the world and feel of the story had a lot of similar aspects from a few different series I’ve read or watched. It’s not a bad thing. Many will like that feeling.
I felt like there are a lot of contradictory and conflicting aspects in what the author is portraying. The layout and plot for the dragons and riders had a lot of kill or be killed. This reminded me of The Hunger Games. We get a lot of dragons killing their riders instead of saving them. But, we’re told or led to believe that there aren’t a lot of dragon riders to begin with so, why do the dragons kill them? We’re also told dragons CAN’T survive the bonded once their rider dies and then other times the dragon can survive. It felt like things weren’t clear. I also don’t understand all the deaths at the dragon training school.
The lead heroine, Violet, at times is smart and determined and then at other times she acts like a teenager. I liked her and then I didn’t. It went on like this throughout the novel. We do see her grow in strength both mentally and physically, but also she reverts to the beginning. She knows there’s death, but she can’t bear it. It’s a back and forth with her.
Then we have the heroine’s childhood best friend, Dain. I didn’t care for him. I disliked how dismissive and manipulative he was towards Violet. You might think, oh maybe a love interest, but we soon figure out he loves her, but he still sees her as a fragile little girl.
The lead male, Xaden, oh man is he hawt and broody. He couldn’t give two shits about Violet in the beginning, but he warms up to her. He’s morally gray in my opinion and that makes him oh so sexy. I like him.
Graphic Audio: As for the audio, it’s an awesome listen in GA. I thoroughly enjoyed the sound effects, cinematic music and voices for the characters. It adds to the story and brings it to life. The passion and fight scenes come to life in both part 1 & 2.
My one grip with the GA is that they split it into 2 audio books instead of one full audio. And, where they stopped part 1 leaves you on a cliffhanger in the middle of a battle scene. Really!! Why? As for the ending of part 2 well you’re also left on a cliffhanger with a big surprise at the end.
Overall, I enjoyed Fourth Wing.
Story: 3.5 Stars
Graphic Audio: 4 Stars
About Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over fifteen novels, including FOURTH WING, and is always ready to bring on the emotions. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence in New Adult for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight and Glory series.
She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for twenty-one years. She’s the mother of six children and lives in Colorado with her family, their stubborn English bulldog, feisty chinchillas, and Maine Coon cat who rules them all. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October.
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Nice review. I also jumped on the bandwagon, but I listened to the regular narrated audiobook, which was in one part. It’s long. I enjoyed it and found myself caught up in it during times. I can see why it’s so popular. But as you point out, there are some issues.
I agree with you. I was caught up in parts too and could see the popularity, but I also saw some of the issues. My aunt read it and tried book 2. She told me 2 is sad and she couldn’t read it at the time. Not sure if she finished. That has made me think I’ll probably not listen on. Thanks for checking out my review and visiting! Always love to have you.
I also listened to the second one and didn’t enjoy it nearly as much.
I’ll have to check out your thoughts on book 2.