“Fourth Wing” is basically Wattpad fantasy disguised as a bestseller

If you want a spicy romance book and don't care about world-building or plot holes, you might like this. But as a fantasy novel? It’s completely hollow, the main character is insufferable, and the dragons deserve a better book.

• Year: 2023

• Genre: Fantasy / Romantasy

• Vibe: Pure cringe

I really tried, guys. I saw Fourth Wing all over TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. People were acting like Rebecca Yarros had just written the next Lord of the Rings. The premise sounded sick: a brutal military academy where you bond with a dragon or die trying. Sign me up, right?

Well, I forced myself to finish it, and I want my time back.

The world-building is practically non-existent

For a fantasy book, the actual fantasy elements feel like an afterthought. The author spends more time describing the love interest's jawline and abs than actually explaining how the magic system or the war works. We are told Navarre is this incredibly dangerous place, but everything feels like a backdrop for the romance. And the dragons? They just talk like sarcastic Marvel characters. It totally ruins the majestic, terrifying vibe they are supposed to have.

Violet and Xaden: A masterclass in toxicity

Our main character, Violet, is the classic "I’m not like other girls, I’m small but feisty" trope. She’s supposedly a genius, but she makes the dumbest decisions humanly possible. And Xaden, the "Shadow Daddy" love interest? He is literally just a walking red flag with cool shadow powers. Their banter isn't witty; it’s genuinely embarrassing to read.

“I’m going to kill you,” he whispers. “Not if I kill you first,” she breathes back.

Bro, please. I cringed so hard I almost pulled a muscle.

A message from the author: Read better fantasy

I’m not saying you can’t enjoy it as a guilty pleasure. If you just want mindless drama and romance, have at it. But treating this like a masterpiece of the fantasy genre is wild to me. There are so many incredible indie and mainstream fantasy authors out there doing incredible world-building. Go read Brandon Sanderson or R.F. Kuang instead.