Fourth Wing

Lore & Background

The Fourth Wing is one of the military wings at Basgiath War College, not a political faction. At the start of the book, Xaden Riorson is not yet the wing leader of the Fourth Wing; he assumes that role later in the story. Violet Sorrengail is assigned to Fourth Wing after entering the Riders Quadrant. The wing includes squad leader Dain Aetos and first-year cadets Rhiannon Matthias, Sawyer Henrick, Ridoc Gamlyn, and Liam Mairi. The marked ones, children of rebels branded with relics, are forced into the Riders Quadrant as a condition of their pardon, not as direct punishment for the rebellion. Violet learns these marked ones may seek revenge on her because of her family. During training, Violet struggles with sparring due to her frailty and is targeted by marked ones who blame her for General Sorrengail's actions. She uses a blade on Jack Barlowe during a sparring match, not a paralytic.

In Their Own Story

Violet Sorrengail, 20-year-old youngest daughter of General Lilith Sorrengail, is ordered by her mother to risk her life and become a dragon rider despite being trained as a scribe and having weak joints. Upon entering the War College, Violet is nearly thrown to her death by violent cadet Jack Barlowe, who vows to kill her. She meets Xaden Riorson, a third-year student with a rebellion relic whose father was executed by General Sorrengail. Violet reunites with childhood friend Dain Aetos, a second-year cadet. Violet bonds to two dragons: Tairn, a large black dragon, and Andarna, a small golden dragon, becoming the first rider with two dragons. She manifests the rare signet of lightning wielding. During the War Games, Xaden leads marked ones to an outpost in Athebyne where they encounter gryphon fliers and learn that Poromiel is under attack by venin, creatures thought mythical. They are led into a trap by Colonel Aetos, who used Dain's signet on Violet without her knowledge. Liam and his dragon are killed. Violet defeats the last venin using her lightning powers and briefly stops time with energy from Andarna, but becomes seriously injured.

Reader's Guide

The primary goal of the Fourth Wing is to train dragon riders for the kingdom of Navarre. Cadets must bond with a dragon to develop a magical power known as a signet, though not every cadet is chosen. The leadership structure includes wing leader Xaden Riorson and squad leader Dain Aetos. Internal conflict is rampant: Jack Barlowe makes it his mission to kill Violet, and six cadets attempt to kill her in her sleep, leading Xaden to rescue her and kill the attackers. Xaden arranges for Liam to protect Violet after the attack. During a capture-the-flag game, Violet uses Andarna to freeze time, saving Liam from Jack. Violet and Xaden find they can communicate telepathically through their dragons. The faction's role in the war effort is critical: Xaden reveals that Navarre's leaders are concealing the venin threat from their people, and Violet and her crew help gryphon fliers against a venin attack. After the battle, Xaden and survivors seek safety in Aretia, an abandoned city.

Did You Know?

• Fourth Wing sold over two million copies in its first six months.
• The book won Book of the Year at the 2023 TikTok Book Awards.
• Violet Sorrengail bonds with two dragons: Tairn and Andarna, an unprecedented event that has never happened before in history.
• The inspiration for Violet's physical fragility came from author Rebecca Yarros's own experience living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• The book was published by Red Tower Books, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, on May 2, 2023.