What We’re Reading in January 2025
CURRENTLY READING
Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
This TikTok sensation lived up to the hype! Ahead of the Onyx Storm release (the third book in this series), we’re reading Fourth Wing. Across the parapet and into the world of dragon-riders we go!
That said, I believe Fourth Wing is a friendly entry into the romantasy world. I acknowledge that it might be intimidating if this is your first foray into the sub-genre. I’ve put together a Reading Guide for all things Fourth Wing!
But, Fourth Wing gives us baby steps (across the parapet) to work with. This isn’t LOTR or GoT. This is comparably gentle, but a step-up from Harry Potter:
Characters: Yes, there are a lot of characters, but the key characters are easy enough to determine and track. The best part? While the names might be unique (many with Celtic origins), they are at least distinct enough to differentiate.
Fantastical Creatures: There are a lot of different characters and things to know about dragons and gryphons and wyvern, and the information is scattered throughout the book (and often in the preludes to each chapter), so it gets difficult to track.
World Building: There’s a map in the physical and ebook copies of the book, but if you’re listening to this, Rebecca describes the size of the world through the length of travel from point A to point B. While Yarros spends more time on character behaviors and interactions than she does on describing the setting, she gives enough to set the mood, create the magical (and at times barren) environment that is Navarre and its surroundings.
Romance & Steam: A bit of a love triangle, unworldly chemistry and slow-burn tension that will have you at the edge of your seat and ready to spar Violet (and every other girl at Basgaith for Xaden’s attention). BUT the outcome is electric.
Get your copy of Fourth Wing (Amazon) and read with us!
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
Romantasy was not on my list until this book. And this was soooo far off the list after TikTok led me astray one too many times. But after reading through a looooot of reviews, I was convinced. I had to give this book a try. And it was the best decision.
I finished the book in a single sitting (in the middle of the work-week, no less) — yup, I did not sleep. From the second I learned about the requirements for entering Basgaith’s Rider’s Quadrant, I became Violet’s biggest cheerleader. And as I devoured each page, I needed to know more: Will Violet survive all the challenges this College is throwing at her? Will Xaden get his revenge on the Sorrengails? What’s happening on the war-front? What secrets are people hiding? Why are they hiding secrets?
Too many questions… And I needed to discuss theories, dissect details with friends, and I promptly encouraged as many people as I could to read the book. So this is my plea, please read this so we can chat and plot ahead of Book 3.
Immerse yourself in Navarre and Basgaith War College; listen to our Empyrean playlist (Spotify).
What the Book Club Loved
FIREWORKS & STEAM: 4.25/5
This is marketed as a smutty-faery book with magic, but it’s not! Although, the steam would definitely make you reconsider. The quality: fantastic. *chef’s kiss* The tension: A+. But we could have easily had more.
WRITING STYLE: 5/5
RY created a world that we’re obsessed with — from the unique relationship the riders have with their dragons to the beautiful representation of ability. The world building and magic are both accessible yet offer so many avenues for expansion, it’s addicting. RY’s thoughtful incorporation of the world’s history, culture and magic through Violet’s nervous ticks and through epigraphs makes learning about the world made learning about the world so much more entertaining. Additionally, the pacing of the book and the tension among characters is done so well you feel like you are among the riders and experiencing the grueling nature of training right alongside them.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4.75/5
We haven’t read a character like Violet before, whose experience with EDS/POTS is so accurately described, it’ll make you feel seen! We loved that the equality in the distribution of power in this system — yes, you have riders vary in strength, but everyone has their own unique abilities representative of their unique selves. And while you're drawn to Violet and Xaden (and their arcs are to-die-for), their full cast of supporting characters is top notch and equally worthy of our love.
THE LOVE STORY: 4.25/5
Okay, this is a fantasy. The romance is secondary. Yet the tension is supreme, vibes are great, and the build-up is well worth it.
“I haven’t worked in two weeks. I can’t stop reading and rereading these books.”
- JESS
If You Loved Fourth Wing, You’ll Love These
THE WAR FRONT WITH BADDIE FLYERS: Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1) by Rebecca Ross (Amazon)
YA fantasy with a dual POV where he falls first and dare I say, harder. Two (workplace) rival journalists bonded by magical typewriters find themselves on the frontlines of a mystical war between gods, using mortals and magical creatures (including flying monstrosities) to fight their battles. You’ll pick this up for the intriguing war story, you’ll stay for the romance.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
TRAINING COLLEGE FEAT. DRAGON SHIFTERS: The Awakening (Zodiac Academy #1) by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti (Amazon)
Okay, this is another TikTok rec / Kindle Unlimited favorite. Note: this is a bully romance; if that’s not for you, or you’re not ready to explore this sub-genre, this recommendation is not for you. That said, the Zodiac Academy kicks off with a bit of slow start (as in books 1-2), BUT the story is quite addicting from the beginning, even if the writing only improves at Book 3 — and then you’ll have 12 more books in the series to enjoy. While the dragons come in the form of shifters, rest assured the steamy scenes are in their human form.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
A DIFFERENT SET OF WINGS: A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4) by Sarah J Maas (Amazon)
Move on from dragons to #batboys. This series was a TikTok rec that was a bust for me. But if you’re going to read it anyway, this was when the series actually captured my interest… so if you can make it to Book 4 (or maybe just skip to this book), this one is where it’s at.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
BY THIS AUTHOR: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros (Amazon)
I have such mixed feelings about Iron Flame — on one hand I was so emotionally wrecked by some of the plot-lines, on the other, I was so frustrated by the introduction of the rest. And I may have wanted to murder a few characters… All I know is that the throne room changed me, and the ending broke me. If Rebecca continues to write cliff-hangers like this, I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it through this series. Consider yourself warned.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
