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The Empyrean [Dramatized Adaptation] #1, Part 1
Fourth Wing (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]
Runtime: 7.87
Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.
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, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris, David Cui Cui, Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Lydia Kraniotis, Matthew Pauli, Henry Kramer, Alejandro Ruiz, Nazia Chaudhry, Amanda Forstrom, Marni Penning, Carolyn Kashner, Nora Achrati, Rayner Gabriel, Ryan Carlo Dalusung, Earl Fisher, Patrick Boylan, Christopher Graybill, Megan Hastie, Nanette Savard, James J. Johnson, Megan Poppy, Ryan Haugen, Sarah Ruth Thomas, Yenni Ann Godinez, Ken Jackson, Jonathan David Bullock, Nickolette Kong, Sam Intrater, Jillian Levin-Sisson, Tyler Hychuk, Wyn Delano, Mike Carnes, Danny Gavigan, Eric Messner, Kay Eluvian, James Konicek, Christopher Walker, Terence Aselford, Steve Wannall and Yasmin Tuazon."
Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.
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, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris, David Cui Cui, Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Lydia Kraniotis, Matthew Pauli, Henry Kramer, Alejandro Ruiz, Nazia Chaudhry, Amanda Forstrom, Marni Penning, Carolyn Kashner, Nora Achrati, Rayner Gabriel, Ryan Carlo Dalusung, Earl Fisher, Patrick Boylan, Christopher Graybill, Megan Hastie, Nanette Savard, James J. Johnson, Megan Poppy, Ryan Haugen, Sarah Ruth Thomas, Yenni Ann Godinez, Ken Jackson, Jonathan David Bullock, Nickolette Kong, Sam Intrater, Jillian Levin-Sisson, Tyler Hychuk, Wyn Delano, Mike Carnes, Danny Gavigan, Eric Messner, Kay Eluvian, James Konicek, Christopher Walker, Terence Aselford, Steve Wannall and Yasmin Tuazon."
8 pages, Audiobook
First published December 27, 2023
About the author
Rebecca Yarros
68 books215k followersRebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and coffee addict. She is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. A mother of six, she is currently surviving the teenage years with all four of her hockey-playing sons.
Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Check her out online at www.rebeccayarros.com.
Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Check her out online at www.rebeccayarros.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,232 reviews
January 24, 2025
the graphic audio slaps, I’m so glad I did my reread this way 😌
April 18, 2025
i think it’s a crime they decided to cut it in the MIDDLE of *that* scene
February 15, 2024
This rating and review reflect only the quality of the Graphic Audio recording of Fourth Wing, not Fourth Wing itself. My Fourth Wing content rating is 5+/5 stars.
Overall this is well done but there are some details that could have been a bit more polished. Violet's voice actress pronounces a few words incorrectly, the most noticeable to me was her saying "macob-ray" instead of macabre. It is also very clear that the VAs did not record their lines together because Aura Beinhaven's name is said twice in quick succession by two different characters and the VAs pronounce Beinhaven completely differently. This also happens again later with Imogen, who pronounces Tairn differently than everyone else does.
During the scene after threshing it also seems like they accidentally inserted one of Violet's lines into a place where it shouldn't have been. Her line of "I don't want this anymore", which happens after the kiss with Dain was inserted in the middle of a discussion about the Empyrean.
There are a few points where the sound effects do overpower the voice acting. The laughing sound effects are very loud and drown out the words being narrated, this also happens a few times with loud footstep noises. When characters are speaking over a mental bond or speaking sign language an echo effect is used. I understand that they needed to differentiate between speech and mental bond discussions but the echo is quite intense and I found it distracting.
I know these are picky comments but these audiobooks can easily end up costing $40-$60 per book because they are broken up into parts. For that price, I'm going to be critical of the details.
The VAs themselves are good fits overall, I know some folks haven't been pleased with Tairn's VA but I think it suits him well, Andarna's VA has such a cute and sweet voice that fits her perfectly. I do agree with some other folks that Dain and Xaden may have been better off being swapped. The only VA that is really *bothering* me is Rhiannon, I feel like she delivers her lines in an odd and over the top way that doesn't match the energy of anyone else in the production.
As always, the sound effects and music added by Graphic Audio do make a big difference in the listening experience and I do think I will listen to this over the standard audio version of Fourth Wing for re-reads. This Graphic Audio edition might be weird for a first read through of Fourth Wing, there is some context and stage-direction writing that is lost in this version. Rebecca Soler does a fantastic job with the standard audio version of this book but it's hard to compare to a full cast.
Overall this is well done but there are some details that could have been a bit more polished. Violet's voice actress pronounces a few words incorrectly, the most noticeable to me was her saying "macob-ray" instead of macabre. It is also very clear that the VAs did not record their lines together because Aura Beinhaven's name is said twice in quick succession by two different characters and the VAs pronounce Beinhaven completely differently. This also happens again later with Imogen, who pronounces Tairn differently than everyone else does.
During the scene after threshing it also seems like they accidentally inserted one of Violet's lines into a place where it shouldn't have been. Her line of "I don't want this anymore", which happens after the kiss with Dain was inserted in the middle of a discussion about the Empyrean.
There are a few points where the sound effects do overpower the voice acting. The laughing sound effects are very loud and drown out the words being narrated, this also happens a few times with loud footstep noises. When characters are speaking over a mental bond or speaking sign language an echo effect is used. I understand that they needed to differentiate between speech and mental bond discussions but the echo is quite intense and I found it distracting.
I know these are picky comments but these audiobooks can easily end up costing $40-$60 per book because they are broken up into parts. For that price, I'm going to be critical of the details.
The VAs themselves are good fits overall, I know some folks haven't been pleased with Tairn's VA but I think it suits him well, Andarna's VA has such a cute and sweet voice that fits her perfectly. I do agree with some other folks that Dain and Xaden may have been better off being swapped. The only VA that is really *bothering* me is Rhiannon, I feel like she delivers her lines in an odd and over the top way that doesn't match the energy of anyone else in the production.
As always, the sound effects and music added by Graphic Audio do make a big difference in the listening experience and I do think I will listen to this over the standard audio version of Fourth Wing for re-reads. This Graphic Audio edition might be weird for a first read through of Fourth Wing, there is some context and stage-direction writing that is lost in this version. Rebecca Soler does a fantastic job with the standard audio version of this book but it's hard to compare to a full cast.
August 9, 2024
First Reread // August 2024
Currently rereading so I can start on the rest of the series now that all the Graphic Audio versions of all currently available books are out. I loved this one just as much the second time around. I definitely still see why everyone is obsessed with this book because I am too. Also, I have the song Coming For Your Throne By Beth Crowley on repeat (because it's inspired by this book)
____________________
My Review // January 2024
I think I may have just found my newest bookish obsession. This will definitely be getting multiple rereads. I don't know why it took me SO LONG to submit to the peer pressure but I'm just glad to be here.
Though I do have a bone to pick with @GraphicAudio. Would it have killed you to have ended Part 1 on ANY OTHER SCENE? It's as if someone presented you with a glorious piece of cake and proceeded to lock it up in an impenetrable cage. REALLY?!! That's how we're going to do this? 😭
Onto the story: It was all the positive adjectives you can think of and so much more. I adored everything about it! The world-building was amazing! The characters were fleshed out and their motivations were clear. I will say that I despised how dismissive and lowkey manipulative the heroine's so-called best guy friend (whose name I couldn't be bothered to commit to memory) was. It truly felt like he thought he could command her into doing what HE thought was for her own benefit. He was so pushy about always knowing what's best. It honestly gave me the ICK.
Teirn was fantastic! No notes. I'm looking forward to getting more of his quips and dry sass in Part 2 of this book.
Xaden was dreamy! Yes, he couldn't give two sh*ts about the heroine in the beginning but he's warming up to her. It'll happen! Extenuating circumstances and all. I love me a morally grey character ♡
P.S. Beth Crowley released a song based on Iron Flame! You can listen to it here! I don't understand how it ties in yet (since I will be waiting for the Graphic Audio versions of the rest of the series) but it's a great song ♡
Currently rereading so I can start on the rest of the series now that all the Graphic Audio versions of all currently available books are out. I loved this one just as much the second time around. I definitely still see why everyone is obsessed with this book because I am too. Also, I have the song Coming For Your Throne By Beth Crowley on repeat (because it's inspired by this book)
____________________
My Review // January 2024
I think I may have just found my newest bookish obsession. This will definitely be getting multiple rereads. I don't know why it took me SO LONG to submit to the peer pressure but I'm just glad to be here.
Though I do have a bone to pick with @GraphicAudio. Would it have killed you to have ended Part 1 on ANY OTHER SCENE? It's as if someone presented you with a glorious piece of cake and proceeded to lock it up in an impenetrable cage. REALLY?!! That's how we're going to do this? 😭
Onto the story: It was all the positive adjectives you can think of and so much more. I adored everything about it! The world-building was amazing! The characters were fleshed out and their motivations were clear. I will say that I despised how dismissive and lowkey manipulative the heroine's so-called best guy friend (whose name I couldn't be bothered to commit to memory) was. It truly felt like he thought he could command her into doing what HE thought was for her own benefit. He was so pushy about always knowing what's best. It honestly gave me the ICK.
Teirn was fantastic! No notes. I'm looking forward to getting more of his quips and dry sass in Part 2 of this book.
Xaden was dreamy! Yes, he couldn't give two sh*ts about the heroine in the beginning but he's warming up to her. It'll happen! Extenuating circumstances and all. I love me a morally grey character ♡
P.S. Beth Crowley released a song based on Iron Flame! You can listen to it here! I don't understand how it ties in yet (since I will be waiting for the Graphic Audio versions of the rest of the series) but it's a great song ♡
February 13, 2025
absolutely loved!! I actually think I prefer reading it but I loved the voices tho!! moving onto the next one now for what I ACTUALLY came for..... Xaden and Violet 🤭
May 13, 2024
Another solid dramatization from Graphic Audio. Excellent casting. If only the producer caught the mispronunciations by the main female actor.
Still worth going the GA route, especially if the audiobook is provided by your library. Mine was!
Still worth going the GA route, especially if the audiobook is provided by your library. Mine was!
September 8, 2025
Now THIS is an audiobook.
January 17, 2025
this is my first time listening to a dramatized adaptation of a book and omg it was so good i really enjoyed.
January 7, 2025
Truly the most epic way to enjoy a reread before Onyx Storm. This was such an incredible listen and a whole new way of experiencing one of my favourite books. Jumping straight into part two!
November 18, 2024
pronunciations need work
For my original book review, go here
I’m not sure how it’s determined what needs to be cut out, but there are many times huge paragraphs are cut out 😐.
I get it. It’s not always possible for the voice actors to be in the same room, but I’d assume that maybe the actors were given some kind of guide to help them with pronouncing words from this world 🫣 (how dare anyone get Daddy TAIRN wrong 😐… 🤣). It helped that I sped up the audio, but when I slowed it down, I noticed it more.
Also… there were a few times when the background voices/snickers/giggles overshadowed the characters whose voices were supposed to be front and center 😬. The scene where Violet is walking with her friends had their footsteps super loud 😅.
I actually missed the original audiobook for some things 🤣. Like how deep and growly/grumpy Tairn sounded versus in this one 😅. I also like Dain’s voice more than Xaden’s initially, but then Xaden’s started to grow on me by the end of this part.
Violet’s and Andarna’s voices are purrrrrfect. Even Jack’s annoying voice was chosen well 🤣 (just because it’s his lol).
The book itself is a 5 star read for me, but I wanted more from the audiobook.
For my original book review, go here
I’m not sure how it’s determined what needs to be cut out, but there are many times huge paragraphs are cut out 😐.
I get it. It’s not always possible for the voice actors to be in the same room, but I’d assume that maybe the actors were given some kind of guide to help them with pronouncing words from this world 🫣 (how dare anyone get Daddy TAIRN wrong 😐… 🤣). It helped that I sped up the audio, but when I slowed it down, I noticed it more.
Also… there were a few times when the background voices/snickers/giggles overshadowed the characters whose voices were supposed to be front and center 😬. The scene where Violet is walking with her friends had their footsteps super loud 😅.
I actually missed the original audiobook for some things 🤣. Like how deep and growly/grumpy Tairn sounded versus in this one 😅. I also like Dain’s voice more than Xaden’s initially, but then Xaden’s started to grow on me by the end of this part.
Violet’s and Andarna’s voices are purrrrrfect. Even Jack’s annoying voice was chosen well 🤣 (just because it’s his lol).
The book itself is a 5 star read for me, but I wanted more from the audiobook.
Read
May 13, 2026⟢ ⭑
. ݁₊ ⊹ ݁ 𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂‘𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒚𝒂𝒑 .ೃ࿔
rtc when im finished with the second part
•. ݁࿐ V. 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 ꧂
omg I’m SO excited for this I’ve heard so many recs to listen to this and I’ve only ever listened to normal audiobooks so this will be my first time listening to a graphic audio as well 👏🏻 I also only listen to audiobooks when I’ve already read the book cuz I’m more of a visual person and I always do smth when listening to them and so I don’t have to concentrate on the plot so much since I already know it 😝
~ march 24th
. ݁₊ ⊹ ݁ 𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂‘𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒚𝒂𝒑 .ೃ࿔
rtc when im finished with the second part
•. ݁࿐ V. 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 ꧂
omg I’m SO excited for this I’ve heard so many recs to listen to this and I’ve only ever listened to normal audiobooks so this will be my first time listening to a graphic audio as well 👏🏻 I also only listen to audiobooks when I’ve already read the book cuz I’m more of a visual person and I always do smth when listening to them and so I don’t have to concentrate on the plot so much since I already know it 😝
~ march 24th
June 5, 2024
I loved this dramatized adaption! Not all the voices are as I had them in mind though, but nevertheless I really liked it
November 30, 2025
Re-Read November 2025:
This is still one of my favourite dramatised audiobooks. I had such a great time and now on to part 2!
Original Read January 2025:
I really enjoyed the dramatised version of this. However, I would say that Tairn's voice is very different in my head. I picture him with an older and more gravelly voice. But that is just personal preference. I loved the Xaden and Violet voice actors. On to the next part!
This is still one of my favourite dramatised audiobooks. I had such a great time and now on to part 2!
Original Read January 2025:
I really enjoyed the dramatised version of this. However, I would say that Tairn's voice is very different in my head. I picture him with an older and more gravelly voice. But that is just personal preference. I loved the Xaden and Violet voice actors. On to the next part!
December 28, 2024
THIS WAS SO FUN!!!
January 1, 2025
No better way to start the new year! ✨🖤 Not fully ready for the heartbreak that comes with the second half but I adore Xaden. 😭
July 24, 2024
I’m giving this 5 stars because the execution of this GraphicAudio was so good! I think I would give the storyline 4 stars this time around (when I read the book I gave it 5) but there are so many cringy lines I caught this time haha. I also like picking up on some stuff I didn’t catch the first time I read it and seeing how certain characters are in the beginning compared to how they end up by book 2 is nice.
May 13, 2024
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 sh**s 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.
Story: 3.5 Stars
Graphic Audio: 4 Stars
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 sh**s 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.
Story: 3.5 Stars
Graphic Audio: 4 Stars
January 12, 2025
I forgot how much I loved this book….but why would graphic audio part 1 end in the middle of one of my favorite scene like that🤯💀🤦🏾♀️🫠
December 14, 2024
Deze van de week al een keer uitgeluisterd maar nog niet bijgewerkt op GR. Uiteraard 5 sterren. ❤️❤️❤️
August 6, 2024
3.5 Fluffy Dragon Stars
review for entire book + audio
What kind of reader are you? Are you like me and you read ~200 books a year, most of them fantasy of some kind, some of them epic tombs that are more squares than rectangles? Or are you a slightly less seasoned reader that is really just in it for the ride more than the world? I think how much you enjoy this story will depend on the answers to those questions.
I see why this is so popular. I didn't jump on the twilight or 50 shades train when it was going by either. So for me over all this is just an okay read. I like the overall story, although it has some silliness surrounding Violet and Xaden's feelings and breathless anticipation. But an exclusive program that Violet never planned on going to and the opportunity to bond with a dragon? Yes! I totally see the appeal of that story.
Violet's mother was key in driving down the resistance years ago. All the leaders of that rebellion were executed but the children were saved only to be conscripted into the Empyrean forces were they will either make it through the program with a dragon or die trying. Violet had planned to be a scribe and spent her entire life leaning towards that, except she was forced by her mother to join the Riders Quadrant. She was considered frail her entire life and has a slight disability. Not to mention that being in the quadrant with the children of the people her mother killed has branded her as a target she isn't sure if she'll be able to stay alive. But hey, she's done some other impossible things so why not.
I will say that I enjoy the school type format of the story. I always love a good competition for your life and add in Dragons there is a lot to like. But my dang fantasy brain wanted more. Violet eventually bonds with a Dragon and we get a peak into the bond between rider and Dragon. But it seems the Dragons have hierarches and politics of their own that I really wanted to get a better understanding of.
Besides Violet and Xaden every other character is really flat and thankfully the love triangle that is kind of happening doesn't really look like one of the guys has a chance so there isn't a extra drama llama there.
The romance is sorta a slow burn. It is supposed to be enemies to lovers and while Xaden should have Violet because of who her mother is, he never came across super hateful and you always felt like there was more there.
Violet I sorta had a love/hate thing with too. She is really smart and needed to have some accommodations made due to some of her physical fragility but most of the time she gives a snarky quip and just moves along with out wallowing. Still when it comes to Xaden she is a bit silly. There is some drama after they get together that seemed like Violet over reacted especially after the big battle at the end of the book. I just thought it didn't really need to be so blown up.
Deaths...there were so many deaths. Every time I turned around another cadet was being killed by a dragon, a fight, the obstacle course, etc. There was really only one death that was impactful in the entire story because all the others were just throw away. Seemed like they didn't really need to be there.
So overall. I get why with the format of this book and the way it reads it would be such a big draw for so many casual readers. There is still a lot to really enjoy in the overall book and sometimes I can just let some of the silliness go and really fall into the story. But it is like candy and I completely gobbled it up but then 30 minutes later your hungry because you forgot you ate anything. But don't get me wrong I still enjoyed eating the candy that was this story.
Narration
Graphic Audio is something I enjoy. Sure sometimes that sound effects can be a little to much and roll over the story a little but I've learned to drown some of that out when needed. For a story like this I appreciate the full cast of characters for the voices and the sound effects make it seem so epic. This is a story I really prefer in this kind of a format.
review for entire book + audio
“One generation to change the text. One generation chooses to teach that text. The next grows, and the lie becomes history.”
What kind of reader are you? Are you like me and you read ~200 books a year, most of them fantasy of some kind, some of them epic tombs that are more squares than rectangles? Or are you a slightly less seasoned reader that is really just in it for the ride more than the world? I think how much you enjoy this story will depend on the answers to those questions.
I see why this is so popular. I didn't jump on the twilight or 50 shades train when it was going by either. So for me over all this is just an okay read. I like the overall story, although it has some silliness surrounding Violet and Xaden's feelings and breathless anticipation. But an exclusive program that Violet never planned on going to and the opportunity to bond with a dragon? Yes! I totally see the appeal of that story.
Violet's mother was key in driving down the resistance years ago. All the leaders of that rebellion were executed but the children were saved only to be conscripted into the Empyrean forces were they will either make it through the program with a dragon or die trying. Violet had planned to be a scribe and spent her entire life leaning towards that, except she was forced by her mother to join the Riders Quadrant. She was considered frail her entire life and has a slight disability. Not to mention that being in the quadrant with the children of the people her mother killed has branded her as a target she isn't sure if she'll be able to stay alive. But hey, she's done some other impossible things so why not.
“Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.”
I will say that I enjoy the school type format of the story. I always love a good competition for your life and add in Dragons there is a lot to like. But my dang fantasy brain wanted more. Violet eventually bonds with a Dragon and we get a peak into the bond between rider and Dragon. But it seems the Dragons have hierarches and politics of their own that I really wanted to get a better understanding of.
Besides Violet and Xaden every other character is really flat and thankfully the love triangle that is kind of happening doesn't really look like one of the guys has a chance so there isn't a extra drama llama there.
The romance is sorta a slow burn. It is supposed to be enemies to lovers and while Xaden should have Violet because of who her mother is, he never came across super hateful and you always felt like there was more there.
Violet I sorta had a love/hate thing with too. She is really smart and needed to have some accommodations made due to some of her physical fragility but most of the time she gives a snarky quip and just moves along with out wallowing. Still when it comes to Xaden she is a bit silly. There is some drama after they get together that seemed like Violet over reacted especially after the big battle at the end of the book. I just thought it didn't really need to be so blown up.
Deaths...there were so many deaths. Every time I turned around another cadet was being killed by a dragon, a fight, the obstacle course, etc. There was really only one death that was impactful in the entire story because all the others were just throw away. Seemed like they didn't really need to be there.
So overall. I get why with the format of this book and the way it reads it would be such a big draw for so many casual readers. There is still a lot to really enjoy in the overall book and sometimes I can just let some of the silliness go and really fall into the story. But it is like candy and I completely gobbled it up but then 30 minutes later your hungry because you forgot you ate anything. But don't get me wrong I still enjoyed eating the candy that was this story.
Narration
Graphic Audio is something I enjoy. Sure sometimes that sound effects can be a little to much and roll over the story a little but I've learned to drown some of that out when needed. For a story like this I appreciate the full cast of characters for the voices and the sound effects make it seem so epic. This is a story I really prefer in this kind of a format.
December 27, 2024
this is my third time reading fourth wing and i am SO glad i’m listening to the graphic audio! it’s literally like a movie is playing inside my head. it also makes everyone like 10x hotter and i can’t be convinced otherwise. i ate this up but i’m not surprised cause i would walk across hot coals with bare feet for violet and xaden😩😩
November 13, 2024
GraphicAudio so so soooo good!🥹
January 17, 2025
This was soooo goood! Bringing to life everything that I imagined in my head. The voice actors, the sound effects, the soundtrack! A*
May 26, 2024
I was really excited to listen to the dramatized adaption since I loved the ACOTAR dramatized adaption so much. The Fourth Wing version was good, but a lot of the voices were not what I imagined when I read it the first time. Most of the characters were almost TOO dramatic. I specifically struggled with Tairn, Xaden, Jack, and Rhiannon's voices... Why is Tairn's voice not deeper? Sometimes they mispronounce important names too, like they kept pronouncing Tairn's name as "Taryn." Also, some of the sound effects were so dramatic that I couldn't take it seriously. and I DID NOT need to hear all of the bone snapping/injury sound effects either. There were things I liked and didn't like but nonetheless I'm still going to listen to part 2.
December 14, 2024
loved it even more a second time
June 3, 2025
I think I'm just underwhelmed. Going to keep listening to the second part and hope for the best...
June 19, 2025
5 stars as always! the empyrean series is definitely a comfort read for me! 😍
December 23, 2023
Okieee i loveeeeeee forth wing.
I’ve read the book twice and normal audio twice. So the graphic audio was really exciting to listen to.
I give 5⭐️ because nothing can takeaway just how amazing this book is.
HOWEVER…. We all know with graphic audio the book is normally split into to parts. So this being just Part 1 I feel like we lost xaden and he isn’t even part of the book at all at the moment AND the most important bit of all is xadens actor is the man who also voices ‘lucian’ in ACOTAR in the graphic audio so now every time I hear him speak I hear Lucian so its ruined it for me. Plus I imagined him being a little more aggressive and I don’t get it from this male voice.
Violets voice actress and narrator is amazing and she’s done really well.
Tarins voice 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ sounds like a 20 yr old which tbh I’m sooooo disappointed in because it should be a lot older and grumpy, if you have heard the actual standard audio book the. This you will get what I mean.
It is good so far but it could of been better.
I think the issues I’ve found was inevitable it’s a bit similar to the issues you find when a book is turned live action it’s never as good as the physical book.
Still totally my fave book of 2023 ⭐️
I’ve read the book twice and normal audio twice. So the graphic audio was really exciting to listen to.
I give 5⭐️ because nothing can takeaway just how amazing this book is.
HOWEVER…. We all know with graphic audio the book is normally split into to parts. So this being just Part 1 I feel like we lost xaden and he isn’t even part of the book at all at the moment AND the most important bit of all is xadens actor is the man who also voices ‘lucian’ in ACOTAR in the graphic audio so now every time I hear him speak I hear Lucian so its ruined it for me. Plus I imagined him being a little more aggressive and I don’t get it from this male voice.
Violets voice actress and narrator is amazing and she’s done really well.
Tarins voice 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ sounds like a 20 yr old which tbh I’m sooooo disappointed in because it should be a lot older and grumpy, if you have heard the actual standard audio book the. This you will get what I mean.
It is good so far but it could of been better.
I think the issues I’ve found was inevitable it’s a bit similar to the issues you find when a book is turned live action it’s never as good as the physical book.
Still totally my fave book of 2023 ⭐️
February 21, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
I’m so, so glad I made the decision to read this via audio with the graphic audiobook. The production of this is done flawlessly and it was truly a movie in my mind the entire time I was reading. Can’t wait to dive into the second half!
I’m so, so glad I made the decision to read this via audio with the graphic audiobook. The production of this is done flawlessly and it was truly a movie in my mind the entire time I was reading. Can’t wait to dive into the second half!
February 27, 2024
My favourite graphic audio so far!
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