Fourth Wing

Fourth Wing is the first book of the Empyrean series and will be followed by Iron Flame. Because Yarros’s world is such an intricate one, she supplies the reader with moments of exposition in the form of excerpts of key fictitious texts that originate within the world itself. Violet’s own deep knowledge, which stems from her previous training as a scribe, provides another practical delivery method for essential world-building information. These two formats allow Yarros to include extensive information about her world’s politics and its human-rider history without disrupting the larger narrative.

The novel is set in the kingdom of Navarre, a mountainous region rich in lumber, precious ore, and wild game. Navarre is neighbored by the kingdom of Poromeil, which possesses plains and marshland that produce grain and gems. These two kingdoms have been at war for more than 400 years; approximately 200 years before the events of the book, a trade agreement was outlined to soothe tensions between the two kingdoms, but the measure has not been successful. The Poromeil military is supported by gryphons, while Navarre’s is supported by dragons. Both creatures form intimate psychic bonds with their chosen humans and empower their riders with magical abilities; however, dragons are considered to be the more powerful of the two species because their power allows them to create anti-magic wards that prevent gryphons from channeling their own magic while in Navarre territory. The unending war between the two kingdoms has led Navarre to conscript 20-year-old recruits into military service on an annual basis.

Navarre is made up of six providences. The most recent providence to join the kingdom was Tyrrendor, though a recent rebellion nearly led to its secession. The rebellion was led by Fen Riorson, known as the Great Betrayer. Aretia, the capitol of Tyrrendor, was burned to the ground during the war. The adults who were responsible for the rebellion were executed, and their children were marked by General Melgren’s dragon so that they could always be identified as the children of separatists. These children have since been forced to join the Riders Quadrant during their conscription; this is the result of a deal struck between Xaden Riorson, the son of Fen Riorson, and General Sorrengail (Violet’s mother) in which Xaden vowed the loyalty of all the rebels’ children in exchange for the opportunity to prove themselves in battle rather than facing immediate execution.

Most of the novel is set at the Basgaith War College, specifically within the Rider Quadrant, where prospective dragon riders are trained and tested. The Rider Quadrant organizes its cadets into four wings; each wing has three sections, and each section has three squads. Wingleaders are seen to have ultimate authority over their riders; section leaders and squad leaders support the wingleaders’ broader leadership role. At the college, much of the cadets’ training is organized around specific trial days. Following Conscription Day, they train so they can master the Gauntlet obstacle course. They are subsequently presented to the dragons on Presentation Day and then attempt to bond with them during the Threshing. Successful and surviving riders then participate in the Squad Battles for prizes and bragging rights, after which they take part in the War Games to practice fighting in realistic scenarios.

As for the dragons themselves, much about their politics and decision-making remains enigmatic, though the narration often comments that people are not to question the actions or the behavior of dragons. Each color of dragon is associated with a particular ancient dragon family, and they also have different tail shapes. Their various colors and tail shapes indicate their different temperaments and battle tactics. Their leadership is called the Empyrean, the term that gives the series its name. Dragons bond with specific riders and bestow magic upon them in a connection called channeling; this channeling eventually manifests in a signet, a special power that a rider develops, which is a manifestation of their thoughts, strengths, and desires. Possible signets include controlling aspects of the physical world such as elemental forces, wielding psychic powers, or enhancing innate physical characteristics like sight or one of the other senses.