Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Here is a summary with spoilers for Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Violet Sorrengail has spent her life preparing for the Scribe Quadrant at Basgiath War College, following the path of her late father. Violet’s body is fragile, with bones that break easily and joints that dislocate, but her mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, orders her into the Rider Quadrant instead. Her sister Mira protests, fearing Violet will die like their brother Brennan, but General Sorrengail refuses to change her mind. Before Violet leaves, Mira gives her dragon-scale armor, daggers, and Brennan’s journal filled with survival tactics. Mira warns her to avoid the marked rebel cadets, especially Xaden Riorson, the son of the rebellion leader executed by Violet’s mother after Brennan’s death.

On Conscription Day, Violet crosses the parapet, a narrow stone bridge suspended high above a ravine where many cadets fall to their deaths. Violet survives by relying on intelligence instead of strength, trading boots with Rhiannon Matthias for better traction and using the Rider rulebook against Jack Barlowe after he tries to kill her. At the parapet, Violet meets Xaden Riorson, whose father killed Brennan before being executed by General Sorrengail. Xaden carries the rebellion relic marking him as one of the rebel children forced into the Rider Quadrant as punishment for their parents’ rebellion. Violet reunites with Dain Aetos, her childhood best friend, who tries to convince her to become a scribe instead, but Violet refuses because her mother would force her back into the Riders anyway. Dain places Violet and Rhiannon in his squad, but Xaden later transfers them into Fourth Wing under his direct command, giving him control over Violet’s survival.

At Basgiath, cadets constantly die during training, sparring, and challenges. Violet becomes a target because of her physical weakness, her mother’s reputation, and the belief that she does not belong among riders. Using Brennan’s journal, Violet discovers challenge schedules and secretly poisons her opponents with plants and berries she gathers at night, weakening them before fights. She wins multiple challenge matches without killing anyone, proving that her intelligence is her greatest weapon. Xaden notices her strategy and keeps her secret. During one of her nighttime trips, Violet overhears a secret meeting of marked rebel cadets led by Xaden. Though gatherings of rebel children are forbidden, Violet agrees to stay silent after realizing Xaden is mentoring younger cadets rather than planning rebellion.

Training intensifies with the Gauntlet, a deadly vertical obstacle course where cadets often fall to their deaths. Violet struggles because of her size and weak joints, but she bends the rules to succeed, using a rope and her dagger to climb obstacles she physically cannot complete normally. Xaden supports her interpretation of the rules, reinforcing his belief that survival matters more than tradition. During this period, Violet and Xaden’s relationship grows increasingly complicated. Dain warns Violet that Xaden wants revenge against her family, while Violet becomes aware of the tension and attraction between them. Xaden later reveals that his dragon’s signet allows him to wield shadows, while Dain’s dragon grants him the ability to read recent memories through touch.

At Threshing, cadets enter a valley hoping dragons will bond with them. Violet discovers Jack Barlowe attempting to kill a small golden feathertail dragon named Andarna because she appears weak and useless. Despite her injuries, Violet protects Andarna from Jack and his allies. Tairn, one of the most powerful black dragons alive, arrives and kills one of the attackers before choosing Violet as his rider because she defended the vulnerable dragon. Andarna also bonds with Violet, making her the first rider in history bonded to two dragons. Tairn’s mate is Sgaeyl, Xaden’s dragon, permanently tying Violet and Xaden together because if one bonded dragon dies, the others connected through the mating bond could die as well. Xaden assigns Liam Mairi, his foster brother and one of the strongest first-years, as Violet’s bodyguard.

After Threshing, Violet becomes even more valuable and more hunted. Unbonded riders attempt to murder her so they can try to claim Tairn. One night, six cadets break into her room to kill her, but Andarna freezes time long enough for Violet to escape before Xaden arrives and kills the attackers. The senior cadet responsible is publicly executed by dragonfire. Violet learns that Andarna is not a rare feathertail but a juvenile dragon whose ability to stop time must remain secret until she matures. Violet also struggles with the intense emotional bond shared between riders and dragons, especially the effects of Tairn and Sgaeyl’s mating bond, which heightens the attraction between her and Xaden. Xaden teaches Violet how to shield her mind from dragon emotions, and during one of these encounters they finally kiss.

Xaden begins personally training Violet after Jack nearly kills her during a challenge. He helps strengthen her body, commissions daggers designed specifically for her hands, and works with Tairn to create a custom saddle that allows Violet to ride safely despite her physical limitations. Their relationship deepens as Violet realizes Xaden consistently protects her while refusing to openly admit his feelings. During Squad Battle and War Games training, Violet proves herself academically and physically. She steals military maps during exercises, excels in battle strategy, and eventually manifests her signet power during a confrontation with Jack Barlowe. When Jack attacks Liam during an aerial battle, Violet channels lightning for the first time and kills Jack by collapsing a tower onto him. The kill horrifies her, but Xaden reassures her that she is not simply a weapon, but the weapon capable of protecting Navarre.

On Reunification Day, the anniversary of Brennan’s death and the rebellion’s defeat, Violet seeks out Xaden while he mourns his father. Violet finally confesses that she loves him, and they spend the night together. Afterward, Violet discovers the scars covering Xaden’s back, one for each rebel child whose loyalty he guaranteed with his own life after the rebellion. Soon after, the final War Games begin. Xaden takes Violet and a group of marked riders beyond Navarre’s protective wards to the outpost of Athebyne, where Violet realizes they have walked into a trap orchestrated by Colonel Aetos, Dain’s father. Dain had unknowingly betrayed Violet by reading her memories and exposing Xaden’s secret missions.

Outside the wards, Violet learns that gryphon fliers from Poromiel are not enemies, but allies secretly working with Xaden against the venin, dark magic users capable of draining life and creating wyvern. Violet realizes the venin from childhood stories are real, and Navarre’s leadership has hidden the truth for generations while allowing neighboring territories to suffer. Though furious at Xaden for lying to her, Violet agrees to help fight the venin. During the battle at Resson, Liam dies after his dragon crashes, forcing Violet to promise she will protect his younger sister. Violet uses Andarna’s final time-stopping power alongside Tairn’s strength to direct a massive lightning strike that kills one of the most powerful venin and destroys the wyvern army. During the battle, Violet is stabbed with a poisoned dagger that severs her connection to her dragons.

Xaden carries Violet away from the battlefield to Aretia, the hidden Tyrrish capital secretly rebuilt after the rebellion. When Violet wakes three days later, she learns Brennan has been alive for years and has been helping lead the revolution alongside Xaden and the marked riders. Brennan heals Violet from the poison and welcomes her into the revolution. Violet agrees to fight against the venin and the lies of Navarre, but she no longer fully trusts Xaden after learning how many secrets he kept from her. Though she still loves him, Violet makes clear that he must earn back her trust through honesty as the larger war finally begins.