Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 5

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Written by: Cory

Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 5

Major spoilers ahead. I’m going to assume you’ve finished the entire series. These chapters include spoilers from all the books, not just Fourth Wing.

he epigraph in Chapter 5 is significant from so many perspectives. We learn that Lilith, despite being strategic and ruthless, is still a mother with kindness. She opposed the official plan allowing children of rebellion leaders to witness their parents’ executions, saying no child should ever have to watch their parents be put to death.

This shows empathy. It also foreshadows that she had an agreement with Xaden and didn’t want to execute the children either. Sadly, it foreshadows her own death as well in a twisted way. Do you agree?

Anyway, onto our first Battle Brief and Professor Devera. We learn that Battle Brief is held daily. It also hints at the importance of politics and strategies, themes we dive deeply into in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. But here, it serves as a great taster.

“It is the duty of the scribes not only to study and master the past but to relay and record the present.” I think this is such a good Easter Egg, don’t you? They say “master the past” and “relay and record the present,” yet it’s all full of lies, basically.

“She waves the scribe forward, and he moves to stand next to her, the cream color of his uniform contrasting with her stark black one.” If you ask me honestly, I think this was Yarros’ way of telling us how to decipher between cowardice and lies versus honor. A mini Easter Egg about who Markham is versus who Devera is.

“Without accurate depictions of our front lines, reliable information with which to make strategic decisions, and—most importantly—veracious details to document our history for the good of future generations, we’re doomed, not only as a kingdom but as a society.”

Imagine reading this now, knowing what we know, and keeping a straight face. Imagine how hard it must have been for the rebellion relic holders to listen to this and not grimace.

Battle Brief also introduces fliers for the first time, though leadership still calls them riders. Gryphons too, and how they can wield, but not power safety wards.

Pay close attention to this: “but dragons are the only ones capable of powering the wards.” See how “are” is in italics? Yarros often uses italics to draw our attention to something. I wonder if this implies that in the past, more than dragons were able to create wards in one way or another. Maybe the Gods, right?

Notice how Devera words it: “It’s more important than ever that you’re ready for what’s beyond our borders.” She doesn’t lie. She omits the truth but never flat-out lies like Markham.

Next in Battle Brief, we have what I like to call the Legally Blonde moment. Despite others doubting Violet’s judgment (looking at you, Barlowe), she shares her thoughts with clarity and confidence. It’s the first time Violet shows us just how smart she is, and we love her for it.

Also, don’t forget this Easter Egg. Jack Barlowe says, “I’m not the one who thinks precognition is a thing.” Such an important Easter Egg that won’t come into play until Onyx Storm. Turns out, precognition isn’t a thing. But was it before? And what happened to riders who might have had this ability? Is it like being an inntinnsic? Will Aaric ever reveal his hand on this one or only trust Violet with that information?

“That’s the most—” Jack starts. “She’s right,” Professor Devera interrupts.

This was such a glorious moment. Shut up, Jack!

“They were looking for something,” Xaden says with complete conviction. “And it wasn’t riches. That’s not a gem mining district. Which begs the question, what do we have that they want so badly?”

“Exactly. That’s the question.”

Interesting, isn’t it? How politics, games, and lies work. Right here, Devera knows fully well that Riorson knows what the fliers were looking for.

“Something in her tone tells me it’s not just third-years who might be called into service this year, and a chill settles in my bones.”

Again, such interesting foreshadowing. If we pay close attention, Yarros has already laid out the whole plot indeed.

Random thought, but when Rhiannon says, “That class might be the death of me,” could this be foreshadowing? Will she die in the middle of a history class in year three? We’ve all been saying that since Xaden says, “You’ll be the death of me,” to Violet, Violet will somehow be the one to kill him. So it begs the question… should we be paying attention to all these minute details?

“They don’t kill you for failing history,” I say as Ridoc charges Aurelie, taking her to the mat with enough force to make me wince. “I’m probably going to die on these mats.”

But then again, Violet does say this and she didn’t die on those mats… so maybe it’s just clever semantics Yarros likes to use. Red herrings as they say.

“You bitch,” she seethes. “Your mother murdered my family.” Interesting. We don’t know much about Imogen’s sister. We know she died and is with Malek, together with their mother. I wonder what happened. Will we find out in Book 4? Onyx Storm opened up a little more to Imogen’s universe…I’m really curious about her.

“Her eyes are above mine, and I feel the quick slide of something hard against my ribs as she smiles at me. But her smile fades as we both look down, and I can’t help but notice a dagger being re-sheathed.”

This part confuses me. She tried to stab Violet. Why stab her, knowing they’re in the same squad? Well, she dislocated her arm, and that’s painful enough for now. Can someone tell me what am I missing? I am convinced they cannot attack each other like this.

Continue with the Fourth Wing Read Along

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Hello! This site is dedicated to the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve made this place to explore the rich world of Empyrean, full of characters, theories, and places. Each post is carefully researched and updated with the newest details from the series. This site is also a great spot for discussing theories about the Empyrean Series. 🐉
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