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

The epigraph says “I will not die today,” which might seem harmless at first. But I really think Violet has a connection with Malek. Every time she says “I will not die” or tells someone else “You will not die,” they always seem to survive. Just a little observation on my part. Do you feel the same?

And then we get to the chapter everyone was waiting for: Xaden stepping onto the mat and challenging Violet.

It looks like a simple sparring match, but we all know there’s a lot more going on. From the bonus chapter, we learn that Xaden keeps his shields up, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t using his second signet. It explains why he always seems to be one step ahead.

She throws a dagger? He catches it. Violet makes a move? He dodges and stops her before she can even land a hit.

And then there’s that sweet nickname, “Violence,” on Xaden’s lips. We all melted a little at that one. Just when we think he can’t get any more attractive, he proves us wrong. The way he gives her a private lesson, speaking low so only she can hear, is just… yeah.

When you first read “I’m the one who decides when to grant that favor. Not you,” what did you think? At first, I assumed he was going to save her from danger, help her win a challenge, or give her some inside information for another test. I never expected the favor to turn out the way it did. It was honestly so wholesome.

It’s clear he’s been watching her closely. He knows she’s been poisoning enemies ahead of time. But I was surprised when Violet shouted that she hated him. That reaction felt a bit childish to me.

“I don’t think. I just act, going low and kicking out the backs of his knees.” That moment proves Xaden was using his powers during the fight. The second she stops thinking and just reacts, he goes down.

And then one of the best moments of the book:

“Heat rushes up my neck and flames lick my cheeks as he lowers his face so his lips are only inches away from mine. I can make out every speck of gold in his onyx eyes, every bump and ridge of his scar. Beautiful. Fucking. Asshole.”

We can all pretend we’re not into toxic men, just like Violet, but lines like that make it really hard.

Then Xaden completely lets his guard down by giving Violet the chance to kill him right there on the mat. Later, we learn that’s something he’s never done before, not even with Garrick.

“Oh, Violence, you’re good, but I’ve known better poison masters. The trick is to not make it quite so obvious.” Brennan is the better poison master, right? He is referring to Brennan, and it’s a nice Easter Egg for how the book ends.

Rebecca Yarros rarely repeats things without purpose. Remember when she wrote, “Then he guides our hands back to my ribs and slides the ruby-hilted blade back into its sheath”? That was the second time the ruby-hilted blade was mentioned.

After that, we get the conversation between Violet and Dain. Maybe it’s because I’ve read the book so many times, but wow, Dain is really starting to feel tedious with how he keeps pushing her toward the scribes.

“Not to me,” he whispers, raising a hand to cradle her cheek.

Do you cringe every time Dain touches her? I do. Rebecca Yarros said he doesn’t read Violet’s memories on purpose every time he touches her, but it still feels off. At this point, Dain is definitely not winning us over.

Continue with the Fourth Wing Read Along

• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 1
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 2
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 3
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 4
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 5
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 6
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 7
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 8
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 9
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 9 – Xaden’s POV
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 10
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 11
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 12
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 13
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 14
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 15
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 16
• Fourth Wing Read Along – Chapter 16 – Xaden POV