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 in this case is basically a short quote that sets the tone, hints at the theme, and frames what we’re about to read. And so, Mrs Yarros is introducing us to the Gauntlet. How many times have you read this chapter trying to understand what the Gauntlet looks like? Either way, it sounds terrifying, to be honest with you.

“Amazing.” Aurelie sighs.
“You think that hellscape looks amazing?” Rhiannon asks.
“I’ve been waiting years for this!” Aurelie grins.”

I think this right here is the first Easter Egg. Look back at the epigraph. “Don’t underestimate the challenge of the Gauntlet” and that’s exactly what Aurelie did.

“Knock it the fuck off,” Ridoc snaps, earning the entire squad’s attention.
My eyebrows lift. I’ve never seen Ridoc lose his temper or use anything but humor to defuse a situation before.”

Is this it? Is this the moment Ridoc decided unequivocally that he is team Violet? Also, why? We’re still to discover this. He’s becoming more and more protective as the books progress. I can’t help but wonder why.

“As you know, hand-to-hand challenges are on hold for the next two and a half weeks before Presentation so you can focus here.”

Another little important clue. We’ve had Violet spar with Xaden last in the previous chapter. Right now, we’re conveniently pausing them to introduce a new…challenge so to speak. And to move the story forward.

“And that’s your first mistake,” Ridoc interjects. “Listening to that sadistic ass is going to get you killed.” I believe this is another Easter Egg for us. The squad is trying really hard to get Tynan to be loyal, but he continues to hang around with Barlowe. I guess this little mistake might just get him killed indeed.

“How could someone as smart and athletic as Sawyer not bond? And if he didn’t, what the hell kind of hope is there for the rest of us?”

What is interesting is that we never really discuss this. Why didn’t Sawyer bond? Did he not have the right motives? Was he not brave enough?

“Be with me, Zihnal. I haven’t spent nearly enough time at temple for the god of luck to care much about what happens to me right now, but it’s worth a shot.”

The god of luck…he seems to like being around Violet, that’s for sure. As Violet is trying to climb the Gauntlet, we get to learn for the first time about a new breed of dragons.

“Feathertail dragons are the breed we know the least about. This is because feathertails reportedly abhor violence and are not suitable for bonding. Though this scholar cannot be certain, as one has never left the Vale within my lifetime.”

Wow, what beautiful, fantastic Easter Eggs here. They do abhor violence…they are baby dragons, after all. One has never left the Vale. So is there an assumption that there are feathertails in the Vale? Do scholars know that for a fact? Is it possible that some know that all dragons are feathertails?

We then continue learning about Green Dragons. “Known for their keen intellect, descend from the honorable Uaineloidsig line, and continue to be the most rational of dragonkind, making them the perfect siege weapons, especially in the case of clubtails.”

“Orange dragons, coming in various shades of apricot to carrot, are the most unpredictable of dragonkind and therefore always a risk. Descending from the Fhaicorain line.”

And then, just like that, the epigraph that prepared us for it was right. Aurelie underestimated the Gauntlet and treated it like a fun obstacle course. And so, Aurelie Donans died…right in front of Violet.

This is one of the most incredible chapters as we learn so much about the dragons…about the gods too. Violet heads to the burning pit.

“I can’t shake the feeling that I’m carrying her with me.” This is very profound, and I do wonder if the souls of the dead somehow attach themselves to objects. And we burn for Malek to give their souls to Malek. But by keeping items, perhaps…we don’t entirely give Malek the souls? I do have a theory that those who do not burn for Malek seem to come back.

“The flames catch and whoosh as it becomes more fuel for the fire, just another tribute to Malek, the god of death.”

Can we take a moment to appreciate this: “Or because I’ll give in to Dain’s request and hide in the Scribe Quadrant? My entire being repels against the second option.” It’s like Violet has this feeling of what is right and wrong right from the get-go.

“Sitting back against the wall, I let the darkness conceal me.” Cute moment, seeing as Xaden knows everything that happens in the shadows. It’s also the time we find out that three dragons come back with Xaden, Bodhi, and Garrick. Out doing something…which we, of course, learn about by the end of Fourth Wing and in Iron Flame too. But it’s interesting to already add the information to the plot so it’s at the back of our mind.

“My scalp prickles and Xaden stops mid-step ten feet away, the set of his shoulders rigid.” I so love it when this happens because it’s our Easter Egg that Xaden is reading…minds.

I do love the conversations between Xaden and Violet at the beginning of their relationship. Ha!

Check this sentence out: “Someone like you would never get it […] when General Sorrengail gives an order, you can’t exactly ignore it.” The funny thing about it is that Xaden understands this better than most.

“Shadows, remember? They hear everything, see everything, conceal everything.” Remember, Xaden likes secrets and has secrets. Shadows are most important for him. His signets (and yes it’s plural on purpose) are related to what he needs at the very core of his existence. Maybe we should learn from this and really try to understand more about the rest of the characters based on their signets.

We end the chapter with the beautiful and famous “The right way isn’t the only way. Figure it out.” I love this. A great chapter.

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