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.

I really loved the epigraph in this chapter. It’s one of the rare ones that actually gives us a big hint about what’s coming in the chapter itself, instead of foreshadowing something later. That’s such a cool detail.

What I also love is how clear it becomes that the marked ones are seriously intimidating to those in power. And just in case it slipped your mind, the marks allow them to block Melgren’s signet, which lets him see the outcome of battles. So when three or more marked cadets come together, Melgren can’t see anything. His signet gets blocked. That’s a major threat to leadership and a huge advantage for the rebellion.

Chapter Seven is one of my favorites. I’m sure you feel the same. We follow Violet as she collects ingredients to create poisons to weaken her opponents. This is also the chapter where I got completely enthralled by Rebecca Yarros’s ability to invent imaginary poisons and plants. I loved it. I’m obsessed with fonilee berries, by the way.

Anyway, we fast forward to Violet in the tree, and Xaden Riorson shows up… right next to Imogen.

“Relief fills my lungs. If I can’t hear them, they can’t hear me either, as long as I sit tight. But all it takes is for him to look up, and I’ll be toast. Literally, if he decides to feed me to that Blue Daggertail of his.”

I want to talk about this part. First of all, Xaden absolutely knows she’s there. He doesn’t need to hear her. We all know that. He knows, and it’s a lot of fun. Also, I seriously doubt Sgaeyl would want her toasted. Something tells me she’s been watching Violet since the parapet, knowing Xaden was tasked with protecting her. That was his side of the deal he made with General Sorrengail in exchange for letting all 107 marked ones into the quadrant.

“Marked ones can’t gather in groups larger than three. They’re committing a capital offense just by being together.” As the epigraph explained.

“They’re not going to unless one of you tells. And if you tell, I’ll know.” The threat in his tone is crystal clear. I love this little Easter Egg. Of course Xaden would know. He’s an inntinnsic, and he can read people’s intentions.

And oh, my heart… we meet Liam Mairi for the first time. Top cadet, top human, top friend. We still have a lot of chapters with Liam, so no need to get emotional just yet.

This chapter also introduces Garrick and Bodhi. Bodhi is Xaden’s cousin. Let’s not forget that new theory floating around about their eyes…

I think this is where Rebecca Yarros really sets the tone:

“This”—he gestures back toward the citadel—“isn’t some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It’s hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home…to whatever’s left of our homes.”

I think the author made it clear from the start and stuck to that promise. I truly believe Fourth Wing has all the clues we need about how the story will unfold. We just have to pay close attention.

I also love the subtle Easter Egg when one of the marked women says, “It’s not that I can’t keep up, but the information…” referring to Battle Brief.

“You learn what they teach you,” Xaden tells the first-year, his voice sharp. “Keep what you know but recite whatever they tell you to.” My brow furrows. What does he mean by that? Battle Brief is taught by scribes to keep the quadrant updated on nonclassified troop movements and battle lines. We’re only asked to recite recent events and general knowledge from the front lines.”

We all know that’s not true, and I think this was the first clue that something shady is going on at the college. It’s also interesting to consider that maybe General Sorrengail didn’t want to hurt Violet, but actually wanted to pull her out of enemy territory (scribes), especially now that we know more.

Now, I get it, you’re all totally in love with Xaden. He’s amazing, hot, the perfect book boyfriend… but Garrick? Garrick is the perfect husband for me.

“Her mom is responsible for the capture of nearly all our parents,” Garrick says, folding his arms across his broad chest. “Not her daughter. Punishing children for their parents’ sins is the Navarrian way, not the Tyrrish.”

“In case you didn’t notice, she’s in the same death sentence of a college,” Garrick adds. “Seems like she’s already suffering the same fate.”

Garrick is kind, observant, and fiercely loyal. He sees things others don’t. I love Garrick so much. And I do hope he is just a brother to Xaden, but not THE brother.

I also love this moment with Xaden: “Don’t forget her brother was Brennan Sorrengail,” he says. “She has just as much reason to hate us as we do her.”

Such a great Easter Egg. As far as most people know, Brennan is dead. Violet supposedly hates Xaden because of Brennan, and Xaden hates Violet because of her mother. But what I love is how beautifully Rebecca Yarros shows that children are not their parents. It’s even strange that Violet would hate Xaden, the child of someone who hurt her brother, and that Xaden would hate Violet, the child of the person who killed his father. Every child deserves the chance to be their own person, to think critically, and not inherit their parents’ grudges. Dain Aetos is our number one example of this.

“Zihnal must have a soft spot for me, because I’m the luckiest woman on the Continent.” This is such a fun Easter Egg, but this time for Onyx Storm. Maybe Zihnal really does have a soft spot for Violet, considering the gift she received.

“Let me guess, you could smell my perfume. Isn’t that what always gives the heroine away in books?”

He scoffs. “I command shadows, but sure, it was your perfume that gave you away.” He lowers the knife and steps back.

And again, this part was so well done. We believed she was hidden by shadows in the tree, but the truth is… only halfway there. We all know Xaden can “sense” another mind nearby.

This next bit? It’s the real beginning of Fourth Wing. Violet and Xaden’s conversation gave us that first spark. The moment she threw daggers at him to prove she’s not defenseless. The first time he called her a violent little thing.

“I hate how beautiful he is, how lethal his abilities make him as he walks toward me, shadows curling around his footsteps. He’s like one of those poisonous flowers I’ve read about from the Cygnis forests to the east.”

I’m not sure if this is an Easter Egg or not, but I think it is. We haven’t seen this flower yet in the books, but I have a feeling we will.I’ve been paying close attention and waiting for it…

This part was so hot: “He reaches under my own cloak and slides one blade into the sheath at my thigh, then pulls back the side of my cloak and pauses. His gaze locks onto the length of my braid where it falls over my shoulder, and I could swear he stops breathing for a heartbeat before he slides the remaining dagger into one of the sheaths at my ribs.”

Ok, but why is Xaden so obsessed with her hair? Is he just really into all things… Dunne? If we believe there’s a connection between gods and dragons, then it’s clear Sgaeyl is linked to Dunne. We also know from Onyx Storm that Violet was touched by Dunne. So maybe Xaden is connected to Dunne more than we anticipate?

Check this out: “My stomach twists just like it did before I stepped out onto the parapet, like my body knows that whatever action I take next will determine my life span.”

That stood out to me. The more we learn about Violet, the more we see how she always seems seconds ahead of danger. Her instincts are razor sharp. It’s like she has this ability to sense when death is close. This idea is repeated so many times in the books, I cannot help but truly believe there’s more to this ability than we anticipate.

“He looks at me like he’s trying to see through me, and ice prickles my scalp.” You probably remember my long article about Xaden being an inntinnsic. This was definitely one of the first clues, and I loved it. Xaden might actually see through her. She noticed it… she just didn’t understand what it meant yet.

The chapter ends on a great note, too. A little joke that makes Xaden even more irresistible. The guy, as deadly and hot as he is, also has a sense of humor.

“Now, get back to bed before your wingleader realizes you’re out after curfew.”
“What?” I gawk after him. “You’re my wingleader!”

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