2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Tell us what you thought of the book! You can leave your review here. Even if you read the book outside of the group, please feel free to let us know what you thought of it.

Please make sure to mark your spoilers by typing [spoiler] at the start and [/spoiler] at the end but replacing the [] with <>.

I read this book a few weeks ago. We're doing a buddy read for the second book in February if anyone is interested. Here's my review:
If you mixed The Hunger Games with A Deadly Education and added dragons, you'd get this book, Fourth Wing.
It was quite predictable. And I would have preferred a couple of tropes to have not been included. But, it's actually a really good story and I knew after just a few chapters I would be continuing with the series. I look forward to getting more detail about this fantasy world

I loved this book. Made me like reading this type of fantasy again.
The book was amazing throughout although I wish they actually stated what Violet's condition is. Also what's Dain's deal? I wanted to throat punch him.
There were many things I did not see coming. Other things that ripped my heart out.
and
(view spoiler)[ That ending with Brennan still being alive made me want to throw the book across the room, It was 1 a.m. I had to work the next morning and my boyfriend now thinks I am crazy. Like what?! Did people actually know that was coming? Does Mira know? so many questions (hide spoiler)]
I finished this book two days ago and have not had time to start the new one yet. I am spiraling with conspiracy theories and i need answers!

I read this one in December and I agree Briana, it made me fall back in love with these fantasy books again. I ended up rating it a 4 star. (view spoiler)[Part of it for me got to the point where a couple of sex scenes could be deleted but maybe I'm just getting old. (hide spoiler)]

I did like the characters a lot. I thought it was a mix of The Hunger Games, Divergent and Harry Potter - lol.

I think I will try to read the second one for the buddy read this month. I asked for it for Christmas and got it so I have it ready to go.

Finished. I enjoyed this book very much. It was a just-one-more-chapter book. Loved the dragons.

(view spoiler)[Did not know Brennan was alive. It never even crossed my mind. As for Mira....no idea. I can't even begin to guess what side she is on.

The sex scenes could have been cut.

I liked that the fables were true.

(hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to the next book.

The first two thirds chug along at a decent enjoyable pace. Plot feels a bit predictable and derivative but still an engaging read. Then the tale twists and takes flight, becoming darker, faster and much more magical, taking the book to another level and an extremely unexpected ending. Not going to say more so I don’t give anything away except that I will now have to read the next one to find out what happens.

I loved this book and I’m going to get the second book. Loved the relationship between Xaden and Violet. Awesome ending!

Thank the gods, I'm finally done!

Overall, four stars. Maybe it's because I'm an old head here (depending on how you view the number 36), but I couldn't care less about the romance. I completely skipped over those scenes, but I got the gist that furniture was destroyed? I don't know.

I agree with Briana; the only true fault I have with the writer was not stating what Violet's disability/condition was. I was just constantly being told that she was "fragile" in the same way that I was constantly being reminded that Dain was her best friend.

Even though there were plenty of elements that appear reminiscent of other stories - Game of Thrones (view spoiler)[a special type of weapon that can kill certain type of creatures (hide spoiler)], the Hunger Games (view spoiler)[ a certain rebellious city burned to the ground but secretly rebuilt (hide spoiler)], the Shadow and Bone trilogy (view spoiler)[ fables having truth to them (hide spoiler)] I was still left surprised at times.

I had told myself that I was going to buy the e-book version of the second installment so that it would be easier for me to consume. But what did I see when I returned this copy to my library? The second book glaring at me near the checkout desk. And it's just as thick (view spoiler)[If I was Violet or Xaden, I would've made that into a joke (hide spoiler)]

Happy readings, everyone

I had read a few other fantasy books before this one but this is what realllly got me into it. I never thought I’d enjoy a book with dragons in it but I’m glad I gave it a chance. Already read the second one but I’ll refrain from spoilers. It usually takes me a minute to get into a book and then after a few days I just read like there’s no tomorrow. I think this was the fastest I’d ever read a book? I distinctly recall reading most of the book during an all nighter #noregrets lol. Since I read this last year I can’t recall specific thoughts I might’ve had plot analysis wise but it absolutely got me in a genre streak. Anyways that’s all a super long winded way of saying, I enjoyed the book.