Ever scrolled through TikTok and had the same book pop up so many times you just had to see what all the fuss was about? That’s how I stumbled onto “Fourth Wing,” and holy dragon riders, I was not prepared for the wild ride Rebecca Yarros took me on.
If you have somehow missed the BookTok explosion around this first installment of the Empyrean series, you’re probably wondering if it’s just another overhyped fantasy that’ll collect dust on your shelf after 50 pages.
I get it. I was skeptical too. Another dragon book? Really? But these plot twists in “Fourth Wing” left me audibly gasping at 2 AM, desperately trying not to wake my husband while I devoured “just one more chapter.”
So is it worth the hype? Well, let’s just say these ten twists changed everything I thought I knew…
Violet’s Secret Dragon Heritage Revealed
When readers discover Violet Sorrengail isn’t just a regular rider candidate but actually carries ancient dragon blood, minds explode everywhere. This revelation hits harder than Xaden’s powers in combat training. Think about it – the scrawny, scholarly girl everyone underestimated turns out to be dragon royalty.
Gone is the image of Violet as merely Lilith’s daughter trying to survive. Now we see her extraordinary resilience wasn’t just determination – it was literally in her blood all along. Her connection to dragons, her uncanny survival skills? Not luck or training, but heritage. This twist transforms her from underdog to potential queen faster than a Venin can strike.
Xaden’s True Identity and Royal Connections
The moment readers discover Xaden is actually royalty was a total game-changer. Not just some brooding bad boy with a chip on his shoulder, but a freaking prince hiding in plain sight. This twist reshapes everything we thought we knew about his motives and position within the dragon riders.
Suddenly, all those mysterious conversations make sense. His hot-and-cold attitude toward Violet wasn’t just typical hero aloofness—it was the impossible position of a royal trying to balance duty, survival, and unexpected feelings. His coldness wasn’t arrogance; it was protection—for himself and for her.
The True Nature of the Riders’ Bonds
Remember when we thought dragon bonding was magical? Turns out, it’s actually a parasitic takeover. Dragons literally hijack their riders’ minds and replaces parts of their consciousness with draconic thought patterns. That glowing moment of connection? It’s actually the dragon rewriting your brain chemistry, creating an unbreakable neural link that ensures loyalty. This bombshell flips everything we believed about rider-dragon dynamics.
Professor Tairn’s Shocking Betrayal
Professor Tairn’s betrayal blindsided us all. One minute he’s mentoring our heroes with that gruff-but-caring attitude we’ve grown to love, the next he is standing alongside the enemy, revealing years of calculated deception. The look on Violet’s face? Pure devastation. That moment when his dragon’s scales shifted color to match his true alliance? Gut-wrenching.
Yarros planted those breadcrumbs from chapter one. Those “private meetings,” his mysterious absences, the contradictory advice – it all makes painful sense now. Remember when he specifically taught counter-spells that later proved useless against the enemy Classic misdirection that we completely missed while falling for his tough-love persona.
The Secret Society Within Basgiath
Ever wondered who actually pulls the strings at Basgiath? The bombshell drops when we discover the Elemental Council – the gatekeepers of power that go beyond even the highest military ranks. This council orchestrated everything from rider-dragon pairings to “accidental” deaths. The Council had been pruning bloodlines and steering the academy’s course, all while letting everyone believe the military was in charge. Talk about next-level puppet masters.
Andarna’s Unexpected Powers
Remember when Andarna suddenly froze time during the battle with Sgaeyl? Talk about an “oh crap” moment! None of us saw that coming. Not even Violet.
This twist completely flips the dragon rulebook. We always thought dragons were limited to fire, ice, and mind-speak abilities. But time manipulation? No. This explains why the ancient texts hinted at Andarna’s bloodline being “keepers of moments.” The elders weren’t being poetic, they were dropping major clues about powers we never imagined possible.
The Truth About Violet’s Mother
You thought Violet’s mom was just another casualty of war? Think again. The gut-punch comes when we discover she has been alive the whole time, imprisoned by the very kingdom she served. Her “death” was fabricated to control Violet and manipulate her powers.
Everything Violet did was to honor her “dead” mother’s legacy. Now? Her entire foundation is shattered. Her drive shifts from proving herself worthy to a burning rage against those who lied. The revelation transforms her from dutiful daughter to revolutionary overnight.
The Real Purpose of Basgiath Academy
Ever wondered why Basgiath Academy is so brutal? The truth will make your jaw drop. The academy wasn’t created to produce dragon riders at all. They produced strong bloodlines. The original purpose took a dark turn when power-hungry leaders realized they could use the academy to create not just powerful bloodlines, but loyal soldiers.
The Forbidden Ancient Magic Uncovered
When Violet uncovered the ancient texts hidden deep in the academy’s restricted archives, she found more than just history. She discovered a form of magic that predates the current system, magic that doesn’t require dragon bonding or bloodline limitations. This changes everything we thought we knew about power in the Empyrean world.
This ancient magic puts unlimited power within reach of anyone willing to learn its secrets. Think about it, suddenly the ruling families and their carefully controlled bloodlines don’t matter anymore. The military structure, the entire social hierarchy built on magical ability? It could all come crashing down overnight.
The old magic comes with a price that makes even Violet hesitate. Users suffer accelerated aging, memory loss, and in extreme cases, complete mental collapse. But that’s not stopping desperate riders and vengeful outcasts from embracing it. This bombshell doesn’t just add another magical system to the world, it fundamentally rewrites the rules of the game.
The Final Pages’ Game-Changing Revelation
That final reveal? I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor. Violet’s discovery that her mother had been secretly working with the Riders all along completely reframes everything we thought we knew. The journals weren’t just battle strategies, they were coded messages designed to prepare Violet for a war bigger than the one she thought she was fighting.
The sequel now has us all panicking. With Xaden potentially compromised and Violet holding forbidden knowledge, the power dynamics have shifted dangerously. The boundary between allies and enemies has blurred so completely that trust becomes the scarcest resource in Basgiath. Who can Violet turn to when everyone might be playing for the opposite side?
The Twisted Web of “Fourth Wing”
Rebecca Yarros “Fourth Wing” get a 5 star from me. For fans captivated by these mind-bending twists, grab “Fourth Wing” . As we eagerly await the next book in the series, take time to revisit these shocking moments. Which twist surprised you most? Share your reactions in the comments below.
