Rebecca Yarros’s debut novel,Fourth Wing, is a wonderful story of supernatural drama that has only one drawback: it’s far too short. I compulsively read one chapter after another until I reached the end, wishing all the while the story was longer. But the most intriguing thing of all is that I didn’t notice it was short until I had finished the book. That’s unusual and speaks to the quality of the descriptions and the action.
What was the most compelling aspect of this book? The most compelling thing about
Fourth Wing, is the characters and the way their personalities are revealed by the things they say and the actions they choose. With the first page,
Rebecca Yarros hooked me into the story of Aiden and Gentry, a modern couple whose journey begins with the accident that kills Gentry Betancourt as she’s giving birth to their son. When the ghosts of his grandparents appear to him, Aiden is forced to confront their demand that he take the place Gentry left behind. As Aiden follows the winding path left for him, he encountered childhood friends and an intriguing stranger that for me made this book a five-star read. The characters leap from the pages and into your heart and the story ensnares the reader in its thrall, refusing to release their grip.
What did you like about the style or presentation of this book? It took but one chapter to re-affirm
Rebecca Yarros’ prowess as a writer of supernatural romances. The dialogue is crisp and believable and I’m looking forward to seeing what all the characters ultimately develop into.
Any additional comments? This is one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading once I had started it. I found it at three a.m. the night I finished it wishing it was morning so I could plan on reading all day. I’m eagerly anticipating the second installment in the Wing Key series, especially wondering how Gentry’s haunting of Aiden and his younger brother will unfold after his near-death encounter with the Second Key. If I have any regrets about it, it’s not that it ended sooner than I wanted, but that I stayed up so long to read such a good story. Review Boys’ Life Magazine (April, 2007) One thing I really liked about author Rebecca Yarros’s Four Wings is the fast-paced plot. When I open a book, I want excitement on every page and there is plenty in Yarros’s mystery saga. The writing is very imaginative and fun. When Jamie, the main character meets invisible gods and evil monsters, you really can’t put the book down.
For me, this is a perfect mythology book for girls. The writing is good and the imagination is creative, not to mention that the author pays a lot of attention to detail. A lot of teenage girls will really love this book because it is a way for them escape the stress of life. Their imaginations will just have to fill in the story plot because the writing leaves a lot to the imagination.
In Four Wings , one character, Jamie, goes through a journey. He is forced to save the world with a set of imaginary keys. Along the way, he puts his friends in danger, and almost get his girlfriend, Alex, killed. His entire being is consumed with the responsibility and grief that comes with making impossible decisions.
I strongly recommend Four Wings to boys and girls around the genre of adventure of mythology, and those who like fast-paced, intense themes. If you like adventure, this is a great book for you. http://boyslife.org/books/2007/2007_feb_booklist.aspx
BookPage Reviews (February, 2007) “Her dialogue is hard-edged, often laced with vicious sarcasm, making the book, minus a few cliches and occasionally awkward phrases, refreshingly original while her unusual concept of a quartet of mystical keys – Biblical figures transformed and each possessing a twisted yet intriguing personality – gives the book a weighty air.”
“With the appearance of the ghost of Gentry, whose haunting of her young son sends Aiden down a path leading right to the mouth of Hell, iPad¹ users can tap their screens to reveal the deciphered text in Merriam-Webster’s translation with ease.
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