Yes, I got my hands on the elusive sprayed-edged copy, and yes I do feel superior because of it.
I currently work at a bookstore and upon seeing this come in months before release, I knew it would be special. And since its release it has completely blown up, so safe to say I was right.
Synopsis: Hunger Games, meets Divergent, meets Harry Potter, meets Eragon all in one delicious and exciting fantasy.
Her entire life Violet knew she was going to be a scribe. However, after her father and brother's death, her mother, the highly respected General Sorrengail insists that Violet enrolls at college to become not a scribe but a rider. Being a rider means training at school where only a third of the class survives. It means bonding with a dragon that will share its magical powers with you and create a bond, unlike any human relationship, to fight together in battle. It means going through trials, tests, and fights to pick the best of the best to move on and become a soldier in a war that is rearing to a head. It means Violet is going to be tested unlike ever before to see if she has what it takes to fly...or die.
Plot: When I tell you I was kicking and screaming and giggling and crying the entire time I read this, I mean it. I will take absolutely zero criticism when it comes to this book. It has climbed to be one of my favorites of all time. From page one, I was drawn in and connected with Violet and this addictive world. The romance is absolutely everything I wanted it to be and more. High stakes throughout with actual death and twists meaning you never know what's coming. The best thing about this book is that there was never a dull moment. On every page, there was something new to keep me going and I never wanted to put this down but also never wanted it to end. The dragons and the rider's relationships with them were so unique and wonderful and the magic system between them was fascinating and unique. I haven't read a dragon book until this moment but now I want to pick up every single one. BookTok did not lie, this was mind-blowingly spectacular.
Characters: God bless "Violence". Violet does not suffer from Girl Main Character Syndrom at all and instead is a badass who fights for what she wants. The romance between Violet and Xaden is exactly what Four and Tris (Divergent) wish they could have been. Xaden has now taken the spot for #1 book boyfriend and every moment he was on page, I was blushing. He is fantastic. Period. Beyond them, the side characters were also wonderful. So many were introduced, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, it made the story come alive. I was so afraid to love some of these characters because Yarros is not afraid of death, but it made the stakes better, and the deaths more tragic. There were in fact tears shed. I adore Rhiannon and Liam, and cannot wait to see more of them in the future. And then, there are the dragons. I did not expect them to play the heavy role that they did but I am NOT complaining. The best banter in the book came from dragons, and the personalities that shine through (and the magic) was so great. Get me a dragon stat.
I have made this book my entire personality and want to re-read it over and over again. November and book two cannot come sooner.
5/5 stars. One of the easiest I've ever given.
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