Fourth Wing: Chapter Summary and Spoilers (Chapters 11-15)

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Chapter Summary & Spoilers (Chapters 11-15)

The Bite-Sized Version

We are following twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail through some seriously intense trials at Basgiath War College (TBD if this is an actual school or just a cover up for another Hunger Games sequel). We see some of her inner thoughts as she tries to decide if she wants to give up the the Riders Quadrant for the quiet life in the Scribe Quadrant. All it takes is for violet’s childhood friend, Dain Aetos, to doubt her and she’s fully bought it on becoming a rider no matter what. She tackles this killer vertical obstacle course, called the Gauntlet, where she basically goes full ninja warrior with some rope and daggers, which totally ticks off some fellow cadets but her frenemy Xaden Riorson surprisingly takes her side and calls fair game. Her squad mates all make it and we all let out the breath we have been holding. 

Then things get super dark when Presentation Day roles around. First year cadets take turns walking down a runway lined with dragons to see if they have the nerve this is going to take. Just when things are actually going well, some dragons decide to play judge, jury, and executioner, turning two of Fourth Wing’s members into toast.

At this point you are thinking things cant get any wilder, when Threshing Day rolls around (think speed dating, but with dragons). There are 147 cadets, and as we know now, fewer dragons than cadets. Violet heads to a lookout spot to find her dragon when she overhears some jerks including Jack Barlowe plotting to kill this cute golden feathertail dragon, and she’s like “not on my watch!” Things go from zero to one hundred real quick when Violet confronts these guys 3 vs 1. The whole thing blows up into this crazy showdown where Xaden shows up but can’t help (thanks a lot, Wing Leader rule book), and a large black dragon named Tairn swoops in like the world’s most dramatic bodyguard and barbecues one of the bad guys before choosing Violet as his rider. Then Violet gets the most intense flying practice session ever – we’re talking actual falling-off-a-dragon action (don’t worry, he catches her!). But here’s the real kicker – turns out Violet bonds with TWO dragons (Tairn, one of the most powerful dragons, and that golden feathertail, Andarna), which is completely unheard of. Talk about dropping a bomb during dragon registration! Everyone’s minds are officially blown, and honestly? Same.

The Bit-Sized Version

CHAPTER 11

This bit meets our main character, Violet Sorrengail, as she takes on Presentation Day (showtime at the Gauntlet) at Basgiath War College. We kick off with a reading of the death toll from Captain Fitzgibbons where everyone learns about recently deceased fellow cadets. You know, research says starting your day with gratitude for not dying at the hands of a deathly obstacle course can drastically improve your mental health.

• Violet’s trying to get centered to face the Gauntlet, an American Ninja Warrior style vertical obstacle course full of spinning logs, swinging balls, and vertical climbs, but without producers making sure you don’t die. Her best friend and situationship, Dain Aetos, continues to also take on the role of helicopter mom and again begs her to leave the Riders Quadrant for the quiet life in the Scribe Quadrant. Violet’s like, “no”.
• As they’re all heading to the Gauntlet, Violet takes on an interesting form of meditation and wonders about frenemy Xaden Riorson (promoted from enemy #1) and what the deal is with his signet power.
• Turns out, the Gauntlet not only has all of these dazzling obstacles, but it’s also caved into the side of a cliff face. Spicy! It’s Violet’s turn to go and unsurprisingly, she has some tricks up her short sleeve. She goes full Santa and uses a rope to climb the chimney obstacle, and some people watching are like, “she can’t do that!”, but she in fact did and continues on.
• Violet passes the other obstacles and gets to the last – a crazy ramp that would be dangerous for any average person, and definitively deadly for weak Violet. Thankfully, Violet’s mental strength overcompensates and she uses one of her daggers to haul herself up after the big jump. Parkour!
• Violet finishes the Gauntlet as a victor and also a pot stirrer. Amber Mavis (Brown Noser, Third Wing), calls cheater cheater pumpkin eater on Violet for using the rope and the dagger for help. Violet yet again proves she can run mental circles around everyone by whipping out some obscure rule that says her dagger’s part of her body. Frenemy Xaden chooses to be a friend and backs up Violet’s argument. Bye Amber.
• The rest of Violet’s squad ends up surviving the Gauntlet and are going nuts over their victory. During the celebrations we get little snippets of the social dynamics and rivalries between different wings and squads. It’s like high school, but with dragons and the constant threat of death.

CHAPTER 12

This bit opens with Presentation Day! Violet’s squad had to walk past a bunch of dragons (including a super rare golden dragon!) for their big evaluation. Things got brutal real quick – two of Fourth Wing’s members got straight-up roasted when the dragons decided they weren’t cut out for it. Violet nearly got busted when some nosy green dragons smelled her secret dragon scales vest. By the end, the squad was down two members and everyone was majorly freaked out. Just your typical day of “Is this dragon gonna turn me into toast?” at Basgiath War College. Fun!

• So, it’s Presentation Day, and our girl Violet’s squad is about to walk past a bunch of dragons for the first time. Talk about nerve-wracking!
• They’re walking down this runway with 25 feet tall dragons on both sides, trying not to pee their pants. Violet’s chatting with her best friend Rhiannon to keep calm.
• Their squad leader Garrick warns them to stay 7 feet apart to avoid group casualties if a dragon attacks. He mentions an unusual golden feathertail dragon’s presence, though these rarely bond with riders.
• At the end of the line, they encounter the small golden adolescent dragon, which is only a few feet taller than a human. Tynan and Luca mock its size. But, guys always say size doesn’t matter, right???
• As they’re heading back, things get real. A red dragon decides Pryor isn’t cut out for this life and roasts him. Yeah, you read that right. Burnt to a crisp.
• Two green dragons get super interested in Violet. Turns out, they smell her sister’s dragon scales in her vest. Close call!
• Just when you think it’s over, another dragon decides Luca’s attitude sucks and turns her into barbecue too.
• By the end of this little dragon meet-and-greet, Violet’s squad is down by two first year cadets. Talk about a rough day at the office!
• The whole chapter really drives home how dangerous and unpredictable this dragon rider gig is. It’s not all fun and games – these dragons aren’t messing around!

CHAPTER 13

Get in girls, it’s Threshing Day. This bit takes us through the elite dragon rider selection that’s basically the Bachelor but with dragons that will burn you alive instead of not giving you a rose. There are 147 cadets, and as we know now, fewer dragons than cadets. Queue Chris Harrison talking about the most dramatic season yet.

• Our poor girl with negative chances of survival, Violet, is determined not to die. Meanwhile, Ridoc’s puking his guts out, and Rhiannon’s strutting around with a sword like she’s auditioning for Game of Thrones.
• Professor Kaori waxes poetic about trusting your gut, and lets them know this isn’t a group activity. Apparently dragons aren’t into gatherings with multiple people (antisocial).
• Violet spends hours playing hide-and-seek with dragons in the forest. She pulls a youngest child card and compares herself to her sister, Mira, who told her how quickly she wanted her dragon Teine.
• Just when Violet’s starting to feel like the kid no one picks for dodgeball, she decides to climb a tree to get a better vantage point and spots a golden feathertail dragon in a clearing nearby. She eavesdrops on new enemy #1, Jack Barlowe, and two of his cronies as they pass by her tree discussing killing the feathertail dragon because they think it’s the runt of the litter.
• Fellow runt of the litter (ROTL) Violet immediately springs into action to beat them to the golden feathertail, and twists her ankle in the process, but still manages to beat the boys. Limp Bizkit proceeds to try and warn the dragon to go away as Jack & Co. arrive.
• Violet pulls out her daggers and is like, “if you want this feathertail, you have to go through me”, and they’re like, “great” as they whip out their swords. Violet quickly realizes she committed too hard to the role and tries to reason with them, but enemy #1 Jack Barlowe is ready to go Kill Bill (Violet is Bill).
• Plot twist! Retired enemy #1 Xaden Riorson shows up with his blue dragon, Sgaeyl, and tells the boys they might want to reconsider what they’re attempting to do. Aaand end scene with all of us hanging off a collective cliff.

CHAPTER 14

This bit opens up with Violet, caught in the middle of some serious drama with three jerks trying to take her down. Poor Xaden Riorson’s stuck on the sidelines (rules are rules when you’re a wing leader!) just shouting helpful tips like a concerned soccer dad. Our girl’s not going down without a fight though and ends up with a nasty hit to the arm. Suddenly this large black dragon named Tairn swoops in like the world’s most dramatic bodyguard, goes all telepathic on Violet calling her “Silver One,” and casually barbecues Tynan when he tries to make a run for it. Violet struggles to climb on Tairn to make a quick getaway. She thinks shes got it handled, when he makes a sharp left turn and she pulls an accidental slip-n-slide right off his back. See you later Violet! 

• The chapter opens with Violet stuck in a tight spot, and who should show up but our favorite bad boy, Xaden! How is this man everywhere? For a second, Violets like oh thank god I am saved. But nope! Poor guy’s got his hands tied by the rules of being a Wing Leader and has to leave Violet to fend for herself. 
• Violet’s got herself in a three-against-one situation with Jack, Oren, and Tynan – because apparently these guys missed the memo about fair fights! Violet’s not messing around though. She whips out her daggers and starts tagging these guys left and right. Jack gets a surprise acupuncture session courtesy of Violet’s dagger to the shoulder, and suddenly he remembers he has somewhere VERY important to be – literally anywhere else- and runs for the hills.
• But Oren and Tynan? They’re not giving up as easy. It’s all slice and dice, duck and weave. Violet’s holding her own, but she takes a nasty hit to the arm. Ouch! Meanwhile, Xaden’s playing soccer dad from the sidelines. Thanks for the play-by-play, dude, super helpful!
• Just when things are looking dicey, and you’re like Xaden has to do something, right?!! This large black dragon swoops in like the world’s most dramatic bodyguard, goes all telepathic on Violet and starts talking to her in her head and calling her “Silver One.” 
• This big boy (who later introduces himself as Tairneanach, but let’s call him Tairn because who can pronounce that?) decides Tynan’s overstayed his welcome and turns him into human barbecue. 
• One would think this is the climax of this chapter, but then Tairn’s like “Hey Violet, Just hop on my back!” as if he’s a pony at a kid’s birthday party and not a massive dragon the size of a house. Violet’s looking at him like “Sure, no biggie, I’ll just parkour my way up there with my busted arm!”, but she knows her own chances of success are low. After what has to be the most ungraceful climbing attempt in elite dragon rider history, she finally makes it.
• Thinking she’s going to finally get a break, Tairn suddenly decides to channel his inner rocket ship and blast off without so much as a “buckle up, buttercup!” Poor Violet’s up there doing her best rodeo impression, but gravity’s got other plans. Tairn pulls a surprise left turn and our girl pulls an accidental slip-n-slide right off his back. See you later Violet! 

CHAPTER 15

This bit kicks off as Violet struggles through a crash course in skydiving as she falls off of her dragon, Tairn, mid-flight. You know what they say about falling off of horses: they’ll catch you with their claws before you plummet to your death.

• As it turns out, Tairn is going full “How to Train Your Human” on Violet and is actually attempting to teach her how to ride. He’s basically like, “you’re embarrassing me” and she’s like, “bro, you’re massive.” 
• Tairn then proceeds to accelerate this practice session by putting Violet through Cirque Du Soleil level maneuvers, and she’s scared but also excited by it and we question her sanity for a sec. But then, we learn that Tairn actually chose Violet because she saved the little golden dragon. These two are covering an impressive amount of emotions at 30,000 feet.
• Our new favorite duo make their grand entrance in the center of a field full of other dragon-rider pairs (all obviously less cool). We learn that Tairn is basically the Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson of dragons, so they’re getting even more attention as Violet’s trying to not trip over her own feet.
• Not to be upstaged, Andarnaurram, the little golden dragon, and Andarna for short (where are the dragons named Steve) shows up and reveals she can also mind-speak with Violet. Apparently, that’s a big no-no with dragons because they are apparently killjoys.
• Violet handles telepathy with two dragons extremely well and goes to register her bond formally with Tairn. Violet’s tough-as-talons mother, General Sorrengail, is there, but instead of congratulating her daughter on bonding a dragon she’s just making eyes at Tairn (Dwayne). 
• We learn very quickly that Andarna has a flair for timing and dramatics as she tells Violet to also register her name along with Tairn’s. You guessed it, double dragon bonding is unheard of. A bombshell has entered the villa!
• Chaos queen Violet decides to go for it, and announces both dragons’ names to the roll-keeper. Queue the most dramatic season ever.