I decided to read this book because I’d seen it on a bunch of bestseller lists. I finished it 24 hours, despite it being over 500 pages long, so clearly there was something in the story I found compelling. That said, I think it’s important to set expectations early. This is a spicy enemies-to-lovers new-adult romance that just so happens to be at a magical military academy for dragon riders. If you’re the sort of person who enjoys enemies-to-lovers romance and doesn’t mind some fantasy external plot to go along with it, you’ll probably like this book. If you’re looking for a traditional fantasy novel, you absolutely won’t. While there was certainly some external plot involving the academic year, the kingdom’s war, and a fairly traditional hero’s journey, the primary focus was on the romance. It was beat-for-beat a romance novel, and a spicy one at that. (Though the first sex scene doesn’t come until about 3/4 of the way through the book.) It reminded me a lot of the Kingmakers series by Sophie Lark, which I enjoyed a lot when I read it a few years ago. The main thing that I found jarring about Fourth Wing was the modern slang (which would be far more suited to a contemporary or near-future dystopian novel), and the references to modern calendar conceits (like “October” and “Saturday” in what’s supposed to be a fantasy world). In the end, did I enjoy this novel? Sure, I guess. Did I enjoy it so much that I’m going to read the second one? Probably not. But at least now I’ve read the hyped-up book and can move on with my life.