It’s been two years since the book’s publication, and it’s finally time we admit the harshest truth aboutFourth Wingand Basgiath’s recruitment system. Although we arecloser to the nextFourth Wingbookafter Rebecca Yarros announced that she had begun work on her next contemporary romance novel, it is still going to be beforeThe Empyrean Seriesbook 4debuts.
As a result, many audiences have done several re-reads of Yarros' works, highlighting both the great moments and theharsh realities aboutFourth Wingthat we previously overlooked. One particular criticism, though, has stuck with me since the first time I read the book due to its problematic nature: Basgiath’s recruitment regimen for riders.
Fourth Wing Is Great, But Basgiath’s Rider Recruitment Is Really Difficult To Defend
Basgiath’s Mentality For Riders Is Highly Detrimental
While I do loveFourth Wing,Basgiath’s recruitment strategy for the Riders Quadrant is very difficult to defend, especially considering that Violet proves it wrong.Within the Quadrant, riders are encouraged to focus on physicality, driving home the belief that any kind of weakness will result in death from either dragon fire or by the hand of others.
Violet’s Threshing takes place in Chapter 13 ofFourth Wing.
Violet, though, disproves this over and over again, showcasing how unnecessary such a focus is, as she uses her mind and good heart to bond Andarna and Tairn during the Threshing. This was always one of the easiestcriticisms aboutFourth Wingto accept, but it is also the point of the story and why Violet stands out in the Quadrant.
Even so,most of the tests inFourth Wing’sRider Quadrant are not completely unfair,as most occur after the recruits are somewhat trained — and later, they have their signets or weapons to assist them. The Parapet, however, continues to baffle me with how horrible and unnecessary it is overall.
The Parapet Is Easily The Worst Part Of Basgiath’s Recruitment Process In Fourth Wing
The Parapet Puts Willing Recruits In Unnecessary Danger
Fourth Wing’sParapet is the worst part of Basgiath’s recruitment process for the Riders Quadrant, both for the physical and mental states of the recruits.The Parapet is meant to test a recruit on their fortitude, balance, and skill, but it mostly just pushes willing volunteers into a deadly situation, making it the hardest test withinFourth Wing’s Basgiath War College.
Even if a recruit survives the narrow walk and does not fall into the steep raven below, they start their journey mentally scarred by watching others who may not be so lucky. On top of that,thisFourth Wingdetail does not really make a lot of sensewith the established world-building or what we learn later in the narrative.
The Parapet Drives Home The Empyrean Series' Stakes, But It Doesn’t Make Sense Otherwise
If Dragons Are Not Bonding, Then Basgiath Would Need To Increase The Chance Of One Occurring
Though I understand thatFourth Wing’s Parapet is meant to drive the stakes higher, it does not make sense considering the lore of the college we learn later.It is established after Violet survives Parapet that fewer dragons are bonding to riders, which is worrying forFourth Wing’s military, as they largely rely on the riders for their defense strategy.
Even if recruits do not bond, having more elite-trained soldiers could amplify Navarre’s ground defense.
If that is the case, then it makes the choice to vet recruits for the Quadrant so harshly questionable.Increasing the number of possible matches for the dragons would helpFourth Wing’s forces, as it would increase the number of dragon-rider pairs and signet wielders. Even if recruits do not bond, having more elite-trained soldiers could amplify Navarre’s ground defense.
This is especially important as the story goes on to reveal the venin threat, highlighting how critical numbers could have been to the fights inIron FlameandOnyx Storm. That realization is, I suspect, largely going to impact Navarre further as the nextFourth Wingbook reveals more about the enemies both within and outside of Basgiath.
