Normal Gossip Holiday Bonus: That's Fourth Wing, Baby!
Dec 24, 2025
Kelsey McKinney, a co-creator of Normal Gossip and literary analyst, teams up with Brandy Jensen, a contributor known for her engaging commentary. They dive into Rebecca Yarros' 'Fourth Wing,' exploring the book's fast-paced narrative and its rise to TikTok fame. Their discussion includes the intriguing enemies-to-lovers trope, critiques of its dragon lore, and the exploration of romantic dynamics, including the portrayal of a 'Mary Sue' protagonist. They wrap up by celebrating the joys of trashy reads, giving a lighthearted nod to guilty pleasures.
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TikTok-Friendly Trope Machine
- Fourth Wing is an example of TikTok-driven romantic fantasy that prioritizes trope delivery over deep worldbuilding.
- The hosts note the book reads like fast, bingeable content made to satisfy trend demand.
Violet's Forced Military Path
- Rachelle describes Violet, born to be a scribe, forced into dragon rider training by her general mother.
- The character also has Ehlers-Danlos–like symptoms mirrored in the author's condition, per the hosts.
Stakes vs. Serial Serialization
- The book's central stakes hinge on a high-school-as-meat-grinder premise where many recruits die during training.
- Hosts question how sustained stakes can work across multi-book series when survival is improbable to remain at risk.