Is The Rebecca Yarros Series Suitable For Teens?

Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing series has blown up, prompting parents to question how suitable it is for their teenage readers and whether it’s appropriate reading material for certain ages. The first book was released in April 2023 and quickly blew up on the bestseller list, particularly after BookTok readers got ahold of it. The love story between Fourth Wing protagonists Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson is a big part of it, particularly their steamy sex scenes.

Fourth Wing has often been compared to A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, thanks to both being huge hits and on the more erotic end of the romantasy genre. Considering that, it’s fair to wonder just how suitable it is for readers of certain ages, and at what age a reader might be able to handle Fourth Wing‘s sex scenes and adult sexual themes. Of course, every parent is free to make their own decisions, but hopefully, this guide will help inform their opinions.

Fourth Wing’s Sexual Content Probably Isn’t Suitable For Younger Teenagers

The Sex Scenes Are Detailed And Specific

The sexually explicit nature of Fourth Wing‘s erotic scenes marks it firmly out-of-bounds for preteens and younger, and it’s still a very gray area for younger teenagers who don’t yet have the maturity to handle scenes intense physical intimacy. Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series has undoubtedly gotten the lion’s share of talk for its erotic nature, but Fourth Wing and especially its sequel, Iron Flame, are arguably even more detailed and sexually explicit than Maas’ books.

Fourth Wing is a bit tamer, seeing as how it takes a while for protagonist Violet Sorrengail and love interest Xaden Riorson to get over their mutual hatred, accept their attraction, then act on it. In Iron Flame, however, there are no such pretenses of hating each other. As well, part of the story involves them being apart for periods at a time, so the reunion sex scenes are longer, more detailed, and more explicit.

Older Teenagers May Be Able To Handle The Physically Intimate Scenes (At Parents’ Discretion)

Fourth Wing Is Explicit – But Respectful

Fourth Wing certainly tells a great story about training with dragons and a kingdom readying itself for war. But it is, first and foremost, a love story between two young people, and it comes with all the passion and drama that the relationships of young people come with. When the story begins, Violet is 20 years old and Xaden is 23. Feelings are more intense, as are the hormonal urges and the libido of each. Older teenagers going through the same feelings can likely handle this part of the book. That said, it’s up to each parent how much sexual content they want their teens to have access to, and Fourth Wing is no different.

One thing that Fourth Wing definitely has working in its favor is that protagonist Violet Sorrengail knows herself well and advocates for herself. This is true both for their dynamic in the bedroom, in which Violet always gives consent or initiates sexual intimacy, and for their relationship, in which Violet often is the one laying down ground rules about communication and partnership.

It’s not perfect – there are times that both Violet and Xaden can come across less like they’re in their early 20s and more like they’re teenagers. But Violet stands up for herself and voices what she wants and needs, setting boundaries and advocating agency for herself, something relatively new to romantically inclined YA heroines. This is not the problematic, age-inappropriate relationship of Twilight with a heroine who has no idea how to speak up for herself. In that, Violet is a good role model for teenage readers.

Fourth Wing Is Part Of The Romantasy Genre (& What That Is)

It’s A Relatively New Term (& Genre)

Savvy parents may have seen the term “romantasy” popping up on the internet in the past few years after the proliferation of Sarah J. Maas’ work on BookTok. It’s a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy,” but it can be a misleading term for those who expect the romance to be more chaste like teen-oriented books of past generations. The romance in the romantasy genre can be a lot closer to the Harlequin notion of romance, complete with erotic interactions and sexually explicit scenes. Fantasy is no longer the realm of young readers or Dungeons & Dragons. With books like Fourth Wing, it’s now for curious older teens and adult women looking for an escape, too.

Fourth Wing

Based on the novel series by Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing is an action-adventure fantasy series in development for Prime Video. Announced in 2024, Fourth Wing will follow the adventures of a young woman named Violet Sorrengail, who has been taken from her peaceful book-reading life and thrust into a world of danger when she is forced by her mother to join an elite group of dragon-riding warriors.

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Rebecca Yarros

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