Sorry, Violet’s Most Compelling Fourth Wing Relationship Isn’t With Xaden Or Dain

In the realm of Fourth Wing, where romance often takes center stage, the enduring friendship between Violet and Rhiannon stands out as a bright beacon of loyalty and camaraderie. Their bond, forged amidst the harsh realities of Basgiath College, transcends the typical tropes of romantic relationships, showcasing the power of genuine connection and mutual support. As Violet and Rhiannon navigate challenges and dangers, they are a testament to the enduring strength of friendship, even in the face of adversity. Their bond makes Rhiannon a Fourth Wing character we want to see more of in Onyx Storm.

This is especially important since Violet, whose age in Fourth Wing explains her conflicts, is trying to navigate a difficult dynamic with Xaden in Iron Flame. Yarros needs to reintroduce tension into the established couple, so the theme of trust and Violet’s need to hear “something real” is central, sometimes to a frustrating degree. Ironically, she struggles to be truthful with her closest friends at Basgiath – this means her friendship with Rhiannon is not always smooth sailing, but their overcoming this makes their connection all the more satisfying in the book.

Violet & Rhiannon’s Friendship Is One Of The Most Refreshing Relationships In Fourth Wing

Friendship Being Given Equal Weight In Violet’s Life Is A Good Influence On Readers

The enemies-to-lovers romance between Violet and Xaden drives the plot of Fourth Wing, but it is refreshing to see Violet’s friendships given attention by Yarros. The close friendship between Violet and Rhiannon is refreshing, not least because Rhiannon is not reduced to being a mere sidekick. From the story’s beginning, they form a bond of trust by helping each other. Barely knowing Rhiannon, Violet trades a boot with her to make her more likely to cross the parapet safely, sacrificing some of her stability on the two-hundred-foot-high wall to help her.

This is the start of an unbreakable bond in a setting that encourages a stony heart, considering the low survival rates at Basgiath. Rhiannon’s values are given importance – despite Basgiath being untrustworthy, her ambition to become a squad leader in Fourth Wing’s military setup is encouraged. Her family values are also honored, with Violet and Rhiannon sneaking out of Monsterrat to visit their nearby village with Mira’s help. They have complementary strengths, with Rhiannon having more combat knowledge to help Fourth Wing’s Violet with her condition, and Violet being the daughter of a general and trained as a scribe.

It’s Great To See A Romantasy Book Like Fourth Wing Focus On Female Friendship

Yarros Does Not Fall Into A Female Rivalry Trap In Fourth Wing

It would be easy to make her friendships fall by the wayside in Fourth Wing, and it is a major strength of Yarros’ writing that they don’t. This is not just limited to Rhiannon – Ridoc also expresses worry for Violet’s increased isolation in Iron Flame, pointing out, “I’m just saying that spending every weekend flying for Samara or holed up in your room with Riorson isn’t good for you,” a concern seldom seen for protagonists in romantasy. However, Violet’s close friendship with Rhiannon takes center stage in Iron Flame, with all its ups and downs.

Violet is wracked with guilt about keeping secrets from her friends in the book, Rhiannon in particular. It takes her half the length of the novel to finally open up to her friends about the venin. Up to this point, there are multiple exchanges between the pair where Rhiannon is sad about Violet’s distance and secretiveness. This tension is highest when Violet finally realizes, “Telling her will put her in danger, but not telling her leaves her unprepared, just like we were.” This realization is arguably possible because Fourth Wing’s Rhiannon has been unconditionally supportive.