Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing has taken the fantasy world by storm. With dragons, an elite war college, and sky-high stakes, it’s the unforgettable characters that anchor the story. From the fiercely determined Violet Sorrengail to the mysterious and magnetic Xaden Riorson, the cast of Fourth Wing brings the world of Navarre to life with grit, heart, and a touch of magic.
In this post, we’ll explore the major and supporting Fourth Wing characters, including their traits, relationships, and pivotal moments.
🔥 Main Characters in Fourth Wing
1. Violet Sorrengail
- Role: Protagonist
- House: Rider’s Quadrant, Basgiath War College
- Personality: Smart, underestimated, determined
- Notable Traits: Physical frailty but unmatched mental strength
Violet is the daughter of General Lilith Sorrengail and sister to the late hero Brennan. Though small and fragile, she is forced into the Rider’s Quadrant, where survival is not guaranteed. With a passion for books and strategy, Violet proves that intellect can be just as powerful as brute force.
2. Xaden Riorson
- Role: Male Lead, Wingleader of Fourth Wing
- Personality: Brooding, complex, fiercely loyal
- Notable Traits: Son of a rebel leader; harbors secrets
Xaden is as feared as he is revered. With a mysterious past and a commanding presence, his relationship with Violet shifts from distrust to deep connection. He plays a pivotal role in the story’s unfolding mysteries.
🐉 Supporting Characters
3. Rhiannon Mathias
- Role: Violet’s best friend
- Personality: Loyal, brave, optimistic
- Notable Traits: Provides comic relief and emotional support
Rhiannon becomes Violet’s closest ally in the Rider’s Quadrant. Her unwavering support and fierce combat skills make her a fan favorite.
4. Dain Aetos
- Role: Violet’s childhood friend
- Personality: Protective, traditional, conflicted
- Notable Traits: Holds a high position in the quadrant
Dain believes he knows what’s best for Violet, often clashing with her desire for independence. His actions and decisions become controversial as the story progresses.
5. Liam Mairi
- Role: Assigned bodyguard to Violet
- Personality: Stoic, brave, trustworthy
- Notable Traits: Carries deep trauma from the war
Liam quickly becomes one of Violet’s most dependable protectors. His bond with his dragon and his quiet strength add depth to his role.
6. General Lilith Sorrengail
- Role: Violet’s mother, ruthless war general
- Personality: Cold, commanding, strategic
- Notable Traits: Forces Violet into Rider’s Quadrant
Her actions set the entire plot in motion. She embodies the harshness of Basgiath and is both an antagonist and an enigma.
7. Jack Barlowe
- Role: Rival cadet
- Personality: Arrogant, brutal, antagonistic
- Notable Traits: Instigates danger early in the story
Jack’s aggression and disdain for weakness make him a recurring threat in Violet’s journey through the school.
🐲 Dragons and Their Riders
In Fourth Wing, dragons choose their riders, and the bond formed is sacred. Here are some notable dragon-rider pairs:
🐉 Tairn & Violet
- Tairn: A powerful and ancient dragon with a dry wit and booming presence.
- Bond: He chooses Violet despite her physical weakness, showing her potential as a strategist and a leader.
🐉 Andarna & Violet (secondary bond)
- Andarna: A golden baby dragon, rare and magical.
- Bond: Forms a unique second bond with Violet, highlighting her unusual power and destiny.
🐉 Sgaeyl & Xaden
- Sgaeyl: A sleek, deadly dragon with a no-nonsense attitude.
- Bond: Mirrors Xaden’s intense, no-compromise nature.
💥 Villains and Gray Characters
8. Professor Carr
- Role: Reluctant mentor, professor of Battle Brief
- Personality: Gruff, sarcastic, secretly supportive
- Notable Traits: Challenges Violet constantly
9. Vice Commandant Heaton
- Role: Authority figure at Basgiath
- Personality: Ruthless, disciplinarian
- Notable Traits: Enforces the brutal rules of survival
10. Colonel Atos
- Role: Dain’s father, part of the leadership elite
- Personality: Political, skeptical of rebellion
- Notable Traits: Plays a background but critical role in the power structure
❤️ Key Relationships
- Violet & Xaden: Enemies to reluctant allies to something deeper. Their chemistry is electric, layered with mistrust, vulnerability, and power.
- Violet & Rhiannon: A classic female friendship that uplifts, protects, and evolves through trials.
- Violet & Liam: A bond built on mutual respect, loss, and shared trauma.
- Violet & Her Mother: A cold war of expectations vs. rebellion, duty vs. identity.
⚔️ Why These Characters Stand Out
The brilliance of Fourth Wing lies in how Yarros crafts layered, morally gray characters. No one is wholly good or bad—just survivors in a system built on war, power, and sacrifice.
Each character forces Violet (and the reader) to confront difficult questions:
- What makes a hero?
- Can love and leadership coexist?
- Is survival worth any cost?
📚 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re drawn to the slow-burn romance of Violet and Xaden, the heart-warming friendships, or the intense life-and-death training scenes, the characters of Fourth Wing are the beating heart of this dragon-filled epic.
As we eagerly await Iron Flame (Book 2 in the Empyrean series), one thing is certain—Violet and her companions have already earned a place in modern fantasy history.
