Violet Sorrengail
A former scribe candidate forced into the Riders Quadrant. Her intelligence, poisons, adaptability, and moral courage help her survive, while her bonds with Tairn and Andarna give her lightning and temporary access to stopped time.
Xaden Riorson
Third-year wingleader, shadow wielder, and son of rebellion leader Fen Riorson. He protects the marked children, arms Poromiel against the venin, and becomes Violet's lover while withholding the truth about the revolution.
Tairn
Violet's immense black dragon and Sgaeyl's mate. Sarcastic, powerful, and fiercely protective, he channels the power that becomes Violet's lightning signet.
Andarna
A young golden feathertail who bonds Violet after Violet defends her. She can stop time before her Dreamless Sleep and is more unusual than Basgiath understands.
Sgaeyl
Xaden's blue dragon and Tairn's mate. Her mating bond creates the unusual mental and physical connection between Violet and Xaden.
Dain Aetos
Violet's childhood friend and squad leader. His signet reads recent memories through touch. His desire to protect Violet becomes controlling, and his unauthorized reading helps his father arrange the Athebyne trap.
Rhiannon Matthias
Violet's closest first-year friend, a skilled fighter whose signet summons objects. She treats Violet as a partner rather than a liability.
Ridoc Gamlyn
A witty squadmate whose humor steadies the group. His signet controls ice.
Sawyer Henrick
A repeat first-year who bonds Sliseag and develops a metalworking signet. He becomes part of Violet's core squad.
Liam Mairi
Xaden's foster brother and a marked rider assigned to protect Violet. His kindness changes her view of the rebellion's children, and he dies saving her at Resson.
Mira Sorrengail
Violet's older sister and an experienced rider. Fiercely protective, she supplies the armor and advice that help Violet survive.
General Lilith Sorrengail
Violet's mother and Basgiath's commanding general. She forces Violet into the Riders Quadrant and supports the state secrecy surrounding the war.
Brennan Sorrengail
Violet's supposedly dead brother, a powerful mender who is revealed as a leader in Aretia's revolution.
Jack Barlowe
A violent cadet obsessed with killing Violet and dominating weaker people. Violet apparently kills him with lightning during the War Games.
Imogen Cardulo
A marked second-year rider who initially injures Violet, then helps train her and supports Xaden's network.
Jesinia Neilwart
Violet's deaf scribe friend in the Archives. Her access to books becomes increasingly important as Violet detects gaps in official history.
Spoiler Warning and Content Note
The summaries below reveal the entire novel. Fourth Wing contains graphic violence, death, bullying, chronic pain and injury, coercive institutional practices, and explicit sexual content.