Hey peeps!

As an author, I try to learn from whatever I read. After consuming thousands of books, attending dozens of writing conferences, and years of author-ing, I have distilled the top 3 important things a “chapter 1” needs to be engaging.

I’ve tested my findings with many famous books, and it’s held true 100% of the time.

If the first chapter has THESE THREE THINGS, it’s probably a solid and engaging read. If the chapter DOESN’T have them, then it’s usually not engaging enough.

SO, WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, LET’S SEE IF FOURTH WING PASSES MY TEST!

Fourth Wing, if you weren’t aware, is a mega-hit fantasy novel written by Rebecca Yarros. It stars a woman named Violet who bonds with a dragon and also attends a war college.

And also hops on the train to Bone Town whenever convenient (as one does, naturally).

Chapter 1 opens on Violet walking up the stairs to speak with her mother (who is also the general) and not whatever is pictured above.

It’s “Conscription Day” and Violet has to get down to where all the hopeful dragon riders are so she can take the tests to bond with a dragon (even though she doesn’t want to).

Requirement #1: Is there at least one hook?

Does Fourth Wing give you a “hook” (an unanswered question) that is pivotal to the overall story within chapter 1?

Hot damn! Yarros is prepared for this quiz. She wrote not one hook, not two hooks, BUT THREE HOOKS, ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between!

In the first chapter Yarros makes it pretty damn clear (maybe too clear, to be honest) that not everyone bonds with a dragon. Most people roll into a ditch and die.

Hook #1: Will Violet bond with a dragon!??!?!

But we don’t know that yet. Half the fun is seeing it happen! A great hook.

Then Yarros ups the ante! She goes WAY out of her way (more than with the dragons, frankly) to tell us that Violet has a childhood crush in the dragon riders. AND ALSO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO KILL HER! (Dun dun dun) AND ALSO HE’S HOT?

Hook #2: Who is Violet going to hook up with?

AND THEN, because two hooks weren’t enough, we have a bunch of cool minor hooks that would intrigue anyone who loves an academy setting. Will Violet get in a cool team? Earn daggers? Be top of her class? WIN A WAR?

Hook #3: Will Violet make it through the war college?

Damn. Yarros passed this Chapter 1 Requirement with flying colors. Onto the next one!

Requirement #2: Does the main character have at least one likeable trait?

Does Violet display at least one likeable quality in the first chapter?

Oh my god–it’s like Yarros knew what was coming. Again, she wasn’t satisfied with just ONE likeable quality, Violet has at least three!

Likeable Trait #1: Violet gives up one of her boots.

Yes. A single boot.

You see, in chapter 1, it is established (almost embarrassingly) that no one considers what kind of footwear they’ll be wearing in a physically-intensive war college. HOWEVER, Violet’s sister gave her some advice before the first test–wear some boots with grip.

Which is great, because Violet had some flat-soled shoes beforehand.

However, when she gets down to the parapet, it turns out the girl in front of Violet doesn’t have good boots, either. Violet gives up one of her boots, thus displaying the likeable trait of self-sacrifice and kindness.

Likeable Trait #2: Determination.

Violet is determined to do a good job (even if she thinks she’s going to fail). While this might not sound like much, the very fact she doesn’t run from the situation is a likeable trait. Most people can get behind that level of determination and courage.

Likeable Trait #3: Snarky.

This might seem odd (since some people don’t like snark) but Violet snarks her way through most of the narration, injecting it with fun and levity even though people are dying left and right (I exaggerate–only one person dies in the first chapter). That makes her the “sunshine” in the otherwise gloomy situation, and people find that rather admirable.

Looks like Yarros is knocking this out of the park. On to the last requirement!!

Requirement #3: Are the villains mentioned or at least hinted at?

Does Fourth Wing mention the villain(s), or at least hint at the villain(s), within chapter 1?

Oh my god.

It’s like Yarros wanted three answers for all these questions. She’s hitting your across the face with every check mark, every ace, every 10 out of 10 she can.

And you know how Yarros starts this off? By giving you a villain that’s too big to focus on–a whole nation.

Villain #1: Poromeil (They ride griffins!! Boo!)

But in all seriousness, Yarros goes way out of her to say that nations clash, and people die because of it. We need this war college!!

Tyrrendor apparently revolted (or something) and people were forcibly conscripted into the dragon riders (for reasons).

Which brings us to the next “villain” because Yarros ALSO MENTIONS that someone’s father murdered Violet’s brother, and that someone goes to same war college.

Villain #2: Xaden (that hot daddy).

That’s right! A super-hot-grind-the-narration-to-a-screeching-halt-with-the-size-of-his-shoulders-alone man appears to threaten Violet’s life!

Now, the role of villain might just be temporary (I mean, Violet forgot he was a villain for a minute when she staring into his gold-flecked onyx eyes) but chapter 1 at least sets up that he might want to see her die–and that’s good enough to pass the villain test!

AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, Yarros supplies a THIRD VILLAIN all in the very first chapter!

Villain #3: Violet’s mother.

What a b-tch.

The whole book starts with a tense confrontation with the grizzled war-veteran mother who ignores all of Violet’s wishes (and even insults her a bit) in order to manipulate her into becoming a dragon rider. Not a good look, Mom.

The beauty of having 3 hooks, 3 likeable traits, and 3 villains means that Yarros is casting a very wide net in terms of audience.

What? You didn’t like the sound of dragons? That’s okay! We have plenty of romance! What? You don’t like romance? That’s also okay! We have an evil academy setting! Stick around for fun!

Hm? You want cool villains? Don’t worry! We have people being mean, people trying to murder others, and whole nations who have a beef with things! Villains for EVERYONE!

What’s that? You want to identify with the main character? Guess what? Violet has it all! Determination, kindness, and some hilarious sass! You can’t go wrong!

In Conclusion…

In all seriousness, chapter 1 of Fourth Wing is a 10/10 in terms of what a first chapter should be.

It IS engaging. There ARE things it promises. And there’s plenty of personality (and implied sexy times) to go around.

My favorite sentence:

Her gaze siphons every ounce of my confidence down to the marrow in my bones.

Fourth Wing, Chapter 1

There are some flaws (everything has flaws) such as the bizarre modern lingo (“for the win” wut?) and minor inconsistencies in some of the facts given (apparently, no one is conscripted into the dragon riders… But just a page prior, we learned Xaden was? Hmm).

But those are minor grips. This is a super competent chapter that promises the world (and based on the book’s ratings) delivers on all its promises.

Join me next week when I break down Chapter 1 to Unsouled, by Will Wight! ❤

Until then–have fun, peeps!

• Shami