The main romance inFourth Wingis the perfect replacement for audiences who love this similar 12-year-old book ship. One of the biggest draws ofFourth Wingand, by extension,The Empyrean Seriesis the complex relationship between its main characters.Violet and Xaden’s relationship is one of both passion and struggle,as the two navigate their mutual attraction and individual issues.Even so,Violet and Xaden’s relationship inOnyx Stormwill likely become both more complicated and even stronger as they come together to defend Navarre.
After Xaden’s transformation into a venin, it is likely that the two will set a lot of their differences aside, strengthening their chemistry as they focus on a common goal and Xaden opens up more to Violet emotionally. Due to this compelling chemistry and the long wait, many audiences have been trying to find aFourth Wingreplacement bookthat has the same elements as Violet and Xaden’s storyline. However,Fourth Wingis actually the replacement book for fans of another series whose enemies-to-lovers romance never panned out but was richly deserved:Shadow & Bone’s Alina and the Darkling.
Fourth Wing Finally Gives Shadow & Bone Fans The Enemies-To-Lovers Romance They Deserve
Alina and The Darkling’s Potential Was Cut Off After The First Book
For fans of theShadow & Bonetrilogy,Fourth Winggave its main characters the enemies-to-lovers romance that Alina and the Darkling deserved but did not get due to the story’s trajectory. Alina, after discovering her rare abilities as a Sun Summoner, is found by the Darkling, the general of the Grisha army.At first, the Darkling is cold towards her, but the two become closer as the novel progresses,even as the Darkling shifts between that coldness and warmth toward Alina. The two share a passionate kiss towards the novel’s climax, but their romance is cut off shortly after.
Wait, Has Fourth Wing Been Telling Us Violet & Xaden’s Tragic Ending All Along?!
Violet and Xaden’s potential tragic ending could have been teased through Fourth Wing’s chapter openings and the series' repeated introduction.
Alina learns from Baghra, her teacher, that the Darkling wants to use her as an amplifier for his power and that he has been manipulating her. Alina flees, and the two become enemies for the rest ofLeigh Bardugo’s books. That being said,their bond through their powers and several moments between the two had many wondering if the Darkling did actually care for Alina, resulting in the ship becoming the most popular among audiences. Though many aspects are different, those who ship the Darkling and Alina can find those dynamics and more inFourth Wing’smain romance.
Why Fourth Wing’s Main Romance Is The Perfect Replacement For Darkling & Alina Shippers
Fourth Wing Gives Its Shadow-Powered Male Character A Chance At Redemption
The romance between Violet and Xaden inFourth Wingis a perfect replacement for those who ship the Darkling and Alina as it explores both that unspoken tension and redemption for its shadow-powered male lead.Much like Xaden, the Darkling had a troubled pastas his powers slowly corrupted him. Though that does not excuse his actions, it did leave room for a possible redemption arc that went unexplored during theending of theShadow & Bonetrilogy. By contrast, Xaden is able to have a lighter path due to his support system, showcasing how that redemption arc would go.
With Violet, that same tension is there, but fans of the Darkling and Alina ship can see what it would be like if these two were able to get together and navigate those intricacies, resulting in a complex but strong main romance.
Xadenalso struggled with his past and abilities, but due to having the marked ones and later Violet, he was able to conquer them, becoming a protector and leader. With Violet, that same tension is there, but fans of the Darkling and Alina ship can see what it would be like if these two were able to get together and navigate those intricacies, resulting in a complex but strong main romance.Fourth Wingis, ultimately, able to showcase what would happen if the Darkling and Alina, rather than fading into shadows, found the light together.
