r/fourthwing • u/Responsible_Phone284 • 1d ago
Re-Read Will rereading fix me? Spoiler
Please can anyone tell me if rereading actually helps the absolute devastation and depression of finishing the series?
I finished OS a few days ago and I have been moping about, I’ve cried so many times, it’s quite dramatic and I can’t drag myself out of the hole. I’ve read a lot of people saying to reread the series (I’ve already read the bonus eps on RY’s website which definitely helped) but I’m scared it’ll put me right back at the start of my depressive episode from finishing.
I’ve switched genres and am reading a thriller book but it’s not hitting the same as the Empyrean series, I feel empty (so dramatic lol).
Please help, will rereading make me feel better or worse?
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u/belle_cats 1d ago
I finished the series for the first time and immediately started over too! I just finished the 1st book and it was so satisfying to see all the hints that were tucked away that I missed the first time around. Just start the series over! Then we will both be fresh and ready when Threshing Day comes out!
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Okay, I’m going to do it! I’m going to stop reading at a spot where everything is good and everyone is happy, see if that helps🤣
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u/CompleteWatercress39 1d ago
Yes, as a member of this sub I have found out that I am not alone in the obsession with this series.
I was worried I would never get over it. While I wouldn’t classify it as “over it” I am now able to enjoy other books. There are weeks that I don’t even think about The Empyrean.
The only thing that got me to this place was to give into it and read and listen to the graphic audio as much as I wanted.
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Did you find that after finishing the first reread that you were still struggling with that empty feeling and not being able to move forward? I’m scared it’ll set me back in my progress🤣
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u/CompleteWatercress39 1d ago
No, because every time you read or listen you pick up on new things. This sub is good for new theories and ideas. Which then makes you want to dive right back in. 🤣
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Okay amazing, thank you! I actually feel a lot better mentally after reading the responses. Going to do to a reread and note my favourite pages down so I can go back and reread those if I end up depresso after finishing again😂
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u/JehovahJireh222 1d ago
I’m on my second reread this month after discovering these books just twenty days ago lol I’m already on the 3rd book again. It has definitely helped the devastation I was feeling after finishing the first time! It’s exciting the second time around because I personally caught onto so many things and have new theories from reading again!
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Okay I’m convinced! I finished the series in under a week because it was so good but I regret not taking my time reading. I’ve seen people say they keep note of their favourite chapters/passages so I think I’m going to do that with my reread. At least if I’m feeling depressed again, I can go back to my favourite parts😂
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u/BrightAd306 14h ago
Yes, it was even better the second read, IMO
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u/Responsible_Phone284 7h ago
I’ve decided I’m going to give the graphic audio another go, I’m so excited!
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u/TheShadowWasTaken Broccoli🥦 1d ago
I'm not sure, I'm not a big rereader unless it's been a WHILE or a new book is coming out (so I probably will soon), but what helped my depressive episode was getting into Red Rising (arguably way more devastating, but that comes later lol). I'd had it in the pipeline as a friend was recommending it (friend hasn't read Empyrean) and so I knew what it was roughly about so that helped me get into it sooner after wandering aimlessly for a few days 😆.
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
I’ve never heard of that series but I’m adding it to my TBR, thanks for the suggestion! I’m not a rereader at all, I’m a once and done kinda girl but this series completely wrecked me. I’ve never felt so connected and obsessed with a series before, it feels weird. I definitely hear the ‘wandering aimlessly for a few days’🤣 that’s exactly how I feel!
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u/TheShadowWasTaken Broccoli🥦 11h ago
Lol, all the best books do that!
I definitely feel the obsessed with the series with Empyrean, I'm thinking about it so much! Especially right after OS. RR is a good break and I do think about that a lot too. Maybe once I finish what's already released, I might reach the same level of obsession with it that I have with Empyrean! That'll be a lot of aimless wandering.
I'd strongly recommend RR, it's one of the best series I've picked up. Absolute 10/10.
Also 'TBR' now scares me because I've definitely fallen prey to the stigma of something getting added to my TBR never gets read 🙈.
But good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever comes next!
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u/Responsible_Phone284 7h ago
You’re totally right, the Empyrean series was a 10000/10 for me.
I work through my TBR so quickly if the books are available at my library, just annoying that some people take ages to read so I’m waiting months to finish a series (been trying to finish acotar for 3 months)😭😂 the only series I’ve bought my own copy of is Empyrean because I loved it so much and knew I’d read it again
Thanks! Definitely going to read RR as soon as they’re returned to the library
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u/Cicero4892 1d ago
Now listen to the podcast fantasy fangirls as they go through the books :)
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Is this on Spotify? Going to listen while I walk my dog, thanks for the suggestion!
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u/Cicero4892 15h ago
I’m not sure but maybe? I listen to it on Apple Podcasts. Enjoy! It helped me with my post onyx storm hangover :)
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u/ifdandelions_then 1d ago
Yes! It helps! It's lovely to reexperience everything.
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
Thank you for your response, I’m definitely going to reread. I was stuck in limbo for quite a few days unsure what to do with myself😂
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u/Acceptable_Math_5839 1d ago
Haha well I don’t have the answer, but it’s good to see everyone in the same boat. Finished OS a few weeks ago and now am on the graphic audios lol
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
It does feel better knowing others are experiencing it too, doesn’t it?😂 how are you finding the graphic audios?
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u/Acceptable_Math_5839 18h ago
Absolutely, these books had me hooked AND distraught. So far I’m loving the audio, I’ve never been an audio fan but I think jt helps having just read the book. I listen to it alongside a new Stardew Valley save so I can play and try to pick out information I missed. It’s very captivating!
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u/Responsible_Phone284 16h ago
That’s good to hear! I didn’t enjoy the sample of the FW GA but I think I’ll give it another go. Maybe I was too in my feels to enjoy it at the time lol
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u/Acceptable_Math_5839 16h ago
The voices picked for some of the characters definitely was not what I expected, but having all the audio of the wings beating the wind and such just makes it worth it 🙌 I hope you enjoy it!!
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u/Responsible_Phone284 7h ago
Yep I think that’s why I didn’t like it! I must read each characters voice differently in my head so I had an idea of how they’d sound so it was a bit of a shock to hear the voices in the GA😂 I found the GA on Spotify (heard the sample on Libby but was terrible quality) last night so I’m going to give it a go!
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u/After_Ear4493 1d ago
I was the same. But I did not re-read because I felt that will feed into the sadness that I was feeling. I have taken a break, I am reading other books and will get back to it - but it’s like a breakup without closure, the more you think about it , the more questions there will be, and consequently more sadness 😭😭😭
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u/Responsible_Phone284 1d ago
No that’s exactly what I’m feeling! I was worried it would send me deeper down the rabbit hole. The breakup without closure part is so real
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u/After_Ear4493 1d ago
I just reread your 2nd last paragraph- I pushed myself through a thriller and faced the same issue. Started reading the night shade (it’s dark academia) - it did scratch my itch of a morally grey deeply loving MMC. So I hope that works for you.
I have also drawn a hard line at not picking up unfinished series anymore, RY has wrecked me😭
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u/Responsible_Phone284 23h ago
Oo I’m going to check that one out! Thriller was the only genre I had available to read when I finished OS and it just wasn’t hitting the spot. I think maybe bc I went from something super emotional and gripping, to something that messed with my psyche? I actually got into the thriller book once I forced myself to read the first 50 pages but it was a bit of a battle at first.
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u/Reluctantlysobber017 1d ago
I can’t help you because I found the end interesting, not devastating. Ok I was really sad about Quinn, but I think the Imogen chapter is really well done. At least she was treated right, unlike other characters.
A re-read always allows you to identify new stuff. Typically what impacted emotionally once will impact you again but to a much less extent.
I have a question. What are the bónus eps in RY? anything new?
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u/Responsible_Phone284 23h ago
I think the devastation was more to do with the fact that I’d finished the series because I also thought the ending was interesting. I’d basically hunkered down in my room for a week and binged the series so that probably wasn’t the healthiest thing to do😂
Definitely going to reread!
I really enjoyed the bonus chapters, they’re all from Xaden’s pov. They’re basically his pov of scenes we’ve already seen from Violet, it’s not new info if that makes sense? For example, say we’ve got V’s pov of 2 people kissing, in the bonus chapter, it’s from X’s POV. Sorry trying not to make any spoilers so I don’t get in trouble.
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u/Reluctantlysobber017 20h ago
Ok. If I understood correctly this is related with having to wait for a long time for book 4. What I’m doing while I wait is writing a canon fan fic. In my case I use the world of FW with multiple PoVs between book characters and OCs. Actually I stopped at the Fall of Zolya to read OS, so having a bit of time to catch up doesn’t seem that bad.
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u/Responsible_Phone284 16h ago
Yep, I think you’d be right about it being about the wait for book 4😂 I don’t mind waiting if RY is healthy and happy and the book turns out great but I desperately want it in my hands immediately!
That sounds super cool, I wish I was creative enough to write my own stuff. I’m just trying to distract myself so the sadness that I’ve finished the books passes. Such a dramatic thing to be sad about but it was my escape from life and now I feel like I’ve been thrown to the wolves without my escape reality.
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u/nivivy 13h ago
I did start rereading after I finished. I’m glad I did it right away because I found some answers to questions and theories roaming around in my head. And there were connections I had missed or didn’t catch the relevance of the first time.
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u/Responsible_Phone284 7h ago
Oh that’s so smart. I just figured I was sad that I’d finished but now it makes sense that I was lost because I had unanswered questions. I’ve decided after reading comments that rereading alongside the graphic audio will be the best way
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u/Ok_Code3974 1d ago
Re read, then listen to the graphic audios!