If you’re looking for Fourth Wing books in order, here’s the good news: this one’s simple. No separate spin-off novels, no confusing timeline jumps, and no complicated reading order.
Just one main story following Violet and Xaden through Basgiath and beyond.
The Empyrean series is planned as five main books, with companion releases like Threshing Day adding more to the world along the way.
Right now, three main books are out, Threshing Day is the upcoming companion collection releasing September 29, 2026, and book four is being written.
So if you just finished Fourth Wing and want to know what’s next, or you’re catching up before the next release drops, this fourth wing series order breaks down exactly what to read, in what sequence, and what’s still on the way.
Last Updated: 23 August 2026
Are Fourth Wing and The Empyrean the Same Series?
Short answer: yes, and the confusion makes total sense. A lot of readers use “Fourth Wing series” and “Empyrean series” interchangeably, and technically that’s fine, but here’s the actual breakdown:
- Fourth Wing is just the title of book one.
- The Empyrean is the official name Rebecca Yarros gave the entire series.
So whenever you see “The Empyrean” mentioned somewhere, that’s the whole dragon-rider universe, Basgiath, Violet, Xaden, all of it, not a separate spin-off or different story. It just kicks off with the book most people know it by.
The Empyrean Books in Order
Here’s the full lineup at a glance:
- Fourth Wing (May 2023) — Book one. Violet’s first year at Basgiath.
- Iron Flame (November 2023) — Book two. The rebellion, the secrets, the fallout.
- Onyx Storm (January 2025) — Book three. Xaden turns venin, and the war escalates fast.
- Threshing Day (September 29, 2026) — A companion collection of thirteen short stories, not a main-series novel. It is the next Empyrean release and comes before the currently untitled Book 4.
Fourth Wing Books in Order: The Complete Empyrean Series Reading Guide
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Fantasy Romance / New Adult Fantasy / Dragon Riders / Military Fantasy
Publication Date: May 2, 2023
Pages: 517 (varies by edition)
Goodreads Rating: ~4.60/5 at the time of writing
Spice Level: 4/5
Book one starts the whole series, and honestly, it earns the hype. Violet Sorrengail spent her whole life training to be a Scribe until her mother, the general running Basgiath War College, forces her into the Riders Quadrant instead.
Getting in alone nearly kills her, and once she’s there, she’s an obvious target: small, fragile, and immediately targeted by Xaden Riorson, a wingleader with every reason to distrust her family.
What got me hooked fast was how relentless the danger feels: cadets die constantly, and Violet survives on strategy instead of strength. The tension between her and Xaden builds slowly enough to actually earn it, which isn’t always the case in this genre.
Curious how far things go between Violet and Xaden? Check out our Fourth Wing spicy chapters breakdown.
2. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Fantasy Romance / New Adult Fantasy / Dragon Riders / Military Fantasy
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Pages: 623 (varies by edition)
Goodreads Rating: ~4.40/5 at the time of writing
Spice Level: 4/5
Book two picks up right where the first left off, and honestly, it hits harder. Violet is still processing the revelation that her brother Brennan is alive and working with the rebellion, while most of Navarre still believes he died years earlier.
She returns for her second year sworn to secrecy, now hunted by a ruthless new vice commandant who’s determined to expose exactly what she and her friends are hiding.
What stood out to me here is how the stakes escalate past training-ground danger into something closer to full-blown war.
Violet keeps digging into Navarre’s buried history while her relationship with Xaden gets tested by the secrets both of them are still keeping from each other. It’s darker, faster, and honestly more emotionally brutal than book one.
Book two in the Fourth Wing series order, and it earns its reputation as one of the more devastating middle installments in recent romantasy. Just be ready; this one doesn’t end gently.
Related: Iron Flame Spicy Chapters: Heat Level and Scene Guide
3. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Fantasy Romance / New Adult Fantasy / Dragon Riders / Military Fantasy
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Pages: 544 (varies by edition)
Goodreads Rating: ~4.21/5 at the time of writing
Spice Level: 4/5
This is the one that sold 2.7 million copies in its first week, and after reading it, I get why people camped out for release day.
Book three opens just after the Battle of Basgiath, with Violet grieving her mother while secretly hiding the biggest problem of all: Xaden turned venin trying to save her, and time’s running out to find a cure before he loses himself completely.
What makes this installment hit different is the scope. Violet leads a squad beyond Navarre’s failing wards in search of a legendary seventh dragon breed that might save them all, while venin attacks close in from every direction.
It’s heavier, more political, and genuinely brutal in ways the first two books only hinted at. For me, it’s the most emotionally exhausting entry in the series so far.
Fair warning going in: this one ends on a gut-punch, so brace yourself before you start.
Threshing Day — Upcoming Empyrean Book
Threshing Day isn’t a main-series entry, so don’t expect it to move Violet and Xaden’s story forward.
Instead, it’s a companion collection of thirteen short stories featuring fan-favorite characters and their dragons, releasing with sixteen full-color illustrations in the deluxe first edition.
Think of it as a way to spend more time in this world while Rebecca Yarros continues working on Book 4. Side glimpses, smaller moments, and character beats the main trilogy didn’t have room for.
It’s listed as Empyrean 3.5, which puts it after Onyx Storm and before the next mainline book.
If you’re only following the main plot, I’d consider it optional, but it’s worth picking up if you want every scrap of this world.
What about Empyrean Book 4?
Rebecca Yarros is working on Book 4, although no official release date has been announced yet. Threshing Day is a separate companion collection, not the fourth book, and is set to release on September 29, 2026.
Who Should Read This?
This series is a good fit if you like high-stakes fantasy, morally gray leadership, and romance that develops under constant danger.
Violet and Xaden’s relationship isn’t soft or easy, it’s built on secrets, mistrust, and slowly earned loyalty, so if you want low-stakes comfort reads, this probably isn’t it.
Content-wise, expect graphic violence, character deaths, including major and beloved ones, sexual content, and heavy themes around war, trauma, and loss. Later books get darker, not lighter, so pacing yourself emotionally matters more as the series goes on.
It’s not the right pick if gore bothers you, or if you need every side character to make it to the end. But if you want dragons, war college politics, and a slow-burn romance with real teeth behind it, this series delivers exactly that, book after book.
Still waiting on book four? Our list of books like Fourth Wing has plenty to hold you over in the meantime.
Conclusion
Three books in, and the Empyrean series still hasn’t figured out how to slow down, for better and occasionally for worse.
Violet’s arc from underestimated cadet to genuine force earns its payoff, but Onyx Storm tested my patience in places. Six hundred pages is a lot to carry when the plot spends a chunk of it circling instead of advancing.
Yarros clearly knows how to escalate stakes and gut-punch readers, though whether she sticks the landing across the remaining two main novels is still an open question and honestly, that uncertainty is part of the appeal here.
If you’re just starting out, follow the order above and brace yourself. Book four is being written, so there is more of Violet and Xaden’s story still to come.
Already caught up? Drop a comment and tell us who you think Xaden’s rivalry with the venin ends with, or who you’re most worried won’t make it to book five.
Note: This is an independent reading guide to Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Rebecca Yarros or her publishers. Series information, publication dates, and other details are based on officially available information and may change as new announcements are made.
FAQs
Q.1 Do I need to read Rebecca Yarros’s other books before Fourth Wing?
Ans. No. You can start Fourth Wing without reading any of Rebecca Yarros’s earlier books. The Empyrean series stands on its own, so Fourth Wing is the right starting point if this is your first Rebecca Yarros book.
Q.2 How many books will be in the Empyrean series?
Ans. Rebecca Yarros has planned the Empyrean story as a five-book series. At present, three main novels have been released: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm. The series is therefore not complete yet.
Q.3 Do I need to read Threshing Day before book four?
Ans. No. Threshing Day is a companion collection of short stories, not required reading to follow the main plot, though it’s a nice bridge for fans who want more of this world while waiting.
Q.4 Is Fourth Wing appropriate for YA readers?
Ans. No, it’s shelved as adult fantasy romance. Expect graphic violence, sexual content, and strong language throughout the series, not YA-level content despite the school setting.
Q.5 How long is Fourth Wing?
Ans. It runs a little over 500 pages, one of the shorter entries in the series compared to Onyx Storm’s much longer page count.
Hi, I’m Nik — a passionate reader with a soft spot for romance and a deep love for fantasy. I started this journey to connect with fellow book lovers and help readers discover magical worlds, epic adventures, and hidden gems that deserve more attention. Whether it’s a slow-burn romance, a best-friends-to-lovers story, or an epic fantasy with rich lore, I’m here to guide you to your next favorite read. My content is all about sharing honest book reviews (I am not a pro), thoughtful reading guides, and diving deep into the fantasy and romance genres. If you’re looking for real opinions, underrated book recommendations, or just a place to celebrate the joy of reading, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore powerful love stories and unforgettable worlds—one book at a time.