Empyrean
Welcome to Basgiath War College, where dragons choose their riders and most students don't survive to graduation.
Rebecca Yarros's addictive fantasy romance series follows Violet Sorrengail, who was supposed to live a quiet life as a scribe until her war hero mother forced her into the deadliest quadrant at the most brutal military academy in the realm. With her small stature and chronic illness making her a target from day one, Violet must survive assassins, deadly training exercises, and the terrifying Threshing where dragons bond with their chosen riders - or incinerate those found unworthy.
But her biggest challenge might just be Xaden Riorson, the devastatingly dangerous Wing Leader whose father killed her brother, making him her sworn enemy and the last person she should be falling for. As Violet discovers powers she never knew she possessed and uncovers secrets that could topple kingdoms, she learns that at Basgiath War College, the real war isn't against dragons, it's against everyone who underestimates what she's capable of becoming.
This is the series that broke BookTok, dominated bestseller lists worldwide, and made dragons the hottest book boyfriends since vampires, delivering heart-stopping romance, found family bonds, and cliffhangers so brutal they should come with a warning label.
Fourth Wing
The book that broke BookTok and made dragons sexy again. Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to live a quiet life as a scribe, but her war hero mother has other plans—forcing her into the most deadly quadrant at Basgiath War College where dragon riders are forged and most candidates die. With her small stature, chronic illness, and zero combat training, Violet is marked for death from day one. But between dodging assassination attempts, surviving impossible challenges, and trying not to get incinerated during dragon bonding, she discovers that being underestimated might just be her greatest weapon. Enter Xaden Riorson, the devastatingly dangerous Wing Leader whose father killed Violet's brother, making him her sworn enemy—except the sexual tension between them could power the entire war college. This is fantasy romance at its most addictive. Rebecca Yarros has created a world where academic pressure literally means life or death, where dragons choose their riders based on worthiness, and where enemies-to-lovers hits different when your enemy could actually kill you with his bare hands. With a magic system that will leave you breathless, found family bonds forged in battle, and a romance so intense it spawned a thousand fan theories, this is the book that had readers calling in sick to work just to finish it. Fair warning: You will immediately want to throw your phone across the room and start book two. There's a reason this book dominated every single bestseller list and made Rebecca Yarros a household name overnight—it's pure, unputdownable magic.
Published: 2023
Iron Flame
Just when you thought war college couldn't get more dangerous, Rebecca Yarros said "hold my beer." Violet returns to Basgiath for her second year, but everything has changed after the earth-shattering events of Threshing. With new powers she barely understands, a dragon bond that defies all known rules, and secrets that could topple kingdoms, Violet must navigate advanced training that makes first-year look like a vacation. The targets on her back have multiplied, the political intrigue has intensified, and Xaden is keeping secrets that could either save them all or destroy everything she's fought to protect. When external threats breach the college's supposedly impenetrable wards, Violet realizes that surviving her classmates was just the warm-up. This sequel doesn't just meet expectations—it obliterates them. Yarros expands the world beyond the college walls while cranking up the romance, the stakes, and the emotional devastation to levels that should come with a warning label. The dragon bonds deepen into something mystical and beautiful, the found family dynamics will make you want to move to Navarre immediately, and the romance evolves in ways that had readers literally screaming into their pillows. With training sequences that will make you want to hit the gym, political machinations that rival Game of Thrones, and an ending that proves Rebecca Yarros has absolutely zero chill when it comes to cliffhangers, this book solidifies why the Empyrean series has become the obsession of millions. Readers consistently rank this as even better than Fourth Wing, which should be impossible but somehow isn't.
Published: 2023
Onyx Storm
The most anticipated book release of 2025, and it's about to ruin your emotional stability. Violet's third year at war college arrives with new challenges that make everything she's faced before look like child's play. With graduation looming and war escalating beyond the college walls, she must master powers that could reshape the very fabric of their world while navigating relationships that have grown more complex and dangerous than ever. The secrets that have been building since book one are finally coming to light, and the revelations will change everything you thought you knew about dragons, magic, and the true cost of power. As alliances shift and enemies reveal themselves, Violet faces choices that will determine not just her future, but the fate of everyone she loves. Rebecca Yarros has promised that this book will "break readers in the best way," and if her track record is any indication, you should probably clear your schedule and stock up on tissues. Early reviewers are calling it "devastating," "perfect," and "the reason I don't sleep anymore," which is exactly what you want to hear about the third book in your new obsession. With the series reaching its midpoint, expect major character development, relationship evolution that will have you clutching your chest, and world-building revelations that recontextualize everything from the previous books. This is the book where Rebecca Yarros stops holding back and reminds you why she's considered the queen of emotional devastation disguised as fantasy romance.
Published: 2025
Reading Guide
The Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing) Reading Order Guide
Last updated: July 2025
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series has taken the book world by storm, becoming the most talked-about fantasy romance since Sarah J. Maas. With dragons, war college, and enemies-to-lovers romance, this series has dominated BookTok and bestseller lists. Here's your complete guide to reading the Fourth Wing universe in the right order.
Quick Answer: Start Here
Current reading order (simple for now):
1. Fourth Wing (2023)
2. Iron Flame (2023)
3. Onyx Storm (2025)
4. Book 4 (2025 - title TBA)
5. Book 5 (2026 - series finale)
Why order matters: This is a direct continuation series where each book picks up immediately where the previous one ended. You absolutely must read in order - starting anywhere but book 1 will leave you completely lost and spoil major plot developments.
Why Empyrean Reading Order Matters
Unlike standalone fantasy romance, the Empyrean series is a continuous narrative that requires sequential reading because:
- Cliffhanger endings - Each book ends on major revelations or cliffhangers
- Character development builds across books as relationships evolve
- Magic system complexity expands with each installment
- War college progression follows Violet's journey through different years
- Romance development unfolds slowly with major relationship milestones
- World-building secrets are revealed gradually and build on previous knowledge
- Dragon bonds and their significance become clearer over time
Starting with book 2 or 3 would spoil the mystery elements and rob you of the emotional impact of watching characters grow.
Complete Empyrean Series Reading Order
Published Books
Book 1: Fourth Wing (2023) Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, but her war hero mother forces her into the deadly Riders Quadrant instead. Now she must survive dragon rider training at Basgiath War College, where students regularly die and her smaller stature makes her an easy target. Between a ruthless war games instructor, would-be assassins, and Xaden Riorson—the dangerous Wing Leader who has every reason to kill her—Violet must find the strength to not just survive, but bond with a dragon and become the rider she never thought she could be.
Book 2: Iron Flame (2023) Violet returns to Basgiath for her second year, but everything has changed after the shocking revelations of Threshing. As she struggles with new powers and a bond that's unlike anything seen before, the war college faces threats from both within and beyond its walls. With Xaden keeping dangerous secrets and enemies closing in, Violet must navigate advanced training, political intrigue, and a relationship that could either save them all or destroy everything she holds dear.
Book 3: Onyx Storm (2025) [Minimal details to avoid spoilers] Violet's third year at war college brings new challenges as the conflict escalates and long-buried secrets threaten everything she's fought to protect. With graduation approaching and war on the horizon, she must master powers that could change the course of history while navigating relationships that have grown more complex and dangerous than ever.
Upcoming Books
Book 4 (2025) - Title and details TBA
Book 5 (2026) - Planned series finale
Individual Book Breakdown
Fourth Wing (Book 1)
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Military Fantasy, Dragon Fantasy
Protagonist: Violet Sorrengail
Heat Level: Moderate to High
Page Count: ~500 pages
What makes it addictive: This book hooks you immediately with its unique war college setting, deadly trials, and the perfect enemies-to-lovers tension between Violet and Xaden. The dragon bonding process is unlike anything you've read, and the cliffhanger ending will have you immediately reaching for book 2. Perfect starting point that establishes the world, magic system, and core relationships.
Reader appeal: If you loved Harry Potter's Hogwarts but wished it had more deadly consequences, adult romance, and dragons, this is your book. The military academy setting creates natural stakes and tension while the romance simmers perfectly in the background.
Iron Flame (Book 2)
What to expect: This sequel doubles down on everything that made the first book addictive while expanding the world beyond Basgiath. The romance evolves significantly, new threats emerge, and Violet's powers become more complex and dangerous. Builds directly on book 1 - the political intrigue deepens and relationships become more complicated.
Why readers love it: The dragon bonds deepen, the war college politics become more intricate, and the romance hits new emotional heights. Expect major revelations about the world's history and Violet's true potential.
Common Reading Order Questions
Can I start with Iron Flame if I've seen spoilers for Fourth Wing?
Absolutely not. Even if you know major plot points, you'll miss crucial character development, world-building details, and emotional context that makes the second book meaningful. The experience is significantly diminished without the foundation.
How much time passes between books?
Very little. Each book picks up almost immediately where the previous one ended, making this feel like one continuous story broken into volumes rather than separate adventures.
Are there any companion books or novellas?
Not yet. Rebecca Yarros has focused on the main series, though she's hinted at potential spin-offs featuring other characters or time periods after the main series concludes.
Should I read Rebecca Yarros's other books first?
No need. Her previous books are contemporary romance and military romance set in the real world. The Empyrean series is her first fantasy and stands completely separate from her other work.
How does this compare to other popular fantasy romance?
Fourth Wing is often described as: "Harry Potter meets Top Gun with dragons and Sarah J. Maas-level romance." It has the school setting appeal of Harry Potter, the military training intensity of Top Gun, and the swoony romance that SJM fans crave.
Will there be adaptations? Yes, and it's happening soon! Amazon Prime Video is bringing Fourth Wing to television with an adaptation currently in active development. The series has attracted major talent and production backing, with filming expected to begin in 2025. While an exact premiere date hasn't been announced, industry insiders suggest the show could debut as early as late 2025 or early 2026. With the source material's massive popularity and Amazon's commitment to high-budget fantasy productions, this adaptation is positioned to be one of the most anticipated book-to-screen projects of the decade.
What to Expect from the Series
Themes and Content
- Military academy life with deadly consequences
- Dragon bonding and the responsibility that comes with it
- War and politics affecting personal relationships
- Found family among fellow cadets
- Enemies-to-lovers romance with high emotional stakes
- Personal growth as Violet discovers her inner strength
Content Warnings
- Violence - War college setting means character deaths and battle scenes
- Sexual content - Adult fantasy romance with explicit scenes
- War themes - Military conflict and its emotional toll
- Death - Supporting characters face real consequences
- Age rating: 17+ (New Adult/Adult fantasy)
Reading Tips for New Fans
Prepare for addiction: Most readers report binge-reading the available books immediately. Clear your schedule.
Join communities carefully: #BookTok and Reddit discussions are full of spoilers. Avoid until you're caught up.
Keep tissues handy: Yarros doesn't shy away from emotional moments and character consequences.
Embrace the cliffhangers: Each book ends with major revelations or cliffhangers. The wait between books is part of the experience.
Don't overthink the world-building: Jump in and let the author explain things as you go. The magic system and politics become clearer with each book.
Why Fourth Wing Reading Order Guides Matter
Despite being a straightforward series, Fourth Wing generates reading order searches because:
- New readers want confirmation about reading sequence
- BookTok popularity brings in readers unfamiliar with fantasy series conventions
- Cliffhanger endings make people want to jump ahead
- Upcoming releases create questions about publication schedule
- Adaptation news brings in new fans seeking guidance
- Cross-series recommendations from SJM fans create confusion about connections
The Bottom Line
The Empyrean series reading order is refreshingly simple: start with Fourth Wing and read in publication order. Don't skip ahead, don't try to jump in mid-series, and don't let spoilers tempt you to skip books. Rebecca Yarros has crafted a tightly woven narrative where every book builds on the last, and the payoff is worth experiencing exactly as intended.
With book 3 dropping January 2025 and the series planned to conclude with book 5 in 2026, now is the perfect time to start this addictive series that has readers camping out for midnight releases and breaking Goodreads with their enthusiasm.
Ready to enter war college? Start your dragon rider journey below.
Fourth Wing (Book 1) → Iron Flame (Book 2) → Onyx Storm (Book 3) →