Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing has become a massive hit among book lovers, and there’s plenty more in store for fans of this story and world — but they may be looking for other books to read while they await the third Empyrean novel and future sequels. Part of what makes Fourth Wing so unique is its combined focus on fantasy and romance, setting it firmly in the “romantasy” genre with other popular stories like Sarah J. Maas’ Court of Thorns and Roses books and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series.
Of course, Fourth Wing may have strong romance elements, but it doesn’t hold back on the fantasy. That’s precisely why it’s so hard to follow. So many similar stories lean more in one direction than the other, but Fourth Wing weaves an intricate world full of politics, magic, and dragons. These are well-balanced with its romance subplots, so the Empyrean series really does offer something for everyone. Depending on what readers enjoy about Fourth Wing, they’ll be able to find books with similar motifs. There are plenty of great follow-ups to Yarros’ 2023 novel and its sequel, Iron Flame.
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Fireborne By Rosaria Munda
Those who enjoy the dragons and dragon-riding featured in Fourth Wing should pick up Rosaria Munda’s Fireborne, the first book in the author’s Aurelian Cycle. Fireborne is a young adult novel, so its romance themes will be less mature than those in Yarros’ series. Still, the two novels have many similarities. Fireborne follows two dragon riders — Annie and Lee — as they compete for a top-ranking position in their faction while navigating the political turmoil unraveling in their world. Like Fourth Wing, Fireborne has themes of rebellion, dragons, and a complicated romance. It’s an obvious choice for fans of Yarros’ work.
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Dragonfall By L.R. Lam
Another book centered on dragons is L.R. Lam’s Dragonfall, and its premise plays up the complicated relationship between humans and dragons — something Fourth Wing could benefit from digging into in more depth. Dragonfall is set in a world where humans betrayed dragons hundreds of years ago, and the dragons haven’t forgotten. When a dragon prophesied to save his species gets mixed up with a thief, he sees an opening. However, fulfilling his destiny will require betraying the thief in question, and this becomes a more difficult task as the two grow closer. With intense politics and a compelling enemies-to-lovers romance, Lam’s novel is perfect for Fourth Wing fans.
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A Court Of Thorns & Roses By Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas’ Court of Thorns & Roses series focuses on fae instead of dragons, but it’s commonly recommended to fans of Fourth Wing — and for good reason. Another “romantasy” series that took BookTok by storm, ACOTAR has a fan-favorite romance at its core, along with great supporting characters and a complex enough fantasy setup to satisfy readers looking for more than a love story. ACOTAR follows Feyre Archeron as she’s swept into the world of Prythian and forced to navigate the fae and their politics. Like Violet, Feyre really comes into her own over the course of the series. Her story will appeal to anyone who enjoys Fourth Wing.
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10 Books To Read If You Love A Court Of Thorns & Roses
Those who love Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns & Roses books may be looking for something similar, especially while they wait for new content.
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The Serpent And The Wings Of Night By Carissa Broadbent
A lesser-known romantasy novel, Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night is often pitched to fans of Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, though it doesn’t deal with dragons or fae. The Serpent and the Wings of Night chronicles a romance between a vampire and a human, and it’s perfect for those looking for the steamy fantasy moments present in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. In addition to a compelling romance, Broadbent’s novel features a deadly tournament on par with the recruitment process for Basgiath War College and lots of magic. Needless to say, Fourth Wing fans will eat it up.
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To Shape A Dragon’s Breath By Moniquill Blackgoose
Those who want more of Fourth Wing‘s academy setting or higher political stakes can check out To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. The first installment in the Nampeshiweisit series, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath follows an Indigenous woman named Anequs as she finds a dragon and is given a choice: enroll in an academy run by the people who colonized her home or watch her dragon be killed. Anequs chooses the former, but her differing beliefs and way of life make this a difficult adjustment for her. To Shape a Dragon Breath goes beyond most other dragon books in that regard, tackling hard topics like colonization head on.
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The Priory Of The Orange Tree By Samantha Shannon
A lengthy fantasy novel by Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree is a multi-perspective story that has three things in common with Fourth Wing: high-stakes politics, a looming extraordinary threat, and dragons. While Shannon’s story is lengthier than Fourth Wing and contains more running threads, its themes are ideal for anyone looking for a follow-up to Yarros’ series. There’s also great LGBTQ+ representation, though the romance subplots take a backseat to the fantasy elements of Shannon’s story.
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An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes doesn’t have dragons, but it features a ruthless military academy and a corrupt government — two major elements of Fourth Wing. The first novel in Tahir’s four-book series, An Ember in the Ashes kicks off a thrilling story with strong female characters, revolution, and magic. It also features a forbidden romance, so there’s a lot for fans of Fourth Wing to love about this book. Laia and Elias’ story is a memorable one, and it holds up as one of the best adult fantasy series in recent years.
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A Deadly Education By Naomi Novik
Dangerous and deadly schools are a common theme in fantasy, and Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education will also appeal to readers who like Fourth Wing‘s setting. The novel is set at the Scholomance, where those who fail their magical studies are doomed to die — a reality that the characters in Fourth Wing know all too well. The story follows El as she enrolls and starts digging into the school’s secrets. It also sees her grappling with her own magical abilities, with its story spinning out from there.
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Divine Rivals By Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals and Fourth Wing blew up on BookTok around the same time, and while they don’t have a ton in common, both fall firmly in the romantasy category. Those looking for another compelling blend of the two genres should give Rebecca Ross’ novel a try. The fantasy elements of Divine Rivals aren’t as expansive or complex as Fourth Wing‘s, but the character dynamics hold up. The book’s leads — Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt — also set out to uncover the truth about the war between gods that’s impacting their nation. This search for truth is present in Fourth Wing, and Violet and Roman would fit right into the Scribe Quadrant.
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From Blood And Ash By Jennifer L. Armentrout
From Blood and Ash has a story that’s very different from that of Fourth Wing, but its steamy romantic elements are sure to appeal to fans of Yarros’ book. Jennifer L. Armentrout’s book also has a powerful female lead like Violet, and Poppy wants to save her people in much the same way. Poppy’s role in her story differs greatly from Violet’s, but those who appreciate a tough female protagonist who can save the day and engage in a thrilling romance should check From Blood and Ash out. There are six books in the series, so that will keep readers occupied until Fourth Wing‘s next sequel is out.
