What Book Comes After Fourth Wing? The Empyrean Series Order
If you have recently finished the heart-pounding journey of Violet Sorrengail and her dragon Tairn, you are likely scouring the internet to find out what book comes after Fourth Wing. Rebecca Yarros has created a global phenomenon with her romantasy series, blending high-stakes military academy drama with scorching romance and legendary dragons. The good news for fans is that the story is far from over. The Empyrean Series is planned as a five-book saga, and there are already several installments available to keep your obsession alive.
Navigating a new series can be tricky, especially with bonus chapters and special editions floating around. To ensure you do not miss a single moment of the action at Basgiath War College, we have put together the ultimate guide to the Empyrean series reading order and what you can expect from the sequels.
The Direct Sequel: Iron Flame
The most immediate answer to the question, what book comes after Fourth Wing, is Iron Flame. Released in November 2023, this massive sequel picks up exactly where the first book left off. While Fourth Wing introduced us to the brutal world of dragon riders, Iron Flame dives deeper into the political conspiracies of Navarre and the growing threat of the Venin.
In this second installment, Violet enters her second year at Basgiath. The stakes are significantly higher as she struggles to protect her secrets while navigating her intense, often complicated relationship with Xaden Riorson. According to Rebecca Yarros's official website, the series is designed to push these characters to their absolute limits, and Iron Flame certainly delivers on that promise with even more magic, betrayal, and dragon fire.
Continuing the Journey with Onyx Storm
Once you have finished the second book, the next step in the series is Onyx Storm. This third book was released on January 21, 2025, and marks the midpoint of the planned five-book series. After the earth-shattering cliffhanger at the end of Iron Flame, Onyx Storm takes readers beyond the borders of Basgiath as Violet and her flight search for a way to save the ones they love and secure the future of the continent.
Onyx Storm has been described as the highest-stakes entry in the series so far. It expands the world-building, introducing new types of magic and deeper lore regarding the ancient enemies lurking in the shadows. For those tracking what book comes after Fourth Wing, this is the current "end of the line" for full-length novels as of early 2025.
The Complete Empyrean Series Reading Order
To keep everything straight, here is the current and projected list of books in the Empyrean Series. While the titles for books four and five have not yet been officially revealed, we know they are coming soon to complete Violet's story.
- Fourth Wing (Book 1): The introduction to Violet, Xaden, and the Rider's Quadrant. Published May 2023.
- Iron Flame (Book 2): The second year at Basgiath and the discovery of hidden truths. Published November 2023.
- Onyx Storm (Book 3): A high-stakes adventure across the continent. Published January 2025.
- Untitled Empyrean \#4: Expected to continue the saga. Title and date TBA.
- Untitled Empyrean \#5: The final conclusion to the series. Title and date TBA.
Don't Forget the Bonus Chapters
For dedicated fans who want every bit of content, there are also "bonus chapters" available. These are often included in special holiday editions or deluxe versions of the books. Specifically, Fourth Wing has bonus chapters written from Xaden Riorson’s perspective. These provide crucial insight into his thoughts and motivations during key scenes in the first book. Many readers choose to read these after finishing the first book to get a fuller picture of the romance before moving on to Iron Flame.
What Makes This Series So Addictive?
Knowing what book comes after Fourth Wing is just the start; understanding why readers are so obsessed helps explain the series' massive success on platforms like BookTok. Rebecca Yarros has successfully combined "dark academia" vibes with "romantasy" tropes that fans crave. The series features a disabled protagonist who uses her wits to survive a world that views her as fragile, making her journey exceptionally resonant.
The dragons themselves are also standout characters. Tairn and Andarna are not just pets or mounts; they are sentient, snarky, and deeply bonded to their riders. This double-bonded dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the magic system that sets the Empyrean series apart from other fantasy novels. If you enjoyed the themes in this series, you might also want to check out similar titles recommended on Goodreads to bridge the gap between releases.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Beyond the books, fans have much to look forward to. Amazon MGM Studios has secured the rights to adapt the series into a television show. While casting news is still under wraps, the project has already seen several showrunner updates, signaling that the studio is taking the time to ensure the adaptation lives up to the scale of the novels. Additionally, graphic novel adaptations are in the works for the first three books, offering a new visual way to experience the world of Navarre.
So, if you were wondering what book comes after Fourth Wing, you now have a full roadmap. Start with Iron Flame, move on to Onyx Storm, and keep an eye out for news on Book 4. The storm is only just beginning!