12 books to read when you’re done with “Fourth Wing”

If you’ve been anywhere near BookTok, then you probably know that Rebecca Yarros took the world by storm with “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame.”

The epic fantasy series captivated readers with the dangerous lives of dragon riders at Basgiath War College and the sizzling chemistry between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. Who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance?

“Iron Flame” ended on a cliffhanger, and the third book in the series, “Onyx Storm,” doesn’t come out until January. What’s a reader to do now??

Personally, I needed a full palate cleanse (a steamy sports romance, perhaps?) after the high stakes and political intrigue of Navarre. But if you want to cure your book hangover by jumping right into another epic fantasy world, I’m here to help!

PS—I built this list assuming you’ve already read Iron Flame. If you haven’t, stop what you’re doing immediately, and get reading. And even if you’ve already read them both, I recommend giving the dramatized version of the audiobooks a listen! Between the full cast of narrators, the ambient music, and dramatic sound effects, it feels like a movie for your ears and is an all-around delightful experience.

Until we can get back to Violet and Xaden, here are 11 books to help fill the void the Empyrean series has left behind.

1. “The Serpent and the Wings of Night” by Carissa Broadbent

The human daughter of a vampire king, Oraya has only ever wanted to fit into the world around her. Most people regard her as an inconvenient human at best and a snack at worst. Determined to make a name for herself, she enters the Kejari, a deadly Hunger Games-esque tournament.

In the Kejari, she has no shortage of enemies, including Raihn, one of the most powerful and dangerous vampires. Oraya doesn’t trust Raihn at all, but forming an alliance with the most dangerous rival in the game is her best shot at survival.

But as the Kejari rages on, Oraya finds herself drawn to the rival that could be her greatest downfall.

2. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

When Feyre accidentally shoots and kills a fae while hunting in the woods, life as she knows it comes to an abrupt halt. She’s kidnapped by Tamlin and taken to an entirely different world, one she’s only ever heard about. And while this mystical realm is bright and shiny on the surface, it isn’t long before Feyre starts to see the politics and grit below the surface.

“A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) is a unique spin on a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s the first book of one of TikTok’s favorite fantasy series that fans of Fourth Wing will love. It’s one of those series where every book is better (and spicier) than the last.

When you finish the ACOTAR series, pick up the Throne of Glass series and then the Crescent City series. Basically keep reading until you finish the entire Sarah J. Maas universe!

Psst…already read and loved ACOTAR? We’ve got more where that came from.

3. “The Bridge Kingdom” by Danielle Jensen

Enemies-to-lovers romance fans, this one's for you!

Lara has one goal: To take down King Aren, the ruler of an enemy kingdom. When the opportunity arises for Lara to infiltrate the kingdom posing as a bride for the king, she doesn’t hesitate to take it.

But as Lara spends more time with the king she swore to hate (and kill), a surprising connection blooms, causing her to question if everything she thought she knew was really true.

The first four books in this series are out already, and two more are planned.

4. “Avalon Academy” by Dipsea

If you loved the magical, dark academia vibe of “Fourth Wing” you’ll love Avalon Academy!

Evie’s plans to study to be a Healer at Avalon Academy go up in smoke when the sorting ceremony places her in Blackthorne Tower for Seeing instead. Now, instead of spending time with her boyfriend, Elliot, she’s stuck spending her first day figuring out her new future. Plus Rory, her rebellious and troublemaking new classmate is really getting under her skin. Some first day, huh?

This three-part audio series has British accents, a love triangle, and the enemies-to-lovers romance we all know and love. It’s like the energy of “Fourth Wing” and a grown-up “Harry Potter” combined. What’s not to love?

5. “One Dark Window” by Rachel Gillig

As a child, Elspeth survived a mystery illness but it left her with a magical gift. Now, to survive in the kingdom of Blunder, she has to keep her gift to herself. No one can know she was affected and they definitely can’t know about the Nightmare, the ancient spirit that lives in her mind. Sometimes he protects her. Other times, he controls her.

When she crosses paths with Ravyn, the King’s nephew and one of the most dangerous men in all of Blunder, her life takes a dramatic turn. She finds herself joining the fight to bring her kingdom out of the misty shadows while also wrestling with the Nightmare, who is slowly taking over her mind.

This is the first of a two-book series and is a perfect spooky season read.

6. “Blood & Steel” by Helen Scheuerer

Althea has always wanted to be a warrior but women are forbidden to fight, so she’s long trained in secret. With a prophecy revealing her impending death (just three years away!), she's on a time crunch to make her dreams come true.

But the deadly training to become a warrior is nothing compared to her growing feelings for the broody and off-limits Wilder.

Blood & Steel is the first of the four books in the Legends of Thezmarr series. The series is complete, so you can dive right in without worrying about any crazy cliffhangers!

7. “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

As the Maiden, Poppy’s life is one of quiet solitude. Her life has never belonged to her and while she’s unhappy in her safe cage, there’s nothing she can do about it.

When Hawke, the new bodyguard assigned to keep her safe and out of trouble, enters her life, Poppy feels excitement for the first time in forever. He gets under her skin and makes her question everything she thought she knew (fans of Fourth Wing will love this!).

There are five books in this spicy series as well as a four-book spin-off series.

8. “Trial of the Sun Queen” by Nisha J. Tuli

After being imprisoned for more than a decade by the Aurora King, Lor is suddenly released. But she finds herself thrown into the Sun Trials, a deadly battle against nine other women. The prize? Survival and freedom (oh, and the heart of the rival Sun King). If she loses, she’s dead (or worse, sent back to imprisonment).

With everything on the line, Lor has to fend off her competitors (who are all too happy to take her out) and learn who she can trust.

The fourth book of the series comes out in November 2024, so now is a perfect time to dive into this universe.

9. “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross

Between the war among the gods, her brother going missing from the frontline of the war, and family troubles at home, it’s safe to say Iris has her hands full.

To help cope with it all, Iris begins writing letters to her missing brother, tucking them below her wardrobe door. In a magical twist, those letters fall into the hands of her workplace rival, Roman, who writes back anonymously.

If you liked the enemies-to-lovers aspect of Fourth Wing, you’ll like this one. When you’re done, make sure to read “Ruthless Vows,” the second in the series.

10. “Zodiac Academy: The Awakening” by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

If you liked the academia vibe of Basgiath War College, you’ll like the Zodiac Academy!

Twins Darcy and Tory have discovered they’re heirs to the throne of Solaria, but before they can claim what’s theirs, they have to attend the Zodiac Academy. There are all sorts of magical creatures at this college (fae, dragon shifters, werewolves, vampires) and they all have it out for the twins, who have one of the rarest gifts of all.

11. “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts

In the kingdom of Ilya, being Ordinary is illegal. In an attempt to blend in, avoid detection, and stay alive, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the kingdom of Elites.

Her plan is going swimmingly until she unknowingly saves the life of one of the kingdom’s princes. As a reward, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials, the deadly competition designed to show off the talents of the Elites (and they say no good deed goes unpunished!). Can she fool them all and stay alive?

12. “Wings of Winter” by Dipsea

This audiobook starts the night before The Gleaning, a deadly tournament in the Kingdom of Aurora. As a human amongst immortals, you have your work cut out to survive the tournament, but you’re not worried (you’re tough!).

You meet Rowan, a fae prince determined to keep you safe, which is so annoying (you both made it to the same competition, so it’s not like you’re completely helpless!). But if you’re annoyed about Rowan’s protective streak, that’s nothing compared to how he feels about it. And really, is there anything better than a tortured immortal falling in love with a human and being really irritated by it?

Once you finish all 13 chapters, check out the behind the scenes of how “Wings of Winter” came to life!

Find even more fantasy romance favorites on Dipsea, the app for original spicy audiobooks and more. Sign up for a 30-day free trial to find the perfect story for any mood!