Fourth Wing Reading Order: The Complete Guide to The Empyrean Series

If you're on BookTok even a little, you'll know it: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. The book that combined dragons, a military academy, and a slow-burn romance into one of the most viral romantasy series of recent years. The series now has three parts, released in April 2023, November 2023, and January 2025. Booksinorder

But where do you start? In what order do you read the books? And what do we already know about the next installments? This is the complete guide.

What is the Empyrean series?

The Empyrean series, also known as the Fourth Wing series, is a romantasy series by Rebecca Yarros. The series is set at a military academy where cadets are trained to become dragon riders. It combines the discipline and hierarchy of a war college with magical dragons, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that will blow you away. Booksinorder

Rebecca Yarros is the author who made romantasy truly mainstream in 2023. Her Empyrean series begins with Fourth Wing, also known in Dutch as In steen gebrand. Boekfanaat

The complete Fourth Wing reading order

Part 1: Fourth Wing (In steen gebrand) — May 2023

The mandatory starting point. Violet Sorrengail intended to enter the Scribe Quadrant, leading a quiet life among books and history. But the commanding general, also known as her tough mother, has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates vying to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

This is not a series you can jump around in. Each book ends on a cliffhanger, and the revelations in one book reframe everything that came before. If you start with Iron Flame or Onyx Storm, you'll get lost and major plot twists will be spoiled. Booksinorder

Dutch: In steen gebrand
English: Fourth Wing
When to read: Always start here.

Part 2: Iron Flame (Laat het branden) — November 2023

No one expected Violet to survive her first year at Basgiath War College, not even herself. But now comes the real test. There's a new vice commandant, who seems determined to make Violet's life difficult, unless she betrays the man she loves. She faces the ultimate loyalty test: she must either deny herself or unravel the college's ancient secret. Goodreads

Dutch: Laat het branden
English: Iron Flame
When to read: Directly after Fourth Wing, as the story continues seamlessly.

Part 3: Onyx Storm — January 2025

The third Empyrean installment continues Violet's story as the stakes get higher. Onyx Storm sold 2.7 million copies in its first week, more than any other adult novel in the last 20 years. Booksinorder

English: Onyx Storm (not yet released in Dutch)
When to read: After Iron Flame, keep the tissues handy.

Interim Part: Untitled Empyrean (Not Book Four) — September 29, 2026

This is the surprising news for 2026: a new novella in the Empyrean world will be released on September 29, 2026. Yarros has confirmed that this is not Book 4. Retailer listings show a 176-page book, making it more like a novella or shorter companion book than a full main series installment. The Candid Cover

Whether it fills in a backstory, offers a missed perspective, tells dragon history, or is something completely unexpected, remains the big question. Yarros has also confirmed that this release does not change the timeline for Book 4. The Candid Cover

When to read: After Onyx Storm, as a bonus while you wait for Book 4.

Parts 4 and 5: To be released

Rebecca Yarros originally planned three books but expanded the series to five. Three are now out. Book 4 is in development. Book 5 will be the finale. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl

On February 9, 2026, Yarros confirmed on Instagram that she is back at her desk working on the next book in the Empyrean series. A release date in 2027 seems more realistic than 2026 for the actual fourth book, but is not yet confirmed. The Candid Cover

The reading order at a glance

Why you should NOT skip the order

Start with Fourth Wing. Do not skip it. Do not read a summary and do not jump to Iron Flame. The first book is not a setup. It is the foundation for everything that comes after, and the plot twists at the end reframe the entire world. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl

Each cliffhanger leads directly into the next installment. You truly need Book 1 to understand Book 2, and Book 2 to follow Book 3.

Is there also a TV series for Fourth Wing?

Yes! Amazon MGM Studios is developing a television adaptation with Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society as producer. No broadcast date has been announced yet. This makes it the perfect time to read the books before the series comes out. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl

What to read after Onyx Storm?

Finished and waiting for book 4? These are the most recommended alternatives:

• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout: if you loved the forbidden romance, war college tension, and slow burn fated-mates energy of Fourth Wing. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: the romantasy series that defined the genre, with fae courts and a similar build-up.
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: for readers who love morally grey love interests and dangerous rivalry.

Or surprise yourself with a Blind Date Book (Fantasy): choose the fantasy genre and discover your next obsession without knowing which book you'll get.

Complete your Empyrean reading marathon

A Fourth Wing marathon session requires the right setup. Combine your books with:

• A fantasy bookmark to save your place in those thick volumes
• An atmospheric glass can for coffee, tea, or matcha while reading
• Fantasy die-cut stickers for your reading journal or laptop
• A daily planner to keep track of the reading order and your theories

Frequently Asked Questions about the Fourth Wing reading order

How many books are in the Fourth Wing series?
The Empyrean series is planned to be five books in total. Three are out now: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm. Book 4 is in development, and book 5 will be the finale. Additionally, a novella not part of the main series will be released on September 29, 2026. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl

Do I have to read Fourth Wing in order?
Yes, absolutely. This is not a series where you can skip around. Each book ends on a cliffhanger, and the revelations in one book reframe everything that came before. Booksinorder

When does Fourth Wing book 4 come out?
There is no official release date for book 4 yet. Yarros confirmed in February 2026 that she is actively working on the book. A 2027 release seems most realistic but is not yet confirmed. The Candid Cover

Has Fourth Wing been translated into Dutch?
Yes, book 1 is titled 'In steen gebrand' and book 2 'Laat het branden' in Dutch, both published by Z&K. Onyx Storm (book 3) has not yet been released in Dutch. Goodreads

What is the difference between the Empyrean series and the Fourth Wing series?
They are two names for the same series. The series is officially called the Empyrean series, but it is also known as the Fourth Wing series after its first and most popular installment.

Does Fourth Wing have a TV series or movie?
Yes, Amazon MGM Studios is developing a television adaptation with Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society as producer. No premiere date has been announced yet. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl

What should I read after Onyx Storm while waiting for book 4?
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout offers the same mix of forbidden romance, war college tension, and slow burn fated-mates energy. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black are also popular choices after the Empyrean series. Booksinorder

Ready to begin?

Whether you're just hearing about Violet and Xaden for the first time or you've already finished Onyx Storm and are waiting for book 4: the Empyrean series is one of the most compelling romantasy series right now. Start with Fourth Wing, read in order, and make sure the next book is within reach — because you'll want to start it immediately.

Surprise yourself with a Blind Date Book (Fantasy) while you wait for book 4, and mark all your favorite moments with a fantasy bookmark.

Happy reading! 🐉📚