What’s next for romantasy lovers?
Among romantasy lovers, few books have caused such a storm as Fourth Wing and the broader Empyrean Saga by Rebecca Yarros. With breathtaking dragon battles, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and high-stakes war college drama, the series has cemented its place as a BookTok darling. Now, after the explosive events of Onyx Storm, fans are eagerly waiting for Book 4, wondering what comes next in this saga of romance, dragons, and secrets.
In this post, we break down everything we know so far about the upcoming installment, summarize fan theories, and explore what makes this romantasy universe so addictive.
A saga that keeps growing: from trilogy to five-book epic
Originally imagined as a trilogy, The Empyrean series has been officially expanded to five books, according to author Rebecca Yarros. This decision followed the overwhelming success of the first two novels (Fourth Wing and Iron Flame), as well as the viral response on TikTok and Bookstagram, where hashtags like #EmpyreanSaga and #RomantasyDragons regularly trend.
While Onyx Storm closed several major arcs, it also raised new questions—about Xaden’s fate, Violet’s powers, and the truth behind the wards and Venin corruption. The additional books will allow Yarros to dig deeper into worldbuilding, dragon lore, and the complex political tensions at Basgiath War College.
What we know about Book 4 so far
No release date (yet), but signs point to 2026
Unlike the rapid-fire releases of the first three books, Book 4 doesn’t have a set release date. Rebecca Yarros has mentioned in interviews and fan Q&As that she’s taking more time for this next installment. Between the growing depth of the world and her involvement in the upcoming TV adaptation, fans should expect a slower publishing timeline, possibly mid to late 2026.
The title is still a mystery
At the time of writing, the fourth book is untitled. Fans have speculated names like Obsidian War, Silver Flame, or Dark Ascent, based on naming patterns and themes. However, Yarros has not confirmed anything, and the suspense only fuels the hype on BookTok, where creators are making prediction reels and title guess polls.
Fan theories on Book 4: dragons, betrayal, and memory loss?
What happened to Xaden?
After the mind-blowing final chapters of Onyx Storm, fans are split on whether Xaden is lost, corrupted, or simply in hiding. Some theorize that the Venin's influence may have warped him, while others believe he made a personal sacrifice to protect Violet and their dragons. This debate dominates TikTok theory videos, with creators dissecting quotes and body language for clues.
Will Violet remember everything?
Another major theory revolves around Violet’s possible memory loss. Subtle foreshadowing throughout Onyx Storm—along with certain spell-like effects—hint that her mind might have been tampered with. Fans speculate this could serve as a romantic obstacle in the enemies-to-lovers arc, giving us more angst, slow burns, and emotional payoff.
The dragon bond mystery
Dragons are at the heart of this romantasy series, and readers are particularly curious about missing dragon eggs, new unbonded dragons, and the implications of magical bonds being tampered with. There’s even talk that Violet might bond with a third dragon or that Andarna holds a secret role in the magical ecosystem.
The rise of romantasy/dragons on BookTok
It’s impossible to talk about Fourth Wing without acknowledging its massive BookTok appeal. TikTok creators have turned the Empyrean Saga into a global phenomenon, with:
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“Read with me” vlogs,
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Fanart of dragon riders and battle scenes,
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Skits acting out Violet and Xaden’s dynamic,
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Spice ratings and “How steamy is it?” reviews,
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Dramatic cosplay and moodboard aesthetics using hashtags like #RomantasyDragons, #XadenRiorson, and #EmpyreanReacts.
This attention has led to hundreds of thousands of copies sold, book box collector editions, and a fervent online fandom.
What the romantasy genre owes to Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing has helped redefine modern romantasy. Combining the grit of ACOTAR with the structured worldbuilding of The Hunger Games, and the steamy tension of From Blood and Ash, Yarros’s saga offers the perfect blend of:
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Fantasy adventure
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Found family tropes
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Forbidden love and betrayal
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Powerful female leads and complex antiheroes
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And, of course, dragons
This trend has inspired a wave of dragon-centric romantasy novels and indie titles hitting TikTok shelves.
What’s next for romantasy lovers?
While we wait for Book 4, romantasy fans can dive into:
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Fanfiction based on Violet and Xaden,
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Deep-dive videos about dragon lore and Venin corruption,
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Upcoming romantasy releases like The Ashfire King or The Shadow Curse,
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And, of course, preparing for the Empyrean TV adaptation, now in pre-production, promising high fantasy visuals and even more fandom discourse.
The world of romantasy/dragons is expanding faster than ever—and Fourth Wing remains at its epicenter.