The Fourthwing series, written by Rebecca Yarros, has become one of the biggest phenomena in contemporary romantic fantasy. Blending dragons, a military academy, and intense romance, "The Empyrean" series quickly captivated millions of readers worldwide. Since the release of the first volume in 2023, the series' popularity has continued to grow, largely thanks to TikTok and BookTok.
But one question often arises among new readers: in what order should the Fourthwing series be read? How many books are there in The Empyrean saga, and what is each one about? In this article, we offer a comprehensive guide to the reading order of the Fourthwing series books, along with a summary of the first three volumes.
Let's start with the essentials… A bookmark inspired by the wise Fourthwing! Feel free to discover the collection by clicking here.
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How many books are in "The Empyrean" series?
The Empyrean series, whose first volume is Fourth Wing, is expected to have a total of five volumes, according to Rebecca Yarros.
To date, three volumes have been published or announced:
- Fourth Wing (2023)
- Iron Flame (2023)
- Onyx Storm (2025)
- Volume 4 (no official release date)
- Volume 5 (no official release date)
These books should be read in chronological order, as the story directly follows the evolution of the heroine Violet Sorrengail as well as the political and military events of the world of Navarre.
Each volume explores in greater depth the intrigues surrounding dragons, magical powers called signets, and the war threatening the kingdom.
Each volume picks up exactly where the previous one left off and gradually develops the relationships between characters, the mysteries of the universe, and the political conflicts.
Summary of *Fourth Wing*
The first volume of the series, *Fourth Wing*, introduces readers to Violet Sorrengail, a young woman destined to become a scribe at Basgiath War College. However, her mother—a formidable general—forces her to join the *Dragon Rider Quadrant*, an extremely dangerous training program where only the strongest survive.
Despite her frail constitution and delicate health, Violet must face deadly trials to prove her worth. In this brutal environment where students can die at any moment, she meets Xaden Riorson, a mysterious squad leader whose family was involved in a rebellion against the kingdom.
Throughout the novel, Violet discovers that the world she lives in is full of secrets. Dragons play a central role in the balance of power, and political alliances hide truths far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined. The book blends military training, political intrigue, and intense romance, which explains its immense success among romantic fantasy readers.
Summary of Iron Flame
Iron Flame, the second volume of the Fourthwing saga, picks up immediately after the dramatic events of the first volume.
Violet begins her second year at Basgiath Academy, but the rules have changed. Enemies are growing in power, alliances are weakening, and the war threatening the kingdom is drawing dangerously close.
This volume explores in greater depth the mysteries of The Empyrean series universe, particularly the true threats facing Navarre. Violet must learn to master her powers while facing revelations that challenge everything she thought she knew about her country.
The relationship between Violet and Xaden also becomes more complex, blending trust, secrets, and loyalty in a context where the slightest mistake could be fatal.
Summary of Onyx Storm
The third volume, Onyx Storm, marks a new stage in the saga.
As the war against the Venin—the corrupted magic users—intensifies, Violet and her allies must face even more terrifying threats. Battles escalate, sacrifices become heavier, and revelations about dragons and magical powers transform our understanding of the world.
This book also explores the political tensions between different factions and sets the stage for the next volumes of The Empyrean series.
With a darker plot and higher stakes, Onyx Storm pushes the characters to their limits and leaves readers on a cliffhanger that promises an explosive sequel.
Should the Fourthwing series books be read in order?
Yes, absolutely. Unlike some fantasy series where volumes can be read independently, The Empyrean saga follows a continuous story.
Character relationships, revelations about dragons, and political mysteries build gradually. Reading the books out of order would risk spoiling several major plot twists.
To fully enjoy the universe imagined by Rebecca Yarros, it is therefore recommended to follow the official publication order.
Why has the Fourthwing saga become a phenomenon?
The Fourthwing series has established itself as one of the most recent successes in romantic fantasy. Its universe combines several elements that attract readers:
- powerful and intelligent dragons
- a complex and vulnerable heroine
- intense romance
- a political world full of secrets
This blend of action, emotion, and mystery has allowed The Empyrean saga to win over an immense audience, particularly on social media where fans share their theories and analyses on upcoming volumes.
With two more books planned, the story of Violet Sorrengail and her dragons is far from over.
If you want to dive into the Fourthwing saga, the reading order is simple: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, then Onyx Storm. This already published trilogy constitutes the first part of a larger series that is expected to have five books in total.
Between dragons, romance, and political intrigues, "The Empyrean" series still promises many surprises in its upcoming volumes.
What we know about volumes 4 and 5 of "The Empyrean" series
While the first three books of "The Empyrean" saga are already available, readers are now eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story. Rebecca Yarros has confirmed that the series is expected to have a total of five volumes, meaning two more books are yet to be released. For now, the author has not announced an official title or release date for Volume 4, but she has provided some indications about her writing process. In early 2026, Rebecca Yarros explained on her social media that she was beginning work on the preparation phase for the next volume, particularly in developing the plot and narrative arcs. This means that the writing of the fourth volume is underway, even if the manuscript is probably not yet finalized. Given the publication schedule of previous volumes and the time required for writing, revising, and producing such an ambitious fantasy novel, many observers estimate that the fourth volume of the "Fourthwing" series could be released between late 2026 and 2027. As for Volume 5, it is expected to conclude The Empyrean saga and provide answers to the big questions left unanswered in previous volumes: the fate of Violet Sorrengail, the evolution of the conflict with the Venin, and the still unknown secrets surrounding dragons and their powers. Although little official information is available for now, Rebecca Yarros has hinted that the continuation of the saga would continue to expand the universe and develop the political and magical stakes of the world of Navarre.