Rebecca Yarros provides updates on Fourth Wing books
First of all, a special surprise for Fourth Wing fans
If you love dragons, riders and the world of Basgiath War College, you may want to keep an eye on my upcoming collection of fantasy dragon bookmarks inspired by the worlds that make us dream.
Several new designs inspired by dragon riders, magical bonds and epic fantasy adventures are currently in development and will be released soon on Antre du Dragon d'Airain !
As a longtime fan of Fourth Wing, I've created these bookmarks for readers who want to bring a little piece of fantasy into every book they open. Some upcoming designs are directly inspired by the emotions, themes and dragons that made the Empyrean saga such a phenomenon among fantasy readers.
Follow me on Tiktok (@dragon.tales.and.pages)
A new Empyrean book will be released on September 29, 2026
One of the biggest surprises announced by Rebecca Yarros in 2026 is the arrival of an entirely new Empyrean book scheduled for September 29, 2026. However, readers should note one important detail: this release is not Fourth Wing book 4. Rebecca Yarros herself clarified that this mysterious project does not alter the development timeline of the fourth main novel.
Currently listed by retailers under the placeholder title "Untitled Empyrean (Not Book Four)", the book remains shrouded in secrecy. No official title, cover, synopsis, or protagonist has been revealed. Despite this lack of information, preorders immediately pushed the book to the top of bestseller charts, demonstrating the extraordinary popularity of the Empyrean universe.
What we do know is that the project appears significantly shorter than a standard Empyrean novel. Several retailer listings indicate a length of approximately 176, leading many fans to believe this could be a novella, a companion story, or a special in-universe book rather than a full installment in the main saga.
Theories within the fandom are already running wild. Some readers believe the book could explore previously unseen events from Xaden's perspective. Others speculate it may focus on Brennan, the history of the First Six, the Codex, or even previously unseen dragon lore involving Tairn, Sgaeyl and Andarna. At this stage, however, no official details have been confirmed.
Rebecca Yarros has also confirmed that this mystery release is not the graphic novel adaptation that has previously been discussed by fans. This means readers can expect an entirely new piece of Empyrean content rather than a retelling of existing material.
The fourth book is officially in development
One of the biggest questions among fans concerns Fourth Wing book 4.
Rebecca Yarros has confirmed that she is actively working on the next installment of the Empyrean series. While no official release date has been announced, the author has repeatedly stated that she wants to ensure the story receives the time and attention it deserves.
Unlike some fantasy franchises that expand indefinitely, Yarros has previously indicated that the Empyrean series is planned as a five-book saga. This means the fourth novel will likely play a crucial role in setting up the final confrontation and resolving many of the mysteries introduced throughout Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
What could happen after Onyx Storm?
Without entering spoiler territory, the ending of Onyx Storm dramatically changed the political and magical landscape of Navarre.
Many readers expect the fourth novel to explore the consequences of recent revelations concerning the venin, the wards, dragon bonds, and the increasingly complex relationship between Violet and Xaden.
The next book may also provide answers regarding the true history of the continent and the ancient secrets hidden by generations of leadership.
The graphic novels are still coming
Another piece of good news for fans of the Empyrean universe is that the planned graphic novel adaptations are still moving forward.
Although Rebecca Yarros and her publishers have remained relatively quiet about the project in recent months, there has been no indication that the graphic novels have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. The adaptations remain part of the franchise's long-term expansion plans and are expected to bring Violet Sorrengail's journey, Basgiath War College, and the dragons of Navarre to life through a new visual medium.
At the moment, no official release date has been announced, and details regarding the artists, format, and publication schedule remain under wraps. However, with the Prime Video adaptation advancing and the Empyrean universe continuing to grow, the graphic novels are still very much on the horizon.
For many readers, these illustrated editions could become the perfect way to revisit iconic moments involving Violet, Xaden, Tairn, Andarna and Sgaeyl while waiting for Fourth Wing book 4 and the television series to arrive.
Prime Video officially greenlights the Fourth Wing adaptation
The adaptation is finally happening
After years of speculation, Prime Video officially confirmed that Fourth Wing has received a full series order.
This announcement was made during Amazon's 2026 Upfront presentation, where Rebecca Yarros appeared alongside executive producer Michael B. Jordan, showrunner Meredith Averill, and director Lisa Joy.
This is one of the most important developments in the history of the franchise. A full series order means the project has moved beyond the development stage and is actively progressing toward production.
Who is working on the series?
The creative team behind the adaptation has reassured many fans.
Meredith Averill, known for her work on The Haunting of Hill House, Locke & Key and Wednesday, will serve as showrunner.
Meanwhile, Lisa Joy, co-creator of Westworld and executive producer of Fallout, will direct the pilot episode. Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society remains attached as a major production partner.
Rebecca Yarros herself has publicly expressed confidence in the team, stating that she trusts them to deliver a faithful adaptation of the story.
No official cast has been announced
Perhaps the biggest mystery surrounding the adaptation is the cast.
As of today, Prime Video has not revealed who will portray Violet Sorrengail, Xaden Riorson, Rhiannon, Dain Aetos, or the other beloved characters from Basgiath War College.
This has not stopped fans from creating countless fancasts across social media platforms.
The Xaden debate continues
One topic remains particularly sensitive among readers: the casting of Xaden Riorson.
Rebecca Yarros has previously emphasized the importance of respecting the character descriptions established in the books and has expressed concerns about inaccurate portrayals. This position has been widely praised by the fandom, which hopes the adaptation will remain faithful to the diversity present within the novels.
Until official announcements arrive, however, every casting rumor should be treated with caution.
Can Prime Video deliver Tairn and Andarna?
Adapting Fourth Wing is not simply a matter of casting actors.
The greatest challenge may be bringing Tairn, Andarna, Sgaeyl and the other dragons to life.
Fans expect visual effects on the level of House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Given Amazon's significant investment in fantasy projects, many believe the streaming giant has the resources necessary to achieve that goal.
What about the Fourth Wing cast?
No official cast has been announced yet
Despite the growing excitement surrounding the Prime Video adaptation, no official casting announcements have been made for Fourth Wing. Amazon has confirmed that the series is moving forward, but the identities of the actors who will portray Violet Sorrengail, Xaden Riorson, Rhiannon Matthias, Dain Aetos and the other riders of Basgiath War College remain a closely guarded secret.
This has not stopped fans from speculating. In fact, casting discussions have become one of the most active topics within the Fourth Wing community, with thousands of fan edits, polls and debates appearing across TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and BookTok.
Rebecca Yarros has repeatedly stated that she wants the adaptation to remain faithful to the physical descriptions established in the novels, particularly regarding the diversity of several key characters. As a result, many readers are paying close attention to any casting rumors that emerge online.
The fan-favorite choices for Violet Sorrengail
Among readers, there is no clear consensus regarding who should portray Violet.
One of the most frequently mentioned names is Mackenzie Foy, known for her performances in Interstellar and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Many fans believe she captures Violet's combination of intelligence, vulnerability and determination.
Another popular choice is Freya Allan, who gained international recognition as Ciri in The Witcher. Her experience portraying a young woman forced into a dangerous world has made her a recurring favorite in fan discussions.
More recently, some readers have suggested Milly Alcock, whose portrayal of young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon earned widespread praise. Her ability to balance strength and emotional vulnerability aligns closely with how many readers imagine Violet.
Xaden Riorson remains the most debated role
No character generates more discussion than Xaden Riorson.
Because Xaden is arguably the most popular male character in modern romantasy, fans have extremely high expectations regarding his casting.
One of the most frequently cited names is Lucien Laviscount. His appearance, charisma and commanding screen presence have made him one of the most popular fan-cast choices across social media.
Another name that regularly appears is Michael Yerger. His physical resemblance to many fan interpretations of Xaden has earned him significant support within the fandom.
Some readers have also proposed Charles Melton due to his combination of intensity, emotional depth and leading-man presence.
However, Rebecca Yarros has made it clear that maintaining the character's canon description is important to her. Because of this, many fans believe Prime Video may ultimately choose a less well-known actor who more closely matches the books rather than a major Hollywood star.
Tairn and Andarna could become the true stars
Ironically, some fans believe the most difficult casting decisions have nothing to do with Violet or Xaden.
The dragons themselves are among the most beloved characters in the series.
Tairn's sarcastic personality, Andarna's growth throughout the books and Sgaeyl's fierce loyalty are central to the story's success. The voice actors chosen for these dragons could have a massive impact on how the adaptation is received.
Across fan communities, names such as Idris Elba, Richard Armitage and Keith David are frequently suggested for Tairn due to their deep and commanding voices.
Why Amazon may ignore most fan casts
History suggests that fan casts rarely become reality.
When productions such as The Witcher, Shadow and Bone and House of the Dragon announced their casts, many final choices had barely been discussed beforehand.
Prime Video will likely prioritize chemistry between actors, long-term availability, physical resemblance to the books and budget considerations over social media popularity.
For now, the casting of Violet and Xaden remains one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the adaptation. But given the scale of the franchise and the anticipation surrounding the series, the eventual casting announcement will almost certainly become one of the biggest fantasy entertainment stories of the year.
The official Fourth Wing Monopoly game is coming
The franchise expands beyond books
One of the more unexpected announcements concerns the arrival of an official Monopoly: Fourth Wing edition.
The game is expected to incorporate locations, characters and references from the Empyrean universe, allowing fans to experience the world of Navarre in a completely different way.
This development highlights the growing commercial power of the franchise. What began as a bestselling romantasy novel has evolved into a multimedia phenomenon with collectibles, merchandise, special editions, and now board games.
Why this matters
Successful fantasy franchises often expand beyond their original medium.
The arrival of licensed products such as Monopoly demonstrates that publishers and entertainment companies see long-term potential in the Empyrean universe.
This places Fourth Wing in a category alongside major fantasy properties that successfully transitioned into broader entertainment brands.