Fourth Wing Series Spotlight: Reading Order, Spice, and Why BookTok Loves It
If you’ve been anywhere near BookTok in the past two years, you’ve seen the hype around Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Dragons, danger, and a romance that makes readers swoon — it’s become the romantasy everyone is talking about.
This guide is completely spoiler-free. We’ll cover the reading order, the tropes and spice levels, and why the Empyrean series has captured so many hearts. If you loved ACOTAR and are searching for your next obsession, this is the perfect place to start.
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Fourth Wing Reading Order
The Empyrean series should be read in release order. Each book builds on the last — the romance deepens, the stakes rise, and the dragon bonds become more important with every chapter.
- Fourth Wing (May 2023)
- Iron Flame (Nov 2023)
- Onyx Storm (Jan 2025)
Rebecca Yarros has confirmed the series will span five books total, so readers can expect plenty more swoony tension and dragon-fueled drama.
Why BookTok Loves Fourth Wing
Readers fell hard for this series — and not just for the dragons. Here’s why it blew up on social media, all without spoilers:
- Dragons + a deadly war college setting make every chapter feel high stakes.
- Enemies-to-lovers slow burn keeps fans swooning.
- Found family and loyal friendships soften the sharp edges.
- Open-door spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️ delivers the payoff that romantasy fans crave.
- Fan art, annotations, and endless edits keep the obsession alive long after the last page.
Why ACOTAR Fans Come Here Next
If you loved ACOTAR but are craving something fresh, Fourth Wing is the natural next step.
- Both series blend fantasy adventure with romance-first storytelling.
- Broody, protective MMCs that readers can’t stop comparing (Rhysand ➝ Xaden).
- Strong heroines who find power while facing impossible odds.
- Overlapping tropes: training grounds, forbidden attraction, forced proximity, hidden abilities.
- The difference? Dragons, military stakes, and a romance that sparks even hotter.
The Empyrean series
Fourth Wing – Book #1
Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros
Tropes: enemies to lovers, training rivals, forbidden attraction, found family
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ — multiple open-door moments
Why it fits: Introduces the Empyrean world where survival is never guaranteed, dragons choose their riders, and romance simmers beneath the danger. It’s the perfect entry point into a romantasy that blends grit with swoon.
Quick hook: Step inside Basgiath War College, where every trial is deadly and attraction is the last thing you expect. This is where the obsession begins.
Iron Flame – Book #2
Iron Flame – Rebecca Yarros
Tropes: rivals to lovers progression, forced proximity, secrets, political intrigue
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ — hotter and more intense than book one
Why it fits: Expands the Empyrean world with more danger, more politics, and more romance. If book one hooked you, this one proves the series is only just getting started.
Quick hook: Power grows, trust is tested, and passion refuses to stay quiet. It’s a sequel that gives fans more of everything they loved.
Onyx Storm – Book #3
Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
Tropes: forced proximity, loyalty tested, found family, high-stakes romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️+ — steamy, raw, and emotionally charged
Why it fits: Raises the intensity with deeper bonds and higher stakes, showing why this series is the talk of BookTok. The romance and the world both reach unforgettable heights.
Quick hook: A storm is coming — dragons soar, loyalties shift, and love proves it can burn through the darkest skies.
Spice & Tropes at a Glance
- Core tropes: enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, training rivals, found family, forced proximity
- Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ — consistent open-door spice that grows with each book
- Tone: high-stakes fantasy balanced with banter, swoony romance, and moments of raw intimacy
FAQ
Start with Fourth Wing, then Iron Flame, followed by Onyx Storm. The series is planned to be five books total.
Yes. The series is open-door with multiple explicit scenes. The spice level grows as the books progress.
Both series blend fantasy and romance, feature broody love interests, strong heroines, and slow-burn romances with open-door scenes.
Rebecca Yarros has confirmed the Empyrean series will have five books in total.
What to Read Next
If Fourth Wing has you hooked, here’s where to go next:
- Done With ACOTAR? Read These Next
- Sarah J. Maas Reading Order & Timeline
- TikTok’s Most Viral Spicy Romance Books of All Time
Reader Essentials for Your Fourth Wing Binge
Want to make your Empyrean journey even more special? These Amazon picks are fan favorites:
- Hardcover editions of the Empyrean series — Collect Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm in hardcovers.
- Kindle Scribe — Highlight your favorite dragon quotes and keep notes as you read.
- Dragon metal bookmark — A touch of BookTok-approved magic for every page turn.
Before you go
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New to spice? Start with our Spicy Romance Glossary or explore Starter Books.
Want more opinions? Browse reviews on Goodreads
Reddit Communities: – r/RomanceBooks , r/SpicyRomanceBooks , r/Booktokreddit
Reading Tools: The StoryGraph, BookWyrm, or LibraryThing for fresh takes.
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