Last spring, I remember whipping up a short blurb about a fantasy book that had just hit the New York Times bestseller list. I’d never heard of it, but the premise — a girl goes to a brutal war college to learn how to be a dragonrider — captured my interest immediately. Though I didn’t know it at the time, that book would take the world — and certainly the romantasy genre — by storm.
Today, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros continues to appear on bestseller lists. It has nearly a million five-star ratings on Goodreads, and remains a viral sensation across BookTok feeds. There’s even a TV series adaptation in the works.
Thankfully, we’ve got more books to look forward to in the Empyrean series. In the meantime, you might be wondering what to read after Fourth Wing. The books I’ve gathered here are all similar to Fourth Wing in one way or another. You’ll find strong heroines facing huge challenges, enemies-to-lovers romance (with spice!), and fantastical schools and political intrigue. Oh, and dragons — obviously we need some more dragons.
I recommend starting with Divine Rivals — another bestselling romantasy making waves on BookTok, Bookstagram, Reddit, and beyond.
1. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The obvious choice for what to read after Fourth Wing is the book’s sequel. In Iron Flame, Violet Sorrengail’s challenges, adventures, and trysts with Xaden Riorson at Basgiath War College continue, and I’m here for it.
Stay tuned for more — The Empyrean series is slated to span five books total, adding to Yarros’ already impressive catalog.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Before there was Fourth Wing, there was ACOTAR — Maas’ perennially popular romantasy that takes themes from Beauty and the Beast and twists them into something entirely new and unexpected.
This book is a rite of passage for the sub-genre. In fact, most readers perusing this list have probably already read it, along with the rest of the series. If that’s not the case for you, what are you waiting for?
Book one introduces Feyre, a young girl who’s responsible for feeding her family after her father loses everything. Feyre is proud, fierce, loyal, stubborn, and clever. Her journey takes her from her human world into the fae world, where she’s forced to make impossible decisions that begin to change her world view.
3. Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Like Yarros, Gong is a BookTok favorite thanks to books like Foul Lady Fortune and These Violent Delights. In 2023, she dropped Immortal Longings, the first book in the upcoming Flesh and False Gods series.
The kingdom of Talin hosts an annual winner-take-all, fight-to-the-death competition with unthinkable wealth on the line. Princess Calla enters in disguise and quickly allies with Anton, a royal exile. Their rivals-to-lovers relationship keeps the tension high, as does the court intrigue and fantastical battle sequences. (Clearly, a dream read for Fourth Wing fans.)
The next book, Vilest Things, is expected this fall.
4. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Amid a war between gods, Iris, an 18-year-old writer, pens cathartic letters to her missing brother. They mysteriously (perhaps magically) wind up in the hands of Iris’ rival at the Oath Gazette. He decides to write back without revealing his identity, leading to surprising consequences.
This duology-starter by Ross is a steampunk romantasy that leans heavily into relatable human experiences, with subtle magic only enhancing the plot. As mentioned, it’s trending all over the internet and social media, especially if you search for Fourth Wing readalikes.
5. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
If you see mention of Yarros or Maas on BookTok (or anywhere else, really), chances are Armentrout’s name will pop up, too. She’s clearly a scholar of fantasy and paranormal romance tropes, putting a masterful spin on vampires, werewolves, and forbidden love in From Blood and Ash.
Poppy, a Maiden who has to ignore her own desires for the sake of family and kingdom, falls for Hawke, a guard who makes his way past her defenses and is willing to abandon his duties to the kingdom to be Poppy’s. Queue the angst and steamy sex in between stunning action sequences and lush worldbuilding.
6. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
In Ilya, gifted Elites rule and Ordinaries are disdained — even killed. Paedyn masquerades as a psychic to survive, but when she saves the life of Prince Kai, she’s drawn into a brutal competition between Elites that makes hiding her identity near-impossible.
BookTokers agree: Romance, fantasy, and deadly consequences make this a thrilling and engrossing read. Those same factors also make it similar to Fourth Wing.
7. One for All by Lillie Lainoff
Besides the riveting action and romance, Fourth Wing also gained immense appreciation for its treatment of chronic illness. Yarros, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, drew inspiration from her own life to create Violet’s character. This reimagining of The Three Musketeers offers similar representation, as it’s based on Lainoff’s experiences with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
In 17th-century France, teenage Tania aspires to become a musketeer like her father, despite living with a frustrating chronic illness. Her wish comes true when she’s accepted to an exclusive finishing school that teaches girls to seduce and sword fight in the name of their country, but Talia’s first assignment unexpectedly tests her loyalty.
8. The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
As a YA book, The Last Namsara has some differences from Fourth Wing (for example, no open-door steam). But the similarities are hard to miss: Ciccarelli’s heroine is unsure of herself and attempting to find her place in the world, all while dealing with political schemes, family pressure, and simmering romance. (Oh, and dragons. Did I mention this one has dragons?)
Asha, a princess and feared dragon slayer, faces an arranged marriage to a barbaric commander in her father’s army. But Asha has a chance to escape her dreaded fate — if she can find and kill the most dangerous dragon of all. Along the way, Asha begins to question everything she’s been told about herself, her kingdom, and the creatures she hunts.
9. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
For the last millennium, the House of Berethnet has ruled over Inys. However, unless Queen Sabran produces an heir, she risks the loss and destruction of her queendom. Meanwhile, everyone fears the return of the Nameless One, a ruler of dragons who has the power to wipe out humankind.
Starring a cast of fascinating narrators, The Priory of the Orange Tree is a sapphic epic fantasy that takes place in a world with an intricate magic system, lots of dragon lore, and a wonderful lack of homophobia.
10. The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Orphan Talasyn and Prince Alaric have conflicting politics, backgrounds, and brands of magic. But when united, the two have the power to stop their homeland’s Hurricane Wars and defeat an even greater enemy.
Guanzon opens The Hurricane Wars trilogy with unlikely romance, dazzling fantasy, and a nod to Southeast Asian mythology. Duty and desire clash, meld, and become something altogether mesmerizing.
11. A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark
Humans with magic are considered corrupt, and Prisca is one of them. When she’s forced to flee her home to protect this secret, Prisca meets Lorien and his band of mercenaries. To survive — and to control her magic — she’ll have to work with Lorien, who’s seemingly cruel and arrogant, but undeniably sexy.
This enemies-to-lovers romantasy — the first book in the Kingdom of Lies series — is a slow, spellbinding burn with incredible character development and irresistible sexual tension.
12. The Song of the Marked by S.M. Gaither
Casia Greythorne has cheated death once before, having survived the Fading Sickness, which left her with white hair and gray eyes. In order to escape punishment for her life of crimes as a mercenary, Cas agrees to work with secret-softie Captain Elander to find a cure.
The Song of the Marked has an excellent crew of characters and the romance between Cas and Elander is top-notch. But like with Fourth Wing and All for One, what makes the Shadows and Crowns series stand out is the portrayal of real-world health concerns. (Cas has anxiety, while Violet has a joint disorder. Both openly discuss the effects these conditions have on their lives, and their unique coping methods.)
13. Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer
A prophecy says Althea Zoltaire is going to die in the near future, but she’s not going down without a fight. All she wants is to become a warrior — but women aren’t allowed to be warriors in this world. Not that laws or impending death can stop her.
Wilder Hawthorne is skeptical of a woman’s capability to be a warrior, but immediately his heart is at the mercy of Althea.
This kickoff to the The Legends of Thezmarr series promises a vast new world to explore, and the sizzling sexual tension between Althea and Wilder is the perfect distraction from your Fourth Wing withdrawal.
14. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Sixteen-year-old Meghan Chase’s dull life takes a radical turn when her younger brother is taken by fairies and replaced with a snarling changeling. As Meghan ventures into the land of the fae to find her brother, the shocking truth about her own identity comes to light — and changes everything.
Kagawa’s Iron Fey series melds romantasy and fairy-tale themes with secrets, adventure, and plot twists to keep readers hooked.
15. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
This dazzling debut — a reimagining of Chinese folklore — whisks readers away to a beautiful world full of mythological creatures (including dragons!) and magic as Xingyin attempts to free her imprisoned mother, the moon goddess, and protect the fate of the world.
Tan’s coming-of-age tale and its sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior, follow the epic adventures of a courageous heroine. Both covers, designed by Kuri Huang, are absolutely stunning, so it’s no wonder the duology is popular on social feeds.
16. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Aveyard wowed the world with the Red Queen series, a dystopian fantasy. In this high fantasy adventure trilogy, she takes tropes from epics of yore. Magical Corayne and her motley crew of companions fight over the fate of the realm in what the author told The Nerd Daily is like a more feminist, inclusive Lord of the Rings.
With many characters to love, a few evil characters to secretly root for, and signature Aveyard cliffhangers, Realm Breaker and its sequel Blade Breaker will leave you wanting more in the best possible way.
17. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
A lowly peasant girl resigned to a dismal fate from birth rises from the ashes to claim a new destiny. To do so, she assumes her dead brother’s identity as Zhu Chongba.
Zhu slowly climbs the ranks of a rebel army fighting against the Mongols and transforms from survivor to conqueror. Likened to Mulan and The Poppy War, Parker-Chan’s epic reimagination of the Ming dynasty will surely satisfy Fourth Wing fans looking for more fantasy world-building and riveting action with a strong female lead.
18. The Third Veil by Heather Carter
Carter’s The Third Veil is a lushly written fantasy romance that sweeps the reader along for a remarkable journey. The heroine gets drawn into an alternate world with magic and monsters, only to discover the fate of all universes and dimensions is in her hands.
Like Violet Sorrengail, Seven Ponds (this book’s MC) starts off feeling downtrodden and totally out of her depth, which only paves the way for incredible character growth.
19. A Fate of Wrath and Flame by K. A. Tucker
Thief Romeria is plucked from her native NYC to complete a mission in an alternate world of elemental magic. Her assumed identity comes with a few complications — including a fiancé, King Zander, who can’t stand the sight of her (at first).
Light on the spice but heavy on the sexual tension, Tucker’s Fate & Flame series starter includes impressive fantasy world-building and some of our favorite romance tropes, including fake dating, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers.
20. King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
Looking for some extremely spicy fantasy to pass the time until the next Empyrean book hits the shelves? St. Clair delivers with this enemies-to-lovers vampire romance.
Isolde de Lara is strong and courageous and very much not suited for an arranged marriage, but wedding Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, the vampire king, is the best way to kill him and end the war between vampires and humans. Soon, though, loathing becomes lust, which eventually reveals an unbreakable bond between Isolde and Adrian.
Continue the Adrian X Isolde series with Queen of Myth and Monsters.
