If you have even a pinky on the pulse of the literary world, or you’re a TikTok user, you’ve heard of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and its sequel, Iron Flame. While these books are Yarros’ first foray into romantasy, she’s been writing novels for a full decade.
In this list, I’ve ranked some of the best Rebecca Yarros books in order, starting with my favorite (and probably yours, too). But as popular as the Empyrean series is, I encourage you to check out Yarros’ other works to get the full scope of her talent — including The Things We Leave Unfinished, a beautiful ode to storytelling and true love.
From engrossing fantasies to contemporary romances, these Rebecca Yarros books are captivating from start to finish.
1. Fourth Wing
Yarros veered from her typical romance works to pen this dark academia/romantasy — and it’s widely considered her best work (or, at the very least, her most popular).
In Fourth Wing, Violet, the bookish daughter of a formidable mother, must put aside her fear to become a dragon rider. But first, she has to graduate (read: survive) the brutal Basgiath War College, where everyone and everything seems out to kill her.
Besides the riveting action and romance, this story has 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.
2. Iron Flame
Iron Flame may have dropped in the same calendar year as Fourth Wing, but fans (including me) were already eagerly awaiting the continuation of Violet's journey.
Her first year at Basgiath may be behind her, but Violet’s challenges and dangers are only beginning as she continues her dragon rider training. Stakes and brutalities soar higher than ever, and Violet must summon every ounce of her courage, determination, and intelligence if she’s going to defy all odds once again.
When Georgia Stanton’s great-grandmother Scarlett passed away, she left behind an unfinished romance manuscript based on her own history with a fighter pilot during World War II. Novelist Noah Harrison is hired to complete the story, but a fictional ending won’t satisfy Georgia. She’s determined to uncover the truth about Scarlett’s greatest love — and loss.
Moving between past and present — and two romances — The Things We Leave Unfinished is a bittersweet story that will probably leave you sobbing (but not regretting it for a moment).
Nixon may be the lead guitarist of Hush Note, but his life is far from perfect. Fresh out of rehab — again — Nixon needs to stay strong this time if Hush Note is going to keep him around. Enter Zoe.
With her career on the line, the band’s assistant must keep Nixon out of trouble for a few weeks. But this is easier said than done, especially when the chemistry between Nix and Zoe is off the charts.
Muses & Melodies is the final installment of the multi-author Hush Notes series — a collection of standalone romances that each follow a different band member. While Nix was introduced earlier in the series, you don’t need to have read them to appreciate the depth of his pain or his journey to redemption.
Cam Daniels and his younger brother Sully go off to war together, but only Cam returns. Consumed with guilt and blamed for Sully’s death by his father and neighbors, Cam leaves his hometown never intending to return.
But years later, a family disagreement pulls Cam back — to his father, who’s now suffering from Alzheimer’s, and to Willow, the only woman Cam will never allow himself to be with.
A military wife of over two decades, Yarros has penned many military love stories, including this one. Great and Precious Things is a second-chance romance and family drama about people learning to forgive and move forward.
6. Girl in Luv
Yarros and author Jay Crownover co-wrote the In Love Duet duology, publishing both novellas on the same day (to the delight of those who flew through Girl in Luv and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next).
If there’s anything worse than your awful step-sister marrying your ex, it’s showing up to the wedding single. Langley Vaughn needs a date — now — and Iker Alvarez needs to earn some fast cash. But this fake dating scheme may turn into something more, especially as Langley’s cruel family activates Iker’s protective side.
7. Boy in Luv
A year ago, after just one week together, Langley and Iker felt more passion and connection than they ever thought possible. But it all ended in heartbreak (and a cliffhanger). Now, a year later, they meet once again.
Iker regrets his choices. Langley refuses to open her heart again. Will they find their way back to one another?
