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Quick answer: If you loved Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, try A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, Powerless by Lauren Roberts, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Red Rising by Pierce Brown and The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon.
Fourth Wing combined a deadly war college, dragons that choose their riders and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and it became one of the biggest books of the decade. If you’ve finished Iron Flame and you’re waiting for the next Empyrean book, the picks below deliver the same mix of danger, banter and romance. Some are adult romantasy with steamy scenes, while others are young adult with the romance kept on the page as kissing, so you can choose what suits you. Each pick notes what makes it similar.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing works because it never lets up. Violet Sorrengail is physically fragile in a place built to kill the weak, so every challenge feels dangerous, and her sharp mind is her best weapon. The dragons have real personalities, especially the grumpy Tairn and tiny Andarna, and the banter between Violet and Xaden crackles. Add a mystery about what the war college is hiding, and you have a book that’s hard to put down.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Fourth Wing: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Flame | Rebecca Yarros | Romantasy | Continuing the story |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Romantasy | Fae and slow-burn romance |
| The Serpent and the Wings of Night | Carissa Broadbent | Romantasy | Deadly competitions |
| Powerless | Lauren Roberts | YA romantasy | A younger-friendly pick |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Fantasy | A deadly heroine |
| Red Rising | Pierce Brown | Science fiction | Brutal academy action |
| The Priory of the Orange Tree | Samantha Shannon | Epic fantasy | Dragons and big world-building |
| Blood Over Bright Haven | M. L. Wang | Fantasy | Magic schools with a twist |
| A Fate Inked in Blood | Danielle L. Jensen | Romantasy | Viking-inspired romance |
| Kingdom of the Wicked | Kerri Maniscalco | Romantasy | Dark, sexy fantasy |
| Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | YA fantasy | A chosen heroine |
| The Bridge Kingdom | Danielle L. Jensen | Romantasy | Spy romance |
| Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross | Romantasy | Rival journalists and war |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Fantasy | Dragon riders for all ages |
| The Atlas Six | Olivie Blake | Dark academia fantasy | Rivals in a secret society |
1. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
If you haven’t read it yet, the second Empyrean book picks up right after Fourth Wing with higher stakes, more dragons and Violet and Xaden’s relationship tested by secrets. It’s long and packed with twists.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress is taken into the faerie lands as payment for a killing. The series grows into an epic of rival courts and swoon-worthy romance, and its second book is many readers’ favorite.
3. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
A human raised by a vampire king enters a brutal tournament to win a goddess’s favor. It’s dark, romantic and has the same high-stakes trials as Basgiath.
4. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
A girl without powers hides among the elite and competes in deadly trials while falling for the prince who should hunt her. It’s a YA favorite with no explicit scenes.
5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
An assassin competes to become the king’s champion in a castle where rivals keep dying. The series grows into a sweeping epic.
6. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A miner infiltrates the elite of a color-coded Mars society, starting with a vicious school where students battle for survival. It’s intense and addictive.
7. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Dragon riders, queens and an ancient evil fill this standalone epic. It’s long, rich and full of strong women.
8. Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
A brilliant woman fights to be accepted into a magical academy and uncovers a terrible secret at the heart of her city’s power.
9. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
A shieldmaiden with a magical gift is drawn into a prophecy and a dangerous romance with a ruthless jarl’s son.
10. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
A witch hunting her twin’s killer bargains with a demon prince of hell. It’s atmospheric and steamy in later books.
11. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
An orphaned mapmaker discovers a rare power and is pulled into a world of magical soldiers. It’s a great YA alternative with mild romance.
12. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
A princess trained as a spy marries a rival king to destroy his kingdom, then starts to fall for him. It’s full of tension and banter.
13. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Two rival reporters fall in love through magical letters during a war between gods. It’s tender and lovely.
14. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy bonds with a dragon and becomes a legendary rider. It’s a classic for readers who want dragons without romance.
15. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Six magicians compete for a place in a secret society guarding ancient knowledge. It’s clever, dark and full of tension.
How to Pick Your Next Read After Fourth Wing
- Want more dragons? Try The Priory of the Orange Tree or Eragon.
- Want deadly trials? Go for The Serpent and the Wings of Night or Red Rising.
- Want more romance? A Court of Thorns and Roses and Kingdom of the Wicked deliver.
- Reading for a teen? Powerless and Shadow and Bone are YA with no explicit scenes.
- Check spice levels. Many romantasy books include explicit content.
- Try audiobooks. Long fantasy flies by on audio.
Related: Fourth Wing book club discussion questions and what age Fourth Wing is appropriate for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after Fourth Wing?
Start with Iron Flame if you haven’t, then try A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Serpent and the Wings of Night or Powerless.
What is a YA book like Fourth Wing?
Powerless by Lauren Roberts and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo offer similar thrills without explicit content.
Are there other dragon books like Fourth Wing?
The Priory of the Orange Tree, Eragon and A Fate Inked in Blood feature dragons or dragon-like magic.