# 19 Romantasy Books to Read While Awaiting the Next Empyrean Novel Discover gripping fantasy series that capture the magic and tension of Fourth Wing. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-28 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/815d83fe-c5e1-4191-9142-ec320135b25c ## The Empyrean Series Phenomenon Rebecca Yarros captivated readers with the 2023 release of Fourth Wing, introducing Violet Sorrengail at Basgiath War College. The series has become a massive commercial success, with the third installment, Onyx Storm, selling over 2.7 million copies in its first week. Fans are currently awaiting the fourth book in this planned five-novel saga. ## Bridging the Narrative Gap While Yarros has confirmed that writing for the fourth book is underway, no official publication date has been announced yet. To maintain engagement, the author released Threshing Day in September. This collection of thirteen stories provides essential lore about dragons and riders, serving as a strategic appetizer for the dedicated Empyrean reader base. ## Exploring A Court of Mist and Fury Sarah J. Maas remains a staple for fans of the genre. A Court of Mist and Fury, the second book in her series, mirrors the tone of the Empyrean universe. It follows Feyre Archeron as she navigates complex deals with the High Lord of the Night Court, offering deep romantic tension and high-stakes fantasy. ## Betrayal in Blood and Ash Jennifer L. Armentrout’s A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire continues the Blood and Ash series with significant plot twists. Protagonist Poppy discovers that her divine duty as the Maiden is a fabrication. The narrative explores themes of trust and hidden powers, paralleling the discovery arcs found in the Fourth Wing universe for readers. ## Magical Schools and Dark Secrets Lev Grossman’s The Magicians offers a compelling alternative for those who enjoy the academic setting of Basgiath. Quentin Coldwater discovers a secret college of magic, only to find that his power leads to dangerous consequences. The series, which was adapted into a television show, captures the darker side of magical education and training. ## Letters Across a Fantasy War Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross replaces the war college with a newsroom setting while maintaining the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Iris Winnow competes against Roman Kitt for a promotion while writing letters to her brother. The story evolves into a high-fantasy romance, providing the emotional longing and secrecy that many Fourth Wing readers crave. ## The Deadly Kejari Tournament Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night features Oraya, a human adopted by a vampire king. To survive, she enters the Kejari, a lethal tournament. The forced alliance with a mysterious vampire provides the same high-stakes romantic tension and survivalist themes that defined the relationship between Violet and Xaden Riorson. ## Factional Secrets in Divergent Veronica Roth’s Divergent series remains a classic choice for those who enjoy societal structures and hidden identities. Beatrice Prior must hide her test results to survive in a faction-based world. The transition from her home faction to the brave Dauntless group mirrors the intense training and life-altering choices faced by dragon riders. ## Facing the Nightmare Within One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig focuses on Elspeth Spindle, who harbors a spirit called Nightmare in her mind. Her secret is compromised when she encounters a captain of the guard working to overthrow the king. The romantic tension between the two characters amidst a time-sensitive mission creates a gripping, fast-paced reading experience. ## Classic Dragon Rider Dynamics For readers primarily interested in the dragon-rider bond, Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon is an essential read. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Will Laurence bonds with a dragon named Temeraire. The novel explores the logistical and emotional challenges of aerial combat, providing a grounded, historical take on the dragon-rider trope. ## The Kingmaker’s Epic Journey Amanda Bouchet’s A Promise of Fire introduces Cat Fisa, a woman with the rare ability to detect lies. When she is captured by a general to protect his throne, a complex power struggle ensues. The series is packed with gods, magic, and a slow-burn romance that appeals to fans of strong, capable protagonists. ## Modern Fantasy and Urban Mystery Sarah J. Maas’ Crescent City series, starting with House of Earth and Blood, blends modern urban settings with high-fantasy stakes. Bryce Quinlan teams up with a Fallen angel to solve a series of murders. The investigation reveals deep-seated secrets about their world, offering a mature, steamy narrative for fans of the Empyrean series. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/books-like-fourth-wing-rebecca-yarros — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._