The short answer: finish the Empyrean series first, with Iron Flame and then Onyx Storm. After those, the closest book to Fourth Wing is When the Moon Hatched – dragons, a dangerous love interest, and a heroine who is not waiting to be rescued. If romantasy is new to you, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas; if it was the dragons you came for, try The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon.

It's taken the book world by dragon-filled storm and with the paperback of Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing now out you might have just finished your first year at Basgiath War College and thought "well, what do I read after that?!". Don't worry, we're here with some suggestions.

Honestly, the first thing I did was read it again. I had absolutely no desire to let go and, like getting off a rollercoaster and running round to join the back of the queue, I was on such a reader's high that I just wanted to experience it all over again. I grew up fixated on a very small number of books that I would pick up or borrow from the library over and over again so when I discover a book like this in adulthood it's an absolute joy and the highest form of a compliment I can give.

First, finish the series

My next suggestion Iron Flame. There, that was easy. Thanks for reading. I'm joking, but the obvious next step if you enjoyed Fourth Wing and want more is to dive into the next book in the series. Iron Flame picks up the moment Fourth Wing puts you down, and after that comes Onyx Storm. Read them in that order and you have another two books before you need to face the world again.

Now that the most obvious suggestions are out of the way, and a re-read has been ruled out (or already completed), we've put together a few suggestions  that help to make the hole Fourth Wing has left in our lives less cavernous. 

If romantasy is new to you

We're growing a pretty substantial Romantasy Collection. So, if Fourth Wing was the first time you dipped your toe into the ocean that is the fantasy romance / romantasy genre then you're in luck, you'll find most of the big titles and authors of this genre there, all in one place for you to discover. Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass series are equally accessible and well-loved introductions to the genre. 

If you came for the dragons

When trying to decide what to read next, the best thing to do is work out what part of the story you want more of. If you're looking for more dragons, there's endless possibilities in high and epic fantasy novels - think A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones). The Dragons of Deepwood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu is a wonderful introduction to a new fantasy realm with vibrantly alive dragons and a fascinating land to explore. For me, Samantha Shannon's The Roots of Chaos series jumped right back up my to-be-read list for this reason, an enthralling epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons, start with The Priory of the Orange Tree. We loved Shannon's previous hit dystopian series The Bone Season, and with the world tensions and dragons we know The Roots of Chaos will help to scratch our Fourth Wing itch. 

If you're wanting a fantasy romance with dragons, When the Moon Hatched has a beautiful world concept that features dragons, gods, kings, special abilities and romance that finds our main character and assassin for the rebellion Raeve drawn against her better judgement to a dark, dangerous stranger.

If you came for the enemies-to-lovers

Moving away from dragons but still keeping the incredible fantasy world-building and an enemies-to-lovers storyline then you need to check out Deborah Harkness' All Souls series. The first book A Discovery of Witches introduces you to Oxford but not as you know it, it's one filled with vampires, witches and daemons as witch historian Diana Bishop crosses paths with vampire Matthew Clairmont and sets off a series of events that are truly gripping. This is a series I've returned to more than once, and it has since carried on with The Black Bird Oracle, so I am overdue a re-read. When I first read this series I was as obsessed with the story in that same way I am obsessed with Fourth Wing - the characters dynamics, the world and lore all deliver a stunning series that comes highly recommended by team LoveReading. 

If you came for the spectacle

Speaking of enchanting series, Stephanie Garber's Caraval can offer a lot to Fourth Wing fans. Caraval is a once-a-year, week-long performance held on a magical island where the audience participates in the show. There's magic, illusion, lies, mystery and intrigue. For sisters Scarlett and Tella Caraval represents a freedom and escape they're desperate for, and when the invite arrives it seems their dreams have come true. Until Tella vanishes and Scarlett is drawn into a search for her sister where she can't believe anything she sees. It's fantastical - think Victorian carnival with a dose of Absinthe, and heaps of magic and illusion. A magical story that will have you second guessing yourself throughout, each book in the trilogy takes Caraval to exciting and more dramatic heights. And once you've finished this trilogy, continue the story of some of the characters with the Once Upon A Broken Heart series.

We hope this has provided plenty of food for thought for what to read after Fourth Wing. Find the recommended books listed below and let us know in the comments what you've read to fill the void left by Violet and Xaden. 

For more fantasy picked by our editors, see The Best Fantasy Books.

Questions we get asked

What should I read straight after Fourth Wing?

Iron Flame, the second book in the Empyrean series, then Onyx Storm. Most readers are not ready to leave Basgiath yet, and there is no reason to.

What order do the Empyrean books go in?

Fourth Wing, then Iron Flame, then Onyx Storm.

Which book is closest to Fourth Wing?

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. It keeps all three of the things Fourth Wing readers come back for: dragons, a dangerous love interest, and a heroine who is not waiting to be rescued.

I want the dragons but not the romance

Start with The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Epic fantasy, a world on the brink of war, and dragons that are properly alive on the page.

Where do I start with Sarah J. Maas?

A Court of Thorns and Roses. It is the book that brought most people into romantasy in the first place.