If you spent 2024 on BookTok and somehow missed the dragons, the lightning, and the absolute chokehold Rebecca Yarros put the entire reading world in, let me catch you up: The Fourth Wing is the romantasy phenomenon that sold over 14 million copies, spawned a million fan edits, and made grown adults scream at paperbacks in public. Welcome to the Empyrean series — where dragon riders train to die, enemies become lovers, and every chapter ends on a cliff that should be illegal.
The Fourth Wing Book Summary (100% Spoiler-Free)
Picture this: twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail has spent her whole life preparing to be a scribe — quiet libraries, zero chance of death. Then her mother (the commanding general) forces her into Basgiath War College’s brutal Riders Quadrant. Only one rule matters: graduate or die. Oh, and the guy who wants her dead because of family history? Yeah, he’s the most powerful wing leader in centuries. Add dragons that choose their riders, signet powers that manifest under stress, and a secret war nobody’s supposed to know about… and you’ve got The Fourth Wing.
It’s basically Hunger Games meets ACOTAR with dragons that swear in your head. No wonder TikTok lost its mind.
Want to feel the hype in 60 seconds? Here’s the perfect fan trailer everyone’s been sharing: Best Fourth Wing Book Trailer 2025
Main Characters You’ll Either Love or Obsess Over
- Violet Sorrengail – our clever, chronically ill heroine who shouldn’t survive day one
- Xaden Riorson – winged shadows, black dragon, walking red flag (we love him)
- Tairn – Violet’s massive, sarcastic black dragon, who roasts everyone
- Andarna – the tiny golden feathertail who stole every reader’s heart
- Dain Aetos – childhood friend turned… complicated
- Liam Mairi – the sweetheart we all protected at all costs (iykyk)
Quick character table so you don’t mix them up:
| Name | Dragon | Signet Power | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violet Sorrengail | Tairn + Andarna | Lightning wielder | Fourth Wing |
| Xaden Riorson | Sgaeyl | Shadows + intentions | Fourth Wing |
| Rhiannon Matthias | Feirge | None yet | Best friend |
The Fourth Wing Reading Order & What’s Coming in 2025
Here’s the only order you need:
- The Fourth Wing (May 2023) – start here
- Iron Flame (November 2023) – that ending still haunts us
- Onyx Storm (Book 3) – January 28, 2025 (mark your calendars!)
- Bonus chapters – the Target/Iron Flame special editions have extra Xaden POV scenes (worth hunting)
Pro tip: grab the audiobooks. Narrator Rebecca Soler IS Violet.
Top 10 The Fourth Wing Moments That Broke the Internet
- The parapet walk (heart attack in chapter form)
- “I would rather lose this entire war than live without you”
- Tairn choosing Violet (iconic)
- The first time Xaden calls her “Violence”
- Threshing day chaos
- That dagger scene on the mat
- Andarna’s surprise reveal
- The library make-out (yes, the one)
- Iron Flame’s last three pages (we’re still recovering)
- Xaden’s letter at the end of book one (sobs)
The Fourth Wing TV Show – Everything We Know in 2025
Amazon, MGM Studios and Rebecca Yarros’ adaptation is happening. No official cast yet, but the fan-casting is (think Henry Cavill as Xaden, Florence Pugh as Violet). Filming hasn’t started, but Rebecca promises the dragons will look insane. Expect late 2026 at the earliest.
Empyrean Series Theories Before Onyx Storm Drops
- Xaden’s second signet — everyone’s betting on something huge
- Andarna isn’t a baby dragon… she stopped time for a reason
- Violet’s mom definitely knows about the venom
- The rebellion kids’ parents — that punishment was too convenient
- Someone we love isn’t making it out of book 5 alive (crying already)
Where to Read The Fourth Wing Right Now (Legally!)
- Kindle Unlimited (both books free with subscription)
- Audible — use your free credit, thank me later
- Libby/Hoopla through your library (zero cost)
- Target exclusive editions have the bonus chapters
- Bookshop.org if you want to support indie stores
Final Thoughts – Jump on the Dragon Now
If you’ve been sleeping on The Fourth Wing, now is the perfect time. Onyx Storm drops in less than two months, and trust me — you do NOT want to be the only person left who hasn’t met Tairn.
Grab the book, clear your weekend, and prepare to have your heart wrecked in the best way possible.
Ready to start? Here’s your one-click link: The Fourth Wing on Amazon
Quick FAQ
Is The Fourth Wing spicy? Yes — very. 18+ for sure.
How many books will be in the Empyrean series? Five total. We’re getting three more after Onyx Storm.
Do I need to read anything before The Fourth Wing? Nope — jump right in.
Is The Fourth Wing better than ACOTAR? Different vibes, but the dragons and tension might just win.
When exactly does Onyx Storm come out? January 28, 2025 — pre-order or cry.
