If you’re one of the millions of readers across the country who have enjoyed Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, you might be yearning for another book or series to read with similar fantasy elements. If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck because we’ve put together a short list of nine books that have some similar traits to the Empyrean series. Check below for short summaries of each book, and a brief explanation of how they’re similar to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Many of the titles we selected are also the first books in their own series, so there’s even more to discover!
In case you haven’t read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, or if you need a brief reminder, here are some quick, spoiler-free summaries for each of them, and links to the catalog if you want to grab a copy.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Summary: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragonriders.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Summary: Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through.
Read-alikes
Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Series: Aurelian Cycle
Description: When a brutal revolution opens dragonrider classes to everyone, two orphans from very different backgrounds become rising stars in a new regime that is challenged by violent survivors of the former government.
Why we recommend it: Both epic fantasy series openers star strong young women who must reckon with their future as dragonriders. Each features extensive world-building, authentic characters and plenty of action. Fourth Wing is much steamier than the young adult novel Fireborne.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Description: The fates of two bitter enemies with opposing magical abilities are swept together.
Why we recommend it: Fantasy romance fans will appreciate these suspenseful, action-packed novels about sparks unexpectedly flying between enemies under the backdrop of a magical war. Both are the first in a series.
A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand
Series: Middlemist Trilogy
Description: Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Then, she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Gemma proposes a bargain: she’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks.
Why we recommend it: In these suspenseful fantasy series starters with rich world-building, women living with chronic illnesses find love while fighting to protect their family (Ivy and Glass) and their realm (Fourth Wing).
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Series: Book of the Ancestor
Description: Entering a convent where girls are selected to train in either religion, combat or magic, Nona, while training in combat, finds herself at the center of an epic battle for an empire on the outer reaches of a dying universe.
Why we recommend it: Reluctant female students discover their potential as they are forced to train to become assassins (Red Sister) and dragonriders (Fourth Wing) in these action-packed and compelling fantasy series starters led by determined female characters.
Ledge by Stacey McEwan
Series: Glacian Trilogy
Description: This dramatic epic fantasy series depicts an intricate plot in which a courageous young woman discovers her latent powers and exacts vengeance against winged creatures called Glacians, who have kept humans sequestered for generations on a mountain ledge with a great chasm that provides no escape. This action-packed trilogy offers romance, political intrigue, high-stakes quests and compelling world-building.
Why we recommend it: Readers looking for fantasy romance will appreciate these fast-paced, suspenseful novels about women who fight to survive in a world of dragonriders (Fourth Wing) or murderous winged monsters (Ledge). Both are part of a series.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Series: Scholomance
Description: An unwilling dark sorceress destined to rewrite the rules of magic clashes with a popular combat sorcerer while resolving to spare the lives of innocents.
Why we recommend it: Female students who enter the academy to become powerful magicians (urban fantasy: A Deadly Education) and dragonriders (epic fantasy: Fourth Wing) must overcome their self-doubts as threats loom. Both series starters are action-packed with solid world-building and romance elements.
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
Series: Legends of the First Empire
Description: Set in the same world as the author’s popular Riyria Revelations series, the first novel in a new fantasy series follows the struggle between the Fhrey elves and the Rhune men for control of Elan.
Why we recommend it: Both books have excellent world-building and fit into the epic-fantasy genre. Both books include dragons, world-changing secrets, and imaginary kingdoms and have characters that are authentic, likable and well-developed.
Heartstone by Elle Katharine White
Series: Heartstone
Description: In a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Aliza Bentaine agrees when the people of Merybourne Manor hire Riders to fight the monsters threatening their kingdom but is thrown off guard by her romantic attraction to the proud dragonrider Alastair Daired.
Why we recommend it: Both books are full of world-building and are action-packed. They are both epic fantasies with young female protagonists and include dragons, imaginary kingdoms, and likable and spirited characters.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Series: Crowns of Nyaxia
Description: The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya, carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari, a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown…yet what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.
Why we recommend it: Both are fantasy novels, feature enemies-to-lovers, have a subject of competition and focus on world-building.