If you’ve ever dreamed of soaring through stormy skies on the back of a fire-breathing dragon, locked in a forbidden romance amid brutal battles and ancient secrets, then Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series is your next obsession. Starting with the TikTok-viral sensation Fourth Wing, this romantasy powerhouse has sold millions, sparked global book clubs, and even landed a TV adaptation. But with dragons, deadly trials, and twists that hit harder than a wyvern’s tail, one wrong step in reading order could leave you lost in the clouds.
Enter Onyx Storm—the explosive third installment that’s already shattered sales records since its January 2025 release. Whether you’re a newbie rider or a die-hard fan bracing for the cliffhanger fallout, this guide has you covered. We’ll break down the Onyx Storm series in order (spoiler: it’s the Empyrean series), share quick plot teases (no major spoilers!), and spill why this saga is devouring bookshelves worldwide. Grab your leathers—it’s time to fly.
What Is the Onyx Storm Series? A Quick Dive into the Empyrean World
The “Onyx Storm series” refers to Rebecca Yarros’ flagship Empyrean series, a five-book romantasy epic blending high-stakes fantasy with swoon-worthy romance. Set in the kingdom of Navarre, it follows Violet Sorrengail, a brilliant but fragile young woman thrust into Basgiath War College—a brutal training ground for dragon riders. Here, cadets face life-or-death challenges, forge bonds with massive, telepathic dragons, and uncover a web of political intrigue, venin (dark magic wielders), and forbidden love.
Yarros, a #1 New York Times bestseller and former military spouse, infuses the series with raw emotion, pulse-pounding action, and themes of resilience and found family. It’s A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Divergent, but with more spice, sharper banter, and dragons that steal every scene. The series exploded in 2023 thanks to BookTok, and Onyx Storm continued the storm, selling 2.7 million copies in its first week—outpacing even adult fantasy giants.
Pro tip: Read in order to catch every signet power reveal, dragon bond, and heart-wrenching betrayal. Skipping ahead? You’re basically volunteering for the parapet.
Onyx Storm Series in Order: Publication and Reading Sequence
The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros is designed as a continuous arc, meaning the chronological order perfectly matches the publication order. Known for her gripping storytelling and emotional depth, Rebecca Yarros’ books captivate readers with rich world-building and unforgettable characters. As of October 2025, three books have been released, with two more exciting installments confirmed. Here’s the full lineup:
| Book # | Title | Publication Date | Quick Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourth Wing | May 2, 2023 | Survival academy meets enemies-to-lovers spark. Violet’s first flight into danger—and desire. |
| 2 | Iron Flame | November 7, 2023 | Alliances shatter, secrets ignite. The stakes skyrocket as war looms on the horizon. |
| 3 | Onyx Storm | January 21, 2025 | Politics, peril, and a brewing tempest. Old foes return, and not everyone survives the wrath. |
| 4 | Untitled | TBA (2026?) | Yarros hints at isle explorations and deeper lore—expect more dragon drama! |
| 5 | Untitled | TBA | The grand finale: Resolutions for Violet, Xaden, and the rider rebellion. |
Note: Special editions abound—think sprayed edges and foil covers for collectors. Snag the deluxe Onyx Storm for that Wing and Claw artwork if you’re all-in on aesthetics.
Book 1: Fourth Wing – Where It All Begins (And Your Heart Ends Up in Knots)
Publication Date: May 2, 2023 Page Count: ~500 (paperback) Why Read It First? This is your entry to the skies—no prior knowledge required.
Violet Sorrengail was never meant for the brutal world of dragon riders. Born scrawny and bookish to a general mother, she’s forced into the Basgiath War College at 20, where one in four cadets dies before graduation. The parapet crossing? A literal death trap. But when Violet bonds with the fierce black dragon Tairn (and catches the eye of brooding wingleader Xaden Riorson), her world ignites.
What hooks readers: The found-family squad dynamics, sizzling tension with Xaden (hello, “violence is a love language” trope), and Yarros’ razor-sharp prose. It’s a 500-page adrenaline rush that ends on a gasp-worthy cliffhanger. If Fourth Wing doesn’t convert you to Team Dragon, nothing will.
Fan quote: “I laughed, I cried, I ugly-sobbed. This is my Roman Empire.” – BookTok reviewer.
Book 2: Iron Flame – Flames of Betrayal and Bigger Battles
Publication Date: November 7, 2023 Page Count: ~600 Pro Tip: Binge this right after Fourth Wing—the wait between books was torture for early fans.
Fresh off graduation (barely), Violet dives into Navarre’s underbelly of corruption and rebellion. With Xaden as her shadowy ally-turned-lover, she grapples with signet powers, venin threats, and loyalties that cut deeper than any blade. Expect dragon flights over forbidden lands, gut-punch revelations, and romance that burns hotter than forge fire.
The escalation is chef’s kiss: World-building expands to ancient wards and wyvern hordes, while Violet’s growth from underdog to warrior shines. That ending? A dagger to the chest—fans rioted (lovingly) on social media. If you love morally gray heroes and “touch her and die” energy, Iron Flame will own your soul.
Reader rave: “Yarros doesn’t just raise the stakes; she sets the whole damn kingdom ablaze.” – Goodreads top review.w
Book 3: Onyx Storm – The Storm Hits, and It’s Devastatingly Good
Publication Date: January 21, 2025 Page Count: ~650 Why It’s a Must-Read Now: Fresh off release, it’s dominating bestseller lists and midnight parties. (Yarros’ tour kicked off in LA—jealous?)
Eighteen months post-Fourth Wing, Violet’s no rookie rider, but the real war rages. Exiled to the dangerous isles, she hunts truths about venin magic, rallies unlikely allies, and faces a storm—literal and figurative—that tests every bond. Politics simmer with old enemies resurfacing, dragons clash in epic aerial battles, and the Violet-Xaden romance? Deeper, darker, and deliciously angsty.
Critics call it “thrilling and emotionally gripping,” praising the fast pace and cliffhanger that screams “Book 4, stat!” Downsides? Some say the magic jargon gets dense, but if you’re invested, it’s pure payoff. Yarros dedicates it to the “outsiders who read under desks”—a nod to every misfit fan.
Buzzworthy bite: “Onyx Storm removes the school familiarity and unleashes outlandish dangers. It’s romantasy on steroids.” – Today review. er
What’s Next for the Onyx Storm Series? Teasers for Books 4 and 5
Yarros has locked in a five-book plan, but don’t hold your breath for speedruns—the gap to Onyx Storm taught us patience (sort of). At recent events, she teased Book 4 diving into the isles’ mysteries, more character deaths (RIP our hearts), and unresolved threads like soul bonds and rebellion fallout. No release date yet—likely 2026—but Yarros promises it’ll be worth the wait.
In the meantime, the Fourth Wing TV adaptation (starring Michael B. Jordan as producer) is in the works at Amazon MGM. Imagine dragons on screen? Sign us up.
Why Dive into the Onyx Storm Series Today? (Spoiler: You’ll Thank Us Later)
This isn’t just a series—it’s a phenomenon. With 10+ million copies sold, inclusive rep (chronic illness, neurodiversity), and themes of defying odds, it’s catnip for anyone craving escape. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Holly Black, but with Yarros’ military-precision plotting.
Ready to bond with a dragon? Start with Fourth Wing on Amazon, Audible (narrator Rebecca Soler is magic), or your local indie. Join the #EmpyreanArmy on BookTok for theories, fan art, and coping memes.
What’s your squad signet power? Drop it in the comments—mine’s lightning (fitting for Onyx Storm, right?). Happy reading, riders. The storm awaits.
