10 Must-Read Books Like Fourth Wing to Read Next
Introduction
If you have just finished Fourth Wing and you are already missing dragons, deadly trials and a romance that makes you groan out loud, you are not alone. The problem is that many lists of similar books just repeat the same titles, leaving you with little idea which one to choose next. You want books that give you the same rush, not just the same genre label.
This guide solves that. It brings together ten books that share the appeal of Fourth Wing, from deadly trials and dragon riders to enemies-to-lovers tension and slow-burn romance. Each entry explains what the book is about, why it fits readers who loved Fourth Wing, what fans value about it and who should read it next.
The list is not a strict ranking of quality. Instead, it is a guide to finding the right match for your mood. Some books lean into danger, others lean into romance, and a few balance both with political intrigue or wartime stakes. The order reflects how closely each one captures the feel of Fourth Wing.
Before you choose, it helps to know what you enjoyed most in Fourth Wing. If it was the dragons, start with Fireborne. If it was the trials and rivalry, start with The Serpent and the Wings of Night. If it was the slow-burn romance, Divine Rivals or When the Moon Hatched may suit you best.
Many readers choose their next book by mood. A night of tense trials calls for a different book than a slow afternoon with a romance that builds gently. The list is organised so that you can match a book to the mood you are in, not only to the element you enjoyed most.
It is also worth checking the content before you start. Romantasy often includes mature themes and intense scenes, and some entries are darker than others. A quick look at reviews and content notes can help you choose a book that suits your comfort level.
Each book is available in paperback, ebook and audiobook, and the reading lines point you to Amazon UK so you can check current options. Some of these books are also part of longer series, which is useful if you want a long commitment. Whatever you pick, the list below will help you find your next favourite. Let’s start 👇
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10. The Serpent and the Wings of Night
From: Carissa Broadbent. Oraya, a human girl, was raised by Vincent, the Nightborn vampire king, in a world ruled by vampires. She has learned that her survival depends on her strength and cunning. When the Kejari, a deadly tournament held by the goddess of death, offers the winner a wish, she enters, hoping to change her fate and gain respect. The tournament draws the fiercest warriors from all three vampire houses, and every opponent is more dangerous than the last. Early in the competition she meets Raihn, a mysterious and dangerous vampire who is both a rival and a possible ally. Their wary alliance is built on necessity and mutual distrust. The story sets up the trials and the vampire politics that drive the rest of the series.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It shares the most obvious appeal of Fourth Wing: a deadly-trials structure, a high-stakes world and a romance that grows out of conflict. Readers who loved the training-ground danger of Fourth Wing will recognise the rhythm straight away.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its pacing, its atmosphere and the way its romance turns rivalry into something deeper. It is often recommended to readers who want a similar fast, dangerous feel in a new world.
Who should read it: Readers who loved the trials and enemies-to-lovers tension of Fourth Wing.
Reading tip: Start with the trials. The deadly competition sets the tone for the whole book, so the early chapters show you what the story is about.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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9. Fireborne
From: Rosaria Munda. Fireborne is set in Callipolis, a republic rebuilt after a brutal revolution that overthrew the dragonlords. Dragons remain central to its military, and the rival city of New Pythos is a growing threat. Annie is a former serf from Holbin Hill whose family was killed by dragonfire, and she was raised in an orphanage. Lee is a former aristocrat whose family was killed during the revolution; he was spared, took a new name and grew up alongside Annie. A metals test ranks citizens by class, and both teenagers score highly enough to attend a Choosing Ceremony, where Aurelian dragons choose them as riders. After years of training, they enter the Firstrider Tournament, a competition to lead the republic’s dragon fleet. Their rivalry is tested when Richard Tyndale, Lee’s former tutor, is revealed to be in contact with New Pythos, and a Pythian fleet appears led by Lee’s cousin Julia. Lee refuses to defect, but Annie is not sure where his loyalties lie.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It is one of the closest matches for readers who want dragon riders specifically. The bond between rider and dragon mirrors the emotional stakes of Fourth Wing, and the training and rivalry feel familiar.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value the dragon bonds, the action and the sense of a wider world beyond the immediate story. Its focus on riders and their loyalties keeps readers who loved the dragon element coming back.
Who should read it: Readers who want dragon riders and a fierce heroine.
Reading tip: Enjoy the dragon bonds. If the dragons were your favourite part of Fourth Wing, pay attention to how the book shows the bond between rider and dragon.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
8. When the Moon Hatched
From: Sarah A. Parker. When the Moon Hatched follows Raeve, a rebel assassin whose job is to carry out contracts without ever being caught. Her life falls apart when a rival bounty hunter wrecks her world, and she ends up captive of the Guild of Nobles, a group of powerful fae. Kaan Vaegor, a dragon rider, is still reeling from losing the person he loved most. In his grief he killed a king and took the dead ruler’s melted crown. Driven by a restless ache he cannot shake, he follows a lead to the capital’s high-security prison, where he finds Raeve locked away. The two come from opposite sides of a world where dragons, fae and royal politics are tangled together. The book opens the Moonfall series and moves between captivity, loyalty and the dangers of the capital.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It fits readers who want romance and magic at equal weight. The slow-burn tension and the emphasis on loyalty echo the emotional rhythm of Fourth Wing.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans appreciate the atmosphere and the romance, which build with patience. Readers often recommend it to friends who enjoy the more emotional side of romantasy.
Who should read it: Readers who want a slow-burn romance with magic and danger.
Reading tip: Let the slow burn build. The romance is patient, so savour the smaller moments rather than rushing towards the big scenes.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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7. Quicksilver
From: Callie Hart. Quicksilver is set in a harsh desert realm where water is scarce. Saeris Fane, 24, has survived by stealing and keeping her secrets. Nobody knows about her strange powers, or that she has long pickpocketed from the Undying Queen’s water reservoirs. Her luck turns when she meets Death himself. The encounter reopens a gateway between worlds and pulls her into Yvelia, a frozen land of ice and snow where the Fae are real. Saeris has landed in the middle of a centuries-old conflict that could get her killed. As the first of her kind to set foot in these mountains in over a thousand years, she accidentally binds herself to Kingfisher, a striking Fae warrior with his own hidden motives. He wants to use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, and he has a murky past and a prickly attitude. The Fae & Alchemy series begins here.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It offers the same blend of romance and peril that drew readers to Fourth Wing. Its intensity and emotional stakes keep the pace high.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value the intensity and the way the romance is woven into the danger. The book is often recommended to readers who want something darker and more emotionally charged.
Who should read it: Readers who enjoy dark romance with magical stakes.
Reading tip: Be ready for an intense read. The tone is charged, so this suits readers who like emotional stakes and a darker mood.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses
From: Sarah J. Maas. Feyre lives on the edge of a harsh forest, where her family’s survival depends on her hunting. One winter she spots a wolf chasing a deer and attacks it to claim the meat, but the wolf turns out to be a faerie, and killing it has serious consequences. She is taken to a magical kingdom to answer for the death. Her captor wears a jeweled mask and has striking green eyes, and it becomes clear he is concealing more than his appearance suggests. Feyre’s presence at the court is tightly guarded, and she begins to sense that the faerie lands are far more dangerous than she imagined. The court’s rules are strange and its nobles are watching her closely. Each step deeper into the kingdom changes how she sees her own life and the people she has left behind.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It is a natural next step for Fourth Wing fans because it shares the romance-driven fantasy structure and the high-stakes court politics. The series is also widely read, so it is a good way into the genre.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its world, its romance and the way it balances fairy-tale elements with darker themes. It has a huge readership and is often cited as a gateway to romantasy.
Who should read it: Readers who want a widely loved romantasy with a big fae world.
Reading tip: Give the early chapters time. The world-building takes a while to settle, and the romance grows steadily as the story opens up.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
5. Powerless
From: Lauren Roberts. Powerless is set in the Kingdom of Ilya, which is divided into Elites, who are powerful, and Ordinaries, who are hunted or banished. Many Elites believe Ordinaries carry an undetectable sickness that weakens their powers over time, and the king sees Ordinaries as a threat to the kingdom’s reputation. Each year the kingdom holds the Purging Trials, a competition among nine chosen Elites. Paedyn Gray, an eighteen-year-old Ordinary with no powers, saves the life of Prince Kai Azer, the youngest of Ilya’s two princes and a Wielder who can sense and use other Elites’ powers. Because of her silver hair she becomes known as the Silver Savior, and she is chosen to compete in the Trials, where she must pose as an Elite Psychic to survive. The premise asks what it means to be powerful in a kingdom that treats the powerless as a danger.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It shares Fourth Wing’s interest in a heroine who must prove herself in a system that underestimates her. The emotional stakes and the romance make it a strong follow-up.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its heroine, its critique of power and its romance. Its premise of a powerless protagonist in a power-obsessed world gives it a clear hook.
Who should read it: Readers who want an underdog heroine in a world built on power.
Reading tip: Notice how the heroine’s situation shapes her choices. The book’s themes of identity and belonging are easier to appreciate when you see the world from her point of view.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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4. The Bridge Kingdom
From: Danielle L. Jensen. The Bridge Kingdom follows Lara Veliant, a Maridrinian princess and trained elite warrior sent to Ithicana for an arranged marriage. Her father, King Silas, has ordered her to infiltrate and weaken the rival kingdom by marrying its king, Aren Kertell. Aren is dutiful and caring, a capable archer and fighter who agrees to the match as part of a political treaty. Lara’s mission pulls her between loyalty to her family and growing feelings for him. Ahnna Kertell, Aren’s sister and Watch Commander of Southwatch, distrusts Lara’s intentions from the start. Serin, the Master of Spies known as the Magpie, trains the princesses and directs espionage against Ithicana. Lara’s sister Marylyn, once the favoured candidate for Ithicana’s queen, hides ambitious intentions behind a polished exterior. Lara must decide whose side she is really on.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It fits readers who enjoy political intrigue alongside romance. Its focus on alliances and betrayal echoes the military and political side of Fourth Wing.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its political plotting and the way the romance develops within it. It is often recommended to readers who want more intrigue than a standard romance offers.
Who should read it: Readers who enjoy political fantasy with a strong romance.
Reading tip: Track the alliances as you go. The political plot depends on who trusts whom, so a short note of the main factions can make the middle chapters easier to follow.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
3. From Blood and Ash
From: Jennifer L. Armentrout. From Blood and Ash is set in Kingdom Solis, a realm recovering from a war that Solis won against Atlantia. The first-person narrator is Penellaphe, the Maiden, who is due to Ascend on her 19th birthday and become part of the ruling elite. She has the touch, which lets her feel others’ physical and emotional pain. Her guard and mentor, Vikter, teaches her to fight and secretly helps her ease the suffering of cursed men. Penellaphe begins to question the Ascended, including a cruel Duke who abuses her under the name of lessons. When she sneaks out in disguise to the Red Pearl nightclub, she meets Hawke, a Royal Guard who kisses her without knowing who she is. The Duke then assigns Hawke as her personal guard, and he promises to protect her. During the Rite, Penellaphe declares she does not want to Ascend, and the Great Hall erupts into violence that changes her world.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It appeals to readers who want fast pacing and a romance that drives the plot. Its tone and structure feel close to Fourth Wing.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its pacing, its romance and its willingness to take the story into darker territory. It has a devoted readership of romantasy fans.
Who should read it: Readers who want fast pacing and a central romance.
Reading tip: Expect a fast pace. This is a book to read in long sessions, since the momentum builds quickly and the chapters often end on a turn.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
2. An Ember in the Ashes
From: Sabaa Tahir. An Ember in the Ashes is set in the Martial Empire, which rules over the Scholars, a people who once ruled the land and now live as an oppressed, often enslaved underclass. It alternates between two first-person narrators, Laia and Elias. Laia is a Scholar girl who lives in poverty in the city of Serra with her grandparents and older brother, Darin. When Martial forces arrest Darin and accuse him of rebellion, Laia turns to the Resistance, a secret Scholar group, and agrees to infiltrate Blackcliff Academy as a spy in exchange for their help freeing him. At the academy, she meets Elias Veturius, one of its finest students, who wants to escape the Empire rather than serve it. Elias, his best friend Helene Aquilla and their rivals have been chosen for the Trials, the tests that will determine the next Emperor. Laia and Elias soon realise their destinies are closely connected.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It is a strong pick for readers who loved the military setting of Fourth Wing. Its focus on training, danger and rebellion gives it a similar feel.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its world, its characters and its emotional stakes. It is widely read and often recommended for its strong sense of place.
Who should read it: Readers who enjoy military fantasy with a rebellious edge.
Reading tip: Pay close attention to the two perspectives. The story gains depth from the way it moves between characters, so it rewards readers who like to follow several threads at once.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
1. Divine Rivals
From: Rebecca Ross. Divine Rivals is set in a fantastical 1920s-style world where gods meddle in human affairs and a war between two gods shapes daily life. Iris Winnow, an eighteen-year-old journalist at the Gazette, starts out timid and grows stronger over the story. Roman Carver Kitt, a nineteen-year-old journalist at the rival Oath Gazette, begins as her professional rival and carries wealth and personal losses from his past. Without knowing each other’s identity, the two become pen pals through enchanted typewriters, and their correspondence grows into a deeper bond. Iris’s older brother Forest enlists in the war out of protectiveness towards her, while Thea Attwood, a war correspondent, wants to write articles that will matter. Marisol and Keegan Torres, who run a bed-and-breakfast in Avalon Bluff, offer mentorship and a sense of home. Their letters carry the story forward as the conflict around them grows more dangerous.
Why it fits Fourth Wing fans: It is a natural pick for readers who love Fourth Wing’s romance and want a different kind of connection. The war backdrop and emotional stakes give it weight.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans value its unusual premise, its atmosphere and the slow development of its romance. It is often praised for how it uses letters to build intimacy.
Who should read it: Readers who enjoy slow-burn romance with a wartime setting.
Reading tip: Read Divine Rivals at a steady pace so you can enjoy the letters. The story depends on the gap between what the characters write and what they feel, and that gap grows more interesting the more time you give it.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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Why Romantasy Hooks Readers
Romantasy works because it gives readers danger and romance at the same time. The stakes feel personal, and the relationships grow through rivalry, loyalty and trust. Readers who love Fourth Wing usually enjoy the moment when a rivalry turns into something more.
Many of these books also share a world that feels bigger than the main characters. Courts, war colleges, wartime letters and dragon bonds all give readers a sense of place. That scale is part of why the genre has grown so quickly.
How to Choose Your Next Read
Start with what you loved most in Fourth Wing. The dragons, the trials, the romance and the military setting each point toward different books on this list. Choosing by the element you enjoyed most is the quickest way to find a good match.
Think about how much you want to commit. Some entries are standalone or first books in a series, while others are long runs. If you want a complete experience, check how many books the series has before you buy.
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Final Thoughts
Fourth Wing fans have plenty of options, and the best next read depends on what you enjoyed most. Whether you want dragons, deadly trials, slow-burn romance or wartime letters, this list gives you a place to start.
Which book will you pick first? Tell us in the comments which Fourth Wing element matters most to you, and we will use your answers to shape future guides.
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Choosing by the Element You Loved Most
If the dragons drew you in, Fireborne is the closest match on this list. Dragon bonds, riders and loyalty feel familiar, and the stakes come from the connections between people and their mounts.
If the trials and rivalry were the highlight, The Serpent and the Wings of Night and From Blood and Ash are strong next steps. Both lean into danger and competition, and their romances grow out of conflict.
If the slow-burn romance was your favourite part, Divine Rivals and When the Moon Hatched give you more time with the characters. Both reward patient readers who enjoy emotional build-up and a steady pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest book to Fourth Wing?
Fireborne is one of the closest matches if you want dragon riders, while The Serpent and the Wings of Night shares the deadly-trials and enemies-to-lovers appeal.
Which books on this list are standalone?
Check each series before you buy, as some entries are first books in longer runs.
Are these books suitable for every reader?
No. Many include mature content and intense scenes, so check the guidance before you start.
Which book is best for slow-burn romance?
Divine Rivals and When the Moon Hatched are good choices if you want romance that builds gradually.
Which book is best for dragon fans?
Fireborne is the strongest pick here for readers who want dragon riders.
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses a good next step?
Yes. It is widely read and is often recommended as a gateway to romantasy.
Can I find these books as audiobooks?
Audiobook options vary by store and region, so check Amazon UK and other audiobook retailers before you buy.
Do I need to read the books in order?
For series entries, yes. Each book builds on the one before it.
Which book is the most intense?
Quicksilver and From Blood and Ash are among the more intense choices on this list.
Where can I find more book recommendations?
Goodreads lists books by genre and reader reviews, and Wikipedia gives background on many authors and series.
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More Places to Find Great Books
If you want to keep exploring, these trusted sites cover reviews, reading lists and author news: Goodreads, Wikipedia and The Guardian Books.
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