The Complete Must-Read Empyrean Series Reading Order
Introduction
If you have finished Fourth Wing and want to know what to read next, the problem is that the Empyrean series now includes more than one kind of book. There are the main novels, a companion collection and a fourth main novel that has not yet been announced. Getting the order wrong can spoil the twists, so a clear reading order matters.
This guide gives you that order. It lists the three main novels in sequence, explains where Threshing Day fits and clears up the common confusion about whether it counts as Book 4. You will also see why the order matters for the story, not just for convenience.
Each entry explains what the book is for and what it adds to the series, without giving away the big turns. The guide is designed to be read before you start, so you can plan a schedule and avoid spoilers from online discussion. That makes it useful for first-time readers and for anyone planning a reread.
At the time of writing, the fourth main novel does not have an announced title or publication date. The list below covers what is available now. Before you plan a long reread, check the author’s and publisher’s official channels for updates, since new releases can change what the complete series looks like.
Reading order matters more in this series than in many others, because the books share one continuous story. Each volume picks up the threads left by the one before, and the emotional weight of later scenes depends on what came earlier. Reading out of sequence can make the relationships and the war feel confusing rather than rewarding.
It is also worth knowing your own reading style before you begin. Some readers prefer to finish a series in a few weeks, while others like to space books out. The order stays the same either way, but the pace you choose will shape how the story feels.
Whether you are reading the series for the first time or returning to it with a new plan, the order below gives you a clear path through the books. Let’s start 👇
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1. Fourth Wing
Premise: Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail, a twenty-year-old who was meant to become a scholar among books and history. Her mother, a commanding general, orders her to join the hundreds of candidates training as dragon riders at Basgiath War College. Violet is small and physically fragile, which makes her especially vulnerable, because dragons tend to burn humans who are too weak to bond with them. With fewer dragons than cadets, many of her rivals would be glad to see her die, and others would target her simply because of her mother. The most dangerous of them is Xaden Riorson, a powerful and ruthless wingleader. The war college is a place of friends, enemies and lovers with competing agendas, where the only exits are graduating or dying. Meanwhile, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, the death toll is rising, and Violet begins to suspect that the leadership is hiding a serious secret.
Why it sits here: Every later book depends on its world, its rules and its relationships, so this book comes first without debate. It also introduces Xaden Riorson, a rival whose secrets make him impossible to ignore. Reading it first makes the rest of the series feel earned.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
Reading tip: Give the early chapters time. The world, the training and the rules of the bond are introduced gradually, and the payoff comes as the pieces fall into place.
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2. Iron Flame
Premise: Iron Flame picks up after Violet Sorrengail has survived her first year at Basgiath War College against the odds. Her second year is far more dangerous, and surviving it will take more than determination. A powerful new enemy threatens the people she cares about, including the man she loves. Violet has to protect their secrets, and any misstep could have severe consequences. As the lies told by those in authority begin to come apart, even a dragon’s fire may not be enough to keep her and her allies safe. The book builds on the rivalries and loyalties of the first novel, raising the stakes for everyone who has made it through training so far. Violet’s choices now carry far heavier consequences, and the tension between duty and loyalty grows harder to ignore.
Why it sits here: It builds directly on the setup of the first book and widens the conflict beyond the academy. Reading it straight after Fourth Wing keeps the rules and relationships fresh in your mind.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
Reading tip: Keep track of the characters. The cast grows across the book, so a short note of names and allegiances will help you follow the relationships.
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3. Onyx Storm
Premise: Onyx Storm opens after nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, when the war has arrived and Violet Sorrengail has run out of time for training. Enemies threaten from outside the walls and within the ranks, and she can no longer tell who she can trust. Violet must leave the kingdom’s failing Aretian wards and travel to unfamiliar lands to recruit allies to fight alongside Navarre. The journey will test her cleverness, luck and endurance, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her dragons, her family, her home and the person she loves. She also carries a secret that could destroy everything if it came out. The central quest is to find an army, power, magic and the truth that only Violet can uncover.
Why it sits here: It follows directly from the events of Iron Flame and raises the stakes for everything that comes after. It is best read close to Iron Flame so that the consequences land fully.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
Reading tip: Read it while the events of Iron Flame are fresh. The emotional choices in this book land harder when you remember what led to them.
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4. Threshing Day
Premise: Threshing Day is a collection of thirteen stories set on the day each rider’s dragon chooses them. It was due for release on 29 September 2026 in the US and UK, and it is listed as Empyrean book 3.5 rather than a new full novel. Xaden Riorson is confirmed as one of the featured characters, and the other riders have not all been announced. The stories go back in time, giving readers a fresh look at the Threshing that shaped the characters they already know. The UK deluxe hardcover includes sixteen full-colour illustrations by Joe Requeza, and a standard edition will follow once the deluxe printing sells out. Because it is a set of short stories rather than one continuous plot, it suits readers who already know the main novels and want more time in their world.
Why it sits here: It is best read after Onyx Storm because it can contain spoilers for the main books. Check the publisher’s description for the exact contents before you buy, so you know what you are getting.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
Reading tip: Enjoy it as a bonus. Its value lies in extra time with the world, so approach it with curiosity rather than expecting a direct sequel to the main story.
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Where Threshing Day Fits in the Reading Order
Threshing Day is the one entry that causes confusion, so it is worth being clear. It is a companion collection rather than the fourth main novel, and that distinction matters for anyone trying to track the series. Treating it as Book 4 can lead readers to expect a direct continuation of the main story.
The safest approach is to read the three main novels first and to save Threshing Day for afterwards. That way the companion material arrives with the full context of the main story, and you avoid spoilers for the books that come before it.
How to Plan a Reread
If you are planning to reread the series, give yourself a rough schedule before you begin. Decide whether you want to read the three main novels back to back or leave a gap between them. Either choice works, as long as you return to the story while the details are still fresh.
Keeping a short list of characters, factions and rules helps too. The series rewards attention, and a note of the main names makes it easier to follow the relationships as they develop across the books.
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Final Thoughts
The Empyrean series rewards readers who follow it in order. Fourth Wing is the essential start, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm carry the story forward, and Threshing Day is a bonus for readers who want more of the world afterwards.
Which book are you reading first? Tell us in the comments, and let us know what you would like a future reading guide to cover.
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What Each Book Adds to the Series
Fourth Wing is the foundation. It establishes the training, the bond with dragons and the central relationship that drives the rest of the series. Almost every later decision can be traced back to the events of that first novel.
Iron Flame widens the lens. The stakes move beyond the academy, and the characters face consequences that feel bigger and more personal at the same time. It is the book where the first novel’s setup becomes a larger conflict.
Onyx Storm pushes the series further. It asks more of its characters and gives readers a stronger sense of the world’s politics. Threshing Day adds a different kind of value, offering companion material for readers who want more time in the setting.
Spoiler-Free Planning
If you want to avoid spoilers, treat this guide as a reading plan rather than a set of plot notes. The entries describe how each book works, not what happens inside it. That makes the list safe to use before you start.
A good way to plan is to set a rough pace before you begin. Decide whether you will read the core novels back to back or leave gaps between them, then add Threshing Day only when you are ready for the extra material. Planning the order in advance also makes it easier to avoid online discussion that gives away later events.
Finally, keep a notebook or a simple list of the names, factions and rules as you go. The series rewards attention, and a short record helps when a book returns to an earlier detail. It also makes rereading more rewarding, because you can see how much the series has built up over time.
Common Mistakes Readers Make
The most common mistake is treating Threshing Day as the fourth main novel. It is a companion collection, and reading it too early can spoil the main story. Save it for after Onyx Storm, even if you are tempted by its shorter length.
Another mistake is skipping ahead to later books after a long gap. The series depends on the details of earlier volumes, so a quick reread of the previous book is often more rewarding than trying to remember everything from memory.
The last mistake is reading online discussion before you finish. Forums and social posts often reveal twists, so it is safer to avoid them until you have completed the book you are reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Threshing Day Book 4?
No. Threshing Day is a companion collection rather than the fourth main Empyrean novel.
What order should I read the Empyrean books in?
Fourth Wing, then Iron Flame, then Onyx Storm. Read Threshing Day after Onyx Storm.
When is the fourth main novel coming out?
No title or publication date has been announced at the time of writing. Check the author’s and publisher’s official channels for updates.
Can I skip Fourth Wing?
No. Every later book depends on its world, rules and relationships.
Why should I read Threshing Day last?
It can contain spoilers for the main books, so it is best read after Onyx Storm.
Is Onyx Storm worth reading?
Yes. It continues the main story and raises the stakes for the series.
Are the books suitable for every reader?
No. They contain mature content and intense scenes, so check the guidance before you start.
Are there audiobook editions?
Audiobook options vary by store and region, so check Amazon UK and other audiobook retailers before you buy.
Can I read the books out of order?
This is not recommended, since each book builds on the one before it.
Where can I follow news about the series?
Check the author’s official channels, the publisher’s website and Goodreads for updates.
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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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