10 Perfect Fourth Wing Replacement Books To Read While You Wait For Onyx Storm (2024)

Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm, the third installment of her Empyrean series, will be released on January 21, 2025. For romantasy fans, this is a long time to wait without something to distract from the shocking ending to Iron Flame. While theories about Onyx Storm get progressively wild about what is next for Violet and Xaden, including epistolary details that make readers nervous about the Fourth Wing couple's fate, delving into new romantasy worlds could fill the easy reading void in the meantime.

The blend of romance and fantasy also means many of the titles are part of a long series, so there is plenty of reading material to get sucked into. There is also a good mixture of familiar and unfamiliar elements to make them comfortable reads that are equally compelling. Readers will recognize the enemies-to-lovers trope in many other romantasy books, as well as settings that are bitterly difficult for characters to survive.

10 Powerless

By Lauren Roberts

The “TikTok made me buy it” book Powerless by Lauren Roberts has the competitive, Hunger Games vibe that Fourth Wing is so adored for. In a world divided by power, Paedyn Gray, an ordinary girl pretending to be a psychic, must navigate the dangerous elite society of Ilya. When she saves a prince, she's thrust into a brutal competition where her secret could cost her everything, including her heart.

Powerless offers a dual perspective, exploring the lives of Paedyn (Pae) and Prince Kai. Pae, a street-smart young woman, struggles to survive in the slums with her friend Adena, resorting to theft to provide for them. Readers of romantasy will appreciate the familiar elements in Powerless, including a fierce female lead. Most importantly, it features a captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, the excruciating slow burn of which makes this title stand out.

9 From Blood and Ash

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

While the Blood and Ash series isn't Jennifer L. Armentrout's first successful series, it's currently her most popular one. This NYT-bestselling author of YA and adult fantasy has captivated readers since 2011 with series like Obsidian and Half-Blood. In 2015, she founded Apollycon, an annual event for authors and readers. From Blood and Ash, the series' debut, was released in March 2020, during the pandemic lockdown. Although it wasn't an immediate bestseller, its potential quickly captured readers' imaginations and fueled a growing obsession.

Poppy, a destined Maiden, lives a solitary life of duty and sacrifice. Maidens are never to be touched, spoken to, or even looked at – and her role is against her will. When the charismatic Hawke enters her world, he challenges her beliefs and ignites forbidden desires. As a fallen kingdom rises, threatening their world, Poppy must choose between love, duty, and the fate of her people. This captivating fantasy, filled with action, romance, and unexpected twists, is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

8 A Court Of Roses And Thorns Series

By Sarah J. Maas

A Courts of Roses and Thorns is now a mainstay in the genre, and with good reason. The first book, was a BookTok hit. It introduced characters that both play into and challenge common romantasy tropes, creating a fresh and engaging reading experience. From the strong-willed protagonist Feyre to the shadowy high lord, , the characters in ACOTAR each have well-thought-out arcs and unexpected twists. The quality of the plotting makes the series a great one to get stuck into if waiting for Onyx Storm is giving you romantasy withdrawal symptoms.

As a skilled huntress, Feyre must venture deeper into the woods to provide for her impoverished family. While hunting, she encounters a mysterious wolf and, believing it to be a faerie, uses a powerful ash arrow to kill it. The next day, a golden beast arrives demanding payment for the faerie's death. Feyre is faced with a terrifying choice: death or exile to the faerie realm of Prythian. Little does she know, this decision will lead her on an extraordinary journey, filled with love, betrayal, and a battle against a powerful evil that threatens both human and faerie kind.

7 Crescent City

By Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas, renowned author of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, has created another captivating fantasy world with Crescent City. This series follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-fae, half-human living in the vibrant city of Midgard. As of January 2024, the series includes three books: House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, and House of Flame and Shadow. A fourth book is in the works, though a release date has yet to be announced. The first book, House of Earth and Blood, sets up a gripping cast of characters and effectively establishes the worldbuilding.

When her best friend is brutally murdered by a demon, Bryce becomes the prime suspect. Forced to team up with Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel enslaved to the Archangels, she must investigate the murder to clear her name. Hunt, desperate for freedom, must also find the demon terrorizing Crescent City. Together, they navigate a dangerous world filled with magic, secrets, and the threat of demonic possession. The series’ debut is sure to hook readers into continuing the series – especially as a familiar face from ACOTAR makes a cameo appearance in the climactic finale of Crescent City's second book.

6 When the Moon Hatched

By Sarah A. Parker

When the Moon Hatched shares many similarities with Fourth Wing making it a great replacement for fans eagerly awaiting Onyx Storm. Both series feature captivating protagonists drawn together by fate and circ*mstance, as they navigate a mysterious world and work together to survive. Its overall premise of survival and discovery within a magical realm mirrors that of Fourth Wing, creating a familiar yet exciting reading experience. Like the dynamic between Violet and Xaden in Fourth Wing, Raeve and Kaan's relationship in When the Moon Hatched is marked by growing trust, undeniable chemistry, and a complex history that keeps readers captivated.

Raeve, a skilled assassin fighting for the rebellion, is captured by a powerful faerie guild after a deadly encounter with a rival bounty hunter. Kaan Vaegor, a dragon rider consumed by grief and seeking answers, finds himself in the same prison. As they navigate their captivity, a shared mission to uncover hidden truths about their world brings them together. When the Moon Hatched combines the familiar magic system of Fourth Wing with a more classical fantasy setting. The introduction of Fae creatures, a beloved fantasy trope, adds another layer of appeal and expands the story's reach to a wider audience.

5 Faebound

By Saara El-Arifi

Faebound, the debut of a new trilogy by the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife, is a spellbinding tale of two elven sisters imprisoned in the enchanting yet perilous realm of the fae. Yeeran, a seasoned warrior, and Lettle, a diviner, find themselves exiled from their homeland and thrust into a world of magic, danger, and forbidden love. This romantic fantasy, praised by readers including the acclaimed author Samantha Shannon, has an epic scope, excellent world-building, and striking characters.

Saara El-Arifi’s novel Faebound is adored for its LGBTQ+ representation, and for exploring the differences between two magical races rather than the trend of contrasting humans and Fae. The magical mythology she creates is well-thought-out. Faebound offers a blend of fantasy tropes, featuring engaging characters, thrilling battles, murder mysteries, prophetic visions, familial drama, betrayal, and more. While the plot leans into the popular "enemies to lovers" trope, it does so effectively within the context of the story. El-Arifi avoids relying on gratuitous sex to drive character development, instead focusing on their complex personalities and relationships.

4 The Golden Enclaves

By Naomi Novik

The Golden Enclaves is a fantasy novel and the third installment in Naomi Novik’s The Scholomance Trilogy, following the adventures of Galadriel "El" Higgins – a half-Welsh, half-Indian sorceress. El must navigate the dangerous world of the Scholomance, a renowned school of magic, while honing her powers and striving to survive until graduation. The Golden Enclaves continues the saga of El's journey through a magical realm filled with both wonder and peril.

Fans of dark academia, fantasy, and witty banter between characters will be drawn into this addictive read. The female character is grumpy and the male character is more upbeat, subverting the usual romantasy dynamic. El's dedication to her studies, combined with the mysterious and intellectual atmosphere of the Scholomance, will resonate with readers who enjoyed Fourth Wing’s Violet's academic pursuits as the scribe who could have been, and her fascination with the hidden knowledge of the world.

3 The Cruel Prince

By Holly Black

The Cruel Prince is an award-winning fantasy novel that has garnered critical acclaim and popular recognition. It has received numerous accolades, including the Inky Award, New England Independent Booksellers Association Award, and Phantastik Preis Award. The novel has also been praised by major library associations and has received starred reviews from leading book reviewers. This fantasy novel blends elements of faerie folklore, high fantasy, and teenage drama, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the seductive yet perilous world of faeries.

Like Feyre in A Court of Thorns and Roses, Jude, a mortal thrust into a magical realm, faces prejudice and discrimination. Her rivalry with the wicked Prince Cardan intensifies as she fights for acceptance and becomes entangled in deadly palace intrigues. As civil war looms, Jude must risk everything to save her sisters and the faeries, discovering her own ruthless potential in the process. Whether you're a faerie expert or new to the genre, this novel is capable of drawing you into a spellbinding world.

2 The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Carissa Broadbent

In a world where survival hinges on trust, loyalty, and strength, Oraya, a human adopted by the Nightborn vampire king, must navigate the treacherous Kejari tournament to secure her future. Forced to ally with her mysterious rival, Raihn, a ruthless vampire, Oraya finds herself drawn to him despite the danger. As war looms and their attraction grows, Oraya must choose between love and survival in this heart-wrenching tale of dark magic, bloodthirsty intrigue, and forbidden romance.

Readers of Fourth Wing who appreciate the complex and intense relationships between characters will find much to love in The Serpent and the Wings of Night. Oraya and Raihn’s dynamic is marked by a dangerous mix of rivalry, attraction, and mutual respect, similar to the compelling bond between Violet and Xaden. Additionally, both series explore themes of power, betrayal, and the sacrifices necessary for survival, offering readers a thrilling and emotionally charged narrative.

1 Dragonriders of Pern series, Anne McCaffrey

The Dragonriders of Pern series, which started in the 1960s, chronicles a human society on the planet Pern, which faces periodic threats from a destructive alien spore called Thread. To combat Thread, the Pernese have developed a symbiotic relationship with intelligent, fire-breathing dragons. Humans bond with dragons at hatching, forming a lifelong telepathic connection. The series explores the history, culture, and challenges of this unique society, spanning over two and a half millennia. For readers of Fourth Wing who appreciate the exploration of dragon and rider dynamics, the original dragon-bonding series, beginning with Dragonflight, offers a rich and fulfilling experience.

While Fourth Wing also features strong powerful dragons, the series' focus on military training and combat sets it apart from the Dragonriders of Pern. In Yarros’ Empyrean series, the bond between rider and dragon is primarily driven by a shared mission. The Dragonriders of Pern series emphasizes the deep personal connection and lifelong commitment formed through the dragons Impression process. Additionally, it explores the challenges of maintaining a sustainable society in a hostile environment. This could provide a refreshing reading experience while waiting for the more military-focused Onyx Storm to be released, hopefully answering the burning Empyrean questions.

Onyx Storm

Genre

Fantasy

Publisher

Entangled: Red Tower Books

Publication Date

2025/01/01

Franchise

The Empyrean Series

ISBN#

1649374186

Author(s)

Rebecca Yarros