Books Like Fourth Wing: What to Read Next for Dragons, Trials & Romantasy Tension

September 10, 2026

Quick answer: If you want books like Fourth Wing, choose your next read based on what you loved most: try The Serpent and the Wings of Night for deadly trials, Throne of Glass for epic fantasy scale, Zodiac Academy for magical-school chaos, From Blood and Ash for romance-forward fantasy, or A Fate Inked in Blood for combat, fate and political tension.

What actually makes a book feel like Fourth Wing?

The useful answer is not simply “dragons.” Fourth Wing combines a dangerous training environment, an underestimated heroine, high-stakes fantasy conflict, romantic tension and a story that moves quickly enough to make one more chapter a terrible bedtime decision. The best read-alike depends on which of those ingredients you want repeated.

If you loved the deadly trials: The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Start here when the survival and competition side of Basgiath was your favorite part. The setting is different—vampires rather than dragon riders—but the story gives you a dangerous contest, reluctant cooperation and a relationship developing while survival is still the immediate problem.

If you want a bigger epic fantasy: Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass is the better move when Fourth Wing made you realize you want a long fantasy commitment. Sarah J. Maas’s series begins with Celaena Sardothien and grows into a much larger epic with war, magic, multiple character arcs and romance woven through the wider story.

If you loved academy chaos: Zodiac Academy

Zodiac Academy is a much longer and messier commitment, but it scratches the magical-school, rivalry and “why is everyone here dangerous?” itch. If that sounds right, start with The Awakening rather than trying to solve the entire connected Solaria reading order first.

If you want more romance-forward fantasy: From Blood and Ash

Choose Jennifer L. Armentrout’s series if the relationship tension mattered more to you than the military-school setting. It follows Poppy through a world built on controlled information, supernatural history and an increasingly large mythology.

If you want combat and fate: A Fate Inked in Blood

This is a useful option when you want another capable heroine, physical danger, political stakes and romance inside a fantasy story without simply reading a Fourth Wing copycat.

What should you read after Onyx Storm?

If you are caught up through Onyx Storm, pick a different completed or well-established series while waiting for the next Empyrean novel. That gives you the same emotional lane without spending every reading session comparing a new dragon rider to Violet and Xaden.

Bookish Closet bridge

If Xaden remains the specific problem, Bookish Closet has a verified Xaddy Xaden Riorson Comfort T-Shirt. For broader fantasy-reader apparel, browse the Best Seller collection.

If you want more from the author behind Violet and Xaden, our Rebecca Yarros reading guide covers Empyrean, her romance backlist and where to go next. For a romance-forward fantasy option with a much larger interconnected mythology, see our From Blood and Ash reading order. If magical-school chaos matters more than dragons, use our Zodiac Academy reading order before starting Solaria.

FAQ

What book is most similar to Fourth Wing?

There is no exact match. The Serpent and the Wings of Night is a strong choice for deadly competition and romantic tension, while Zodiac Academy is closer to magical-school chaos.

What should I read after Onyx Storm?

Try a different romantasy series such as Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Zodiac Academy or The Serpent and the Wings of Night while waiting for the next Empyrean installment.

What should I read if I liked the dragons most?

Look specifically for dragon-rider fantasy rather than generic romantasy; if you mainly liked the trials and bonds, broaden into competition-focused fantasy romance too.