20 Books to Read After Finishing Fourth Wing (and Iron Flame)

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One day, my entire TikTok for you page was taken over by Fourth Wing, a romantasy (romance meets fantasy) by Rebecca Yarros, where protagonist Violet has to learn to become an elite dragon rider at a war college. Suddenly, it seemed as if all my friends were reading the book, sending each other theories, and eagerly counting down the days until the sequel came out this November.

"I love dragons," Yarros told Today about her inspiration for writing Fourth Wing. "I don't know anyone who doesn't — us fantasy girlies, right? I grew up reading a ton of fantasy. I knew my publisher was looking for romantasy in that new-adult line — and I love new adult, I think it's such an unexplored genre. There are not a lot of books that deal with people in that period between adolescence and adulthood. I love that sweet spot. So knowing that I could definitely build it on a romance, I was in love with the forced proximity of the romance being between their dragons and not necessarily [the characters]. And everybody loves a morally gray hero, so I definitely had to have that one. And because I majored in history in college, it was really, really fun to explore those themes of who would get to write down our history and what would happen, perhaps, if the history we were educated on is not accurate."

Now that Iron Flame, the sequel is out, readers are looking to fill the post-Fourth Wing and Iron Flame void and searching for books like Fourth Wing, here are 20 books that will (hopefully) do the trick—featuring other new adult books, plus plenty of enemies-to-lovers romance, morally gray heroes, dragons, magic schools, and more:

Immortal Longings (Flesh & False Gods 1)

Each year, the cities of San-Er hold games where competitors fight to the death—but the victor is given untold riches. This year, Princess Calla, presumed dead, enters the contest in disguise, with the intent to overthrow her uncle, King Kasa. Inspired by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, it's a romance amid a deadly backdrop—just like Fourth Wing.

Divine Rivals: A Novel (Letters of Enchantment, 1)

On #BookTok, one of the most commonly recommended book compared to Fourth Wing is Divine Rivals, another epic rivals-to-lovers fantasy focusing on two journalists as a war among the gods breaks out.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia)

Oraya is the adopted human daughter of the vampire king, who decides to enter the Kejari, a legendary tournament—think The Hunger Games, but vampires. Like Fourth Wing, it's also a really steamy romantasy, and there's a great enemies-to-lovers plot.

The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos)

In Inys, the House of Berethnet has ruled for thousands of years. But Queen Sabran's hold on power is tenuous, as she is without an heir. A secret priestess, Ead, is tasked with protecting the queen.

An Unkindness of Magicians

In New York City, the magical houses are called the "Unseen World." Every generation, a magical tournament, called the Turning, is held to determine the hierarchy of these houses—and when a Turning is called just 10 years after the last one, the magical world is thrown into chaos.

From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash Series)

Another romantic fantasy, From Blood and Ashe, follows Poppy, who has been chosen from birth to save the kingdom. But when Hawke, a guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, is assigned to her, everything Poppy thought she knew is thrown into question.

A Deadly Education: A Novel (The Scholomance)

Naomi Novik's Scholomance series focuses on a dark school of magic, beginning with A Deadly Eduction, described as a "coming-of-power" story. In it, a group of young magicians, including sorceress Galadriel "El" Higgins, must fight monsters to survive until graduation.

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, 1)

Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series follows 18-year-old assassin Caleana. The story begins with Caleana being brought from a slave camp to the Crown Prince, where he grants her freedom on one condition: She must be his champion, and serve the kingdom for three years. There are eight books in the series, so plenty of epic fantasy to dive into.

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

If you were more into the epic fantasy elements of Fourth Wing, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is for you. Set in medieval Oman, Amina was once a ruthless pirate who has since settled into a quiet life with her daughter. But she's pressured to take one last adventure to rescue a young girl.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf (The Dark Star Trilogy Book 1)

One of the most innovative fantasy novels published in recent years, Marlon James's Black Leopard, Red Wolf pulls from African mytholgy and history to tell the story of Tracker, a man hired to find a mysterious boy.

Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle 1)

This is more of a YA version of Fourth Wing, where childhood friends Annie and Lee are competing to become dragonriders. There's plenty of political intrigue, action, and emotional drama throughout the series.

Daughter of the Drowned Empire

Lady Lyriana "Lyr" Batavia, a 19-year-old mage, is third in line to Bamaria's seat of power. During a ceremony that reveals her power, she must either face death in exile, or accept the Emperor's decree that she train as a warrior. Will Lyr survive the training? Like Fourth Wing, Daughter of the Drowned Empire combines magic, fantasy, and a delicious slow-burn romance.

Dragonflight: Volume I in The Dragonriders of Pern

This 1968 science fiction novel—the first volume in perhaps the most famous dragon fantasy series—shares many similarities with Fourth Wing; on a planet called Pern, humans and dragons can form a telepathic bond, and an orphaned girl, Lessa, seeks to defend her ancient way of life.

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha, 1)

This YA series features a headstrong female protagonist, just like Fourth Wing. Zélie remembers when Orïsha was full of magic, but a ruthless king wiped it out. Years later, she helps a princess flee—and they try to bring back magic to the land.

Red Queen (Red Queen, 1)

In the world of the Red Queen, social hierarchy is determined by one's blood. Mare is a Red, but soon finds herself in the world of the Silver elite, who have superhuman abilities. There are four books in this YA dystopian-fantasy series.

The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles Book 1)

Elloren, the granddaughter of the Black Witch, has no power. When she joins her brothers at university, evil begins to loom—and her only hope may be a band of rebels.

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Series)

A Discovery of Witches is the story of Diana, a historian who accidentally finds aa spellbound manuscript. Though she's the daughter of witches, she doesn't know it—and is soon thrown into a magical world, where she falls for a vampire. Plus, it was adapted into a very fun TV show.

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)

While Eragon is decidedly YA, it's also the classic dragon fantasy series, featuring a 15-year-old protagonist whose tale begins when he discovers a dragon egg in the forest.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

If you've read Fourth Wing, we have a feeling you're already familiar with Sarah J. Maas's binge-worthy A Court of Thorns and Roses series—another #BookTok favorite—but if you haven't read them yet, what are you waiting for!?

Iron Flame (The Empyrean Book 2)

However, dare we say that the best book to read after Fourth Wing is the sequel, Iron Flame, which is out now.

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