Rebecca Yarros launched Fourth Wing in May 2023 with a dragon-rider academy plot and an enemies-to-lovers romance that grabbed readers by the throat—sometimes literally. The book went from debut to BookTok phenomenon almost overnight, pulling in millions of readers hungry for what fans call “romantasy.” But here’s the catch: this isn’t the kind of fantasy romance you can hand to just anyone. Fourth Wing sits firmly in New Adult territory, which means mature themes are woven throughout.
Author: Rebecca Yarros · Series: The Empyrean #1 · Genre: New Adult Fantasy Romance · Publication Date: May 2, 2023 · Top Source: Goodreads
Quick snapshot
- Spice level: 3/5 (two explicit scenes in chapters 30 and 32) (Bright Canary)
- Age rating consensus: 16+ with 18+ recommended by multiple sources (Screenwise)
- Genre: New Adult (not YA), published by Entangled: Red Tower Books (Rated Books)
- No official publisher age rating exists—relies on reviewer consensus
- Exact Book 4 release date unannounced
- TV adaptation remains unconfirmed
- Fourth Wing published May 2, 2023 (Rated Books)
- Iron Flame (Book 2) released late 2023 (Rated Books)
- Onyx Storm (Book 3) arrived 2024 (Rated Books)
- Spice escalates in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm (Bright Canary)
- At least three more books planned in Empyrean series (Bright Canary)
The table below consolidates the key specifications readers most commonly ask about when assessing whether Fourth Wing suits them.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Protagonist | Violet Sorrengail (age 20) |
| Setting | Basgiath War College (deadly dragon rider academy) |
| Key Theme | Romantasy with high stakes, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity |
| Genre Classification | New Adult Fantasy Romance |
| Spice Level | 3/5 (moderately spicy) |
| Explicit Sex Chapters | 30 and 32 |
| Recommended Age | 18+ (consensus), 16+ (minimum) |
| Publisher | Entangled: Red Tower Books |
How many books are in the 4th Wing series?
Fourth Wing is the first book in The Empyrean series, written by Rebecca Yarros. The series currently spans three published books with more planned.
Current books released
- Fourth Wing (Book 1) – Published May 2, 2023
- Iron Flame (Book 2) – Released late 2023
- Onyx Storm (Book 3) – Released 2024
Upcoming releases
Rebecca Yarros has indicated the series will eventually contain at least five books. Book 4 does not yet have a confirmed release date.
If you’re starting now, you have three substantial books to power through before the next installment arrives. Readers report each book runs 500+ pages.
Is the book Fourth Wing spicy?
Fourth Wing lands at a 3 out of 5 on the spice scale, according to analysis from The Literary Lifestyle. The book contains two extended explicit sex scenes: one in chapter 30 and another in chapter 32. Beyond those, kissing scenes appear throughout chapters 22, 27, 29, and 34.
Spice level details
Bright Canary rates the spice as moderately spicy—explicit but not fully graphic. The romance follows an enemies-to-lovers trope with forced proximity, central to what fans call the “romantasy” genre.
Comparisons to fantasy romance norms
Fourth Wing is less spicy than Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series. However, spice escalates significantly in later books: Iron Flame and Onyx Storm contain more sexual content than the first installment (Bright Canary).
If you’re sensitive to sexual content, book one is manageable. But brace yourself: the sequels push harder. Your tolerance threshold should account for the full series trajectory, not just this first entry.
Is Fourth Wing an 18+ book?
Fourth Wing is classified as New Adult, not Young Adult. The genre typically targets readers aged 18-25. Multiple parental guide sites—including Screenwise—recommend the book for readers 18 and older due to explicit sexual content and graphic violence (Screenwise).
Age rating factors
Bright Canary rates the book 16+ and notes it is “not appropriate for most 14-year-olds.” Plugged In rates it 18+, citing graphic sex, swearing, and adult content that surpasses typical YA dystopians like The Hunger Games or Divergent (Plugged In).
YA vs adult classification
The YA genre typically covers ages 12-18. Fourth Wing exceeds this range with explicit sex scenes, frequent profanity (including the f-word), and violence featuring characters aged roughly 18-22 who die violently. Plugged In observes: “The adult characters act and talk as if they were broody teens, while the content issues catapult the book into the 18-and-up category” (Plugged In).
Can a 14 year old read Fourth Wing?
Most reviewers say no. Bright Canary states explicitly: “Fourth Wing is not appropriate for most 14-year-olds due to mature content” (Bright Canary). Goodreads readers echo this sentiment—one reviewer called it “absolutely Adult/New Adult” with on-page violence, blood, death, and sex. Another wrote it should be “absolutely not under 19 years of age” due to explicit scenes (Goodreads Q&A).
Kid reviews summary
Some Goodreads users report reading it at 14-16 with parental permission, but these are exceptions. The consensus skews heavily toward 18+. Rated Books catalogs the full content warning list: animal cruelty, obscene sexual activities, profanity, suicide, sex trafficking, and violence (Rated Books).
Parental guidance notes
Heavenly Bookish lists trigger warnings including ableism, animal death, blood, chronic illness, death, murder, explicit sexual content, violence, and war (Heavenly Bookish). StoryGraph reviews note addiction content and excessive swearing as concerns for some readers (The StoryGraph).
No official publisher age rating exists. This means parents must rely on third-party reviews—and those reviews line up squarely at 18+. If your teen is under 16, proceed with caution or wait.
Why is the Fourth Wing so famous?
Fourth Wing exploded through BookTok in 2023, becoming a viral romantasy sensation. The combination of dragon-rider aesthetics, enemies-to-lovers romance, and high-stakes academy drama hit every note readers were hungry for after Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series dominated the market.
TikTok and reader hype
The book’s success on TikTok drove unprecedented sales velocity. Readers posted emotional reactions to cliffhangers, compared the romance to real-life relationship dynamics, and created fan art featuring dragon riders and the protagonist Violet Sorrengail.
Bestseller status
Goodreads shows millions of ratings with consistently high scores. The Empyrean series became one of the fastest-selling fantasy releases in recent memory, with publishers struggling to keep print editions in stock during initial release windows.
Upsides
- Engaging world-building with dragon rider mechanics
- Strong romantic tension and enemies-to-lovers payoff
- Bisexual protagonist representation (noted by reviewers at Heavenly Bookish)
- Fast-paced plot with genuine stakes
- Community engagement through BookTok and fan fiction
Downsides
- Graphic violence including throats ripped out, stabbing, burning to ash (documented by Bright Canary)
- Rampant profanity including frequent f-word (cited by Bright Canary)
- Two explicit sex scenes in first book alone
- Spice escalates further in sequels
- Mature themes inappropriate for YA readers
“Fourth Wing is best for readers 18+ due to explicit sexual content and graphic violence.”
— Screenwise (Parent Guide App)
“I rated the spice level of Fourth Wing as a 3 out of 5. Fourth Wing spice level is moderately spicy with a few open-door romance scenes.”
— The Literary Lifestyle (Book Blog)
“This is absolutely an adult/young adult novel. Explicit sex scenes, violence, language, etc.”
— Keera (Goodreads Reader)
Fourth Wing earns its New Adult classification through content that genuinely crosses into 18+ territory. Parents of teens under 16 should think twice. Fantasy romance fans craving spice with their dragon-riding will find exactly what they’re looking for—but only if they’re old enough to be in the room.
Related reading: Boy Swallows Universe Book · The Day the Crayons Quit
While noting the 18+ rating for its steamy scenes and violence, fans of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean saga will appreciate this reading order guide to sequence the three books properly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of Fourth Wing?
Violet Sorrengail, age 20, is forced into dragon rider training at Basgiath War College where she must survive brutal selection processes while navigating enemies-to-lovers romance with Xaden Riorson. Characters aged 18-22 face violent death throughout the academy.
Who is the author of the Fourth Wing series?
Rebecca Yarros is the author. She writes New Adult fantasy romance with themes of trauma, chronic illness, and high-stakes relationships. The series is published by Entangled: Red Tower Books.
Is there a Fourth Wing movie or TV series?
As of this writing, no official TV or movie adaptation has been confirmed. BookTok speculation runs high, but no production deals have been announced.
What genre is Fourth Wing?
Fourth Wing is New Adult Fantasy Romance—sometimes called “romantasy.” It exceeds Young Adult content limits with explicit sex, profanity, and violence. It’s less spicy than ACOTAR but more explicit than typical YA dystopians.
Where can I buy Fourth Wing?
Fourth Wing is available at major bookstores, online retailers, and libraries. Check Goodreads for purchase links and current availability.
What are common complaints about Fourth Wing?
Reader complaints include excessive swearing, graphic violence, the “broody teen” character behavior despite adult content, and pacing issues in certain sections. Some readers compare it unfavorably to more literary fantasy.
How does Fourth Wing compare to other romantasy?
Fourth Wing sits below ACOTAR on the spice scale but above most YA fantasy. The dragon-rider academy setting echoes Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series. The enemies-to-lovers trope with forced proximity follows established romantasy conventions.
Andrew Ellis leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Oz Insightlab.