Sure, some reviews are mixed, but honestly? The hype is real. The first book, Fourth Wing, is pure magic, and I’m officially declaring myself a diehard Fourth Wing fan.
Book 1: Fourth Wing
Damn! Let me just say it right now: if you love dragons, action, and shadow-daddy MMCs (yes, you know who I mean 😏), you cannot miss this.
At the heart of Fourth Wing is Violet Sorrengail - a witty, brilliant, and courageous girl who decides to enroll in a war college. But here’s the catch: Violet is physically weak, doesn’t exercise, and has zero experience with combat. Yet, she’s determined to become a dragon rider, and that means surviving brutal training, navigating deadly competitions, and not dying in the process. Oh, and did I mention dragons? Because these dragons are everything you ever dreamed of in a fantastical companion, majestic, fierce, and completely swoon-worthy.
Then there’s Xaden Riorson. Hot. Brutal. Powerful. The kind of man who can make your heart race with a single glare. He’s the ultimate shadow daddy figure, but with a twist: his loyalty, intentions, and emotions are layered and complicated, making every interaction with Violet electric.
Violet’s journey is not just about her survival - it’s about navigating the treacherous waters of friendship, loyalty, and rivalry. She has a best friend, Dain, who is handsome, charming, and a formidable competitor, making Xaden and Dain an epic love-triangle tension magnet. On top of that, there’s the Grypons, the so-called enemy beyond the college walls, adding danger and intrigue at every turn.
This book is the reason I personally want a dragon as a pet. Forget cats, forget dogs - give me a fire-breathing, winged beast I can ride into battle. And the writing? Yarros knows how to manipulate emotions like a pro. One minute you’re laughing at Violet’s witty comebacks, the next you’re crying because of betrayal, heartbreak, or danger.
If you’re wondering whether it’s just romance or just fantasy - nope. It’s both, and it’s done in a way that your heart, mind, and imagination are fully engaged.
Book 2: Iron Flame
If Fourth Wing sets your heart racing, then Iron Flame will set it on fire, and I mean this both figuratively and literally. The spice level in this one ramps up, but it’s still balanced with the action, strategy, and fantastical elements that make this series so addictive.
By this point, Violet has acquired her dragons. She’s no longer the fragile girl stumbling through war college; she’s a dragon rider, a thinker, and a strategist. But there’s trouble in paradise: the man she loves is entangled with a son of a Duke and Duchess who supports their supposed enemy, the Grypons. Confused yet? Hang on, it gets better.
Violet discovers that the Grypons aren’t the worst threat. The real danger lies with the Venins and Wyverns, enemies more cunning, more powerful, and far deadlier than anything she’s faced before. Protecting the war college becomes a puzzle of codes, alliances, and sacrifices. To save everyone, Violet and her loved ones must make heart-wrenching decisions. One life must be sacrificed to protect many, and one person must risk everything for love.
This book is where the romance intensifies, and let’s just say Violet is completely head-over-heels. If you’ve ever been so in love that you’d do anything for someone, you’ll relate, and yes, you’ll feel that tension and longing on every page.
The stakes are higher, the dragons are bigger, and the enemies are deadlier. And just like the first book, the writing will have you on an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll cry, you’ll gasp, and you’ll probably be cheering out loud at Violet’s victories.
Book 3: Onyx Storm
By the time you reach Onyx Storm, the series shifts slightly from Violet being the center of strategic brilliance to the man she loves taking the spotlight. Without giving spoilers, this story revolves around a dangerous curse he inflicted upon himself and Violet’s quest to help him find a cure.
This book takes the adventure beyond the war college, across the seas, deserts, and lands filled with dragons’ special clans. The danger is higher, the enemies are relentless, and the emotional stakes are through the roof. Violet is still strong, witty, and fiercely loyal but this book emphasizes the partnership between her and Xaden, showing how love can be both a guiding light and a grounding force when everything else is chaotic.
Onyx Storm is a bit overwhelming at times because of all the moving parts and characters, but there are moments of absolute brilliance that make you fall in love all over again. And yes, there’s one character in particular who stands out so much that I beg the author not to kill him in the next book. Fingers crossed, fingers crossed!
Why I’m Biased and Why You Should Read Them Anyway
I admit it: I’m a Fourth Wing girl through and through. I loved the first book so much that I underlined nearly every sentence, every quote, every comma and period. My emotions were on a rollercoaster - from laughter to tears to sheer awe in just a few pages.
These books are a psychological ride as much as they are fantasy. They manipulate your emotions, challenge your assumptions about loyalty and love, and make you root for characters in a way that’s hard to put into words.
And the romance? Sizzling, yes! but still tastefully written and deeply emotional. Violet is hopelessly in love, and Xaden…well, he’s the kind of man who’ll make you question your own standards. After reading him, you might find yourself swooning over every character with shadow-daddy vibes in every book you pick up next.
Then there’s the dragons. Let me be clear: these dragons are entirely superior to any cat or dog you might own. You will wish you could ride them, train them, and fight alongside them. By the end of the series, dragons feel like part of the family, and honestly, I kind of wish they were real.
Final Thoughts
Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series is more than just a romantasy. It’s a high-octane, emotionally gripping, dragon-filled adventure that will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and scream in equal measure. From the tension-filled halls of war college to the fiery battles with dragons and enemies, this series is a feast for the imagination.
✔Fourth Wing steals your heart with Violet’s wit, courage, and Xaden’s shadow-daddy allure.
✔Iron Flame turns up the heat with intense stakes, romance, and betrayal.
✔Onyx Storm expands the world, raising the adventure and emotional stakes to new heights.
If you’re looking for a series that combines brainy strategy, dangerous enemies, epic dragons, and a romance that’ll leave you weak in the knees, then ride the wings of the Empyrean Series. Trust me, once you start, you won’t want to get off.
So, if you encounter this blog, my wish for you is simple: may you find a dragon to ride, a wing leader to guide you, and a story that sweeps you off your feet. Because if I had a dragon, I’d ride all day and night-especially with the wing leader by my side. ❤🐉
