Books similar to 'Fourth Wing': What to read if you loved the dragon-filled romantasy

Are you in a major reading slump after finishing “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros? The novel won Goodreads’ “Best Romantasy” in 2023 and was No. 4 on Amazon’s “Best Books of 2023” for a reason – readers just can’t get enough of the dragon-filled fantasy. 

Reading hangovers are real, though. It can feel daunting to pick up another book after you’ve read one that you couldn’t put down. These books may be the perfect next read if you’re struggling to fill a dragon-shaped “Fourth Wing” void. 

What is ‘Fourth Wing’ about?

“Fourth Wing” is “Game of Thrones” meets “Hunger Games” with a splash of “Harry Potter.” The novel follows Violet Sorrengail, whose commanding mother denies her entry to the safe Scribe Quadrant and forces her into Basgiath War College, where hundreds fight to become elite dragon riders. At Basgiath, she is forged into a deadly fighter and discovers a secret so massive that it changes everything she thinks she knows.

Books like Fourth Wing

An obvious follow-up to “Fourth Wing” is its sequel, “Iron Flame.” And if you’re a fan of “The Empyrean” series, you’ve likely heard of other BookTok favorites like “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and “Throne of Glass,” both by Sarah J. Maas. These series are uber popular among romantasy readers, making them a good contender for your next read.

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

‘The Priory of the Orange Tree’ by Samantha Shannon

This queer fantasy novel opens with a ruling house at risk of losing its power and standing. To protect the realm and the long-ruling House of Berethnet, the unmarried Queen Sabran the Ninth must birth a daughter as heir. Ead, a lady-in-waiting and secretly a mage, will have to use forbidden magic to protect Sabran as assassins converge. All the while, there are whispers about the resurgence of an ancient, long-vanquished enemy – dragons. 

‘Dragonfall’ by L.R. Lam

In "Dragonfall," long-banished dragons are worshipped as unforgiving gods. When a young thief, Arcady, steals a powerful artifact, it drags the last male dragon back to the mortal realm to save his kind. Disguised as human, the dragon Everen must regain magical powers to fulfill his destiny by getting Arcady to trust and bond with him before he kills them. But they grow unexpectedly close, risking the fate of both their worlds.

‘To Shape a Dragon’s Breath’ by Moniquill Blackgoose

When 15-year-old Anequs finds and bonds with a dragon hatchling, she’s revered by her Indigenous community, who hasn’t seen a dragon in generations. But the Anglish conquerors of her land have different ideas about how to raise a dragon – ideas that don’t involve Anequs at all. Reluctantly, they let her enroll in Anglish dragon school, but with high stakes. If she doesn’t succeed, they’ll kill her dragon.

“To Shape a Dragon’s Breath” is a coming-of-age story about a girl at odds with colonizers who believe their way is the right and only way.

‘So Let Them Burn’ by Kamilah Cole

At only 17, Faron is a legend to her people – she can channel the power of gods. She used that power to liberate her island from its enemies five years before. But in her teenage years, there is peace and no use for her power. It’s not until her sister bonds with an enemy dragon that she’ll have to use her magic once again. The only way to break her sister's bond is to kill her, the gods say. Now, this heroine is forced to choose between saving her sister or her homeland.

‘The Serpent and the Wings of Night’ by Carissa Broadbent

“The Serpent and the Wings of Night” follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of a Nightborn vampire king who enters a tournament hosted by the goddess of death. She'll have to face vicious vampire warriors and make an alliance with a ruthless, mysterious enemy to survive. Unexpectedly, she feels drawn to rival vampire killer Raihn. 

But in a world where war looms and love means danger, Oraya must wrestle with what she thought she knew about her home and what she really wants out of life.

‘Legendborn’ by Tracy Deonn

Sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews is looking to escape the grief and painful memories in her hometown while at a residential program for gifted high schoolers. But when she witnesses a magical attack on her first night – a flying demon and a secret society of students hunting the creatures down – it triggers her own unique, buried magic. By infiltrating the secret Legendborn society, Bree will be forced to face the truth about her mother’s death and her own powers.

‘Six Crimson Cranes’ by Elizabeth Lim

Princess Shiori'anma is living with secret and forbidden magical powers. When she accidentally loses control and shows her powers, she derails the wedding she never wanted but faces the wrath of her stepmother, who banishes her and turns her brothers into cranes. Her stepmother swears her to silence – with every word she speaks, one of her brothers dies. 

Shiori, alongside her would-be-husband, embarks on a quest to save her brothers and uncover a dark conspiracy. To do so, she must embrace the magic that got her in this dangerous predicament in the first place.

‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross

“Divine Rivals” is an epic enemies-to-lovers story set against the backdrop of a war among gods. After young Iris Winnow's brother disappears from the front lines, the most important thing is supporting her family. She soothes her worries by writing letters to her missing brother, but they accidentally fall into the hands of her rival at her newspaper job. When he replies anonymously, it sparks a connection that follows Iris to the front lines of the battle.

‘One Dark Window’ by Rachel Gillig

This romantasy novel follows Elspeth Spindle, who survived a childhood illness that left her with magical abilities. A secret monster trapped inside her head both controls and protects her. Her life changes when she meets a mysterious highwayman – the King’s wanted nephew, no less – and joins a quest to save the kingdom from dark magic.

‘Trial of the Sun Queen’ by Nisha J. Tuli

In this first of the "Artefacts of Ouranos" series, protagonist Lor finds herself competing against nine other women to be the Sun King’s queen. After she is released from twelve brutal years of torment under the rival Aurora King, becoming the Sun King's wife will earn her freedom and revenge. But unlike her competitors, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court, painting a target on her back.

Lor must win the Sun Queen Trials, lest she face death or a return to the evil Aurora King.

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Contributing: Jennifer McClellan, USA TODAY