Rebecca Yarros’Onyx Storm,the third installment of herEmpyreanseries, will be released on June 20, 2025. For romantasy fans, this is a long time to wait without something to distract from the shocking ending toIron Flame.Whiletheories aboutOnyx Stormget progressively wildabout what is next for Violet and Xaden, including epistolary details that makereaders nervous about theFourth Wingcouple’s fate,delving into new romantasy worldscould fill the easy reading void in the meantime.
The blend of romance and fantasy also means many of the titles are part of a long series, so there is plenty of reading material to get sucked into. There is also a goodmixture of familiar and unfamiliar elementsto make them comfortable reads that are equally compelling. Readers will recognize the enemies-to-lovers trope in many other romantasy books, as well as settings that are bitterly difficult for characters to survive.
Fourth Wing TV Show: Confirmation, Story & Everything We Know
Rebecca Yarros' fantasy novel Fourth Wing is already getting a TV adaptation, and Amazon Prime Video is keen to bring the BookTok sensation to life.
10Powerless
By Lauren Roberts
The“TikTok made me buy it”bookPowerlessby Lauren Roberts has the competitive,Hunger Gamesvibe thatFourth Wingis so adored for. In a world divided by power, Paedyn Gray, an ordinary girl pretending to be a psychic, must navigate the dangerous elite society of Ilya. When she saves a prince, she’sthrust into a brutal competitionwhere her secret could cost her everything, including her heart.
Powerlessoffers a dual perspective, exploring the lives of Paedyn (Pae) and Prince Kai. Pae, a street-smart young woman, struggles to survive in the slums with her friend Adena, resorting to theft to provide for them. Readers of romantasy will appreciate the familiar elements inPowerless, including a fierce female lead. Most importantly, it features a captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, the excruciating slow burn of which makes this title stand out.
9From Blood and Ash
By Jennifer L. Armentrout
While theBlood and Ashseries isn’t Jennifer L. Armentrout’s first successful series, it’s currently her most popular one. This NYT-bestselling author of YA and adult fantasy has captivated readers since 2011 with series likeObsidianandHalf-Blood. In 2015, she founded Apollycon, an annual event for authors and readers.From Blood and Ash, the series' debut, was released in March 2020, during the pandemic lockdown. Although it wasn’t an immediate bestseller, its potential quicklycaptured readers' imaginationsand fueled a growing obsession.
Poppy, a destined Maiden, lives a solitary life of duty and sacrifice. Maidens are never to be touched, spoken to, or even looked at – and her role is against her will. When the charismatic Hawke enters her world,he challenges her beliefsand ignites forbidden desires. As a fallen kingdom rises, threatening their world, Poppy must choose between love, duty, and the fate of her people. This captivating fantasy, filled with action, romance, and unexpected twists, is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.
8A Court Of Roses And Thorns Series
By Sarah J. Maas
A Courts of Roses and Thornsis now a mainstay in the genre, and with good reason. The first book,A Court of Thorns & Roseswas a BookTok hit. It introduced characters that both play into and challenge common romantasy tropes, creating a fresh and engaging reading experience. Fromthe strong-willed protagonist Feyre to the shadowy high lord,Thorns & Roses’Rhysand who is a big fancasting topic, the characters inACOTAReach have well-thought-out arcs and unexpected twists. The quality of the plotting makes the series a great one to get stuck into if waiting forOnyx Stormis giving you romantasy withdrawal symptoms.
The love interest ofA Court of Thorns & Roses,Tamlin, is based on The Ballad of Tam Lin which isone of the stories that inspiredACOTAR. The Scottish folk ballad is a tale of a woman’s encounter with a mysterious man in the enchanted forest of Carterhaugh.
As a skilled huntress, Feyre must venture deeper into the woods to provide for her impoverished family. While hunting, she encounters a mysterious wolf and, believing it to be a faerie, uses a powerful ash arrow to kill it. The next day, a golden beast arrives demanding payment for the faerie’s death. Feyre is faced with aterrifying choice: death or exile to the faerie realmof Prythian. Little does she know, this decision will lead her on an extraordinary journey, filled with love, betrayal, and a battle against a powerful evil that threatens both human and faerie kind.
7Crescent City
Sarah J. Maas, renowned author of theA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries, has created another captivating fantasy world withCrescent City. This series follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-fae, half-human living in the vibrant city of Midgard. As of January 2024, the series includes three books:House of Earth and Blood,House of Sky and Breath, andHouse of Flame and Shadow. A fourth book is in the works, though a release date has yet to be announced. The first book,House of Earth and Blood, sets up agripping cast of charactersand effectively establishes the worldbuilding.
When her best friend is brutally murdered by a demon, Bryce becomes the prime suspect. Forced to team up with Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel enslaved to the Archangels, she must investigate the murder to clear her name. Hunt, desperate for freedom, must also find the demon terrorizing Crescent City. Together, they navigate adangerous world filled with magic, secrets, and the threat of demonic possession. The series’ debut is sure to hook readers into continuing the series – especially as a familiar face fromACOTARmakes a cameo appearance in the climactic finale ofCrescent City’s second book.
6When the Moon Hatched
By Sarah A. Parker
When the Moon Hatchedshares many similarities withFourth Wingmaking it a great replacementfor fans eagerly awaitingOnyx Storm. Both series feature captivating protagonists drawn together by fate and circumstance, as they navigate a mysterious world and work together to survive. Its overall premise ofsurvival and discovery within a magical realmmirrors that ofFourth Wing, creating a familiar yet exciting reading experience. Like the dynamic between Violet and Xaden inFourth Wing, Raeve and Kaan’s relationship inWhen the Moon Hatchedis marked by growing trust, undeniable chemistry, and a complex history that keeps readers captivated.
Raeve, a skilled assassin fighting for the rebellion, is captured by a powerful faerie guild after a deadly encounter with a rival bounty hunter. Kaan Vaegor, a dragon rider consumed by grief and seeking answers, finds himself in the same prison. As they navigate their captivity, ashared mission to uncover hidden truthsabout their world brings them together.When the Moon Hatchedcombines the familiar magic system ofFourth Wingwith a more classical fantasy setting. The introduction of Fae creatures, a beloved fantasy trope, adds another layer of appeal and expands the story’s reach to a wider audience.
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5Faebound
By Saara El-Arifi
Faebound, the debut of a new trilogy by theSunday Timesbestselling author ofThe Final Strife, is a spellbinding tale of two elven sisters imprisoned in the enchanting yet perilous realm of the fae. Yeeran, a seasoned warrior, and Lettle, a diviner, find themselves exiled from their homeland and thrust into a world of magic, danger, and forbidden love. This romantic fantasy, praised by readers including the acclaimed author Samantha Shannon, has anepic scope, excellent world-building, and striking characters.
Saara El-Arifi’s novelFaeboundis adored for its LGBTQ+ representation, and for exploring the differences between two magical races rather than the trend of contrasting humans and Fae. Themagical mythology she creates is well-thought-out.Faeboundoffers a blend of fantasy tropes, featuring engaging characters, thrilling battles, murder mysteries, prophetic visions, familial drama, betrayal, and more. While the plot leans into the popular"enemies to lovers"trope, it does so effectively within the context of the story. El-Arifi avoids relying on gratuitous sex to drive character development, instead focusing on their complex personalities and relationships.
4The Golden Enclaves
By Naomi Novik
The Golden Enclavesis a fantasy novel and the third installment in Naomi Novik’sThe Scholomance Trilogy, following the adventures of Galadriel “El” Higgins – a half-Welsh, half-Indian sorceress.El must navigate the dangerous world of the Scholomance, a renowned school of magic, while honing her powers and striving to survive until graduation.The Golden Enclavescontinues the saga of El’s journey through a magical realm filled with both wonder and peril.
Fans of dark academia, fantasy, and witty banter between characters will be drawn into this addictive read. The female character is grumpy and the male character is more upbeat, subverting the usual romantasy dynamic. El’s dedication to her studies, combined with the mysterious and intellectual atmosphere of the Scholomance, will resonate with readers who enjoyedFourth Wing’s Violet’sacademic pursuits as the scribe who could have been, and her fascination with the hidden knowledge of the world.
3The Cruel Prince
By Holly Black
The Cruel Princeis an award-winning fantasy novel that has garnered critical acclaim and popular recognition. It has received numerous accolades, including the Inky Award, New England Independent Booksellers Association Award, and Phantastik Preis Award. The novel has also been praised by major library associations and has received starred reviews from leading book reviewers. This fantasy novel blends elements of faerie folklore,high fantasy, and teenage drama, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the seductive yet perilous world of faeries.
Like Feyre inA Court of Thorns and Roses, Jude,a mortal thrust into a magical realm, faces prejudice and discrimination. Her rivalry with the wicked Prince Cardan intensifies as she fights for acceptance and becomes entangled in deadly palace intrigues. As civil war looms, Jude must risk everything to save her sisters and the faeries, discovering her own ruthless potential in the process. Whether you’re a faerie expert or new to the genre, this novel is capable of drawing you into a spellbinding world.
2The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Carissa Broadbent
Forced to ally with her mysterious rival…
In a world where survival hinges on trust, loyalty, and strength, Oraya, a human adopted by the Nightborn vampire king, must navigate the treacherous Kejari tournament to secure her future. Forced to ally with her mysterious rival, Raihn, a ruthless vampire,Oraya finds herselfdrawn to him despite the danger. As war looms and their attraction grows, Oraya must choose between love and survival in this heart-wrenching tale of dark magic, bloodthirsty intrigue, and forbidden romance.
Readers ofFourth Wingwho appreciate the complex and intense relationships between characters will find much to love inThe Serpent and the Wings of Night. Oraya and Raihn’s dynamic is marked by a dangerous mix of rivalry, attraction, and mutual respect, similar to the compelling bond between Violet and Xaden. Additionally, both series explore themes of power, betrayal, and the sacrifices necessary for survival, offering readers a thrilling and emotionally charged narrative.
1Dragonriders of Pern series, Anne McCaffrey
Dragonriders of Pern series, Anne McCaffrey
TheDragonriders of Pernseries, which started in the 1960s, chronicles a human society on the planet Pern, which faces periodic threats from a destructive alien spore called Thread. To combat Thread, the Pernese have developed asymbiotic relationship with intelligent, fire-breathing dragons. Humans bond with dragons at hatching, forming a lifelong telepathic connection. The series explores the history, culture, and challenges of this unique society, spanning over two and a half millennia. For readers ofFourth Wingwho appreciate the exploration of dragon and rider dynamics, the original dragon-bonding series, beginning withDragonflight, offers a rich and fulfilling experience.
WhileFourth Wingalso features strong powerful dragons, the series' focus on military training and combat sets it apart from theDragonriders of Pern. In Yarros’Empyreanseries, the bond between rider and dragon is primarily driven by a shared mission. TheDragonriders of Pernseries emphasizes the deep personal connection and lifelongcommitment formed through the dragons Impression process. Additionally, it explores the challenges of maintaining a sustainable society in a hostile environment. This could provide a refreshing reading experience while waiting for the more military-focusedOnyx Stormto be released, hopefullyanswering the burningEmpyreanquestions.
