Buy Now, Pay Later
As low as
$4
/ mo
Learn more
- – 4-month term
- – No impact on credit to apply
- – Instant approval decision
- – Secure and straightforward checkout
Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.
Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Apple Pay, and PayTomorrow. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Free shipping on this product
30-day returns
Learn more
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
Availability:
In Stock.
Arrives
Wednesday, Jun 17
Recently Viewed
Description
A 1 New York Times bestseller • TV series in development at MGM Amazon Studios with Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society • Amazon Best Books of the Year, 4 • Apple Best Books of the Year 2023 • Barnes & Noble Best Fantasy Book of 2023 • NPR “Books We Love” 2023 • Audible Best Books of 2023 • Hudson Book of the Year • Google Play Best Books of 2023 • Indigo Best Books of 2023 • Waterstones Book of the Year finalist • Goodreads Choice Award Winner • Newsweek Staffers’ Favorite Books of 2023 • Paste Magazine's Best Books of 2023 "Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure- filled fantasy." ―Booklist, starred review "Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." ―1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from 1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order. Reading Order: Book 1 Fourth Wing Book 2 Iron Flame Book 3 Onyx Storm Read more
Publisher : Entangled Red Tower Books
Publication date : May 2, 2023
Language : English
Print length : 528 pages
ISBN-10 : 1649374046
ISBN-13 : 42
Item Weight : 1.61 pounds
Dimensions : 6.4 x 1.55 x 9.3 inches
Book 1 of 3 : The Empyrean
Best Sellers Rank: #3,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2 in Epic Fantasy (Books) #22 in Romantic Fantasy (Books) #55 in Sword & Sorcery Fantasy (Books)
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Wednesday, Jun 17
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
- Klarna Financing
- Affirm Pay in 4
- Affirm Financing
- Afterpay Financing
- PayTomorrow Financing
- Financing through Apple Pay
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Similar Products
Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Kindle
Wow! It has been a LONG time since I have actually felt tension while reading a book. I can read the biggest action scenes at the end of various books and the majority of the time they just don't affect me at all - because I don't care that much about the characters. But THIS - this was different. I felt the tension. And it was real. Plus the author is very willing to kill characters so there is some uncertainty there as well. And the battle at the end of this most excellent book - it was hot and raging. Plus the enemy leaked danger as well. True menace. Very rarely does some enemy in a book impress me at all but this one most certainly did.. Right from the description I just KNEW there was something different about these mages called venin. They seemed impressive too. And very memorable. I wanted to draw them based off of the description. Very rarely do I get that urge. But what a battle at the end! It was touch and go. What would happen? Would the heroes win or lose? I didn't know. And I felt concern. This book has made me feel things. Earlier it had made me cry - tears of joy. And the book has surprised me too. The plot twists! I guess I should have seen it coming but I didn't so I was quite surprised. But it certainly makes the story way more interesting! And I am certainly eager to read the sequel too! This is a massive book and worth reading every word! And rarely do I feel that way. But its exciting and the characters face so many challenges. And there is death too. In fact there is a lot of death in here. Its a very violent world, a tough world of dragons and griffins and things that are supposed to be only legends to scare kids to eat their vegetables... But what I love the most in here in the main character Violet. She has a connective tissue disorder. I have one too (its called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - EDS - and I am pretty confident that Violet actually has EDS). I have never run across a character in a book before that has EDS. And certainly not one that is bold enough to be in a fantasy world where she rides a dragon. How cool is that? So yes I certainly can relate to her very well! And so much of the stuff in here is quite accurate too. Exercise is the best way to protect the joints (and personally I find diet matters a ton too). And yes it certainly can make many things way harder. The joints are all wonky and they naturally hyper-extend so doing things - even just balancing - is way harder. But riding a dragon!!! I remember when I was much younger I used to read this other very popular fantasy series that included dragons and I used to try to imagine what it would be like to ride a dragon. Of course I never thought about the issues of staying ON said dragon... But since I ride horses these days I have a better idea of some of the issues. But wow this book is totally AMAZING! it totally captivated my attention. The first evening I started it I got 50% through. And I certainly would have powered through the second half yesterday but unfortunately I have packing to do as I am moving at the end of the month. If I could I would rate it 6 stars! The characters are just so real. And they go through character arcs too. They change. They face obstacles and have to find solutions. And there is certainly a bit of romance in here too. The story moved so smoothly. Never a dull moment at all. None. And I just loved the first person writing in here from Violet's viewpoint. But the story is about a young woman named Violet who has been forced by her very powerful mother to become a dragon rider. That is a warrior. But her body is weak and ill suited for it. So she was training to be a scribe (but all of that writing would be a huge strain on her too - in fact I cannot write very long at all by hand anymore without pain + numbness going down my arm and I get horrid shoulder pain) but that changed - she had to go be a dragon rider or die trying. But its not that easy in fact its very dangerous. Most people who try to become a rider end up dead. And you can be killed by your own classmates! Yes, its a very brutal school. And after all of these difficult obstacles - which Violet is ill suited to pass - she has to hope that a dragon will pick her. But what dragon will pick someone with a body that doesn't work right due to genetic mutations? And all of that is near the beginning of the book! For a huge mysterious and dangerous problem is brewing in the Kingdom! And poor Violet will run smack into it - err - fly into it. If she can stay on the dragon that is... You definitely should read this!
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024 by Sarah B
Format: Kindle
This is some of the best writing I’ve read in a long time. The details building the story, the environment, the depths of the characters, our heroine and her resolve are just some of why this makes it such a great book. I am so excited that this is a series and not just a one-off. Can’t wait for the next.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026 by Stefani N.
✨ “A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.” This book is hyped for a reason. Fourth Wing is more than just dragons and romance. It is immersive and atmospheric, the kind of high fantasy that feels expansive and addictive without ever becoming overwhelming. What makes this story stand out to me isn’t just the concept, but the execution. The tension feels intentional. The stakes feel personal. Every element, from the war college setting to the dragon bonds, works together to create something cinematic without feeling forced. ──────────────────────── 📖 The Details ⭐ Rating: 5/5 🌶 Spice Level: 3/5 📚 Genre: High Fantasy Romance 🔮 Tropes: Rivalry to lovers, forced proximity, war college, found family, morally grey MMC, dragon riders ──────────────────────── 💭 My Reading Experience What sold me was how immediate everything felt. From the first chapter, survival is never guaranteed, which keeps the pacing sharp and personal. The worldbuilding unfolds naturally through Violet’s perspective. Because the story is written in first person, information expands as she learns and processes it, keeping the fantasy elements accessible rather than overwhelming. I was far more emotionally invested than I expected to be. There is a moment in this book that still makes me cry every time I think about it. The attachment to these characters builds steadily, and the found family dynamic adds weight to every challenge they face. This book balances high tension with emotional connection in a way that made it impossible for me to look away. The final twist completely caught me off guard and subtly reframed the direction of the series in a way I didn’t anticipate. ──────────────────────── 🖤 Characters Violet Her strength will always be her mind over her body. She is physically fragile and constantly forced to work harder to compensate for that. Watching her push through limitations instead of pretending they do not exist made her feel incredibly relatable. She can also be frustrating at times. For someone so intelligent, she occasionally makes decisions that feel naive. But because the story is entirely from her perspective, our understanding is limited to how she processes information in real time. That makes her feel human rather than flawless. — “But I will not run. I wouldn’t be standing here if I’d quit every time something seemed impossible to overcome. I will not die today.” Xaden Controlled. Intense. Morally grey. The tension between him and Violet builds through rivalry and reluctant respect rather than true hatred. It isn’t a classic enemies-to-lovers arc, but the slow progression makes their relationship feel earned. — “I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart, and I’m keeping it.” The Dragons The dragons elevate the entire story. Their bonds feel layered and meaningful, and the subtle hints woven into those early interactions suggest larger forces at play. The mating bond dynamic also adds emotional and political complexity to the world, and their banter throughout the story had me laughing. — “I’m just… not as strong as other riders.” “I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail.” “Should I get the wing leader?” ──────────────────────── 💖 What Worked For Me • The immersive academic war college atmosphere • Dragon bonding and lore • The steady build of emotional attachment • Morally grey romantic tension • High stakes that feel personal • The final twist that subtly reframed the direction of the series ──────────────────────── ⚡ What Didn’t Fully Work For Me • I would have loved a more intense true enemies-to-lovers arc • Violet’s occasional frustrating decision making ──────────────────────── ✨ Final Thoughts If you want high fantasy that balances deadly training and trials, dragon lore, tension-filled romance, and a heroine who earns her place through determination and strategy, this delivers. Violet and Xaden are one of my top book couples. — “It’s been my honor.”
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026 by Destiny LeCount
For starters just the look of the book itself is gorgeous. This is hands-down the prettiest book I have on my bookshelf and I will be getting the rest of the series in the same design as they continue to come out. The actual story itself, is by far one of the best fantasy stories I have ever read. And I am a huge snob for stories. If I read something and do not like it, I will simply put the book down and just throw it away or donate it. This one however I was not able to put down. I read the sample online before I ordered it, and read it all over again as soon as the book came in instead of skipping over what i already read because it was simply that good. From cover to cover is nothing but cliffhangers or jaw dropping moments that make you want to read chapter after chapter until it’s finished. The only critique I would give making the story a 4 out of 5 would simply be all the romance and intimate scenes between the main characters. This is where the book really drops the ball and almost seems like someone else wrote these scenes rather than the original author. ( with no spoilers ) there are only so many times that someone can call a person; beautiful, gorgeous, sexy, or “worship” a particular muscle or body part before everything starts to get a little old. And every… single… intimate scene plays out exactly like this saying the same things over and over again. They literally take what should be a five page “love scene” and draw it out for a whole chapter obsessing over hair, skin, eye color, etc. to the point where myself and others who have read the books actually started skipping these scenes entirely because they were pointless and annoying. Aside from that one little annoyance, the story is solid, the fantasy is believable, the dragons feel like real fire breathing dragons with personality and morals, not some cartoony how to train your Dragon or some demonized always evil monster. I would also definitely recommend even though this series started out for “ young adult “, this is not something that I would ever let an early teenager read between the sex and the violence that takes place throughout this story. Literally nothing gets held back. They actually threw in the sex scenes to try and get out of the young adult category as the series progresses. Coming from someone who is currently halfway through the second book already, I can say that it just gets more and more brutal as you go. Overall, this is an incredible story with amazing dragons, lovable/enraging characters, great action, well choreographed combat, believable fantasy when it comes to magic and lore, and I would definitely recommend this for anyone over the age of 17. Like I mentioned earlier, the only letdown was the annoyance of the romantic/intimate scenes with its repetition and over obsessive tendencies.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2025 by Rogue1994
Format: Kindle
I was very late to the Fourth Wing world, but I have to admit that the book is actually very good. It tells the story of Violet, a young woman forced into becoming a dragon rider by her mother, a general in the dragon riding forces. Violet is not particularly suited to riding. She has a connective tissue disorder (presumably like that of the author), which results in her being particularly susceptible to dislocated and broken bones. Its a condition that makes her job that much harder, and the riders have a very dangerous job to begin with. Violet is intelligent and persistent, with a devious way of thinking. They're traits that hold her in good stead, particularly since she's a target in the college— her mother was responsible for the death of a number of parents of the students in addition to Violet’s apparent weakness. The story takes us through Violet's first year, introduces us to some of the dragons, as well as their riders. There is quite a bit of death, since this is a war college, and dragons are not pets; and I highly recommend reading the last few chapters when you are not around others, with a handkerchief in hand! There is also a romance, which generates a lot of steam— not unusual in romantasy and fantasy romance (this is the latter), but if you're looking for a clean book, this is NOT it. The characters are somewhat slowly introduced, and in a way, we get to know them the same way Violet does. While we know very little about Violet prior to Basgiath War College, we come to know her as she discovers her new identity as a Rider, and considering how much Violet believes she has changed, it makes sense that we only learn about that aspect of her. This was an enjoyable (and yes, lengthy) read, set in a fantastically realised world, and with several of my favourite tropes (which in the attempt to not spoil everything I won’t be sharing). I loved the dragons, who are absolutely my favourite characters, and enjoyed the careful description of Violet’s world. Does this book live up to the hype? Yes, I think so. It became popular because it *is* an engaging read, and has some truly gripping moments. Is it the kind of book you want to reread? I think so, especially since the series is not yet finished, and some of the hidden meanings may be much more easily understood in rereading. Ultimately, this is a very good contemporary fantasy, with the traditional elements that high fantasy lovers will enjoy. It’s not for those who want a calmer story, but if you enjoy tension, action, and a steamy romance, then this is an excellent choice for you.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2025 by Spinneretta
Format: Hardcover
"You turned oranges into a weapon, Violence?" - Xaden Riorson High fantasy, dragons, and an enemies-to-lovers romance in a world wrought with war? YES PLEASE! Okay, let's start at the beginning, the part before I even start reading the book. Fourth Wing is everywhere: Bookstagram, BookTok, everyone and their mother AND brother have read Fourth Wing. I was interested. I had been putting it off for fear that it would disappoint. Well...when I started reading, I was thinking "Yeah, a nice new young adult fantasy with dragons. I hope it's as good as Eragon!" Yes, I know I know...I found out very quickly that this is an adult fantasy and definitely NOT young adult. I could tell by the type font and layout, as if the sexuaI innuendos weren't enough right from the get-go! And man...were some of then so cringy. What force on this planet made me even think it was young adult?! Some of the innuendos and just the bickering, bantering type of dialogue was so cringy and awful that I had to read parts aloud to my husband for a serious laugh. It was like twelve-year-olds who have heard about $ex but haven't experienced it trying to talk about it. It was awful. Cringy. So terrible that I was affronted that I was still enjoying the book! One of the lines I remember most was something like "I want to climb him like a tree." Okay. I get what she means...but if you picture that particular simile...what DOES that even mean? There were better choices out there than...a tree...🤦♀️ Cringe aspect incoming: While I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, in fact one of my favorites, the way this was set up made the characters feel flatter than paper. We have our main character, Violet, whose small size is constantly emphasized for a good portion of the novel. Yes, thank you for telling us for the FORTIETH TIME that she is small and petite. Point taken. Cool. She is also warned early on about the traitor son, Xaden Riorson, who from the moment he sees her, emphasizes his need to kill her. Except...every time he has the chance, there's some dumb excuse as to why he didn't. And then all of a sudden, he's saving her from death MUTIPLE times, and then they are kissing. ⚔️ This is all well and good, or would be, IF there was more to the enemy aspect. There should have been more time taken to explore Xaden's own hatred of Violet, and vice-versa. At least it gets better. After about halfway through the book (roughly page 250), the cringe isn't there anymore. It's like the author became a better writer AS she was writing. The (human) characters finally started getting some dimension to them, and the cringe-worthy dialogue (with one exception about measuring size, though it's placement wasn't too bad) was no longer present. We finally get a little bit of Xaden's hatred-turned-passion toward Violet, but still not enough to see why he would want to kill Violet, as opposed to attempting to kill her mother, the main responsible party for his misery, instead. I know there will be more books to explore this later, but to make the true enemies-to-lovers feel, and for it to feel genuine, there should have been a bit more from the start. What truly makes this book shine is the dragons. Absolutely everything about the dragons. The series is named after their mysterious governing council (or what it is perceived as, though may be something else entirely), the Empyrean. The dragons are intriguing characters who all deserve more page time, especially Andarna and Sgaeyl, as well as the secondary characters dragons, which we don't get to see a whole lot of. With the dragons having their own governing system and being respected as the highest of beings, they certainly deserved more. The dragons also channel magic into their riders, and each rider manifests their own unique power based on their inner self. The magic system is enjoyable and works well for this world. There are two parts about the book that absolutely make it phenomenal: Threshing, and the last 50 pages of the novel. Threshing is the day when riders get to go out into the field and try to bond with a dragon. The dragon must pick the rider, of course, and not the other way around. No spoilers, but this scene comes somewhere between pages 120-180ish and is the part of the novel that truly had me hooked. I couldn't put it down! The last 50 pages of the novel are the exciting battle one waits for in this kind of book. Once again, no spoilers, but with references throughout and the multiple reveals during this stretch of reading make for an action-packed cliffhanger ending making the reader itch for more. I don't even know where this story will go from here. I know whatever happens, I'll be along for the ride and I know I'll have my wildest imaginings blown out of the water. Final consensus: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💎 Why? Overall, the entertainment value of this novel has great sway in my final rating. Despite complaining about cringey aspects, they offered great laugh-out-loud moments. Despite the flat characters at first, they definitely fill out a bit more later, and the thing is, one can't hate on that. It's only the beginning of the story (my understanding at the time of this blog post is that it is planned as a five book series). That dragons truly make this book phenomenal, and everything about the last 50 pages really brought this novel to become something more, to put forward the promise to an exciting war story with its fair share of romance...and loss. Yes...I even teared up a bit at one part. No matter what anyone tells you about the book, its entertainment value makes for a FIVE STAR DIAMOND of a novel... i.e. a MUST READ for all fantasy lovers and seekers of a top-tier book with dragons.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024 by Terri
Format: Kindle
Goodness, I just finished this book for the 2nd time but it has been about 2 years since the first read and it was just as good as the first time I read it. This is a masterpiece of romantasy!! The world building...exquisite, the plot even better, the romance 🤌🏻 This is still my favorite book to date and will be hard to top. Although ive already read Iron flame and half of onyx storm...im just rereading before book 4 🥴🫶🏼
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026 by Morgan Sanchez
I’m not normally a fantasy reader, but I devoured Fourth Wing and the rest of the series in just two weeks, and that’s saying something, because these books are much longer than your typical novel. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming. The story pulls you in quickly, introducing a rich magic system, layered political intrigue, and compelling characters that feel real despite the fantastical setting. I was especially impressed by the pacing...the narrative keeps moving even as it lays down the groundwork for a larger universe, which is hard to do in a first book of a series. The characters are a highlight. They’re flawed, resourceful, and relatable, making it easy to care about their journeys. I also appreciated how the stakes feel personal and epic at the same time...there’s a good balance between action, strategy, and character growth. For someone like me who usually skips fantasy, this series felt like a perfect entry point. It’s engaging, immersive, and ambitious without being intimidating. By the time I finished the first book, I was hooked and ready for the rest of the series. If you’re on the fence about fantasy, this could be the book that draws you in. Accessible, exciting, and surprisingly addictive.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2026 by Wendivaaa