If you're a fantasy romance lover on #booktok, chances are you've read the New York Times bestselling novel, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It's taking the world by storm with captivating storytelling, adorable golden dragons, brooding rebels and dangerous trials. The story works because it balances action with romance, relying more on the complex political situations and thrilling action than romance to further the plot. But that doesn't mean it lacks in the spice department!

What to Read After Fourth Wing

There are thousands of great fantasy romance books out there, but we put together a list of books that have the feel of The Empyrean series that don't compromise action for romance. Here's are out favorite books like Fourth Wing, but even better:

1. The Serpent and the Wings of Night

2. Divine Rivals

3. House of Beating Wings

4. Song of the Marked

5. The Book of Azrael

6. A Court This Cruel and Lovely

7. The Witch Collector

8. City of Gods and Monsters

9. Heliacle Rising

   
   

10. Rules of Redemption

1. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Published August 30, 2022 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Carissa Broadbent can do no wrong, but the Crowns of Nyaxia series really stands out. Oraya has never felt comfort living with vampires as a human, adopted by the Nightborn King after her family perished in a fire. Her father is always quick to remind her that she is fragile and the Nightborn around her will kill her the second she lets her guard down. Desperate for her father's approval and acceptance in a society of vampires, Oraya enters the Kejari - a competition held by the Goddess of Death, Nyaxia - with the hope her triumph will secure a life as a Nightborn.But Oraya's heart is as vulnerable as her human skin, and when Raihn offers to team up during the competition, she must decide what (and who) she will fight for. In a world where spilled blood is as sensual as it is deadly, Oraya and Raihn must toe the line between loyalty and love, without damning the world in their wake.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is part of a completed duology with upcoming spin-offs and novellas, perfect for reads who enjoy violence and adventure, political intrigue, steamy romance and vampires.

2. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Published April 4, 2023 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

This book is heartbreaking and beautiful. Two rivals become pen pals while a war rages between the gods. The characters are complex and broken, but their growth throughout the novel and with each other creates characters that feel raw and real. And the romance between the two? So pure and gentle. It is a slower burn, but it still had me swooning for nearly half of the book.

There is so much more to this book than the romance, something that fans of Fourth Wing will be drawn to. Ross is able to vividly paint the horrors of war while guiding the reader to focus on hope and comfort. Divine Rivals reads more like a classic due to her poetic prose, but still feels authentic and attainable as an NA fantasy. I'm not sure when I'll stop thinking about this book, but definitely not before the sequel comes out at the end of this year.

3. House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein

Published September 27, 2022 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Wildenstein ventures into the NA bookisphere with the Kingdom of Crows series. While I wouldn't necessarily put this in the same category as Fourth Wing (due to the faeries and magic and crows and whatnot), I think readers will enjoy the history and political intrigue that drives the series. This is a great read for fans of ACOTAR as it carries some similarities, while still feeling unique. Plus hero is perfectly broody, and a crow! Dare I say I've added another entry to my book-boyfriend bestiary?

Olivia Wildenstien is one of my favorites, but I promise to always keep it real with you, so there are a couple things that kept me from giving this one 5-stars. For one, it's a bit long; we don't meet the hero until nearly 50% of the way through the book. And the FMC, Fallon, can be a tad bit frustrating. She seems to lack a bit of common sense, street smarts, and general deductive reasoning. But there is growth! Slowly but surely. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, and if you're looking to sink your teeth into a new series with fresh creatures and intriguing politics, then this is the pick for you.

4. The Song of the Marked by S.M. Gaither

Published September 17, 2020 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

The Shadows and Crowns series is what other series think they are, but fail to deliver. A few months ago, I read From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and I (no joke) finished it in 7 hours, no food, no breaks. It was that good. But the series slowly crumbled as Armentrout failed to deliver on the promising legends and politics barely hinted at in the first few installments. The Song of the Marked is similar in many aspects, but the execution sets it apart. I would recommend this to fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

The action-packed, enemies-to-lovers romance has everything you want in a spicy fantasy romance series without sacrificing on intricate court and political systems, unique magic and wordbuilding, or dynamic character growth. The series gets 5-stars and is 100% babe-approved.

5. The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

Published April 26, 2022 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

This was the first book I read in my post-Fourth-Wing reading slump, and it was exactly what I needed. Diana, a mortal-turned-monster, works for a mysterious and powerful man who is searching for a book rumored to contain the power to end the world. When legend becomes reality, Diana is willing to do whatever it takes save her sister. And that lands her in front of a literal God, Liam - "The World Ender".

The plot is fast-paced, pulling you immediately into the action in the first chapter. I loved the sequencing in the first 25% of the book, allowing us to fully understand the FMC and the MMC in their current situations so their decisions throughout the rest of the series really make sense and feel authentic. While the plot is intriguing, and the history of the Gods sprinkles a unique twist on a familiar tale, a large portion of this first book focuses on the relationship between our main characters. Diana, our FMC, is essentially a villain, filled with feminine rage and fueled by fierce loyalty to her little sister, and the MMC is an intimidating God, but he acts like a fluffy little golden retriever puppy around her. This might be my favorite use of the one-bed trope. Such a pure moment and connection between these two.

If you are looking for more of a romantasy as opposed to a fantasy romance, this is the book for you. But be warned- the last chapter will absolutely rip your heart out. Don't worry, though. Book two is out now.

6. A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark

Published March 24, 2023 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Based on the number of Goodreads review, A Court This Cruel and Lovely is relatively lesser known than some of the other reads on this list and I can't figure out why. This book should be the new gold standard for a romantasy debut. I'm a sucker for a sweet, slow-burn romance. And when you add in a magic system, fae and a hot mercenary? Sign me up. The first 10% or so is a bit iffy, but after that the plot really takes off and you won't be able to put it away. There are so many twists and turns throughout the story, something that can be difficult for new authors to keep track of and tie together in a satisfying finish, but I have high hopes for Stark. Her writing style is killer, much better than some of the popular fantasy romance authors that are trending on booktok.

The MMC is possessive, sexy, mysterious - basically everything you want in a book boyfriend. But the FMC really is the star here. She is strong, smart and brave. If you are looking for a badass heroine, this is the book for you.

7. The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

Published November 2, 2021 | Buy on Amazon

This is not just another enemies-to-lovers romantasy. This has magic, sweeping romance, haunting secrets, and engaging plot twists - but best of all, the FMC is mute and uses sign language to communicate. The detail is not treated as a flaw to her character. Instead, it adds a layer to her strength and determination throughout the novel an becomes a source of power. I'm also a sucker for lovable side characters, and this book is full of them. Thankfully, we'll get to learn more about them in the upcoming spinoffs connecting to the Witch Walker series.

The book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but you can tell there is more action to be had. The series already has two more installments, with two more rumored for publication.

8. City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards

Published January 25, 2022 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Darien. That's it. That's the review. That's all the reason you need to pick this one up. Seriously, though - he may very well be my top book boyfriend of all time. The angsty, slow-burn is everything!

City of Gods and Monsters is a gritty, urban fantasy, reminiscent of The Crescent City, with plenty fresh twists and every monster you could possibly imagine. I like an author that can keep me guessing until the very last page, and that's exactly what Edwards does here.

I also love how Loren isn't made out to be some mega-powerful, goddess princess, world savior. She's more or less a normal girl that gets thrown into a dangerous situation. It makes her feel relatable, and opens up plenty of opportunities for our collective boyfriend Darien to save the day. Book one is already a win, but book two is even better. Get ready to have a new obsession.

Suggested: Read City of Gods and Monsters Review

9. Heliacle Rising by C.C. Davie

Published July 3, 2022 | Buy on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

When I first added Heliacle Rising to my TBR, I was promised queer representation, snarky characters and feminine rage. I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed. This is a dark fantasy with cinematic battles and a meticulously thought out world that feels so real, you'll fully escape into an alternate universe with these characters.

There is a FFM romance, and may I say - it is so refreshing to have a male main character that is just a good guy. No questionable decisions or arrogant narcissism in sight. Just a good guy who says what he feels and does what he says. Heliacle Rising flips the script on traditional fantasy romance, and it works. This is for fans that crave a more intellectual high fantasy, and the series is perfect to fill your post Fourth Wing reading void while challenging you to discover a new side of the genre.

10. Rules of Redemption by T.A. White (The Firebird Chronicles)

Published March 7, 2019 | Buy on Amazon

If you've made it this far down the list, chances are you've either read all the books or you're in the mood for something different. While The Firebird Chronicles is actually a sci-fi romance, it has everything that Fourth Wing readers will love. Set in an apocalyptic world after a devastating war with an alien race, the FMC has been navigating space in her trusty ship with her snarky sidekick - a robot named, Jin - until she's brought to Tuann, an alien planet in the midst of treaty agreements with the human race. As her connection with the Tuann grows, her secrets begin to unfold, and nothing is as it seems. The dynamic between Kira and Jin alone would get me to read 5-plus books, but the alien worlds and complex customs completely suck you in.

I can't describe to you how amazing the plot twists are in this series. Written in third person, the FMC maintains secrets even through book four that continue to unfold perfectly in the plot. White clearly had a vision for the series, and her planning pays off with satisfying revelations that have you flipping back through the pages to wonder how you could have possibly missed all the breadcrumbs she left for us.

The side characters and found family make you want to live in the series long after you finish, and you'll be waiting anxiously for the next book to release. And the MMC, Graydon, is absolutely perfect. He is protective and loyal, but he lets Kira fight her own battles and supports her even when she makes life a little bit difficult. He might be book boyfriend number two right behind Darien. If you're looking to change it up after Fourth Wing, I can't recommend this series enough. It may be my favorite series of all time, but I'm holding that title until the series comes to an end.

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