15 Books Like Fourth Wing for Romantasy Fans

By: Chad McIntyre
November 1, 2025

Did you devour Fourth Wing and Iron Flame in record time? Are you already counting down the days until the next book in The Empyrean series? You’re not alone. Rebecca Yarros created a phenomenon that left millions of readers obsessed with dragons, war colleges, and enemies-to-lovers romance with enough spice to keep things interesting.

The good news? While we wait for more Empyrean content, there’s an entire universe of romantasy books that capture the same addictive magic. Whether you’re craving more dragons, badass heroines, military academies, slow-burn romance, or just that impossible-to-put-down quality that made Fourth Wing so special, this list has you covered.

I’ve personally read every book on this list, and each one delivers that same heart-pounding, stay-up-until-3am reading experience. Some have dragons. Some have vampires, fae, or other magical creatures. All of them feature strong female protagonists, swoon-worthy love interests, high stakes, and the perfect blend of fantasy and romance that defines the romantasy genre.

Let’s dive into the 15 best books like Fourth Wing that will keep you turning pages long past your bedtime.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If there’s one book that launched a thousand romantasy obsessions before Fourth Wing came along, it’s ACOTAR. Sarah J. Maas is basically the godmother of modern romantasy, and this series is required reading for the genre.

Feyre Archeron is a young huntress struggling to feed her family when she kills a wolf in the woods—except it’s not actually a wolf, but a faerie in disguise. As punishment, she’s dragged to the faerie realm of Prythian, where nothing is as it seems. What starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling quickly transforms into something entirely unexpected, with political intrigue, ancient curses, and a romance that will have you screaming at your book.

Like Violet in Fourth Wing, Feyre is fierce, stubborn, loyal, and willing to sacrifice everything for those she loves. She’s not the strongest or the most powerful person in the room, but she’s clever and determined, which makes her an incredibly compelling protagonist. The enemies-to-lovers romance delivers major Violet and Xaden vibes, complete with protective love interests, dangerous secrets, and enough sexual tension to power a small city.

The world-building is lush and immersive, the plot moves at a breakneck pace, and once you start, you won’t be able to stop. Fair warning: this is a five-book series (so far), and it only gets better as it goes. The second book, A Court of Mist and Fury, is widely considered one of the best fantasy romance books ever written.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (especially in later books)

2. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved the forbidden romance aspect of Fourth Wing and want more enemies-to-lovers tension with a heroine who’s supposed to stay pure and untouched, From Blood and Ash is your next obsession.

Poppy is the Maiden—chosen from birth to fulfill a destiny she never wanted. She’s supposed to be pure, untouched, never looked upon, never spoken to. Her life is isolated and lonely until she’s assigned a new guard named Hawke. He’s everything she shouldn’t want: dangerous, irreverent, and entirely too attractive. Naturally, she falls for him anyway.

What makes this book so addictive is how Armentrout slowly peels back layers of deception. Nothing is quite what it seems, and the twists will leave you gasping. Poppy starts the book thinking she knows her purpose, her world, and her destiny—and by the end, everything she believed has been turned upside down.

Like Violet, Poppy has a chronic condition (her scars) that should make her weak, but instead she’s determined to prove she’s strong enough to fight. The romance between her and Hawke is scorching hot, emotionally intense, and filled with banter that rivals Violet and Xaden’s best moments. The world-building is rich with vampires, gods, and ancient magic, and the stakes feel genuinely high.

This is a completed series with six books, so you can binge the entire thing without waiting for the next installment. Trust me, you’ll want to, because the cliffhangers are brutal.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you want the deadly competition and survival elements of Fourth Wing but with vampires instead of dragons, this is the book for you. It’s also an indie darling that was picked up by a major publisher, proving that sometimes the best books come from unexpected places.

Oraya is the adopted human daughter of the vampire king, which makes her both protected and perpetually prey in a world where vampires rule. To change her fate, she enters the Kejari—a legendary tournament held every century where competitors fight to the death for a wish from the goddess of Death herself. Think The Hunger Games meets vampires with a heavy dose of enemies-to-lovers romance.

The tournament structure will feel familiar to Fourth Wing readers who loved the Threshing and the constant danger of Basgiath War College. Oraya must compete against vampires far stronger than her, using only her wits, training, and determination to survive. Enter Raihn, an intriguing competitor who becomes her reluctant ally—and maybe something more.

What sets this book apart is Broadbent’s gorgeous, lyrical writing and her ability to create genuine emotional depth alongside the action. Oraya is pragmatic, fierce, and deeply scarred by her experiences, making her one of the most compelling protagonists in recent romantasy. The slow-burn romance is exquisite torture, and the plot twists will wreck you in the best possible way.

This is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, with multiple books already published. You can devour them all on Kindle Unlimited while the series is still available there.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

4. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved Fourth Wing but wished it had a slightly softer, more lyrical quality alongside the high-stakes adventure, Divine Rivals is the perfect next read. This is enemies-to-lovers with a twist—two rival journalists competing for the same job while war rages between the gods.

Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt work for competing newspapers and can’t stand each other. But when Iris starts writing letters to her missing brother and magically receives responses from someone unknown, she finds unexpected comfort in this anonymous correspondence. Spoiler: it’s Roman, and he has no idea he’s writing to his rival.

The epistolary element (letters!) adds a beautiful intimacy to the romance that feels different from most romantasy. It’s You’ve Got Mail meets Greek mythology meets WWI-era journalism, and it absolutely works. The world-building is subtle but effective, with gods at war and mortals caught in the crossfire. The stakes are high, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous.

Ross proves that romantasy doesn’t always need explicit content to be compelling. Divine Rivals leans more toward the romance side of romantasy, with a focus on emotional connection and slow-burn longing that will have you swooning. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once.

This is a duology, with the second book Ruthless Vows already published, so you can read the complete story without waiting. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing who want something with a similar fantasy setting but a different emotional tone.

Spice level: 🌶️ (closed door romance)

5. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you specifically loved the military academy setting and brutal training regime of Basgiath War College, An Ember in the Ashes is essential reading. This is Fourth Wing’s spiritual predecessor in many ways, featuring a deadly military school where students kill or be killed.

The story alternates between two perspectives: Laia, a scholar girl who becomes a spy to save her brother, and Elias, a soldier at Blackcliff Military Academy who wants nothing more than to escape. When their paths collide, they’re forced into an uneasy alliance that could change the fate of the empire.

Blackcliff makes Basgiath look welcoming. The training is brutal, the punishments are deadly, and failure means death. Elias is one of the academy’s best students, but he’s sick of the violence and tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. Laia is out of her depth in every way, but she’s determined to save her family no matter the cost.

The world-building draws from ancient Rome with a fantasy twist, creating a richly detailed empire with fascinating mythology, complex politics, and devastating inequality. The romance is slow-burn and emotionally intense, with multiple love interests that will have you picking sides. The action sequences are breathtaking, and Tahir doesn’t pull punches when it comes to showing the true cost of war.

This is a completed quartet, so you can binge all four books. Each one builds on the previous installment, expanding the world and raising the stakes until the epic conclusion.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

6. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved the dragons in Fourth Wing and want more dragon-centric fantasy with a feminist twist, The Priory of the Orange Tree delivers in spades. This is an epic, standalone fantasy with dragons, ancient magic, political intrigue, and a beautiful sapphic romance.

In the queendom of Inys, the House of Berethnet has ruled for a thousand years, and Queen Sabran must produce an heir to protect her people from the return of the Nameless One. But someone is trying to assassinate her, and Ead Duryan—a secret mage—has been tasked with protecting her.

This is a doorstopper at 800+ pages, but every single page is worth it. Shannon creates one of the most intricate and immersive fantasy worlds in recent memory, with multiple kingdoms, religions, and perspectives weaving together into a stunning tapestry. The dragons are central to the plot, with different cultures having vastly different relationships with dragonkind—some worship them, others hunt them, and the truth about their origins will reshape everything.

The romance between Ead and Sabran is beautifully written, tender, and passionate. Unlike many romantasy books, the romance enhances rather than dominates the plot. This is fantasy first, with romance adding emotional depth and stakes. If you appreciated how Fourth Wing balanced fantasy worldbuilding with romantic development, you’ll love Shannon’s approach.

Fair warning: this is a slow burn in every sense. The pacing is deliberate, the world-building is extensive, and the payoffs come gradually. But if you have patience, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best fantasy novels of the past decade.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

7. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you want Italian food, witches, murder mysteries, and incredibly hot demon princes, Kingdom of the Wicked delivers exactly that chaotic energy. This is enemies-to-lovers with literal demons, and it’s gloriously addictive.

Emilia is a witch living in Sicily when her twin sister is murdered, becoming the latest victim in a string of killings targeting witches. Determined to find the killer, Emilia accidentally summons one of the Princes of Hell—the wickedly handsome and infuriatingly mysterious Wrath. Now she’s bound to him until they solve the murders together.

The banter between Emilia and Wrath rivals anything in Fourth Wing. They start out genuinely hating each other, with Emilia convinced demons are evil and Wrath being, well, a literal demon prince. But as they work together, the chemistry becomes undeniable. Wrath is protective, possessive, and devoted in ways that will remind you of Xaden, but with a demonic twist that makes everything more dangerous.

The world-building is rich with Italian culture, witch magic, and the courts of Hell. Maniscalco weaves in actual Italian recipes, demon lore, and murder mysteries that keep you guessing. The stakes escalate with each book, and the romantic tension builds slowly and deliciously across the trilogy.

This series is complete with three books, and each one is better than the last. The third book especially delivers major romantic payoffs that will have you screaming. Perfect for Fourth Wing fans who want their fantasy with a side of Italian food and demon royalty.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

8. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved the class divide and power dynamics in Fourth Wing (Violet being weaker than other riders, Xaden being powerful and dangerous), Powerless amplifies those themes to the extreme. This is set in a kingdom where everyone has powers—except our heroine.

Paedyn Gray is Ordinary in a world of Elites, people with magical abilities who rule society. She’s learned to survive by pretending to have a power she doesn’t possess, but when she saves a prince from assassination, she’s forced to compete in the Purging Trials—a deadly competition where the weak are eliminated and only the powerful survive.

The competition structure will feel familiar to Fourth Wing readers, as will the forbidden romance between Paedyn and Kai, the prince she saved. He’s powerful, dangerous, and supposed to hate Ordinaries like her—but he can’t seem to stay away. Their romance is filled with longing, moral conflicts, and the kind of tragic impossibility that makes for the best love stories.

Roberts excels at creating tension both in the romantic relationship and the dystopian world. Paedyn is clever and resourceful, using her wits to survive when she can’t rely on power. The action is fast-paced, the stakes are high, and the twists will leave you reeling. This is Book 1 in the Powerless trilogy, with book 2 already published and book 3 coming soon.

The writing is highly accessible, making this perfect for readers who want Fourth Wing-style addictiveness without overly complex world-building. You’ll blow through this in one sitting and immediately reach for the sequel.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

9. The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved the political intrigue and war backdrop of Fourth Wing but want a Southeast Asian-inspired setting with shadow magic and extremely slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, The Hurricane Wars is calling your name.

Talasyn is an orphaned soldier fighting for the Sardovian Allfold against the tyrannical Night Empire. Alaric is the Night Emperor’s heir, wielding devastating shadow magic. They’ve been enemies on the battlefield for years, trying to kill each other at every opportunity. But when a political alliance forces them into an arranged marriage, they must navigate their hatred while preventing an even greater threat.

The world-building is stunning, drawing from Filipino mythology and culture to create something fresh and unique in the romantasy genre. Guanzon’s magic system—lightweaving versus shadowforging—creates beautiful visual contrasts and tactical complexity that will appeal to readers who loved the magic and dragon bonds in Fourth Wing.

Fair warning: this is EXTREMELY slow burn. If you thought the sexual tension in Fourth Wing was intense, The Hurricane Wars takes it to another level. Talasyn and Alaric spend most of the book hating each other while being forced into proximity, and the longing and denial is exquisite torture. This is enemies-to-lovers at its finest, with genuine enmity that must be overcome before love can bloom.

This is book 1 of a planned series, so you’ll have more to look forward to. Perfect for readers who appreciate detailed world-building, cultural richness, and the slow development of romance alongside epic fantasy plots.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

10. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved Fourth Wing but wished it had even more female rage, Chinese mythology, and giant mechs piloted by bonded pairs, Iron Widow is your next obsession. This is Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale with a polyamorous romance, and it’s absolutely wild.

Zetian lives in Huaxia, where girls are sacrificed as concubine-pilots to power giant mechs called Chrysalises in the war against alien Hunduns. When her sister is killed in battle, Zetian volunteers as a concubine-pilot to get revenge on the male pilot who let her sister die. But when she kills him and becomes the rare female pilot who survives, she becomes a symbol—and a threat to the patriarchal system.

The bonded-pairs dynamic will feel familiar to Fourth Wing readers, as pilots must mentally and emotionally connect to control the mechs. But Zhao subverts expectations at every turn, creating a heroine who refuses to be martyred, objectified, or controlled. Zetian is ruthless, angry, and willing to burn down the entire system to get justice.

The romance is polyamorous, featuring Zetian’s relationships with both her co-pilot Li Shimin and the wealthy Yizhi. Zhao handles this with nuance and emotional depth, showing how these relationships develop and support each other. It’s refreshing to see alternative relationship structures in romantasy treated as valid and compelling.

The feminist themes are sharp and unapologetic. This book has something to say about how patriarchal systems use women’s bodies, how they pit women against each other, and how revolution requires rage. If you appreciate how Fourth Wing portrayed Violet navigating a misogynistic military structure, Iron Widow takes those themes and amplifies them.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

11. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved the rivals-to-lovers dynamic in Fourth Wing and want that energy transplanted to 1920s Shanghai with gang warfare and a deadly plague, These Violent Delights delivers. This is Romeo and Juliet retelling with a twist—the star-crossed lovers used to be in love before betrayal tore them apart.

Juliette Cai is the heir to the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov leads the rival White Flowers. They were once inseparable until Roma betrayed Juliette, breaking her heart and igniting a blood feud. Now a mysterious plague is causing people to tear their own throats out, and Juliette and Roma must work together to save their city—even if they can’t forgive each other.

The historical Shanghai setting is gorgeously rendered, with flapper dresses, speakeasies, colonialism, and gang politics creating a rich backdrop for the fantasy mystery. Gong excels at atmosphere, making you feel like you’re walking the streets of 1920s Shanghai alongside the characters.

The romance is angsty in the best possible way. Unlike typical enemies-to-lovers where the protagonists start as strangers, Juliette and Roma have history—they loved each other once, and that past love makes their current hatred even more painful. The longing, the anger, the betrayal, and the lingering feelings create incredibly compelling tension.

This is a completed duology, so you can experience the entire story without a long wait. Perfect for Fourth Wing fans who want their romantasy with a historical twist and don’t mind a tragic retelling.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

12. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you want Norse mythology, shield maidens, Viking warriors, and a heroine who’s secretly powerful but forced to hide it (sound familiar?), A Fate Inked in Blood is the book for you. This is Fourth Wing energy transplanted to a Norse-inspired world.

Freya has divine magic gifted by the gods, making her stronger and faster than any normal human. But jealous men and fearful parents have forced her to hide her powers her entire life. She’s trapped in an abusive marriage to a violent fool and must pretend to be weak—until the day she accidentally slaps Bjorn, the cocky king’s son, with a fish (yes, really), and everything changes.

The fish-slapping meet-cute is hilarious, but the story quickly becomes intense. Freya is thrust into political machinations, forced marriages, blood oaths, and prophecies that place her at the center of a brewing war. Like Violet, she’s underestimated because of her size and her supposed weakness, but she’s actually one of the most powerful people in the room.

Bjorn gives major Xaden vibes—he’s arrogant, powerful, protective, and utterly devoted to Freya even when she’s determined to hate him. The romance is slow-burn and filled with delicious tension as they’re forced together by prophecy and politics.

Jensen’s Norse-inspired world is richly detailed without being overwhelming. The mythology feels authentic, the action sequences are brutal and exciting, and the stakes escalate naturally. This is book 1 in a planned series, so there’s more Viking romantasy goodness to come.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

13. Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved Fourth Wing but want werewolves and vampires instead of dragons, Bride delivers that fantasy romance fix with Ali Hazelwood’s signature humor and emotional depth. This is her first full fantasy romance novel, and it’s absolutely delightful.

Misery Lark is a vampyre who was sent to live in human territories as a child for political reasons. When her human sister is kidnapped, Misery agrees to a political marriage with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha werewolf of his pack, believing he might be connected to the disappearance. What starts as a marriage of convenience becomes something much more complicated as Misery and Lowe navigate their attraction, political intrigue, and genuine danger.

Hazelwood brings her rom-com sensibilities to the fantasy romance genre, creating characters with genuine chemistry and banter that feels natural and funny. Misery is stubborn, loyal, and caught between two worlds—neither fully vampyre nor human. Lowe is protective, patient, and utterly devoted once he commits. Their relationship development feels earned and authentic.

The world-building is accessible without sacrificing depth. Hazelwood creates distinct cultures for vampyres, weres, and humans, with political tensions and ancient grudges creating genuine stakes. But the focus remains on the relationship and the characters, making this perfect for readers who want fantasy elements that enhance rather than overwhelm the romance.

This is a standalone novel, so you get a complete story with a satisfying ending. Perfect for Fourth Wing fans who want fantasy romance that’s fun, emotionally satisfying, and doesn’t require committing to a lengthy series.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

14. The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you loved Fourth Wing but want Greek mythology, deadly competitions, and Hades as your morally gray love interest, this book was written specifically for you. It’s The Hunger Games meets Lore Olympus with plenty of spice.

Every century, the gods hold the Crucible games to determine the next ruler of Olympus. For the first time, the ruthless Hades enters the competition, and he selects Lyra—a cursed human who’s been trying to stay unnoticed in Zeus’s modern-day San Francisco—as his champion. Now Lyra must compete in deadly trials while figuring out why Hades chose her and whether she can trust the dark god who seems determined to keep her alive.

The mythology is creative and engaging, blending ancient Greek gods with a modern urban fantasy setting. Hades is everything you want in a morally gray MMC—dangerous, protective, brooding, and devoted. The romance is slow-burn with plenty of tension, banter, and genuinely swoon-worthy moments.

Lyra is pragmatic, snarky, and determined to survive. She’s been cursed for most of her life and has learned to keep her head down, but the Crucible forces her to embrace her power and agency. Her character growth throughout the book is satisfying and earned.

Fair warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger, and book 2 is already published. But the good news is you won’t have to wait long to continue the story. Perfect for Fourth Wing fans who want their fantasy romance with a mythological twist and a very good dog named Cerberus.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

15. Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Why Fourth Wing fans will love it: If you want Fourth Wing energy cranked up to eleven with even more danger, morally gray characters, and addictive enemies-to-lovers romance, Quicksilver is the book you need. This is dark romantasy at its finest, and it’s impossible to put down.

Saeris Fane has survived in the brutal city of Visidia by being smarter, faster, and more ruthless than her enemies. When she’s forced to work with Kingfisher, a dangerous warrior with secrets of his own, their partnership is combustible from the start. They hate each other, they’re forced to trust each other, and the sexual tension is off the charts.

Hart excels at creating morally complex characters who make questionable choices for understandable reasons. Saeris is a survivor who’s done terrible things to stay alive, and she makes no apologies for it. Kingfisher is dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly compelling. Their relationship is intense, volatile, and deeply passionate.

The world-building is dark and gritty, with oppressive systems, deadly politics, and magic that comes with a cost. This isn’t a light read—the content warnings are extensive, and the stakes feel genuinely dangerous. But if you appreciate how Fourth Wing didn’t shy away from showing the brutality of war and the cost of survival, you’ll appreciate Hart’s unflinching approach.

This is book 1 in the Fae & Alchemy series, with multiple books already published. The series has a devoted following, and once you start, you’ll understand why readers are obsessed. Just be prepared for your emotional wellbeing to take a beating—in the best possible way.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

How to Choose Your Next Read

With so many amazing options, how do you decide which book to read first? Here’s a quick guide based on what you loved most about Fourth Wing:

If you loved the dragons: Start with The Priory of the Orange Tree or Iron Widow for more dragon-centric fantasy.

If you loved the military academy: Go for An Ember in the Ashes or Powerless for more brutal training and deadly competitions.

If you loved the enemies-to-lovers romance: Try From Blood and Ash, Kingdom of the Wicked, or Quicksilver for intense, hate-to-love dynamics.

If you loved the world-building: Check out A Court of Thorns and Roses or The Hurricane Wars for immersive fantasy worlds.

If you loved Violet’s strength despite physical limitations: Powerless or A Fate Inked in Blood feature heroines who are underestimated but incredibly powerful.

If you want something softer and more romantic: Divine Rivals or Bride offer beautiful romance with fantasy elements and less graphic violence.

If you want mythology: The Games Gods Play or Kingdom of the Wicked bring gods, demons, and ancient legends into romantic fantasy.

The Bottom Line

Fourth Wing captured lightning in a bottle, but that doesn’t mean your romantasy journey has to end. Each book on this list offers something special—whether it’s addictive pacing, swoon-worthy romance, immersive world-building, or characters you’ll fall in love with.

The beauty of the romantasy genre is its diversity. You can find dragons, vampires, fae, gods, demons, werewolves, witches, and more, all wrapped up in compelling love stories and epic adventures. Some lean more toward romance, others toward fantasy, but all of them deliver that same impossible-to-put-down quality that made Fourth Wing so special.

My advice? Start with whichever book speaks to you most based on the descriptions above. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of these choices. They’re all beloved for good reasons, with passionate fan communities and sequel books that keep the magic going.

And who knows? You might discover your next obsession—a new series that captures your heart the way Fourth Wing did. Because that’s the magic of romantasy: there’s always another dragon to ride, another enemy to fall in love with, and another world to explore.

Happy reading, and may your TBR pile grow ever taller!