Wondering what to read after Fourth Wing? Whether you are looking for another fantasy romance, dangerous trials, or a new magical world to explore, these ten books and series offer different routes into your next read.
To help you choose, we combined an analysis of shared five-star reader ratings with spoiler-free introductions and our editorial assessment of who each recommendation might suit. The ratings show shared favourites; the comparisons explain what to expect from the books.
Contents
The Reader Ratings Behind This List
Our approach starts with a simple question:
If you gave Fourth Wing five stars, which other books did you give five stars too?
For each book below, we show how many Fourth Wing five-star readers in our dataset also rated that title, and what percentage gave it five stars.
For example, 1,796 readers in our dataset gave Fourth Wing five stars and also rated A Court of Mist and Fury. Of those readers, 1,528 gave both books five stars—an overlap of 85.1%.
These percentages describe the readers represented in our dataset who rated both books. They aren’t a prediction of how much you’ll enjoy a book.
These ten books are a selection from our wider dataset. The ratings show what Fourth Wing fans also loved; our reading tips help you decide which might suit you. Where a sequel stands out, we’ve included the first book in the series so you know where to start.
The Results at a Glance
| Book | FW five-star fans who rated it | Also gave this book five stars |
|---|---|---|
| A Court of Mist and Fury | 1,796 | 85.1% |
| Kingdom of Ash | 874 | 83.1% |
| House of Earth and Blood | 924 | 71.2% |
| The Will of the Many | 125 | 70.4% |
| The Way of Kings | 104 | 69.2% |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | 183 | 62.8% |
| Six of Crows | 731 | 61.3% |
| Divine Rivals | 872 | 54.6% |
| The Wicked King | 836 | 54.5% |
| The Serpent and the Wings of Night | 804 | 52.6% |
Fantasy Romance and Romantic Fantasy to Explore
1. A Court of Mist and Fury — ACOTAR
85.1% also rated it five stars · Based on 1,796 overlapping readers
Author: Sarah J. Maas
The ACOTAR series follows Feyre Archeron into a dangerous world of fae. If the romance was what kept you turning pages in Fourth Wing, this is one of the series to explore first. The rating here belongs to the second book, A Court of Mist and Fury, which has the highest five-star share and largest overlapping readership in this selection.
Read this if you loved: A central romance, a heroine discovering a dangerous magical world, and relationships that develop across several books.
What to expect: A fae setting rather than a military academy. Begin with the first book and let the story unfold; the result for book two does not describe book one.
Where to start: A Court of Thorns and Roses. The result above belongs to A Court of Mist and Fury, a later book in the series.
2. Kingdom of Ash — Throne of Glass
83.1% also rated it five stars · Based on 874 overlapping readers
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass begins with Celaena Sardothien, an assassin offered a chance to compete for her freedom. The series grows into a much larger fantasy story, making it an option for readers who want another long journey after Fourth Wing. Our figure belongs to Kingdom of Ash, the finale, rather than the opening novel.
Read this if you loved: A capable heroine, dangerous competition, and a story that expands beyond its initial setting.
What to expect: A longer series commitment, with romance woven into a broader fantasy plot. Finale ratings reflect readers who stayed with the series, so compare this result cautiously with series openers.
Where to start: Begin the Throne of Glass series rather than jumping into Kingdom of Ash. Our Sarah J. Maas reading-order guide can help you choose your route.
3. House of Earth and Blood — Crescent City
71.2% also rated it five stars · Based on 924 overlapping readers
Author: Sarah J. Maas
House of Earth and Blood follows Bryce Quinlan as a brutal murder draws her into an investigation alongside Hunt Athalar. Its city setting offers a different kind of fantasy world, bringing together supernatural politics, a mystery, and romance. The 71.2% figure applies to this opening book itself.
Read this if you loved: Secrets to unravel, danger alongside romantic tension, and characters caught in larger power struggles.
What to expect: Modern urban fantasy rather than a dragon-rider academy, with plenty of worldbuilding to absorb.
Where to start: House of Earth and Blood.
4. Divine Rivals — Letters of Enchantment
54.6% also rated it five stars · Based on 872 overlapping readers
Author: Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals follows rival journalists Iris and Roman, whose lives become connected through magical correspondence against the backdrop of a war between gods. It offers a more intimate route into fantasy romance, focusing on their developing connection and the human consequences of conflict.
Read this if you loved: Romance unfolding under the pressure of war, emotional stakes, and two characters learning to see each other differently.
What to expect: Letters and journalism take the place of combat training. Choose it for the romantic connection rather than another Basgiath-style survival story.
Where to start: Divine Rivals.
5. The Wicked King — The Folk of the Air
54.5% also rated it five stars · Based on 836 overlapping readers
Author: Holly Black
The Folk of the Air begins with The Cruel Prince, in which mortal Jude must navigate the dangerous politics of Faerie. The Wicked King continues that story, so its 54.5% result is a signal to explore the series rather than a reason to skip its opener.
Read this if you loved: Dangerous alliances, mistrust, ambition, and characters whose motives are difficult to read.
What to expect: Court intrigue takes centre stage, with romance threaded through the struggle for power. The series is a better fit for readers seeking political tension than those seeking the same romance balance as Fourth Wing.
Where to start: The Cruel Prince.
6. The Serpent and the Wings of Night — Crowns of Nyaxia
52.6% also rated it five stars · Based on 804 overlapping readers
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Oraya is a human living in a world ruled by vampires. To survive a deadly competition, she must form an alliance with a rival she cannot easily trust. Of the books featured here, this premise offers a particularly direct connection to the combination of survival stakes and romance that draws readers to Fourth Wing.
Read this if you loved: Deadly trials, a heroine facing more powerful opponents, and attraction complicated by questions of trust.
What to expect: Vampires rather than dragons, with the competition and romantic relationship closely intertwined. The 52.6% five-star share belongs to this series opener.
Where to start: The Serpent and the Wings of Night.
More Fantasy Loved by the Fourth Wing Crowd
Your next favourite doesn’t have to deliver the same balance of fantasy and romance as Fourth Wing. These four titles broaden the selection, showing where else its five-star readers found books they loved.
7. The Will of the Many — Hierarchy
70.4% also rated it five stars · Based on 125 overlapping readers
Author: James Islington
The Will of the Many follows Vis at an elite academy within an empire built on a sinister system of power. He must protect his identity while navigating the institution and its secrets. That makes it an option for readers whose favourite part of Fourth Wing was the academy, its hierarchy, and the mysteries behind it.
Read this if you loved: An elite academy, concealed identities, institutional secrets, and a protagonist challenging a powerful system.
What to expect: Fantasy and political mystery drive the recommendation; do not choose it expecting a romance-led story. Its 70.4% result comes from a smaller group of 125 overlapping readers.
Where to start: The Will of the Many.
8. The Way of Kings — The Stormlight Archive
69.2% also rated it five stars · Based on 104 overlapping readers
Author: Brandon Sanderson
The Way of Kings opens the Stormlight Archive, an epic fantasy series set in the storm-shaped world of Roshar. Its multiple viewpoints and expansive setting make this a substantial change of pace after Fourth Wing. Consider it if you want to follow your interest in fantasy into a larger world.
Read this if you loved: Military stakes, struggles over leadership, and uncovering the workings of a magical world.
What to expect: A large-scale epic rather than a romance-led read, with an extensive cast and considerable worldbuilding. The 69.2% figure is based on 104 overlapping readers, the smallest group in this selection.
Where to start: The Way of Kings.
9. Mistborn: The Final Empire — Mistborn
62.8% also rated it five stars · Based on 183 overlapping readers
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire follows Vin, a young woman recruited into a crew planning to challenge an immortal ruler. Learning to use her magic is part of a story built around rebellion, trust, and a daring plan. It is an entry point for readers who want to explore a different kind of fantasy after Fourth Wing.
Read this if you loved: A heroine developing magical abilities, rebellion against entrenched power, and alliances that require trust.
What to expect: The rebellion and magic system lead the story, with a romantic subplot. The setting and structure differ considerably from a military-academy romance.
Where to start: Mistborn: The Final Empire.
10. Six of Crows — Six of Crows
61.3% also rated it five stars · Based on 731 overlapping readers
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows brings together Kaz Brekker and a crew of outcasts for a dangerous heist. Each member brings different skills, loyalties, and secrets, giving the group dynamics as much importance as the mission. Its 61.3% five-star share comes from 731 overlapping readers.
Read this if you loved: Team dynamics, risky plans, hidden motives, and characters learning whom they can rely on.
What to expect: An ensemble heist with several relationship threads rather than one central romantic pairing. Start with Six of Crows before continuing to Crooked Kingdom.
Where to start: Six of Crows.
What’s Your Next Read?
Shared favourites can be a useful starting point for choosing your next book. Explore the titles that catch your interest, whether you’re looking for more fantasy romance or ready to try something different.
Have you read any of these? Tell us which one earned five stars from you.
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