Quick answer: If you’re wondering what to read after Fourth Wing, start with A Court of Thorns and Roses for romance + danger, Serpent and the Wings of Night for deadly trials, or Dragonriders of Pern for classic dragon–rider bonds. Below, the recommendations are sorted by vibe—academy pressure, dragons, darker fantasy, and politics—so you can pick what you’re craving next.
Contents
If you’ve just finished Fourth Wing and feel completely hollow inside, you’re not alone. Dragons, deadly training, brutal academy politics, enemies-to-lovers tension, and emotional damage tend to do that. Whether you’re looking for romantasy books like Fourth Wing, fantasy series with dragon bonds and magical academies, or darker stories that lean into war, power, and sacrifice, this list breaks down the best recommendations — and explains exactly why each one works for Fourth Wing fans.
What to Read After Fourth Wing?
Not every book on this list feels the same, and that’s intentional. While Fourth Wing blends dragon riders, a brutal academy setting, romance, and high-stakes fantasy, different readers walk away craving different things.
- Some want more dragons and training.
- Others want romance-first romantasy.
- And some want darker, more brutal fantasy worlds.
To make it easier to find your next obsession, each recommendation below explains why it works for Fourth Wing fans — whether it’s the academy structure, the power dynamics, the romance, or the emotional devastation.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
If what hooked you in Fourth Wing was the mix of danger, romance, and a heroine forced to survive in a brutal new world, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the natural next read.
Like Fourth Wing, the story begins with a reluctant protagonist thrown into a high-stakes environment where the rules are deadly, power dynamics are constantly shifting, and attraction becomes just as dangerous as the magic itself. While ACOTAR leans more heavily into romantasy than military training, it delivers the same addictive elements: slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, trials that test both body and will, and a fantasy world that keeps expanding the deeper you go.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- the emotional intensity
- powerful, morally gray love interests
- found family dynamics
- and stakes that escalate fast
will find all of that — and more — in ACOTAR. It’s also a great choice if you want a longer series payoff, as the world and character arcs grow significantly beyond Book 1.
Read this if you want: romantasy with danger, high emotional stakes, and a story that starts simple and quickly turns devastating.
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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
If the academy setting and survival element of Fourth Wing were your favorite parts, Throne of Glass is one of the strongest follow-up reads you can pick.
At its core, this series is about endurance. Like Violet in Fourth Wing, the protagonist is dropped into a lethal environment where physical limits, political manipulation, and hidden power determine who survives. While Throne of Glass starts with competitions rather than dragon riding, it delivers the same sense of constant pressure, dangerous trials, and a heroine forced to prove herself in a system designed to break her.
Romance exists — but it’s not the immediate focus. Instead, the series slowly builds:
- brutal training and tests of strength
- shifting alliances and betrayals
- found family dynamics
- long-term character growth with massive payoff
For Fourth Wing readers who loved watching characters grow stronger through pain, Throne of Glass offers one of the most satisfying progression arcs in modern fantasy.
Read this if you want: intense trials, a slow-burn rise to power, and a fantasy series that gets darker, bigger, and more emotionally devastating with every book.
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From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
If what kept you glued to Fourth Wing was the combination of romance, secrets, and a protagonist who slowly realizes the world has been lying to her, From Blood and Ash is one of the closest matches you’ll find.
Like Fourth Wing, this series blends high-stakes fantasy with a romance-forward plot, hidden truths, and a heroine whose power and role in the world are far more dangerous than she’s been led to believe. The tension comes not just from external threats, but from constant uncertainty — who can be trusted, what is forbidden, and what the cost of desire might be.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- enemies-to-lovers dynamics
- forbidden relationships
- revelations that reframe the entire story
- and escalating stakes tied to power and identity
will feel right at home here. While From Blood and Ash leans less on academy training, it delivers the same addictive mix of romance, danger, and emotional upheaval that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
Read this if you want: romantasy that prioritizes tension, secrets, and a romance that actively drives the plot.
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Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
If you loved the deadly trials and survival mentality of Fourth Wing, Serpent and the Wings of Night deserves to be at the top of your list.
This book centers on a brutal, high-mortality competition where only the strongest survive — a structure that will immediately feel familiar to Fourth Wing readers. Like Violet, the protagonist is physically disadvantaged compared to her rivals, which makes every test, alliance, and decision feel razor-sharp and earned.
What elevates this recommendation into top-tier territory is the balance between:
- lethal trials
- strategic alliances
- slow-burn, high-tension romance
- and a world that rewards cruelty as much as strength
For readers who want the “if you fail, you die” energy of Fourth Wing without an academy setting, this book delivers relentless momentum and emotional stakes that hit hard.
Read this if you want: deadly trials, survival-focused fantasy, and romantasy where every choice has consequences.
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For Dragon Riders & Academy Fantasy Fans
If dragons, training, bonds, and survival were the core reasons Fourth Wing worked for you, this next set of books leans hardest into those same foundations — from classic dragon-bond lore to modern academy settings with deadly stakes.
Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
If the dragon–rider bond was the heart of what you loved in Fourth Wing, Dragonriders of Pern is essential reading — not just because it features dragons, but because it helped define the trope itself.
This classic fantasy series centers on a society built entirely around dragon bonds, where riders and dragons are psychically linked for life. Training, hierarchy, duty, and survival are inseparable from that bond, and the consequences of failure are often catastrophic. While the series predates modern romantasy and places less emphasis on explicit romance, the emotional connection between rider and dragon carries the same weight and intensity Fourth Wing readers are drawn to.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- dragons as intelligent, bonded partners
- structured training and rider hierarchies
- high stakes tied directly to dragon survival
- worlds shaped by the necessity of riding
will recognize the foundations of many modern dragon rider stories here.
Read this if you want: classic dragon rider fantasy with deep lore, powerful bonds, and a focus on duty, survival, and partnership over romance.
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Bloodwing Academy by Briar Boleyn
If what pulled you into Fourth Wing was the deadly academy setting — rankings, rivalries, survival, and constant pressure — Bloodwing Academy is one of the most direct follow-up reads on this list.
Set within a brutal training environment where power determines status and failure comes at a steep cost, this book leans hard into the academy fantasy formula. Students are tested physically, mentally, and emotionally, with alliances forming as quickly as they fracture. Like Fourth Wing, the story thrives on tension: who you trust can be just as dangerous as the trials themselves.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- high-pressure academy settings
- ranking systems and competitive training
- dangerous power dynamics
- romance developing under extreme stress
will find Bloodwing Academy especially satisfying. While the tone skews more romance-forward than military-focused, the constant sense of risk and escalation mirrors the addictive pacing that made Fourth Wing hard to put down.
Read this if you want: academy fantasy with sharp stakes, intense rivalries, and romance forged under pressure.
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Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
If you want to stay in an academy setting but turn the drama all the way up, Zodiac Academy is a popular — and highly addictive — next step.
This series centers on a magical academy ruled by ruthless hierarchies, power struggles, and constant tests of dominance. Like Fourth Wing, survival is never guaranteed, and characters are pushed to their limits through brutal training, political maneuvering, and interpersonal conflict. The academy itself feels hostile by design, rewarding cruelty and punishing weakness.
Fourth Wing readers who enjoyed:
- toxic rivalries and shifting alliances
- morally gray characters
- romance entwined with power struggles
- a setting where the system is actively stacked against the protagonists
will feel right at home here. Zodiac Academy is less about dragons and more about chaos, but the emotional intensity and addictive structure make it a strong follow-up for readers who want to stay in an academy environment.
Read this if you want: high-drama academy fantasy with relentless tension, romance, and an anything-can-happen atmosphere.
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The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw
For readers who loved the trial-based survival structure of Fourth Wing, The Ordeals focuses almost entirely on endurance, ranking, and proving worth through increasingly brutal tests.
Rather than a traditional academy, this story revolves around a series of lethal ordeals designed to strip characters down to instinct, resilience, and strategy. Like the gauntlet of challenges in Fourth Wing, success depends on adaptability, alliances, and the ability to endure pain — physical and emotional.
Fourth Wing fans drawn to:
- deadly trials and elimination-style challenges
- survival-focused narratives
- protagonists fighting uphill battles
- systems designed to break the weak
will appreciate how relentlessly this book leans into its premise.
Read this if you want: a survival-driven fantasy where trials matter more than titles and failure carries real consequences.
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For Darker, More Brutal Fantasy Fans
If what stayed with you after Fourth Wing wasn’t just the dragons or romance, but the pain, sacrifice, and moral cost of power, this section is for you. These books trade comfort for consequence and lean into war, trauma, and worlds that don’t reward mercy.
The Poppy War by Rebecca F. Kuang
If you want something far darker than Fourth Wing, The Poppy War is the natural escalation.
This trilogy follows a young protagonist thrust into a brutal military academy and, eventually, full-scale war. Like Fourth Wing, it begins with training and competition — but quickly strips away any illusion of glory. Power here is devastating, costly, and often irreversible.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- ruthless training environments
- characters pushed beyond moral limits
- war as a transforming force
- stories that refuse to soften the consequences
will find The Poppy War unforgettable — and emotionally brutal.
Read this if you want: war-driven dark fantasy with brutal consequences and no comfort padding.
Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer
For readers who enjoyed Fourth Wing’s physical trials and relentless pressure, Blood and Steel offers a similarly punishing experience — but in a harsher, grittier world.
This story emphasizes survival through strength, endurance, and violence, with a protagonist who must learn quickly or be broken. Training is unforgiving, enemies are rarely clear-cut, and victory always comes at a price.
Fourth Wing readers drawn to:
- combat-focused progression
- harsh power hierarchies
- worlds where weakness is exploited
- protagonists forced to harden to survive
will appreciate how uncompromising this book is.
Read this if you want: gritty combat fantasy with punishing training and hard-earned survival.
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Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
If you liked the bond aspect of Fourth Wing — but want it darker, stranger, and more dangerous — Dire Bound pushes that idea into brutal territory.
Rather than dragons, the bond here is tied to survival and instinct, blurring the line between protector and weapon. The world is hostile, the magic is unforgiving, and the bond itself carries risk rather than comfort.
Fourth Wing fans who enjoyed:
- bonded relationships with high stakes
- survival-driven narratives
- morally gray choices
- tension rooted in power imbalance
will find Dire Bound a compelling, darker alternative.
Read this if you want: a darker bond story where connection is dangerous and survival comes first.
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For Romance, Politics & Power Struggles
If what drew you to Fourth Wing was the tension between love, loyalty, and power — where relationships are shaped by politics, secrets, and impossible choices — these books lean hardest into that dynamic.
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
If you loved watching Violet grow into her power while navigating control, fear, and responsibility, Daughter of No Worlds offers a similarly grounded but emotionally rich journey.
This series focuses on earned power rather than destiny. Training is slow, painful, and deeply personal, and the romance develops alongside themes of consent, autonomy, and healing. Unlike Fourth Wing, the stakes are quieter at first — but no less devastating.
Fourth Wing fans who enjoyed:
- gradual power development
- emotionally mature romance
- mentor-to-partner dynamics
- characters shaped by trauma rather than prophecy
will find this series deeply satisfying.
Read this if you want: emotionally intelligent romantasy with strong character growth and a romance built on trust.
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The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
For readers fascinated by strategy, alliances, and betrayal, The Bridge Kingdom delivers romance wrapped tightly around political intrigue.
This story centers on a marriage built as a weapon — where love and loyalty directly conflict with duty. While there are no dragons or academies here, the tension mirrors Fourth Wing’s power struggles: every relationship has consequences, and every choice reshapes the balance of power.
Fourth Wing fans who loved:
- high-stakes decision-making
- enemies-to-lovers tension
- politics influencing romance
- characters torn between heart and duty
will appreciate the sharp, focused intensity of this series.
Read this if you want: romantasy driven by politics, deception, and impossible choices.
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A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
If you’re looking for something lighter in tone but still rooted in myth and power, A Promise of Fire blends romance, magic, and destiny with a faster, more playful pace.
The story leans into banter, mythology, and a reluctant heroine with hidden importance. While the stakes are less brutal than Fourth Wing, the dynamic between power and attraction will feel familiar to romantasy readers.
Fourth Wing fans who enjoyed:
- strong romantic chemistry
- mythology-infused fantasy
- reluctant chosen ones
- adventure-forward pacing
will find this an enjoyable shift in tone.
Read this if you want: romantasy with mythological flair, banter, and a focus on romance over brutality.
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Quicksilver by Callie Hart
For readers who want sharp tension and morally gray attraction, Quicksilver leans into power imbalance, dangerous alliances, and romance shaped by threat rather than safety.
This book emphasizes intensity over comfort, with relationships forged under pressure and desire entangled with survival. Like Fourth Wing, trust is fragile, and attraction can be as dangerous as the world itself.
Fourth Wing fans drawn to:
- morally gray love interests
- dangerous power dynamics
- high emotional tension
- romance intertwined with survival
will find this a compelling final recommendation.
Read this if you want: dark-leaning romantasy where attraction and danger are inseparable.
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Quick Overview: What to Read After Fourth Wing
| If you loved Fourth Wing for… | Read this next | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Dragons & rider bonds | Dragonriders of Pern | Classic dragon–rider bonds, training structures, and a world built around riders. |
| Brutal academy pressure | Bloodwing Academy | High-stakes training, rivalries, and survival-driven academy tension. |
| Romance-first romantasy | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Slow-burn romance, danger, and escalating stakes in a rich fantasy world. |
| Deadly trials & competition | Serpent and the Wings of Night | “If you fail, you die” trials, alliances, and high-tension romantasy momentum. |
| Training & endurance arcs | Throne of Glass | Relentless tests, shifting alliances, and long-term character payoff. |
| Secrets & forbidden romance | From Blood and Ash | Romance-forward plot with hidden truths and escalating revelations. |
| Darker, war-driven fantasy | The Poppy War | Military training and brutal consequences—power comes at a real cost. |
| Politics & strategy | The Bridge Kingdom | Romance entangled with alliances, deception, and high-stakes political choices. |
| Emotionally grounded growth | Daughter of No Worlds | Earned power, healing, and a romance built on trust and development. |
| High-drama academy chaos | Zodiac Academy | Ruthless hierarchies, constant conflict, and addictive academy tension. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after Fourth Wing?
If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, the best next reads depend on what you loved most. Readers often gravitate toward romantasy series like A Court of Thorns and Roses, dragon-focused stories such as Dragonriders of Pern, or darker fantasy like The Poppy War.
Are there books like Fourth Wing with dragons?
Yes. Several fantasy and romantasy series feature dragon bonds, dragon riders, or societies built around dragons. Notable examples include Dragonriders of Pern, Bloodwing Academy, and other academy-based dragon fantasies.
Is Fourth Wing romantasy or fantasy?
Fourth Wing is best described as romantasy — a blend of high fantasy and romance. While it features a military academy, dragons, and dangerous trials, the romantic arc plays a central role in driving the story forward.
Are there more fantasy academy books like Fourth Wing?
Yes. Fantasy academy books often focus on training, ranking systems, rivalries, and survival. Series like Throne of Glass, Zodiac Academy, and Bloodwing Academy explore similar high-pressure environments where power and endurance determine who survives.
What should I read if I liked Fourth Wing but want something darker?
Readers looking for a darker tone should consider fantasy novels that lean into war, trauma, and moral consequences. The Poppy War and Blood and Steel are popular choices for those who want higher brutality and fewer safety nets.
Conclusion: Finding Your Next Read After Fourth Wing
Finishing Fourth Wing often leaves readers searching for the same combination of intensity, romance, and high-stakes fantasy — whether that means dragon riders, brutal training, slow-burn relationships, or power struggles with real consequences.
Fortunately, there’s no single “right” next book. Whether you lean toward romantasy, darker fantasy, academy settings, or political intrigue, the recommendations above cover the strongest options for what to read after Fourth Wing — and help you find the story that fits what you’re craving next.
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