- Fourth Wing
- Iron Flame
- Onyx Storm
Reading order at a glance
| Order | Book | What it does in the series |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourth Wing | Introduces the world, the academy structure, the dragons, and the central relationships |
| 2 | Iron Flame | Continues the main story without restarting it |
| 3 | Onyx Storm | Carries the same storyline forward and assumes you already know the setup |
For this series, publication order and reading order are the same. That makes the path easy: start at the beginning and move straight through the main books.
Why this order works
Fourth Wing belongs first because it does the work every series opener has to do. It sets the scene, establishes the rules of the world, and introduces the key character dynamics that matter later. If you skip it, the later books will make much less sense, and the emotional stakes will not land the way they should.
Iron Flame comes next because it is a direct sequel. It does not reset the series or offer a new starting point. The story continues from the first book, so reading it second keeps the plot and relationships in the right order.
Onyx Storm is the next main installment, so it belongs after the first two. By the time you reach it, the important background is already in place, which is exactly why the earlier books should come first.
If you want the series to feel clear instead of crowded, do not reshuffle the books. The order is straightforward, and the payoff comes from letting the story build the way it was released.
Who should start here, and who might skip it
This series is a good match for readers who like fantasy with romance woven into the main story. It also suits readers who enjoy ongoing series where each book carries forward the same characters, setting, and conflicts.
Start here if you want:
- a fantasy-romance series that begins with a strong setup
- dragons and an academy setting
- a story that grows from book to book instead of resetting each time
- a reading path that is easy to follow from the first chapter onward
You may want to skip it for now if:
- you only want a standalone novel with a complete ending in one volume
- you prefer stories that can be read in any order
- you do not want to commit to a series that depends on earlier books
Book-by-book guide
1. Fourth Wing
This is the entry point for the series. It introduces the world, the training environment, the dragons, and the relationships that shape the rest of the books. If you are starting from zero, this is the book that gives you the ground rules.
Why it belongs first:
- it introduces the setting and the academy structure
- it establishes the main relationships
- it sets the tone for the rest of the series
If you are only going to read one book for now, start here. Even if you continue later, Fourth Wing is the book that makes everything else easier to follow.
2. Iron Flame
This is the direct sequel to Fourth Wing. It keeps the same story moving instead of starting something new. Because it follows immediately from the first book, it works best when you read it right after Fourth Wing.
Why it belongs second:
- it continues the main arc
- it depends on the setup from book one
- it keeps the series in the correct sequence
This is not the place to jump in if you want a fresh start. Iron Flame assumes the earlier story is already in place, so the reading experience is better when the first book is still fresh in mind.
3. Onyx Storm
This is the next main installment in the series. It continues the same storyline rather than branching off into a separate path, so it belongs after the first two books.
Why it belongs third:
- it follows the events already established in the earlier books
- it assumes you know the world and the characters
- it works best after the series has been read in order
If you reach Onyx Storm too early, you will spend more time catching up than reading comfortably. That is the main reason to keep the order intact.
How to read the series without getting turned around
The simplest plan is to read one book at a time and keep the sequence unchanged. That sounds obvious, but it matters with a story that keeps building on itself.
A few practical ways to stay on track:
- start with Fourth Wing and do not skip ahead
- move directly to Iron Flame after the first book
- save Onyx Storm for last, since it follows the earlier books
- if you switch between print, ebook, and audio, keep the same order in every format
- if names and places start to blur together, slow down instead of jumping around
You do not need a complicated reading map here. The series is already arranged in the right order, and the safest approach is also the easiest one: read it as it was published.
Print, ebook, or audio?
Any format works for this series. The better choice is the one that helps you stay with the books in order.
Choose print or ebook if you want:
- easy backtracking through names and places
- a simple way to highlight passages or make notes
- a format that makes it easy to pause and return later
Choose audiobook if you want:
- a way to keep moving through a long series while commuting or doing chores
- a format that lets you listen without sitting down with a book
- a consistent experience from one installment to the next
The format matters less than the sequence. Whatever version you use, the reading order stays the same.
Best place to start
If you only want one answer, start with Fourth Wing.
That is the right starting point for:
- fantasy readers who like dragons and academy settings
- romance readers who want a series with strong relationship tension
- readers who want the main story in the correct order
- anyone who wants to avoid spoilers from later books
FAQ
What are the Empyrean series books in order?
The core order is Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
Is publication order the same as the best reading order?
Yes. For this series, publication order is the best order to read it in.
Can you start with Iron Flame?
You can, but it will be a weaker reading experience. Iron Flame assumes you already know what happened in Fourth Wing.
How many Empyrean books are there so far?
There are three main books so far: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
Is there a separate prequel or side novel to read first?
No. There is no separate prequel or side novel you need to fit in before the main books.
Is this a good series for readers who like standalone novels?
Probably not. The books build on one another, so the series works best when you start at the beginning and keep going in order.
If you want the shortest possible answer, here it is: read Fourth Wing first, then Iron Flame, then Onyx Storm. That is the full reading order for the series so far, and it is the clearest way to experience the story from the beginning.