Fourth Wing
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Spice Level: 
Release Year: 2023
The Empyrean series delivers that rare, electric blend of dragons, political intrigue, and romance that actually gets steamier as the story unfolds. From the first page, there’s a relentless, pulse-pounding pace—think war college meets deadly magic, with dragons that choose their riders and a world that’s as dangerous as it is dazzling. The worldbuilding? It’s immersive and never feels like a slog; you learn alongside the characters, and the magic system is just plain fun to watch in action.
What really makes these books soar is the chemistry. The romance is hot—fiery, even—and the tension between the leads is the kind that makes you want to throw the book across the room, then immediately pick it up again. The spice factor? A solid 3.3: enough to get your heart racing, but not so much you lose sight of the plot. And as the series progresses, the heat only intensifies, so you’re in for a treat if you like your fantasy with a side of sizzle. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is executed with just the right amount of bite, and the author never shies away from making her characters suffer for their choices.
Now, not everything is perfect—sometimes the plot meanders, and a few secondary characters fade into the background when you want more from them. There are moments when the romance drama threatens to overshadow the bigger stakes, and you might find yourself craving a bit more depth from the political machinations. Yet, the sheer fun and addictive energy of these books more than makes up for any narrative bumps. The cliffhangers are the good kind: the sort that leave you desperate for the next installment, not the kind that make you want to hurl the book into the void.
Ultimately, The Empyrean series is my #3 all-time romantasy for a reason. It’s compulsively readable, packed with dragons you’ll wish were real, and delivers a romance that’s both swoony and sharp. The hype is real—these books are pure, unadulterated fun, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better blend of action, intrigue, and spice in the genre right now.
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