So, 'Onyx Storm' Broke You. 10 Books to Read While Waiting for Book 4.

The Dragon's Diagnosis

Well, well. Look who's crawled back.

You finished Onyx Storm. You read... that part. (Don't look at me. We are not discussing it. My scales are still recovering from the secondhand emotional trauma.)

You thought the Iron Flame cliffhanger was bad? Oh, you sweet, naive little mortal. How simple life was back then.

Now you’re just… hollow. Empty. Staring at the wall, wondering how you're supposed to function until Book 4, which is currently scheduled for sometime before the sun burns out. Maybe.

You really thought Rebecca Yarros would give you a moment's peace? After all this time? Adorable. Your optimism is truly a marvel.

You need a distraction. A powerful one. And since I am a benevolent, all-knowing dragon, I’ve curated a new list for your advanced stage of grief.

You’re welcome.

The Advanced Prescription: 10 Books for the Onyx Storm-Afflicted

First, let's get the obvious out of the way. I am not going to tell you to read ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash. If you're this deep in the Empyrean series and haven't read those, you're a statistical anomaly. (Go read them, then come back. Shoo.)

No, you need something stronger. You need books that match that "the world is ending and my love life is a complete catastrophe" energy.

1. The Serpent and the Wing of Night (Carissa Broadbent)

This is still the top of the list. Often called the "Vampire Fourth Wing," and the title still fits. Brutal trials, a human FMC in a den of predators, and a romance that will leave you gasping.

Why you'll love it: It has the Keja (trials), the high stakes, and a vampire MMC who gives our favorite shadow-wielder a run for his money.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥

2. Zodiac Academy (Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti)

You thought Basgiath was hard? You thought the politics in Onyx Storm were messy? Welcome to Solaria. This is Fourth Wing's unhinged, morally bankrupt, and ridiculously long older sibling.

Why you'll love it: It’s a literal magic school, it’s brutal, and it will keep you occupied for months. You need a distraction? This is a whole-life commitment.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (And a list of trigger warnings as long as my tail. Heed them.)

3. Crescent City (Sarah J. Maas)

You've done ACOTAR. You've survived the Empyrean. It's time. You like modern settings, ancient secrets, Fae, and plot twists so convoluted you'll need a flow chart?

Why you'll love it: The first book is a slow-burn mystery, but that ending to Book 2? (Wink wink.) It's the kind of world-shattering event you're now accustomed to.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥

4. The Bridge Kingdom (Danielle L. Jensen)

If the hate is what you're here for—that raw, "I want to kill you but I also want to climb you like a tree" tension—this is your next hit.

Why you'll love it: Arranged marriage, enemies who are actual enemies (she's sent to destroy his kingdom!), and a very, very deadly bridge.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥

5. Divine Rivals (Rebecca Ross)

Alright, if you need a break from the... intensity (I see you) but still want your heart ripped from your chest, this is your emotional damage.

Why you'll love it: Academic rivals, magical typewriters, a war that feels tragically real, and a romance that is pure, agonizing longing.
Spice Level: 🔥 (A single, perfect, heart-stopping flame.)

6. The Priory of the Orange Tree (Samantha Shannon)

You want actual dragons? Complex global politics? Queendom inspiration? And a book so large it could be used as a weapon?

Why you'll love it: This is 'Fourth Wing's' PhD-level aunt. It’s high fantasy with a heavy dose of romance and, I repeat, actual dragons done right.
Spice Level: 🔥

7. A Fate of Wrath & Flame (K.A. Tucker)

For those who loved the "what is really going on with this kingdom's history?" part of the plot. A strong FMC is dropped (via portal) into a world of vampire politics she knows nothing about.

Why you'll love it: Secrets, alliances, a grumpy vampire king, and that "fish out of water" vibe that Violet rocked so well.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥

8. Throne of Glass (Sarah J. Maas)

If you're finally ready to commit to a completed 8-book epic, this is it. It starts YA, but by Kingdom of Ash, the stakes are Empyrean-level.

Why you'll love it: An assassin in a tournament, lost magic, Fae, and a world-building exercise that just keeps escalating.
Spice Level: 🔥 (escalates to 🔥🔥)

9. The Fae Isles (Lissette Marshall)

Need more Fae, more politics, and a very possessive MMC who is absolutely not a good person? (You know who you are.)

Why you'E-Mail love it: It’s dark, it’s spicy, and the power dynamics are... messy. Just the way you like them.
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

10. 'Onyx Storm' (Again. From the top.)

Let’s be honest. You’re just going to re-read it. You’re looking for clues. You’re agonizing over that scene. It’s okay. We all do it.

Dragon's Advice: If you're really stuck, go analyze your trauma. Take our Which Fourth Wing Rider Are You? quiz and see if your answers have changed. (They have. You're more broken now.)

So, What Have We Learned?

That your book hangover is real, and it's terminal. At least, until Book 4.

The only cure for finishing a great book is starting a new one. Or, failing that, inventing a new one with our Romantasy Title Generator. Go on. Distract yourself.

Now, fly to the comments and tell me which book I rudely forgot. Or just scream about Onyx Storm. We both know you need to.