7 Addictive Books Like Fourth Wing

The Fourth Wing hangover is real. I know because I’m living it right alongside you. That feeling when you finish the last page, your heart still pounding from the high stakes, the world still spinning with dragons and magic—it’s an addiction. You’re obsessed, I’m obsessed, we’re all obsessed.

But then the fear creeps in. That raw, gut-level dread that whispers, “What if the next heroine breaks my trust? What if she becomes annoyingly whiny after her first taste of battle and I end up hating her?”

You need more than just a list; you need a guarantee that the romantic tension will be just as feral, the stakes just as life-shattering. Well, you can breathe. I’ve gone through the trenches and found the best books like Fourth Wing that will feed your dragon-sized obsession. This is your guide.

Books Like Fourth Wing: The Ultimate Guide to Fantasy Romances with Dragons and High-Stakes Love

Let’s be honest, nothing will ever be exactly like the first time you flew with Andarna or felt that searing, forbidden tension with Xaden Riorson. But we can get damn close.

The books on this list aren’t just fantasy; they are experiences. They give you that same desperate, clawing feeling of a world about to shatter, where love is both the reason you fight and the thing that will get you killed. Every single page turn feels like a gamble.

This is for those of us left staring at the wall after the last page, hollowed out and hunting for that same raw, all-consuming high.

Before we dive deep, here’s a quick-and-dirty guide to your next obsession.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.6 (500k) | 🌶️ 3/5 | 👀 Dual POV

Dragons, Romance, Academy. This is the book that started it all, the one that has us all in a chokehold. If you’re here, you’ve already read it, but let’s just take a moment to appreciate the masterpiece.

Violet Sorrengail, pushed into the Riders Quadrant against her will, is the definition of a survivor. She’s physically fragile in a world that eats the weak for breakfast, but her mind is a lethal weapon. If you love books with a physically weak but powerful FMC, Violet is the gold standard.

What makes Fourth Wing so addictive is the way the pressure invades your own body. You feel it in your lungs—that constant, grinding anxiety that this moment, this breath, could be the last. The parapet, the sparring mats, the very air crackles with danger.

And then there’s Xaden. Oh, Xaden. The tension between them is an unbearable, living thing in the room—so charged you feel like a voyeur, but you can’t look away. He’s the son of a traitor, the most powerful rider in his year, and he wants Violet dead. Or does he? The slow burn, the stolen glances, the raw, magnetic pull between them is everything. It’s the perfect storm of high-stakes fantasy and feral romance that left us all breathless.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.5 (300k) | 🌶️ 3/5 | 📚 Book 2 of 4

War, Betrayal, Dragons. Just when you thought the stakes couldn’t get any higher, Iron Flame rips the floor out from under you. This sequel takes everything we loved about Fourth Wing and amplifies it by a thousand.

The political intrigue, the lies, the secrets—it’s a masterclass in building a world that feels dangerously real. Violet is no longer just a survivor; she’s a leader grappling with impossible truths and the weight of a revolution.

The romance evolves, too. The tension between Violet and Xaden is still scorching hot, but now it’s layered with the complexities of trust and secrets. Can you love someone who is keeping world-altering secrets from you? This book explores that question with gut-wrenching honesty.

And for those of us who “obsessed with the dragon bonds and spice but hate the cliffhangers,” this book delivers on all fronts—especially the cliffhanger. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It will break you in the best way possible.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

⚡ 🏆 Genre Classic | ⭐ 4.2 (1M) | 🌶️ 4/5 | 📚 Book 1 of 5

Fae, Romance, Magic. Before there was Fourth Wing, there was ACOTAR. This is the high stakes fantasy romance series that arguably launched the modern genre into the stratosphere. Sarah J. Maas is a queen for a reason, and this is her crown jewel. It’s a lush, atmospheric retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the treacherous and beautiful world of the Fae.

Human huntress Feyre Archeron is dragged into the Fae lands of Prythian after killing a wolf in the woods. What follows is a journey of survival, sacrifice, and a slow-burn romance that will make your heart ache.

While it doesn’t have dragon riders, it has the same core elements that make Fourth Wing irresistible: a fierce heroine who discovers her own power, a morally grey love interest with dark secrets, and a world where love means fighting against impossible odds. The trials Feyre endures Under the Mountain are as brutal and high-stakes as anything at Basgiath. This is a foundational text for any romantasy reader.

Fantasy Books with Dragon Riders and Romance

There’s something primal and thrilling about the bond between a rider and their dragon. It’s a connection of mind, soul, and fire. When you layer that with a sweeping, high-stakes romance, you get pure, unadulterated magic.

If the dragon bonds in Fourth Wing were your favorite part, then this section is for you. These fantasy books with dragon riders and romance put dragons and their riders front and center, with plenty of romantic tension to keep things interesting.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

⚡ 🔥 Hot New Release | ⭐ 4.4 (10k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 📚 Book 1 of series

Fun, Character-Driven, Surprising. This 2025 character-focused fantasy offers academy-like vibes akin to Fourth Wing. It centers on a group of students at an elite magical institution, each with their own secrets and ambitions. The story is an absolute blast, driven by a cast of characters that are so likable and well-developed you’ll feel like they’re your own found family.

What sets Heir apart are the plot twists. Just when you think you know where the story is going, Sabaa Tahir pulls the rug out from under you in the most satisfying way.

The stakes are high, the magic system is intriguing, and the budding relationships are filled with witty banter and genuine chemistry. It’s less about brutal survival and more about outsmarting your rivals, making it a perfect read when you want the academy setting without the constant threat of death.

If you’re looking for more incredible reads that capture this magic, our full list of Books Like Fourth Wing has over a dozen more recommendations to keep your TBR pile stacked high.

Spicy Romantasy Books with Enemies-to-Lovers

Let’s talk about the best trope in the world: enemies-to-lovers. That delicious, slow-burn tension when two characters who despise each other are forced together by fate.

The witty banter, the simmering hatred that slowly melts into grudging respect, and then explodes into feral passion? It’s unbeatable. When you set that dynamic against a backdrop of war, magic, and life-or-death stakes, it becomes transcendent. This is for the readers hunting for spicy romantasy books with enemies to lovers who live for the snark.

A book that absolutely masters this is A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. We’ve already gushed about it, but the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that develops later in the series is legendary and sets the standard for the entire genre. The journey from animosity to a soul-deep connection is one of the most epic and satisfying character arcs in modern fantasy.

The way these stories blend danger and desire is what makes them so compelling. For a deeper dive into books that walk this tightrope, check out our definitive guide to Dark Fantasy Romance Books, where passion and peril collide.

Breaking Down the Tropes: Why We Love Romantasy

What is it about romantasy that has us in such a chokehold? It’s the perfect alchemy of tropes that hook directly into our veins. These aren’t just clichés; they are powerful storytelling tools that create the emotional highs we crave.

• The War College / Magic Academy Setting: This trope is pure catnip. It throws characters into a high-pressure environment where they are forced to confront their weaknesses, forge alliances, and prove their worth. It is a staple in books with a war college or magic academy setting like Basgiath—a crucible that either forges warriors or breaks them. This setting provides a natural structure for conflict, character growth, and, of course, forced proximity with your mortal enemy.
• Enemies-to-Lovers: The ultimate slow burn. It’s a journey from hate to love that feels earned. The initial conflict creates sparks, the shared trauma builds a bridge of understanding, and the final admission of love feels like a seismic victory. Xaden and Violet are a masterclass in this, their verbal sparring just as intense as their physical battles.
• Dragon Riders: This adds an epic, awe-inspiring layer to the fantasy. The bond between a rider and their dragon is sacred and powerful, often reflecting the rider’s own inner strength. Tairn choosing Violet wasn’t just a plot point; it was a statement about her hidden power and resilience. It’s a bond that goes beyond friendship—it’s a primal, terrifying merging of souls. These are the essential ingredients in books for fans of acotar and fourth wing that make them impossible to put down.

Safety First: Trigger Warnings and Spice Levels

We love dark, intense stories, but it’s important to go in prepared. Your reading experience should be thrilling, not traumatic. That’s why we believe in being upfront about content.

Below is a quick guide to the trigger warnings and spice levels for the books featured in this list, so you can choose your next read with confidence.

FAQ

What should I read next if I liked the Fourth Wing series?

If you want the exact same vibe, read Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series for epic Fae romance. For more dragon riders and a slightly different tone, try Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.

What to compare Fourth Wing to?

Think Divergent meets How to Train Your Dragon, but for adults. It has the brutal training and factionalism of a dystopian academy combined with the high-fantasy stakes and epic romance of a book like ACOTAR.

What is the spiciest fantasy book right now?

While “spiciest” is subjective, books from authors like Sarah J. Maas (A Court of Silver Flames) and Jennifer L. Armentrout (From Blood and Ash) are famous for their high heat levels. Fourth Wing itself has a solid 3/5 spice rating.

Are there similar romantasy recommendations on Kindle Unlimited?

Yes! While Yarros’s books aren’t typically on KU, the platform is a goldmine for romantasy recommendations on Kindle Unlimited. Books like The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent often appear there and deliver similar high-stakes, spicy vibes for fans of the genre.

Is the Fourth Wing series finished?

No, The Empyrean is planned as a five-book series. Currently, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame are available, with the third book, Onyx Storm, highly anticipated by fans eager for more books like Fourth Wing.

Your Next Epic Adventure Awaits

Diving into a new romantasy series after finishing an all-time favorite can feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to discover a new, unforgettable world. Whether you’re looking for more dragon riders, a gut-wrenching enemies-to-lovers romance, or a brutal magic academy, your next obsession is waiting within these pages.

These aren’t just books; they are immersive, epic journeys that will leave you breathless. So go ahead, pick your poison. Your search for books like Fourth Wing ends here, but your next adventure is just a page turn away.