The Empyrean books must be read in chronological order, which coincides with their publication order, by following this sequence:[1-3][7-8]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fourth Wing | 2023[1] | Introduces Violet, Basgiath, the dragons, and the conflict. |
| 2 |
|
Iron Flame | 2023[7] | Continues after the revelations and battle of book one. |
| 3 |
|
Onyx Storm | 2025[8] | Follows the consequences of book two and advances the war. |
| 4 |
|
Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book | 2025[2] | Optional companion. |
| 5 |
|
Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book | 2025[3] | Optional companion. |
Works in sequence
1. Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing (2023)[1] opens the series by placing Violet Sorrengail in the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College after she is forced away from her intended path as a scribe.[4]
This novel establishes the dragon-rider training system, Violet’s dangerous position within it, her bonds with Tairn and Andarna, and the larger political and magical conflict behind Navarre’s official history.[4]
2. Iron Flame
Iron Flame (2023)[7] continues from the aftermath of Fourth Wing, following Violet as she confronts the truth about Navarre, the revolution, and the threat posed by venin and wyvern. This novel expands the conflict beyond the academy while keeping Basgiath central to the series.[5]
Its major developments depend on knowledge of Violet’s relationships, dragon bonds, and the revelations introduced in the first book.[5]
3. Onyx Storm
Onyx Storm (2025)[9] follows the consequences of Iron Flame, with Violet searching for answers that might affect both Xaden and the wider war. This story broadens the setting through a mission beyond the continent while continuing the central struggle against the venin.[6]
It is not a separate entry point, because its political tensions, character relationships, and stakes arise from the previous novels.[6]
4. Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book
Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book (2025)[2] is a supplementary companion volume focused on the first novel. It offers hand-drawn pages based on scenes, quotes, characters, and icons from Fourth Wing, along with decorative stickers.[10]
It is not a narrative installment and does not advance the series storyline.[10]
5. Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book
Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book (2025)[3]is another optional companion, presenting illustrations of dragons, characters, and notable scenes from the wider The Empyrean series. Its function is visual and retrospective rather than narrative.[11]
Readers may leave it aside while following the main plot, then use it for fuller series coverage after becoming familiar with the novels.[11]
Essential and supplementary works
The core reading experience consists of the three main novels: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm. These books form the principal narrative arc and should be read in order, because each one builds on unresolved events and major developments from the previous volume.[4-6]
The supplementary works, namely Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book and Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book, are companion coloring books rather than narrative installments. They revisit characters, scenes, quotes, dragons, and imagery from the series, but they are not required for following the main story.[10-11]
These companion volumes are most relevant to readers who want visual or creative material after beginning, or completing, the main novels.[10-11]
References
- Fourth Wing. Entangled Publishing.
- Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book. Dover Publications.
- Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
- Fourth Wing. Red Tower Books. ISBN: 9781649374080.
- Iron Flame. Red Tower Books. ISBN: 9781649375858.
- Onyx Storm. Red Tower Books. ISBN: 9781649376947.
- Iron Flame. Entangled Publishing.
- Onyx Storm. Entangled Publishing.
- Welcome to Red Tower’s Official Onyx Storm FAQ page. Entangled Publishing.
- Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring & Sticker Book. Dover Publications. ISBN: 9780486856278.
- Fourth Wing: The Official Coloring Book. Entangled. ISBN: 9798881604165.