Fourth Wing Officially Returns in 2 Weeks — But There's a Catch

Rebecca Yarros' is adding a new book to The Empyrean Series

Rebecca Yarros is one of the biggest names in publishing. As the author of The Empyrean Series, Yarros is a part of a pop culture phenomenon that’s akin to Harry Potter and the Twilight Saga when it comes to its sales and reach. The book series, which began with 2023’s Fourth Wing, follows Violet Sorrengail, a young woman whose dreams of leading a scholarly life are dashed by her mother, who enrolls her in a dangerous academy for dragon riders. There, she meets her rival and love interest, Xaden Riorson.

So far, three novels have been published in Yarros’ planned pentology. While book four remains untitled with no release date in sight, fans of the series can return to the world of Navarre and Basgiath War College in two weeks. Yarros’ next book is Threshing Day, and while set in the same universe and featuring some of the franchise’s favorite characters, it’s not the next entry in The Empyrean Series.

What is Threshing Day about?

Threshing Day is a companion book, collecting 13 short stories about riders and their dragons in the world that readers know and love. While it’s not the awaited fourth entry in the franchise, it will feature side stories highlighting some of the franchise’s key characters. A Google Books listing names Xaden Riorson and Brennan Sorrengail as being featured in the short stories, while promising “many more.”

The book’s name refers to the dangerous ceremony when riders bond with wild dragons. Many potential riders wind up incinerated or devoured. Those who successfully forge a bond with a dragon go on to become official riders.

Yarros initially shared that she intended for Threshing Day to be a surprise release, but the rules of the publishing industry didn’t allow that.

“The publishing industry told me we couldn't do that because someone would inevitably leak it," she wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post.

The book’s details have been mostly kept under wraps. "If you work for a retailer and come across Threshing Day before release day, don't be the person who proves the industry right and leaks it for clicks and engagement,” Yarros continued.

Given the title and structure, it’s possible that each short story chronicles the day that these familiar characters first bonded with their dragons. By the time Fourth Wing begins, characters like Xaden and Brennan are already dragonriders, along with dozens of other characters. That would make Threshing Day a prequel that fleshes out their backstories.

The future of The Empyrean Series

The Empyrean Series began in 2023, with the release of Fourth Wing, tracing the start of Violet’s journey at Basgiath War College. The sequel, Iron Flame, was released a few months later. Book three, Onyx Storm, came out last year. Two more books are expected in the franchise, completing its five-book arc, but no further details have been released.

Earlier this year, Yarros shared that she was currently writing the franchise’s fourth book. "In the next few (hopefully couple) weeks, I’ll be back in the Empyrean world for the foreseeable future!" she wrote in an Instagram post in January. "Book 4’s playlist is simmering, and I’m almost ready for the index cards and plot board. Don’t worry, everyone in Navarre is still alive. For now.”

The franchise is currently being adapted into a TV series by Prime Video. Michael B. Jordan is serving as one of the producers, with Meredith Averill (Wednesday) on board as showrunner and Lisa Joy (Westworld) as producer and director of the pilot episode.

“Rebecca’s books have become one of the fastest-selling franchises of the 21st century, with a fandom so passionate, so devoted, they don’t just read these books, they live in them, and it’s because Fourth Wing is everything at once,” Averill told Deadline. “The emotional stakes are sky high, the battles are epic, power dynamics are thrilling, and underneath it is so much humor and heart and a romance that will consume you.”

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Threshing Day will be released on Sept. 29, 2026.