If you consider yourself a modern bibliophile, you'd be hard pressed to miss the Fourth Wing wave that has swept through the zeitgeist. Now more than a year on from the epic cliffhanger in the third book in the series, Onyx Storm, we're getting itchy feet. When will we see the next Fourth Wing book?

Collectively, the series is known as the Empyrean Series; and author Rebecca Yarros has been transparent in revealing there will be five books in the collection. But we also received the news that a novella that is not part of the main series is coming in 2026. This technically takes the official collection to six books – sort of. It's worth noting, Yarros has confirmed that this novella is definitely not book four in the series.

With the first, Fourth Wing published in April of 2023, Iron Flame in November 2023 and Onyx Storm in January 2025, speculation around book four and its release date is rife. While we have had plenty of updates around the series, including the news that it has been officially greenlit, we have not seen nearly as much information about the forthcoming books. As we wait for the series (and its hotly debated cast), here's what we know – and what we don't – about the release date and plot.

As of February 2026, Rebecca Yarros is finally back at her desk

After more than a year since the release of Onyx Storm, on 9 February 2026 Yarros confirmed on her Instagram that she was indeed back at her desk and working on the next book in the Empyrean Series. She shared a picture of a stack of the first three books in the series, some blank notes and pens. In the caption she wrote: "Feels like a great day to start a stack of index cards."

The only prior update we'd had was in October 2025, when Yarros posted to Instagram revealing she was taking a year off in a manner of speaking.

“When I turned in Onyx Storm to the printer a year ago, I promised myself and my family I would take a year off. In that year ‘off’, I wrote and edited a full graphic novel, started another, plotted and started writing a new contemporary novel, and signed about 120k tip-ins. Yeah, I don’t sit still well.

“But now it’s been a year, and I’m back at the desk full-time, learning how to juggle my priorities all over again [and] it seems like a good time to step away from socials for a bit. I love IG, but it definitely has the power to drain my time and energy, which are needed elsewhere right now.”

While the fandom can get impatient, many are content that Yarros is taking her time to get the next part of the story just right. Onyx Storm opened up a deep well of questions about what, especially about what Violet learned on the Islands off the South coast of Navarre and Pomoriel.

When can we expect it to come out?

We're going to be waiting at least a year or two – with some speculating that it could come in 2027.

Based on a comment Rebecca Yarros left on TikTok, she plans to begin plotting book four of the Empyrean series in September or October of 2025. But she truly began digging into the Empyrean series again in February 2026.

In the comment from August 2025, Yarros said: "It's not up there yet. Probably in the next six weeks or so. I like to plot one project ahead, but I'm still in the thick of it with plotting the contemporary!"

The additional planning time is likely to win over some fans who felt that Iron Flame was not as strong as Fourth Wing, for example, due to a rushed production process after the first book blew up. Perhaps a lengthier writing and editing timeline will be welcomed.

What is it called?

Right now, the book is as-yet untitled.

The title reveal will be key to guessing what takes place in the next book, however. As we know, Onyx Storm refers to the power released by Xaden when he gave into his Venin transformation in order to protect the squad at the conclusion of book three.

Where will the plot pick up from?

The as-yet-untitled fourth Emyprean book will pick up after the dramatic cliffhanger of Onyx Storm. Look away now if you don't want spoilers.

At the conclusion of the tale, Violet awakens at Riorson House with her brother, but with no memory of the epic battle that took place.

What she does know, however, is that her memory was taken by Imogen, and that she did so at Violet's own request. She also notices some new accessories on her person that she doesn't remember picking up. Namely, a wedding ring on her finger and a marriage certificate to Xaden.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon between the pair will probably have to wait. During the battle to protect Aretia at the conclusion of Onyx Storm, Xaden gives in to the venin impulse he's been fight and draws power from the Earth in an attempt to take out as many other venin as possible during their incursion.

The cliffhanger that still leaves us reeling sees Xaden hint that someone he trusted has joined him and also turned Venin, with no names revealed.

What plot details do we have?

We'll be honest, plot details are scant.

Yarros has teased a few of the book's potential plot points at events promoting the series. Speaking in Los Angeles, for example, the author has said that "someone you love won't make it in book four". The Empyrean Series isn't known for giving characters "plot armour", so really it could be anyone. Many fans have a sinking feeling that Ridoc may not make it through to the end of the next book.

At the same event, Yarros – who has a playlist for every book – revealed a few songs from the book four track list. All three were from Taylor Swift's album The Tortured Poets Department, including Down Bad, I Can Fix Him, and But Daddy I Love Him.

There is a lot of plot speculation though. A popular theory is that the "new brother" who turned venin is a part of their core group. Again, look away now if you're avoiding spoilers. During the end of the final battle when Violet and Xaden are separated and Xaden pulls power from the Earth to save Sgaeyl it is revealed he has a new "brother" – referring to someone who has also turned venin. Many people think that person is Bodhi.

Bodhi, as Xaden's cousin would be next in line for control of Aretia and Tyrrendor. But if he has turned venin, Xaden would not want power of the region to fall to him. Some suggest that the reason Xaden married Violet so that she becomes the Duchess in Aretia and Tyrrendor would fall to her instead of Bodhi.

Will the Empyrean Book four be the last in the series?

Thankfully, no. While most epic fantasy stories play themselves out in three, maybe four instalments, Yarros has stated more than a few times that the Empyrean Series is set to be a five-book run. So we have at least two more to look forward to right now.