Rebecca Yarros Starts Writing Fourth Empyrean Novel After Finishing Contemporary Book

Rebecca Yarros began writing the fourth novel in the Empyrean series on March 19, 2026. Business Insider reported that she posted a Reel on Instagram that day showing herself writing "#4" on a board and stating she was returning to the series after sending her latest contemporary novel to her editor. Yarros had published the first three books in under two years.

Fourth Wing appeared in April 2023, Iron Flame in October 2023, and Onyx Storm in January 2025. Onyx Storm was the fastest-selling adult novel released in 20 years. The series is planned to comprise five novels published by Entangled's Red Tower imprint.

Yarros had said on January 25, 2025, in Philadelphia that she would not commit to a release date for book four because she planned to write a contemporary novel and spend time with her family first. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS. On February 8, 2026, she posted on Instagram that she had started plotting book four.

On June 13, 2026, Yarros posted an Instagram video showing an ocean view and stated she would spend the summer writing at the beach. She said her home was undergoing noisy work, giving her family the excuse to spend the summer on Deverelli time while she wrote book four. Deverelli is an isle Violet visits in Onyx Storm.

Onyx Storm ended with several unresolved developments. Xaden used more of his venin power. Another unnamed dragon rider turned venin. Andarna returned to Violet after time away with the irids. Violet woke up with a wedding ring and the blessing of her marriage to Xaden from the goddess Dunne, with no memory of the prior 12 hours.

Imogen revealed she used her signet power to wipe Violet's memory of the night at Violet's request. Brennan revealed that six dragon eggs and four riders, including Xaden and Garrick Tavis, are missing. Yarros has shared several clues about the next book during events.