If you’ve spent more than five minutes on BookTok lately, you’ve definitely seen those black-and-gold sprayed edges or heard someone yelling about "Violence." Honestly, the Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame series (officially called The Empyrean Series) has basically become the center of the literary universe for anyone who likes their dragons with a side of high-stakes pining.
But here’s the thing: people are still deeply confused about where this story is going.
Is it a trilogy? A quintet? Why did that ending feel like a fever dream? There is so much more to the world of Basgiath than just spicy "throne scenes" and cool scales. We’re talking about a massive, five-book architectural project that Rebecca Yarros is building, and if you aren’t paying attention to the lore, you’re gonna miss the best parts.
Why the Empyrean Series is Actually Five Books
When Fourth Wing first exploded, everyone just assumed it was a standard trilogy. That’s the classic fantasy formula, right? Well, Yarros actually came out and said she realized about 30,000 words into her planning that three books weren't enough to contain the war she was brewing.
She needed five.
As of January 2026, we’ve already survived the release of Onyx Storm (Book 3), which hit shelves in early 2025 and basically broke the record for the fastest-selling adult title in two decades. If you’re keeping track, that means we still have two massive installments left.
- Fourth Wing (April 2023)
- Iron Flame (November 2023)
- Onyx Storm (January 2025)
- Untitled Book 4 (Expected late 2027)
- Untitled Book 5 (TBD)
The wait for Book 4 is gonna be a long one. Yarros took a well-deserved writing hiatus after the "breakneck" pace of the first three releases. She’s been open about needing to recuperate and spend time with her family. Honestly, after what she put Violet and Xaden through in the last few chapters of Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, we probably need the break too.
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The Physical Reality of Violet Sorrengail
One of the coolest—and most important—aspects of the Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame series is Violet’s physical condition. She isn't just "delicate" for the sake of the plot. Yarros, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), wrote Violet with the same condition.
It changes everything about how the action works.
Violet has to use her wits because her joints literally dislocate. She has to find alternative ways to mount a dragon. When people call her "fragile," they’re missing the point. Her strength is in her resilience and her ability to outthink enemies who are twice her size. It’s not about her "fixing" herself; it's about her adapting to a world that was never designed for someone like her to survive.
What's Actually Happening in Iron Flame?
If you haven't finished the second book, look away. Seriously.
Iron Flame picks up right after the bombshell that Violet's brother, Brennan, is alive. The whole "Navarre is safe" vibe is completely dead. We find out that the "venin"—dark wielders who drain the earth’s magic—are real and they are coming for the wards.
The Dragons and Their Weird Personalities
We have to talk about the dragons because they aren't just pets. They are snarky, ancient, and often way more interesting than the humans.
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- Tairn: The grumpy grandfather of black dragons. He’s bonded to Violet and mated to Sgaeyl.
- Andarna: The golden "feathertail" who turns into a moody, iridescent teenager. Her "dreamless sleep" in Iron Flame was the source of like, 80% of our anxiety.
- Sgaeyl: Xaden’s blue daggertail who basically has no patience for anyone's feelings.
The magic system is tied to these bonds. When a dragon chooses a rider, they channel "power" that eventually manifests as a "signet." Violet wields lightning. Xaden wields shadows (and has a second, secret signet that involves reading people's intentions).
The stakes are higher now because we know that if a rider dies, the dragon might die, and if the dragon dies, the mated dragon might die. It’s a giant, magical suicide pact that makes every battle feel terrifyingly permanent.
The TV Show: What We Know Right Now
Amazon MGM Studios is currently turning the Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame series into a TV show. Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, is involved, which is a huge deal for the budget.
There’s been some drama behind the scenes. The original showrunner, Moira Walley-Beckett (Anne with an E), left the project. In late 2025, it was announced that Meredith Averill (who worked on Wednesday and The Haunting of Hill House) is taking over.
Casting Rumors: Nobody is officially cast yet. However, Yarros has been very clear: Xaden Riorson will be played by a Person of Color. She told Variety she wants to ensure the role is open to as much diversity as possible, matching his "warm tawny skin" description from the books. Fans are obsessed with Josh Heuston as a potential Xaden, but nothing is set in stone. Don’t expect to see the first episode until at least 2027.
Theories That Keep Us Up at Night
The fandom is basically a group of amateur detectives at this point.
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One of the biggest theories is about Violet’s second signet. Since she is bonded to two dragons, she gets two powers. We know she has lightning from Tairn. But what about Andarna? Some fans think she’s a "distance wielder" (teleportation). Others are convinced she can talk to the dead—remember that scene where she "saw" Liam during her interrogation? Yarros said that was a hallucination, but fans are skeptical.
Then there's the Xaden situation. At the end of Iron Flame, he does the unthinkable to save Violet: he turns venin. He drew power from the earth instead of his dragon. This "villain era" is expected to be a massive part of Book 4. Can he be cured? Or is he going to become the very thing they’re fighting?
How to Handle the Wait
If you’ve already blazed through the Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame series and you’re feeling that post-book depression, you aren't alone.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Read the "Xaden POV" chapters: Yarros released special editions of Fourth Wing that include chapters from Xaden’s perspective. They change the way you see the entire first book.
- Check the Gaelic Pronunciations: The names of the dragons (Tairn, Sgaeyl, etc.) are Scottish Gaelic. There are some great guides on Yarros’s social media that explain how to actually say them so you don't sound like a "scribe" who’s never left the library.
- Join the Empyrean Wiki: If you want to dive into the deep lore of the "First Six" or the different dragon tail types (Morningstartail vs. Daggertail), that's the place to go.
This series isn't just a trend; it's a massive shift in how "romantasy" is perceived. It’s gritty, it’s messy, and it’s deeply emotional. Just be prepared for your heart to be broken a few more times before Book 5 finally lands.