Onyx Storm and read-alikes on a cloudy background with dragons

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Finished “Onyx Storm”? Here’s what you need to read next.

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Just a short year and a half ago, readers met Violet Sorrengail for the first time as she conquered the challenges of joining the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College. Shortly thereafter, author Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing took the book world by storm. Later that same year, readers were blessed with the second installment, Iron Flame, as Yarros worked at a breakneck pace to keep up with writing, promoting, and touring for this sensational romantasy series.

The anticipation for Onyx Storm

After Iron Flame, readers were left on a severe cliffhanger. Yarros took a more reasonable break between publishing series installments, but now readers are desperate to find out where Violet, and love interest Xaden, will end up in the newest book, Onyx Storm, out on Jan. 21.

Need to refresh your memory on where things were left with Iron Flame? Listen to my conversation with Rebecca Yarros to find out if she believes in happily ever afters for our main characters.

If you’ve already finished Rebecca Yarros’s highly anticipated third installment in the Emperyean series, maybe you’re feeling sad, a bit empty, and shocked. You might still be reeling from whatever wild ending Yarros has left us with. Readers won’t be fully satisfied until they can return to Basgiath and find out what happens to Xaden and Violet when the series is complete.

But there are a lot of other wonderful books to fill the void. Whether you’re on hold waiting to borrow Onyx Storm or finished it in a day, here are some read-alikes for Yarros fans.


If you want romance...

The EmpressThe Empress by Kristin Cast

Romantasy? Check. Fake marriage? Check. Spice? Check. Morally gray love interest? Check.

Kristin Cast, author of the popular House of Night series, brings us the first installment of the tarot-inspired Towerfall romantasy series.

After a weird interaction at a tarot shop, Hannah, a marketer from Chicago, is magically transported by tarot card to Towerfall. In this fantasy world, she meets alpha male, Kane. They must work together to navigate this strange land and get Hannah back home before The Arcana can intervene.


If you want YA fantasy...

Casters and CrownsCasters and Crowns by Elizabeth Lowham
🎧 Audiobook

Princess Aria finds her kingdom doomed to war if she cannot broker peace between the royal family and the magical Casters. When her efforts fail, she’s cursed. Her entire family line will waste away from lack of sleep until they’re all dead. Aria’s only shot at breaking this curse and saving her kingdom is to work with Caster, Baron Reeves. The handsome magic wielder has secrets of his own. As they work together to try and break the curse, feelings grow and the stakes are raised infinitely higher.

Also check out Lowham’s Beauty Reborn, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.


If you want dragons and more dragons...

A Language of DragonsA Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson
🎧 Audiobook

This YA historical fantasy introduces readers to an alternate London in 1923. Vivien is accused of crimes that kick off a civil war between dragons and humans. Her only chance at clearing her name is to work as a codebreaker, using her linguist skills for both human and dragon languages, at Bletchley Park. Swept up into a world of politics, intrigue, and scheming, Vivien must keep her head down to free her family, but what she discovers might be the last fragile threads of peace between dragons and humans in London.

For readers familiar with the events at the real Bletchley Park, this captivating retelling is must-read.


If you want a complete romantasy series...

A Broken BladeThe Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair

BookTok sensation and debut author Melissa Blair begins the series with A Broken Blade and the final installment, An Honored Vow, was just released in January.

Main character, Keera, is an assassin, and spy to the King. When a mysterious foe named the “Shadow” makes an attempt against the Crown, Keera is tasked with finding them and taking out the threat. As Keera continues her quest, she learns everything she thought she knew is wrong. This series has romance, political intrigue, fae, and fantasy that readers will love.


If you want something totally different to break out of a book rut...

Kiss of the BasiliskKiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

Fair warning, this book is high heat and SPICY! But the less you know going into this book, the better.

All I’ll say is, this feels like an adult version of The Selection series—but with snakes!


If you want something trendy...

The Stars Are DyingThe Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda
🎧 Audiobook

Loosely inspired by Greek mythology, this first in the Nytefall Trilogy follows Astraea on a quest to Libertatem, trials hosted by the King. Winners of the trials receive safety and protection from dangerous and murderous vampires that stalk the land. Astraea makes things interesting when she bargains with Nyte, a handsome vampire. Conflicting interests and romance collide as Astraea navigates a deadly competition.

If you like this one, borrow the next in series, The Night Is Defying, out on Jan. 28.


*Title availability may vary by library & region.

Find these great romantasy titles on the Libby app and read or listen for free from your library.

RELATED READ: A conversation with Rebecca Yarros, bestselling romantasy author of “Fourth Wing” & “Iron Flame”

Published Jan 21, 2025

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About the Author

Emma Dwyer is a Product Trainer at OverDrive, where she provides support to Public Library partners. She is also a former co-host of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Prior to joining the Training team, Emma was a Digital Content Librarian. She enjoys reading, Love Island (UK), travel (to warmer climates like her home state of California), coffee, and hanging out with her family and dog.

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