Books Like Fourth Wing for Dragon Fantasy Romance

If you've found yourself breathlessly turning pages late into the night, heart racing as dragons soar overhead and forbidden romance blooms in the shadow of danger, you're not alone. Rebecca Yarros struck literary gold with Fourth Wing, creating a perfect storm of magical academies, deadly trials, and enemies-to-lovers tension that has left millions of readers desperate for more. The combination of high-stakes dragon riding, complex magic systems, and relationships forged in fire has proven irresistible, and thankfully, the fantasy romance genre is rich with books that capture this same addictive energy.

The Empyrean Series Collection featuring both Fourth Wing and its sequel Iron Flame forms the beating heart of this phenomenon. Yarros masterfully weaves together Violet Sorrengail's journey through the brutal Basgiath War College, where dragon riders are forged through trials that kill the weak. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Violet and the dangerous Xaden Riorson set a new standard for romantic chemistry amidst mortal peril. These books remind us why we fell in love with fantasy romance in the first place—the intoxicating blend of power, passion, and the constant threat of death.

For those craving similar magical training grounds with romantic complications, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard delivers a world divided by blood and power. Mare Barrow's journey from Red-blooded commoner to Silver-powered anomaly echoes the underdog-turned-powerful trope that makes Fourth Wing so compelling. The betrayals, the court intrigue, and the dangerous attraction to those who should be enemies will feel deliciously familiar to dragon romance fans.

Sarah J. Maas has become synonymous with fantasy romance that doesn't pull punches, and both her Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses offer different flavors of the magical training and romance combination. The eight-book Throne of Glass collection follows assassin Celaena Sardothien through competitions, magical awakenings, and romances that will shatter your heart before piecing it back together. Meanwhile, A Court of Thorns and Roses transforms from a Beauty and the Beast retelling into an epic tale of war, magic, and a love that transcends courts and curses. Both series feature heroines discovering their true power while navigating relationships that blur the lines between enemy and lover.

Jennifer L. Armentrout's From Blood and Ash captures that same sense of a sheltered protagonist thrust into a dangerous magical world. Poppy's journey from the Maiden to something far more powerful parallels Violet's transformation, complete with ancient prophecies, hidden truths, and a dark-haired love interest who's definitely keeping secrets. The world-building is lush, the romance is scorching, and the plot twists will leave you gasping.

The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black brings faerie courts into the mix, but maintains that essential ingredient of a mortal girl proving herself in a deadly magical world. Jude's determination to earn her place among the fae despite lacking magic resonates with Violet's struggle to survive despite her physical limitations. The enemies-to-lovers romance with the cruel Prince Cardan is chef's kiss perfection for those who love their romantic tension served with a side of mutual attempted murder.

Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy and wider Grishaverse series offer a different take on magical military training, with Grisha soldiers honing their abilities while navigating court politics and war. The romance between Alina and the Darkling provides that same delicious tension of attraction to someone who might be using you for their own ends.

For something slightly different but thematically connected, An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard explores magical competition in modern New York City. While urban rather than epic fantasy, it shares the themes of deadly magical trials, hidden power structures, and the price of magic that runs through all these books.

What unites this collection is more than just dragons and magic schools. These are stories about women discovering their own power, often in defiance of systems designed to break them. They're about the intoxicating danger of falling for someone whose loyalties are questionable, whose past is dark, and whose future is uncertain. They're about friendships forged in adversity, mentors who push you to your limits, and the addictive thrill of watching someone everyone underestimated rise to power.

Whether you're seeking your next book boyfriend with morally grey tendencies, another magical world to lose yourself in, or simply that feeling of staying up until 3am because you absolutely must know what happens next, this collection has you covered. Each book offers its own unique take on the fantasy romance formula while delivering those essential ingredients that made Fourth Wing impossible to put down. So brew some tea, clear your schedule, and prepare to fall in love with dangerous men, deadly magic, and heroines who refuse to break. Your next obsession is waiting.