🐉 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW · EMPYREAN SERIES
Fourth Wing
Audiobook Review
READIOLIST TEAM
·
MARCH 2026
·
FULL REVIEW + SERIES GUIDE
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros · Empyrean Book 1
🐉 FANTASY
🔥 #1 BESTSELLER
SERIES ONGOING
🎧 Listen on Audible →
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.9
ReadioList Score
What Is Fourth Wing About?
Violet Sorrengail was supposed to study history. Instead, her general mother sends her to Basgiath War College — where students bond with dragons and train to become riders. The only problem: she's physically fragile in a world that kills the weak. The bigger problem: she can't stop thinking about the enemy heir in her quadrant.
Fourth Wing blends dark fantasy war college, dragon bonding mythology, enemies-to-lovers romance, and high-stakes action in a way that somehow works completely. It's propulsive, emotionally sharp, and genuinely funny in places — a rare combination in the genre.
Rebecca Soler's Narration — The Star
If Fourth Wing is a great book, the audiobook is something else entirely. Rebecca Soler's performance has been widely credited as one of the reasons the series exploded. She brings Violet's vulnerability, dry humor, and growing ferocity to life with complete conviction.
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Why Rebecca Soler Works So WellSoler gives each major character a distinct voice — Xaden's cold, controlled threat; Rhiannon's warmth; Dain's conflict. The dragon scenes are visceral. The battle sequences are urgent. And she handles the romance without overselling it, which is exactly right for Violet's guarded personality.
"I've listened to hundreds of fantasy audiobooks. Soler's performance of Fourth Wing is one of the top five all time. She doesn't just read — she inhabits."
— AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE EARPHONES AWARD REVIEW
Who Should Listen?
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Perfect If You Love...Enemies-to-lovers romance · Dark fantasy settings · Strong female protagonists · Dragon mythology · Found family dynamics · Series you can binge immediately (3 books available now)
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Worth Knowing Before You StartFourth Wing contains explicit romance scenes — the audiobook doesn't shy away from this. It's also a series commitment: the ending of Book 1 demands you continue immediately. Make sure Books 2 and 3 are queued up.
The Complete Empyrean Series in Order
BOOK 1
Fourth Wing
2023
The beginning. Dragon War College, the bond, and the romance. 21 hours. Start here — always.
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BOOK 2
Iron Flame
2023
The explosive sequel. War escalates, secrets shatter, and the romance deepens into something darker. 28 hours.
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BOOK 3
Onyx Storm
January 2026
The most anticipated fantasy release of 2026. Already breaking streaming records. 32 hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fourth Wing available on Audible?
Yes — Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm are all available on Audible. You can listen individually with credits or check if any are in the Audible Plus catalog. The audiobooks are narrated by Rebecca Soler, who won multiple awards for her performance.
How many hours is the Fourth Wing audiobook?
Fourth Wing is approximately 21 hours and 22 minutes. Iron Flame (Book 2) is about 28 hours, and Onyx Storm (Book 3) is around 32 hours. Combined, the three books give you approximately 81 hours of listening.
Do I need to read Fourth Wing before Iron Flame?
Absolutely yes. The Empyrean series must be read in order — each book ends on a cliffhanger that makes jumping in mid-series impossible. Start with Fourth Wing and plan to immediately continue with Iron Flame.
Is Fourth Wing appropriate for young adults?
Fourth Wing is technically classified as New Adult rather than Young Adult. It contains explicit romantic content, graphic violence in battle scenes, and mature themes. It's best suited for readers 18 and older, even though the protagonists are college-aged.
How many books will be in the Empyrean series?
Rebecca Yarros has indicated the Empyrean series will be 5 books total. As of early 2026, three books are available — Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and the recently released Onyx Storm. Books 4 and 5 are in development.
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