Rebecca Yarros's dragon-riding, romantasy phenomenon Fourth Wing is leaving the page and heading to your screen. It was announced this week that Amazon officially ordered a series adaptation of the bestselling romantasy novel with Michael B. Jordan attached as executive producer.
The first book in The Empyrean series, Fourth Wing was released in May 2023. Fueled by BookTok, it immediately hit the New York Times bestseller list.
The story follows Violet Sorrengail, a physically fragile young woman who expected to spend her life in the safety of Basgiath War College’s Scribe Quadrant. That is, until her mother, a commanding general, forces her into the deadly Rider Quadrant, where cadets must bond with dragons or die trying. With Eragon meets The Hunger Games vibes, the story's fast pace, dramatic twists, and intense relationships make it an easy page turner.
While there's plenty of high-stakes moments and political intrigue, Fourth Wing is often jokingly referred to as "smutty fantasy" because of its spicy romance element. Embracing the enemies-to-lovers story trope, the story is filled with romantic tension that slow burns into explicitly sexual detail. Although there are multiple detailed sex scenes later in the book, it's still a fantasy action story at its core with time spent on dragon lore, political conspiracies, and worldbuilding.
As mentioned, Fourth Wing is the first story in The Empyrean book series. It was followed by the sequel, Iron Flame, in November 2023, and a third book, Onyx Storm, in January 2025. There are plans for a fourth and fifth book, though the titles and release dates have not yet been announced.
As reported by Variety, executive producer Michael B. Jordan announced the series pickup at the end of Amazon’s upfront presentation to TV advertisers at the Beacon Theatre on Monday. However, he didn't have much he could say about the highly anticipated project yet.
Michael B. Jordan broke the news himself, announcing the series pickup at the close of Amazon's upfront presentation to TV advertisers at the Beacon Theatre on Monday, though he kept details close to the chest on the highly anticipated project. Joining Jordan in the producing ranks are author Rebecca Yarros and Lisa Joy, the HBO Westworld co-creator who will also direct the first episode. Rounding out the team is showrunner Meredith Averill, known for co-creating Netflix's Locke & Key.
“I’m thrilled to be working with this dedicated, experienced team and grateful for their passion for both the books and the readership behind them,” said Yarros.
“Violet’s journey in Fourth Wing has sparked a global phenomenon, captivating millions of readers and building an intensely passionate fanbase around its world, characters, and emotional stakes,” added Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “Rebecca Yarros’ brilliant series is one of the most anticipated adaptations in the world, and with Meredith and our valued partners at Kilter, Outlier, and Premeditated, we’re bringing it to life in a way that honors what fans love about the story."