Like most of the bookish community, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Rebecca Yarro’s Fourth Wing. It’s such an epic adventure, and I couldn’t get enough! Since Iron Flame (the next book in the series) is not out until November, I compiled a list of a few books with similar themes and vibes to help with the reading slump. Some are dark academia, romance fantasy, stories about dragons, or some combination of those! I hope you check them out!
Fireborne by Rosario Munda
Annie and Lee, once childhood friends, find themselves in a world transformed by revolution, where even the underprivileged can become dragon riders. Both rising stars in the new regime, their backgrounds couldn’t be more disparate. Annie’s family perished in dragon fire, while Lee’s aristocratic kin fell to revolutionaries. Despite their differences, their friendship endures, though their training makes them rivals for the top dragon-riding position. However, when remnants of the old regime resurface, intent on reclaiming the city, everything changes. Lee faces a dilemma: kill his only remaining family or betray his beliefs. Annie must choose between protecting her beloved or becoming the city’s champion.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Oraya, the adopted daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, fights against a world that wants her dead. Her chance to rise above being prey lies in the Kejari, a treacherous tournament hosted by the goddess of death. Winning means surviving against fierce warriors from all vampire houses, leading Oraya to form an alliance with her enigmatic rival, Raihn. He is a dangerous vampire, her father’s enemy, and her toughest competition. Despite her fear, Oraya feels a strange attraction to him. As war looms and the rules of her home crumble, their forbidden love could spell her downfall in a kingdom where love is the deadliest weapon.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
In a divided world, the queendom of Inys faces a crisis without an heir. Queen Sabran the Ninth must bear a daughter to safeguard her realm, but assassins draw nearer. Ead Duryan, an outsider with a hidden allegiance to mages, serves as a lady-in-waiting and covertly protects Sabran using forbidden magic. Across the sea, Tané, a dragon rider, confronts a life-altering decision. As tensions mount between the East and West, and chaos stirs from slumber, the fate of Inys hangs in the balance.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Isabella, Lady Trent, is renowned as the world’s leading dragon naturalist, dispelling myths and unveiling the scientific truth about these creatures. This is a fascinating account of her journey from a curious and unconventional young woman to an esteemed figure in the field. Isabella’s own words reveal a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, prospects, and even her well-being in pursuit of scientific knowledge. She shares her pursuit of love and happiness despite her eccentricities. She recounts a thrilling expedition to the dangerous Vystrana mountains, where she made groundbreaking discoveries that forever transformed the world. In this (fictional) memoir, Isabella’s passion, courage, and insatiable curiosity take center stage.
Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
Elowen Atarah, the fiery Princess of Imirath, possessed a rare connection to five dragons. However, what should have been a boon for her kingdom turned into a curse. From a shackled girl, she transformed into a vengeful woman wielding knives. Now the Queen of Aestilian, a clandestine realm forged through resilience, Elowen faces a challenge—providing for her burgeoning population. Unexpectedly, Commander Cayden Veles of Vareveth, her father’s rival kingdom, presents a long-awaited deal. Despite igniting her temper, Elowen cannot refuse. United by a shared enemy, the unlikely duo, accompanied by three allies, embarks on a perilous mission. Politics, partnership, and the odds they face must be overcome as they aim to execute the most audacious heist their world has ever witnessed. With vengeance binding them together, they must infiltrate “The Impenetrable Castle” to claim their rewards before their souls are claimed in return. In pursuit of a common goal, they set aside differences, for in this world, vengeance is a promise sealed with blood.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Amidst the resurfacing war among the gods, Iris Winnow, an eighteen-year-old, yearns to keep her family intact. Her mother’s addiction troubles her, and her brother remains missing from the battlefield. Seeking solace, Iris vies for the columnist position at the Oath Gazette. She pours her concerns into letters addressed to her brother, slipping them beneath her wardrobe, only to find them mysteriously disappearing—into the hands of her cold and handsome rival, Roman Kitt. An anonymous correspondence blossoms between them, forging a connection that will accompany Iris into the front lines of the conflict, entwining her quest for her brother, the fate of humanity, and the power of love.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli
Lor has suffered twelve agonizing years under the oppressive rule of the Aurora King, fueled by a relentless desire for freedom and vengeance. Unexpectedly released into the custody of the Sun King, Lor is thrust into the limelight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the esteemed role of queen. Winning the Sun King’s heart would grant her freedom and the long-awaited opportunity for retribution. However, Lor feels like an outsider in the Sun Queen Trials. Uncertain about her unexpected release and lacking affiliation with the Sun King’s court, she becomes a target of resentment from the other Tributes, who are determined to eliminate her from the game permanently. Survival becomes paramount for Lor, for losing the Trials means death or, worse, being returned to the clutches of the Aurora King. In a high-stakes battle, Lor must emerge victorious, defying all odds, to secure her life and future.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novak
In the treacherous setting of Scholomance, a school where magical prowess is a matter of life and death, El embarks on a journey to unravel its hidden mysteries. Scholomance lacks teachers, breaks, and genuine friendships—only strategic alliances. Survival outweighs grades, as students cannot leave until they graduate or meet their demise. The rules appear straightforward: Avoid solitary hallways and beware of lurking monsters. El possesses a unique advantage against the school’s perils. While lacking allies, her dark power can move mountains and annihilate countless foes. Defeating the school’s lurking monsters seems feasible, except El’s potent magic could also endanger her fellow students’ lives. Striking a balance between survival and preventing catastrophic consequences becomes El’s paramount challenge.
Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham
In the captivating Dark Bully M/F Paranormal Romance series, Zodiac Academy, twins Tory and Darcy Vega discover their Fae heritage and must master their newfound powers. Amidst their journey, they face the daunting task of defending their rightful throne against the four ambitious Heirs who seek to seize it for themselves. Join the Vega twins as they navigate the complexities of their destiny, love, and the battle for their royal legacy in this enthralling series.
Between Wrath and Mercy by Jess Wisecup
When Emmeline Highclere’s daughter is abducted, she, a grief-stricken and isolated mother, must employ her limited abilities and divine powers to rescue her child. Believing her daughter Elora to be the prophesied Beloved—a conduit with divine abilities destined to bring peace to the Three Kingdoms—Emmeline has spent the past sixteen years concealing and safeguarding her. But when Elora is taken by a prince from the enemy kingdom, Folterra, Emmeline breaks her seclusion and enlists the help of Crown Prince Rainier, the man who shattered her heart. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to find the kidnapped girl, battling their own regrets and a rekindled desire, while pursuing the fulfillment of the peace prophecy. From isolation to Vesta’s capital and into the heart of Folterra, Emmeline races against time to locate her daughter and bring her home before it’s too late.
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Erin Evelyn Reads 