Rebecca Yarros is one of the biggest names in publishing, and her fans have waited years for the next chapter of The Empyrean Series. Now they are getting a companion book instead. The author announced that her next release, Threshing Day, will collect 13 short stories about riders and their dragons in the world of Navarre and Basgiath War College. It arrives Sept. 29, 2026.
Here is the full story, from the book’s contents to the TV adaptation in the works.
Violet’s Journey Begins
Fourth Wing started it all. The 2023 novel introduces Violet Sorrengail, a young woman whose dreams of a scholarly life are crushed when her mother forces her into a dangerous academy for dragon riders. There she meets her rival and love interest, Xaden Riorson.
The series follows Violet through three novels so far:
- Fourth Wing (2023)
- Iron Flame (a few months later)
- Onyx Storm (last year)
Two more books complete the planned five-book arc. Yarros has not yet given a title for the fourth novel, nor a release date.
What Threshing Day Actually Is
Threshing Day is not the fourth novel. It is a companion book, a collection of short stories about riders and their dragons. The title refers to the dangerous ceremony when riders bond with wild dragons, a process that often kills those who try.
The book features Xaden Riorson and Brennan Sorrengail, according to a Google Books listing. Yarros also promises “many more” characters will appear.
Surprise Release Plan Falls Apart
Yarros originally wanted Threshing Day to be a surprise release. She shared that intention in a Facebook post, which she later deleted.
“The publishing industry told me we couldn’t do that because someone would inevitably leak it,” she wrote.
She then warned retailers directly.
“If you work for a retailer and come across Threshing Day before release day, don’t be the person who proves the industry right and leaks it for clicks and engagement,” she said.
Why It Matters That It Isn’t the Fourth Novel
The fourth novel remains untitled, with no release date in sight. Threshing Day is a detour, not the destination. It is a companion volume, a collection of short stories, not a continuation of Violet’s journey.
Prequel or Character Study?
The book’s name and structure suggest a specific reading. Each short story could chronicle the day a rider bonds with a dragon, the moment described as dangerous and often fatal. Characters like Xaden and Brennan are already dragonriders by the time Fourth Wing begins, along with dozens of others.
That makes Threshing Day a prequel in spirit, even if it is not labeled as one. It fleshes out the backstories of familiar faces. It is a way of looking at the world of Navarre and Basgiath War College from a different angle, through the eyes of people who have already undergone the dangerous ceremony of bonding with wild dragons.
Where the Franchise Stands
The Empyrean Series has built a massive audience through three novels. The source compares its sales and reach to Harry Potter and The Twilight Saga.
The franchise is also heading to TV. Prime Video is adapting it, with Michael B. Jordan serving as one of the producers. Meredith Averill, known for Wednesday, is the showrunner. Lisa Joy, known for Westworld, directs the pilot episode.
Averill on the Books
Averill spoke to Deadline about why the books resonate.
“Rebecca’s books have become one of the fastest-selling franchises of the 21st century, with a fandom so passionate, so devoted, they don’t just read these books, they live in them, and it’s because Fourth Wing is everything at once,” she said.
She praised the emotional stakes, the battles, the power dynamics, the humor, the heart, and the romance.
What Fans Get Next
Fans will get Threshing Day in two weeks. Then they wait for the fourth novel.
| Book | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Fourth Wing | 2023 |
| Iron Flame | A few months later |
| Onyx Storm | Last year |
| Threshing Day | Sept. 29, 2026 |
| Book 4 | Not yet announced |
The TV adaptation moves forward regardless. Jordan, Averill and Joy are attached.
The Detour
The result is a companion volume that fills in gaps around the edges of the main story. It is a reminder that the fourth novel remains unfinished business.
The question is whether Threshing Day satisfies the wait. A collection of 13 short stories is a small package compared to a full novel. It is a taste, not a meal.
The series has built its reputation on Violet’s journey, and that journey has stalled. The fourth novel remains untitled. The TV adaptation moves forward.
Threshing Day is a detour, and a necessary one. It gives readers a fix while the larger project simmers. But it is not the payoff.
The payoff is still coming. The fourth novel is still being written. Yarros said in January that she was working on it, posting a message that included the line “Don’t worry, everyone in Navarre is still alive. For now.”
That is the promise. The delivery is pending.
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