Rebecca Yarros’ Next Empyrean Release Is Threshing Day, Not Book 4

Rebecca Yarros announced that her next story set in the Empyrean universe will be Threshing Day, not the fourth novel in the series. The collection is scheduled for September 29, 2026, and Yarros described it as “thirteen threshing stories about some of your favorite characters and their dragons.” Xaden Riorson is the only character specified in the provided article as appearing in the collection. For readers waiting on book four, the takeaway is clear: Threshing Day is the next stop, while the main series continues to develop separately.

Yarros released the first three Empyrean books quickly: Fourth Wing in April 2023, Iron Flame in October 2023, and Onyx Storm in January 2025. She later made clear she would not write book four at the same pace, citing plans to write a contemporary novel, spend time with family, and rest after an intense workload. According to the article, she shared that she began plotting book four in February 2026 and began writing it in March 2026. Recent Instagram updates cited by Business Insider indicate she is focused on writing book four, but no publication date is given.

Business Insider warns that its article contains spoilers for the Empyrean series, and the unresolved ending of Onyx Storm is central to the book-four wait. The article notes that Xaden has taken more power from the earth, accelerating his venin transition, while Violet wakes with no memory of the previous 12 hours and a wedding ring tied to her marriage to Xaden. It also says six dragon eggs and four riders, including Xaden and Garrick Tavis, are missing. Readers should expect book four to address Violet’s memory gap, Xaden’s condition, the missing riders and eggs, Andarna’s return, and Violet’s new responsibilities.

While promoting Onyx Storm, Yarros offered hints that raise the stakes for book four, including the warning that “Someone you love won’t make it in book four.” Business Insider also reports her comments about the isles being too spoilery for a map, a clue to pay attention to who is missing at the end, and the possibility that dragon names may carry major consequences. Later hints cited in the article include Xaden entering a “villain era,” Violet’s missing 12 hours being explained by the end of the next novel, and multiple points of view that include Sloane Mairi. Yarros also told readers to pay attention to black dragons, making them another major detail to watch.