The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros follows Violet Sorrengail. In the first book, Fourth Wing, Violet’s world is shattered. Instead of attending the Scribe Quadrant at Basgiath War College (what she had trained for her entire life) her general mother forces her into the Rider’s Quadrant (instead of writing history, she must ride literal dragons). This path is merciless to its inhabitants. There is always a surplus of cadets and minimal dragons, so murder is encouraged to root out the weak. Even if you survive there is no telling how long you will survive on the front lines against enemy nations and their griffins. The second book, Iron Flame, continues Violet’s harrowing journey and leaves us readers on a cliffhanger, waiting for the third book, Onyx Storm, to be released in January 2025.  

This book may not be Shakespeare, but it is a fun ride. Rebecca Yarros pulls us into the world and crafts every character to be as flawed as any human around us. She blends the genre lines so much that any person could pick up her books and stick around for more. The Empyrean Series is classified as Fantasy; however, she uses common diction, so new fantasy readers do not get confused by foreign lingo. This series fits the thriller genre for everyone who craves dark plots. Finally, for those who love a good love story, she has you covered. This series is amazing and plenty of people are lying in wait for Onyx Storm. One word of advice; Do not get too attached to characters because Rebecca Yarros does not believe in plot armor.