The Empyrean: 7 Terrifying Hints Rebecca Yarros Dropped About Fourth Wing Book 4

The wait for the next chapter in Violet Sorrengail's journey is already agonizing, but recent, cryptic updates from author Rebecca Yarros have turned that anticipation into sheer terror for the fandom. As of this December 2025 update, there is still no official title or release date for the fourth book in The Empyrean series, which follows the global phenomena *Fourth Wing*, *Iron Flame*, and *Onyx Storm*. However, the author has dropped a series of high-stakes, terrifying clues about the plot, including a cryptic three-song playlist and a direct warning about the fate of beloved characters, suggesting the next novel will be the darkest and most unforgiving chapter yet.

Following the massive cliffhanger in *Onyx Storm*, which left the fate of the rebellion, the Empyrean, and several key relationships hanging in the balance, readers are desperate for any news. We’ve scoured the latest author interviews and social media hints to compile the most current information, diving deep into the speculation surrounding the next installment, which promises to test the limits of Violet and Xaden's bond as the war against the venin escalates.

The Latest Updates on the Empyrean Series, Book 4

While the release schedule for the first three books was famously fast, the timeline for the fourth installment is expected to be longer. Rebecca Yarros has been transparent about her need for a break and her commitment to other projects before diving back into the high-pressure world of Basgiath War College and the Empyrean. Here is the freshest information on the next book.

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• Official Title: Not yet announced. The book is currently referred to as "The Empyrean, Book 4" or "Untitled (The Empyrean, #4)."
• Release Date Speculation: No official date has been set. The author is planning to write a contemporary romance novel and take a summer break before beginning the intensive plotting and writing process for Book 4, which she tentatively planned to begin in late 2025. Based on this timeline, the earliest speculative release window for the fourth book would be late 2026 or, more likely, 2027.
• Series Length Confirmed: The Empyrean series is officially confirmed to be a five-book saga. This means Book 4 is not the final installment, leaving plenty of room for major plot twists and a massive cliffhanger leading into the grand finale.
• Current Status: As of the last update, Rebecca Yarros was creating the plotting playlist for Book 4, indicating she is in the early conceptual and outlining stages, but is prioritizing a different novel first.

Rebecca Yarros's Biography and The Empyrean Series

To understand the stakes of the upcoming novel, it helps to know the author behind the phenomenon.

• Name: Rebecca Yarros
• Nationality: American
• Genre: New Adult Fantasy Romance (Romantasy), Contemporary Romance
• Military Background: The wife of a retired Army aviator, Yarros's military family background heavily influences the setting and themes of duty, sacrifice, and the military academy structure in The Empyrean series.
• Other Notable Works: *The Last Letter*, *Great and Precious Things*, *In the Likely Event* (Contemporary Romances).
• The Empyrean Series Order:
  • Book 1: *Fourth Wing* (April 2023)
  • Book 2: *Iron Flame* (November 2023)
  • Book 3: *Onyx Storm* (January 2025)
  • Book 4: Untitled (Expected Late 2026/2027)
  • Book 5: Untitled (Expected Late 2027/2028)

Decoding Rebecca Yarros's Plotting Playlist: Three Songs, Three Terrifying Hints

One of the most recent and significant pieces of information about the tone and plot of Book 4 came from Rebecca Yarros herself, who confirmed the first three songs on her plotting playlist—all from Taylor Swift’s *The Tortured Poets Department* album. Fans are already in a frenzy decoding the meaning behind this trio of tracks, which strongly hints at a focus on complex, perhaps toxic, relationships and a dramatic shift in character dynamics.

Here is a breakdown of what each song might foreshadow for Violet, Xaden, and the rebellion:

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1. "Down Bad"

This track is about intense, almost obsessive longing and the dramatic fallout of a relationship or a major event. In the context of the series, this could signify several things:

• Violet’s Obsession: A deep dive into Violet’s emotional state following the events of *Onyx Storm*, possibly dealing with the trauma of loss or the complexity of her feelings for Xaden.
• The Venin’s Power: The venin, or perhaps the dark wielders, are “down bad” in their pursuit of power, suggesting a major escalation in their desperation and destructive capabilities.
• A Character’s Fall: It might foreshadow a character, maybe even a beloved secondary rider, falling into a desperate, destructive state or making a terrible, irreversible choice.

2. "But Daddy I Love Him"

This song is the most direct hint at a forbidden or intensely disapproved-of relationship. It’s a classic narrative of a daughter defying her family or authority for a love interest, regardless of the consequences.

• Violet and Xaden’s Future: This is a near-certain reference to Violet and Xaden Riorson. Despite the war, the political instability, and the potential danger Xaden now poses, Violet will likely double down on her commitment to him, defying the Empyrean leadership, her mother’s legacy, or even her own dragons’ warnings.
• A New Forbidden Romance: It could also hint at a new forbidden romance for a secondary character, perhaps involving a character from the rebellion or even a formerly trusted ally.

3. "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)"

Perhaps the most terrifying hint of all, this song speaks to the dangerous, often futile desire to "save" a flawed or broken partner. Given Xaden Riorson's complex arc and his current state, this points directly to the central conflict of Book 4.

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• The Xaden Problem: The track suggests Violet will spend a significant portion of the novel trying to "fix" Xaden, who is deeply compromised or struggling with a dark path. This points to a major emotional and moral conflict where Violet must decide if her love can overcome the darkness.
• The Price of Salvation: The "No Really I Can" part is often a sign of tragic delusion, suggesting Violet's attempts to save Xaden will come at a tremendous personal cost or will ultimately fail, leading to an even more devastating climax.

Character Death Confirmed? Major Plot Speculation for Book 4

The biggest, most stressful news for the fandom came from a key detail Rebecca Yarros revealed at a Disney event: she is "not above killing multiple characters." This warning, combined with the chaotic and devastating conclusion of *Onyx Storm*, sets the stage for a brutal and emotionally taxing fourth book. The following plot points are the most likely to dominate the narrative.

1. The Inevitable Character Purge

The author’s direct statement about character deaths suggests that no one is safe. The war against the venin is no longer a distant threat; it is a full-scale, bloody conflict. Fan speculation is running rampant, with major characters like Rhiannon, Garrick, Bodhi, or even a beloved dragon potentially facing the axe to raise the stakes before the final book. A major character death would serve as a catalyst for a darker, more ruthless Violet.

2. Violet’s Second Signet and New Power

The cliffhanger of *Onyx Storm* left readers questioning the true extent of Violet Sorrengail's power. Her first signet is the ability to wield lightning, but a second, more powerful signet has been teased. Book 4 will almost certainly focus on Violet discovering, mastering, or struggling to control this new ability, which may be the key to turning the tide against the venin. Theories suggest this second signet could be related to healing, time manipulation, or a power that directly counters the venin’s life-draining abilities.

3. The Divided Empyrean and Political Instability

Rebecca Yarros has also confirmed that the world of the Empyrean has been "divided for a long time" and that the environment is "not stable." This suggests Book 4 will move beyond the confines of Basgiath and focus heavily on the political maneuvering and fractured alliances across Navarre and the surrounding kingdoms. Violet and Xaden will likely be forced to navigate a landscape where former allies are now enemies, and the true threat of the venin is only now being fully realized by the leadership.

4. Xaden Riorson’s Dark Path

The "I Can Fix Him" playlist hint confirms that Xaden's current state—likely compromised or struggling with a dark power—will be a central focus. Book 4 will explore the moral gray area of his character, forcing Violet to confront the possibility that the man she loves is becoming the very monster they are fighting. This internal conflict will be the emotional core of the novel, driving a wedge between the couple and testing their extraordinary bond.

5. The Identity of Berwyn and the New Brother

The *Onyx Storm* ending introduced new, cryptic characters like Berwyn and a "new brother" that Xaden refers to. Book 4 will need to reveal their identities and their role in the war. Are they new venin threats, unexpected allies, or long-lost family members that complicate the political and personal landscape for Xaden? The revelation of these characters will be crucial to understanding the full extent of the enemy’s reach and the internal politics of the rebellion.

What to Expect: A Shift in Tone and Stakes

The first three books established the world, the romance, and the escalating threat. Book 4, with its longer gap and the author's dark hints, is poised to be the series’ turning point. Expect the narrative to be less focused on the academy and more on the war’s brutal realities. The topical authority of this novel will shift from a dragon rider school to a high-stakes military fantasy with a core romantasy element.

Readers should prepare for a novel that is darker, politically complex, and emotionally devastating. The hints point to a story where love is a liability, power comes at a terrible cost, and the only way to win the war might be to lose everything, including the people we love. Until the official title and release date are announced, we can only anxiously await the next chapter in Violet and Xaden’s fight for the Empyrean.