The Definitive Spice Rating: Is Fourth Wing Actually Spicy? (Chapters & Level Breakdown)

The buzz around Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing has been unavoidable since its release, and one question dominates every book club and online forum: Is Fourth Wing spicy? As of December 2025, the answer is a resounding yes, but with a critical caveat. The book masterfully blends high-stakes dragon-riding fantasy with a sizzling, enemies-to-lovers romance, earning it a solid 3 out of 5 on the typical "spice scale." It delivers on the heat, but importantly, the spicy scenes serve the plot and character development, rather than existing purely for shock value, which is a key distinction for this romantasy phenomenon. The explicit content is "open-door" but balanced with extensive world-building.

The novel, the first in The Empyrean series, follows Violet Sorrengail as she is forced into the deadly world of the Basgiath War College, where cadets either bond with a dragon or die. Her intense relationship with the formidable Xaden Riorson is the core of the romance, and their dynamic culminates in several highly anticipated and much-discussed explicit moments. For readers looking for the exact heat level and chapter breakdown, this guide provides the definitive, up-to-date information on the book's romantic intensity and where to find the steamiest sections.

Meet the Author: Rebecca Yarros's Biography and Literary Focus

Rebecca Yarros is an American author celebrated for her prolific work in both contemporary and romantic fantasy genres. Born on April 13, 1981, she has cemented her status as a #1 *New York Times*, *USA Today*, and *Wall Street Journal* bestselling author.

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• Full Name: Rebecca Yarros
• Born: April 13, 1981
• Nationality: American
• Best Known For: The Empyrean series (*Fourth Wing*, *Iron Flame*) and numerous contemporary romance novels.
• Genre Focus: Romantasy (Romantic Fantasy) and Contemporary Romance.
• Military Connection: Yarros is a military spouse, and many of her contemporary works feature military themes.
• Notable Achievements: Her Empyrean series has been acquired for a television adaptation, highlighting its massive cultural impact.
• Writing Style: Known for blending emotional depth, complex characters, and high-stakes action with explicit romance.

Yarros’s transition into the romantasy genre with *Fourth Wing* has been a defining moment in her career, showcasing her ability to craft intricate worlds—like the dangerous Basgiath War College—while maintaining the passionate, character-driven romance her readers love.

The Official Fourth Wing Spice Rating: A 3/5 Breakdown

When readers ask, "How spicy is *Fourth Wing*?" the consensus among book reviewers and the reading community is that it lands squarely in the middle of the spectrum. It's not a closed-door romance, but it’s also not the most explicit book on the shelf. The most accurate rating is a 3 out of 5 or 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3.0) on a standard spice scale.

What Does a 3/5 Spice Rating Mean for Fourth Wing?

A 3/5 rating signifies that the book contains "open-door" sex scenes, meaning the explicit content is described in detail, but these scenes are not the sole focus of the narrative. In the case of *Fourth Wing*, the spice level is perfectly integrated with the main plot, contributing to the tension and character development between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson.

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The book’s emotional intensity—the life-or-death stakes, the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the political intrigue—is just as prominent as the physical intimacy. This balance is what makes it a successful "romantasy" rather than pure erotic fiction. The heat is palpable, but the world-building and dragon lore are equally compelling.

The Guide to Fourth Wing's Spicy Chapters: Where the Heat Rises

For readers who want to skip ahead or simply know what to expect, the intense romantic build-up between Violet and Xaden culminates in a few key chapters. The relationship begins with simmering tension, intense flirting, and passionate kissing before moving to explicit scenes.

Key Kissing and Tension Chapters

• Chapter 22: The initial sparks begin to fly, moving beyond verbal sparring to physical contact.
• Chapter 27: A significant moment of intimacy that deepens their connection and acknowledges their mutual attraction.
• Chapter 29: Further kissing and making out, building the emotional and physical tension right before the main event.
• Chapter 34: A post-climax scene that solidifies their bond and explores the emotional fallout of their actions.

The Explicit, Open-Door Romance Scenes

The book features two main "open-door" sex scenes. These moments are critical plot points, as the intensity of Violet's emotions during one encounter actually triggers her lightning powers, causing a literal storm outside Basgiath War College.

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• Chapter 30: This is the first major explicit scene. It's a highly anticipated moment that shifts the dynamic of their relationship from enemies and uneasy allies to passionate lovers.
• Chapter 32: The second major explicit scene. This encounter is often cited as the most intense, as it directly ties into Violet’s abilities and the magical world of the Empyrean series.

These chapters are essential to the development of the main characters and the overarching narrative. The relationship between Violet and Xaden is an emotional rollercoaster, and the physical intimacy is a natural—and explosive—progression of their forbidden romance.

How Fourth Wing's Spice Compares to Other Romantasy Books

For readers coming from other popular fantasy romance series, understanding where *Fourth Wing* lands on the spectrum can be helpful. The spice level is often compared to Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series, but it's generally considered to be more immediate.

Fourth Wing vs. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)

The comparison to ACOTAR is the most frequent one. While the first ACOTAR book is relatively low on spice, *Fourth Wing* starts heating up much earlier. *Fourth Wing*'s 3/5 rating is often considered comparable to the spice level found in ACOTAR books 2 and 3 (*A Court of Mist and Fury* and *A Court of Wings and Ruin*). If you enjoyed the heat in those sequels, you will likely find *Fourth Wing* to be a perfect match.

Fourth Wing vs. The Twisted Series

In contrast, *Fourth Wing* is generally considered less spicy than the popular *Twisted* series by Ana Huang. The *Twisted* series often leans heavier into the explicit content, whereas *Fourth Wing* maintains a more equal balance between its fantasy plot, political intrigue, and the romance. Readers looking for a book with more plot and world-building alongside the spice often prefer *Fourth Wing*.

Fourth Wing and Related Spicy Books

If you enjoyed the specific blend of action and heat in *Fourth Wing*, you may also enjoy books with a similar 3/5 spice level, such as *The Serpent and the Wings of Night* by Carissa Broadbent. This helps categorize *Fourth Wing* as a book that offers significant sexual tension and explicit scenes without sacrificing the epic fantasy elements that make the Empyrean series so captivating.

The Verdict on Fourth Wing's Heat and Why It Works

The short answer to "Is *Fourth Wing* spicy?" is absolutely, yes. With explicit, open-door scenes in Chapters 30 and 32, the book earns its 3/5 spice rating. However, the true genius of Rebecca Yarros’s work is how the spice enhances the story. The physical intimacy between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson is a natural extension of their emotionally charged, high-stakes relationship. It’s a crucial element of the romantasy genre that Yarros has perfected.

For readers who enjoy a complex fantasy world with dragons, high-stakes war college training, and a romance that is both emotionally deep and physically passionate, *Fourth Wing* delivers on all fronts. It’s a perfect read for those who want a book that offers both depth and sizzle, making it a modern classic in the romantasy genre. The sequel, *Iron Flame*, continues this trend, promising even more tension and heat as the Empyrean series progresses.