The Ultimate Spice Guide: Is Fourth Wing Smutty? An Uncensored Look At The Hype, Spice Level, And Open-Door Scenes

The question of whether *Fourth Wing* is "smutty" is one of the most burning debates to come out of the BookTok community in the last two years, and as of December 13, 2025, the answer is a nuanced but definitive "spicy" rather than outright "smut." This New Adult fantasy romance novel by Rebecca Yarros has captivated millions of readers with its high-stakes dragon-riding academy, political intrigue, and, most notably, its intense romantic tension between the protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, and her formidable love interest, Xaden Riorson. The book masterfully blends the epic fantasy genre with explicit romance elements, creating a new literary category known as "Romantasy."

The distinction is important for potential readers: while *Fourth Wing* contains explicit, "open-door" sexual content, it is not a book where the plot is secondary to the sex scenes. Instead, the intimate moments are strategically woven into the narrative to advance the crucial "Enemies to Lovers" and "Forced Proximity" tropes, deepening the emotional stakes for the main characters. Readers consistently rate the book at a specific spice level, which we will detail below, making it essential reading for anyone curious about the book's mature content.

Rebecca Yarros: The Author Behind the Empyrean Series Phenomenon

Rebecca Yarros is the bestselling American author responsible for the globally successful *The Empyrean* series, which began with *Fourth Wing*. She is a prolific writer known for her deeply emotional and often military-themed contemporary romance novels, making her pivot to high fantasy a significant and groundbreaking success.

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• Full Name: Rebecca Yarros
• Genre Focus: New Adult (NA) Fantasy Romance (Romantasy), Contemporary Romance, Military Romance.
• Key Series: *The Empyrean* Series (*Fourth Wing*, *Iron Flame*), *Flight & Glory* Series.
• Background: Yarros is a military spouse and mother of six, which often influences the themes of duty, sacrifice, and found family in her work.
• Debut of *Fourth Wing*: April 2023.
• BookTok Impact: The novel became a viral sensation on social media platforms like BookTok, driving unprecedented sales and establishing her as a powerhouse in the fantasy genre.
• Content Note: She is praised by many for including content warnings at the beginning of her books, preparing readers for the mature and sensitive themes present in her narratives.

The Official Spice Level Breakdown: Is it Smut or Romantasy?

The burning question of "is *Fourth Wing* smutty?" can be best answered by looking at the community-agreed-upon spice rating. The consensus among readers and reviewers is that the book is firmly "spicy," but not "smutty," which is typically reserved for books where the explicit scenes dominate the story.

The 3/5 Spice Rating

Most popular book rating systems place *Fourth Wing* at a 3 out of 5 on the spice scale. This rating signifies that the book contains explicit, descriptive sexual content (often termed "open-door") but that these scenes are limited in number and serve a clear purpose within the overall plot and character development, rather than being the primary focus of the text.

Open-Door Scenes: What to Expect

The novel features a small number of fully explicit, "open-door" romance scenes. Specifically, reviewers often cite two major open-door romance scenes that are detailed and descriptive. Outside of these specific chapters, the book contains numerous instances of intense flirting, steamy tension, and making out, which build the relationship between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. The intensity of the emotional connection and the high stakes of their world elevate the spice beyond simple lust.

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Spicy vs. Smutty: The Key Difference

The distinction lies in narrative balance. A "smutty" book (often a 4/5 or 5/5 spice rating) typically has explicit scenes in nearly every chapter, with the plot serving as a vehicle for the sex. *Fourth Wing*, however, is a Romantasy—a genre where the fantasy world-building, political conflict, and action sequences (like dragon riding and battle) are just as important as the romance. The explicit scenes are impactful because they are hard-won moments of intimacy in a dangerous world, not constant occurrences.

Key Tropes and Themes That Fuel the Fire

The spice in *Fourth Wing* is amplified by its expert use of highly popular and effective romance tropes. These narrative devices create the intense, slow-burn tension that culminates in the book's explicit scenes.

• Enemies to Lovers: This is the dominant trope, where the protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, is forced into close proximity with her primary love interest, Xaden Riorson—a man who has every reason to hate her. The conflict and danger of their relationship make the eventual surrender to passion incredibly satisfying for readers.
• Forced Proximity: Violet is forced to live and train alongside Xaden and his cadre at Basgiath War College. This close, inescapable setting means the characters cannot avoid each other, accelerating the tension and making the intimate moments feel earned.
• Underdog/Overcoming Adversity: Violet is physically smaller and weaker than her peers, a "fish out of water" who was meant to be a Scribe, not a Dragon Rider. Her journey to prove herself and survive the deadly training is the core fantasy plot, making her relationship with Xaden a source of both danger and strength.
• High Stakes and Ticking Time Bomb: The world of Navarre is constantly under threat, and the training at the Rider's Quadrant is lethal. This intense pressure cooker environment means every moment, including the romantic ones, is charged with urgency and the potential for loss.
• Dragons and Signets: The fantasy elements—including the bond with dragons like Tairn and Andarna, and the magical powers known as signets—are inextricably linked to the characters' emotional states, adding a unique, magical layer to the romance.

Content Warning and Age Rating for Readers

Given the book’s popularity with younger readers on platforms like BookTok, understanding the official content rating is crucial. *Fourth Wing* is definitively New Adult (NA), not Young Adult (YA), which is a key distinction regarding its mature content.

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The 16+ and 17+ Rating

Due to the mature themes present, *Fourth Wing* is generally recommended for readers aged 16 and older, or 17 and older. The novel contains more than just explicit sexual content; it also features significant violence, peril, graphic descriptions of injuries and death, strong language, and themes of betrayal and political corruption.

Mature Themes Beyond Romance

Readers should be aware that the book delves into several heavy themes that contribute to its mature rating:

• Graphic Violence: The book is set in a war college, and the training involves deadly falls, fighting, and life-or-death scenarios.
• Animal Cruelty/Peril: The dragons and other creatures in the world face danger and death.
• Death and Loss: Many secondary characters die throughout the course of the book, which impacts the main characters.
• Obscene Sexual Activities: This is the category under which the explicit "open-door" scenes fall.

Author Rebecca Yarros proactively included a content warning at the beginning of the novel, which is a helpful step for readers who may be sensitive to certain topics. Ultimately, while the book is not considered "smut," its romance is explicit and its fantasy elements are brutal, making it a mature read for a mature audience.

The Future of the Spice: Iron Flame and Beyond

The success of *Fourth Wing* has led to a massive anticipation for its sequels. The second book in *The Empyrean* series, *Iron Flame*, was released in November 2023 and immediately continued the story of Violet, Xaden, and the dangerous world of Navarre. Early reviews and discussions of *Iron Flame* suggest that the spice level remains consistent, if not slightly elevated, as the relationship between the main characters deepens and the world’s political conflict intensifies.

The Romantasy genre, spearheaded by books like *Fourth Wing*, continues to grow, proving that readers crave a perfect blend of high-fantasy escapism with a passionate, explicit, and emotionally complex central romance. If you are looking for a book with a compelling plot, incredible world-building, and a romance that is definitely "spicy" but not purely "smutty," *Fourth Wing* is the definitive modern recommendation.