Yes, you read that headline correctly. There is indeed a new book in the Fourth Wing series arriving this September.
After some swirling rumours, months of teasing a “secret project” and a mystery book appearing on Amazon, news has finally been confirmed. And by none other than the source herself – Rebecca Yarros. A new book that is part of The Empyrean Series and Fourth Wing universe is coming. The best-selling author made the announcement quietly on her Instagram at the end of April.
“Okay, so I had this little idea about a year ago to drop a surprise for you guys. But then you not only found it as soon as my publisher put it on preorder, but shot it straight to number one on Amazon without a cover, title, or even a vague idea of what might be coming your way!?!?” Yarros wrote.
“You’ve rendered me speechless. Surprise has been the goal, but I can’t sit here silently and not tell you how thankful I am for you. How utterly overwhelmed I am by the continuous love this community gives. Please know that I never take your enthusiasm and dedication for granted. I know how rare this air is. You are a constant source of joy not just in my life but each other’s, and gratitude doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about this community. So, thank you. This one is for you guys. I hope you love it as much as I’ve loved writing it.”
If you haven’t yet placed a pre-order, you can do so on Amazon. While we wait patiently, here is everything we know about the The Empyrean Series novella.
It’s arriving in September – and it’s not Book 4
According to the pre-order listing, the book is expected to release on 29 September 2026.
The listing also explicitly specifies that this release is not Book 4 in The Empyrean Series. Eagle-eyed fans then assumed this was the rumoured Fourth Wing graphic novel. But that has also since been debunked. Yarros clarified in her Instagram post that this is not the graphic novel.
We know that it will be 176 pages, so the prevailing theory is that this will be a novella that provides additional context on the current timeline of events.
No, it will not alter the timeline for Book 4
Yarros has said that this new book/novella will not change the timeline for the release of the actual book four, which is still being written. It’s production timeline is still moving as planned.
What is the novella going to be about?
Obviously, we’re not sure. But the fan community have some ideas.
176 pages isn’t long enough to do a retelling of a current book from another character’s perspective. Although Yarros has teased in interviews and posts that she would maybe write something from Ridoc’s perspective, particularly looking at his experience at threshing, it’s unlikely that 176 pages would be enough to capture this.
Some popular theories say that this will be a look at Violet’s parents, General Lilith Sorrengail and her husband Asher. This holds merit given how much we learned about Asher’s pre-mortem activities in Onyx Storm. Some have suggested this could be Fables of the Barren, which is the children’s book of folklore that Violet’s father left her before she died. Of course readers of the series will know that this ends up being so much more significant than just a family heirloom.
Of course this book could also be a short retelling of one specific event that has already happened. Perhaps we get a view of a battle through the eyes of Aaric which might add important context. Maybe this is a view through the eyes of Theophanie.
Or could this be a collection of bonus chapters? Bonus chapters are a popular practice within the Sarah J. Maas universe, and while they don’t alter stories or change timelines, they give us richer context on characters, relationships and identities.
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