Seven Books for Your Inner Wingleader

Welcome back, romance readers!

Are you stuck in a slump after reading Fourth Wing? The BWBH is here to help! I’ve compiled a list of thrilling books that will take you on epic quests, introduce you to fascinating worlds, and immerse you in the imagination of seven talented authors. 

But before getting started, this is a friendly reminder to be aware of your triggers and to check for any necessary trigger warnings associated with the titles below. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Empyrean, Book One

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail, the daughter of the commanding general, was originally destined for a quiet life in the Scribe Quadrant surrounded by books and history. However, her mother abruptly changes her plans and orders Violet to join the Riders Quadrant, where candidates strive to become elite dragon riders. This situation poses a significant challenge for Violet, as she is smaller and more fragile than the other candidates, and dragons typically do not bond with humans they perceive as “fragile.” With fewer dragons willing to bond than there are cadets, Violet’s life is constantly at risk. Many would kill her to improve their chances of success, while others would target her simply because she is her mother’s daughter, including Xaden Riorson, a powerful and ruthless wingleader. Violet must rely on her wits to survive each day and navigate the treacherous world of Basgiath War College.

Get your copy of Fourth Wing from Bookshop or check your local library! The audiobook is available through Libro.fm. 

Have you read Fourth Wing? Share your spoiler-free thoughts in the comments below!

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Crowns of Nyaxia, Book One

Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, must enter the Kejari, a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death, to have a chance at becoming more than just prey in a world designed to kill her. However, winning the tournament against the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses will be challenging. Oraya must ally with a mysterious rival, Raihn, a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, and an enemy to her father’s crown, to survive. 
Get your copy of The Serpent and the Wings of Night from Bookshop or check your local library!

The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Coven of Bones, Book One

Willow was raised as her father’s weapon against the Coven, which took away his sister and birthright. Her duty forces her to attend Hollow’s Grove University, where she can practice magic without human judgment. However, the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, despises her just as much as she loathes him. Secrets threaten to tear the school apart, and no one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior. For the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen, thirteen promising students destined to change the world, but the ghosts of Hollow’s Grove’s victims may kill them first.

Get your copy of The Coven from Bookshop or check your local library! The audiobook is available through Libro.fm.

The Throne of Broken Gods by Amber Nicole

Gods and Monsters, Book Two

Dianna continues to grieve following the death of her sister, Gabby. Her sister’s death drives her to become the villain as she seeks vengeance on Kaden and anyone involved in her death. But can anyone pull her back from the brink of damnation before it’s too late?

Get your copy of The Throne of Broken Gods from Bookshop or check your local library! 

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

Artefacts of Ouranos, Book One

Lor has suffered for twelve years under the oppressive rule of the Aurora King, and her sole desire is to escape and seek revenge on him. Unexpectedly, she is released and finds herself in the hands of the Sun King. Thrust into the Sun Queen trials, Lor must compete against nine other tributes to win the Sun King’s heart and earn her freedom. However, Lor doesn’t belong in the trials and is not a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to permanently eliminate her from the competition. Lor’s life depends on winning the trials, as losing means death or being sent back to the clutches of the Aurora King.

Get your copy of Trial of the Sun Queen from Bookshop, or check your local library! 

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Covenant, Book One

The Covenant Series follows the Hematoi, who are descendants of unions between gods and mortals. The children of two Hematoi, known as pure-bloods, have godlike powers, while the children of Hematoi and mortals, known as half-bloods, have limited abilities. Half-bloods have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or servants in the pure-bloods homes. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria, a half-blood, would rather fight than be a servant, but relationships between pure-bloods and half-bloods are forbidden. Despite this, she falls for the pure-blood Aiden, but her priority is to graduate from the Covenant and become a Sentinel to avoid being turned into a daimon and hunted by Aiden.

Get your copy of Half-Blood from Bookshop or check your local library! 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass, Book One

Throne of Glass is a fantasy adventure novel that follows the story of Celaena Sardothien, an 18-year-old assassin serving a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes. She is dragged before the Crown Prince, who offers her freedom on the condition that she acts as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men; if she beats them in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. However, things get more interesting when the prince shows interest in her, and one of the other contestants turns up dead. Celaena must figure out who the killer is before she becomes the next victim. 

Get your copy of Throne of Glass from Bookshop or check your local library! 

A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker

Fate & Flame, Book One

Romeria is a gifted thief who steals jewels under the employ of New York City’s most notorious crime boss. However, an enigmatic woman secures her services at swordpoint, and Romeria transports to a realm of opposing thrones, warring elven societies, and elemental magic. She must steal a stone from Islor’s sacred garden without being discovered, but she has inexplicably assumed the identity of the captured Ybarisan princess, an enemy of Islor. The newly crowned King Zander detests her, but he offers her a choice: life in a cell or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help exposing the growing plot against him. Romeria embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, but as she digs deeper, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all.

Get your copy of A Fate of Wrath and Flame from Bookshop or check your local library! The audiobook is available through Libro.fm.

Thirsty for more book recommendations? Check out Cursed Realms: Five Twisted Tales of Dark Fantasy.

Don’t forget to share which book you will add to your TBR. Comment below!

Stay spicy, 

AJ 💋