Rebecca Yarros didn't write the Empyrean series for your middle schooler, but thanks to the inescapable gravity of BookTok, your middle schooler has almost certainly heard of it. If you are looking for a "clean" dragon fantasy, this isn't it—Yarros writes "New Adult" fiction, which is publishing-speak for "there will be dragons, and there will be very graphic sex."
The Rebecca Yarros phenomenon, centered on Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, is a high-octane blend of dragon riding and explicit romance. While the world-building is addictive, the "spice" level is high (think 17+), making it a better fit for older teens or adults. For younger fantasy fans, stick to our best books for kids list for titles that bring the magic without the R-rated bedroom scenes.
Rebecca Yarros is the reigning queen of "Romantasy"—a genre that is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a 50/50 split between high-stakes fantasy (war, magic colleges, dragons that will eat you if you're boring) and intense, often graphic romance.
The series follows Violet Sorrengail, a girl who wanted to be a librarian but was forced into a brutal war college for dragon riders. It’s got everything that makes a book go viral: a "deadly" love interest, a protagonist who overcomes a physical disability, and dragons with massive personalities. But because it sits in the New Adult category, it assumes the reader is an adult. The language is salty, the violence is visceral, and the sex scenes are descriptive. If your kid is coming from Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, this is a massive jump in maturity.
In the BookTok world, "spice" is the code word for sexual content. Yarros doesn't do "fade to black." When the main characters finally get together in Fourth Wing, it’s multiple chapters of explicit detail.
If your teen is already reading these books, the move isn't to panic and snatch the Kindle away—that just makes it "forbidden fruit." Instead, talk about the relationship dynamics. The series leans heavily into the "enemies-to-lovers" trope, which is great for a conversation about boundaries, consent, and the difference between "book boyfriends" and actual healthy human relationships.
We are currently in the "anticipation phase" for the next major beats in the Yarros-verse.
- Threshing Day: This upcoming installment is set to drop soon, and based on the trajectory of Onyx Storm, expect the stakes to be higher and the emotional cliffhangers to be even more brutal. From what Yarros has teased, we'll likely see more of the global conflict and, of course, more development in the central (and very complicated) romance.
- The TV Show: Amazon MGM Studios is currently developing an Empyrean TV series. Based on the source material, it will likely aim for a Game of Thrones or A Court of Thorns and Roses vibe—prestige adult fantasy with a high budget and an even higher maturity rating. It’s expected to be a direct adaptation, so if the books are too much for your kid, the show will be too.
If your kid is obsessed with the idea of dragon riders but you'd rather they skip the explicit chapters, there are plenty of ways to scratch that itch without the "New Adult" baggage.
- For the Dragon Obsessed: Eragon is the classic choice here. It’s got the bond between rider and dragon without the graphic romance. For younger kids, Wings of Fire is the gold standard.
- For the "War College" Vibe: The Scholomance series by Naomi Novik features a deadly magic school and a sharp-tongued protagonist, but the romance is much more "Young Adult" (YA) appropriate.
- For the High Stakes: The Hunger Games hits that "survival at all costs" note perfectly.
Q: Is Fourth Wing appropriate for a 13-year-old? Most parents find it too mature for 13. While the dragon-fighting is fine for most young teens, the sexual content is explicit and intended for an adult audience. It’s generally recommended for 16+ or 18+.
Q: Are there "clean" versions of Rebecca Yarros's books? No. While some fans on the internet create "clean" chapter guides (telling you which pages to skip), the books themselves are published with the explicit content intact.
Q: What is the difference between YA and New Adult (NA)? YA (Young Adult) typically features protagonists aged 14-18 and focuses on "firsts" with less graphic content. NA (New Adult) features protagonists in their early 20s and includes more explicit language and sexual situations. Yarros is firmly in the NA category.
Q: Is the Rebecca Yarros TV show out yet? Not yet. It is currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios. It will likely release in late 2026 or 2027, and it is expected to be rated TV-MA.
Rebecca Yarros knows exactly how to write a page-turner, and her books are a legitimate cultural moment. If you have an older teen who is a confident reader and understands the "New Adult" context, these books are likely fine. But for the middle school crowd, the "spice" is going to be the main event, and it’s probably worth steering them toward our best books for kids list until they’re a few years older.
- Check out the full guide to Fourth Wing for a chapter-by-chapter breakdown.
- Browse our best fantasy books for middle schoolers.
- Ask our chatbot for "clean" Romantasy alternatives
