Fourth Wing fans officially have something to look forward to in 2026, as a new Empyrean Series release has been listed for the fall. It’s not book 4, but it looks like it will return readers to Navarre a little earlier than expected — and in the midst of an already stacked publishing season, too. Fans already have ideas about what the upcoming title could be, sparking excited speculation across the internet.
The mystery began when booksellers like Barnes & Noble and Amazon listed an “Untitled Empyrean” release on their websites, with a publication date of September 29, 2026. As Yarros just began writing The Empyrean Book 4 (and the placeholder image suggests a much slimmer book than usual), it couldn’t be that. And, anticipating such rumors, the sites added “(Not Book Four)” next to the placeholder title.
This leaves readers to wonder what sort of Fourth Wing spinoff they can expect later this year. Theories are already springing up online, and although one has been shot down, there are numerous ways Yarros might be expanding her fantasy world.
What The New Empyrean Series Release Coming in September Could Be
One of the earliest and most common suggestions about what September’s untitled Empyrean release could be was the previously announced graphic novel. However, fans can officially cross that off their theories list. In an Instagram story, Yarros posted, “At the desk. (Oh, and it’s not the graphic novel.)”
It could be the “secret project” she alluded to on Instagram back in 2024, which we still know very little about. Novellas and add-ons from other perspectives remain common in fantasy spaces. Fourth Wing fans would likely jump at the chance to read from Xaden’s POV, so it’s possible it’s something along those lines.
On Reddit, other popular ideas include a cookbook and a Book of Brennan companion. Either would make a compelling addition to an Empyrean collection, though the latter would allow readers to scour its pages for small clues and new theories.
Whatever the untitled release is, it will certainly help pass the time until the next official Empyrean Series book comes out. That’s worth celebrating, especially more than a year out from Onyx Storm.
What’s your theory about the untitled Empyrean release? Keep up with Backtalk Books for more news about the hit romantasy series!
