Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

By the Ember team · Updated August 25, 2026

Threshing Day is the next book in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, but it is not the fourth mainline novel fans have been waiting for. Instead, it is a 176-page companion collection of thirteen stories about beloved characters and their dragons, all centered on Threshing—the day dragons choose their riders and bonds are forged.

It releases September 29, 2026. Pre-orders are open now, and the deluxe first edition includes sixteen full-color illustrations by artist Joe Requeza. If you finished Onyx Storm and need more Empyrean content while waiting for the actual book 4, this is what Yarros is giving you.

Short answer

Threshing Day is a 176-page companion book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, releasing September 29, 2026. It contains 13 stories about beloved characters and their dragons, all centered on Threshing—the day dragons choose their riders. It is cataloged as The Empyrean #3.5 and is not the mainline book 4.

Threshing Day quick facts

Release date
September 29, 2026
Format
Companion book with 13 stories about beloved characters and their dragons
Series position
The Empyrean #3.5 (not the mainline book 4)
Length
176 pages hardcover / 5 hours 30 minutes audiobook
Price
$24.99 hardcover / $11.99 ebook / $25.99 audiobook
Deluxe edition
First edition includes 16 full-color illustrations by Joe Requeza (US/Canada only)

What is Threshing Day?

Threshing Day is a companion book to the Empyrean series, announced by Rebecca Yarros on Conscription Day—July 15, 2026—as a gift to readers who have been waiting for more Empyrean content. The full title is Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection), and it is cataloged as The Empyrean #3.5 on Goodreads and major retailers.

The book contains thirteen stories. Each one focuses on a different character and their dragon, centered on Threshing, the brutal trial where first-year cadets at Basgiath War College attempt to bond with a dragon. Not all of them survive. The tagline Yarros used in her announcement captures the premise: “Thirteen unforgettable stories. One legendary day. The bond that changes everything.”

One story has been confirmed: Xaden Riorson's Threshing. Yarros has also said that Xaden's story will eventually be posted on her website for free. The other twelve stories are unconfirmed, but fan speculation centers on Violet and Tairn, Rhiannon and Feirge, Ridoc, Sawyer, Imogen, Bodhi, Mira, Garrick, and possibly a flashback tied to Liam.

At 176 pages, Threshing Day is significantly shorter than the mainline Empyrean novels. Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm are each over 500 pages. This is a lore-focused companion piece, not a continuation of Violet and Xaden's story.

Is Threshing Day book 4?

No. Threshing Day is not the fourth mainline book in the Empyrean series. Rebecca Yarros made that clear when she announced it, explicitly calling it “not book four.” It is the fourth Empyrean book to be published, and it is part of the series, but it is not the continuation of Violet and Xaden's story after the cliffhanger ending of Onyx Storm.

The actual book 4 is still being written. Yarros began plotting it in early 2026 after finishing her contemporary romance Peculiar Stars, which releases November 17, 2026. Based on the gap between previous Empyrean books, fans expect book 4 in late 2027 at the earliest, but no release date has been announced.

Threshing Day is a companion collection. Think of it as bonus material for readers who have already finished the first three books and want more time inside the world. It will not advance the main plot, and skipping it will not leave you lost when the real book 4 eventually arrives.

What's inside Threshing Day

Threshing Day contains thirteen short stories. Each one focuses on a Threshing—the moment a dragon chooses a rider, forging the bond that defines their survival at Basgiath War College. These are origin stories. The day everything changes. The day most cadets do not survive.

The only confirmed story so far is Xaden Riorson's Threshing. Yarros announced that this story will also be posted on her website at a later date, giving readers a free preview of what the collection offers. The other twelve stories are unconfirmed, but the publisher promises “your favorite characters and their dragons.”

Fan speculation centers on the main cast from the first three books: Violet and Tairn, Rhiannon and Feirge, Ridoc, Sawyer, Imogen, Bodhi, Mira, and Garrick. Some readers are hoping for a Liam flashback, though nothing has been confirmed. Yarros has been tight-lipped about the full lineup.

The deluxe first edition is the version collectors will want. It includes sixteen full-color original illustrations by Joe Requeza, an artist who has worked on fantasy titles like The Light of Mezzara. The deluxe edition is available only in the US and Canada, and the publisher has warned it is available “while supplies last.” If you want the illustrated version, pre-order the first edition. Later printings may not include the art.

Pricing is standard for a shorter hardcover: $24.99 for the hardcover, $11.99 for the ebook, and $25.99 for the audiobook. The audiobook is roughly 5 hours and 30 minutes, which aligns with the 176-page page count.

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Where it fits in the Empyrean reading order

Threshing Day is cataloged as The Empyrean #3.5, which means it sits between Onyx Storm (book 3) and the eventual book 4. That numbering is accurate in terms of publication order, but it does not mean you should read it in the middle of the main series. Threshing Day is a companion book, not a continuation of the main plot.

The best time to read it is after you have finished Onyx Storm. The stories in Threshing Day assume you already know the characters, their dragons, and the stakes of the Basgiath's brutal war college. If you read it before finishing the first three books, you will spoil major reveals and bond outcomes that are meant to be discovered as the main series unfolds.

Do you need to read Threshing Day before book 4 when it eventually comes out? No. Yarros and the publisher have not said it is required reading. It is backstory, origin moments, and side character perspective. Skipping it will not leave you lost when the real book 4 picks up Violet and Xaden's story.

Think of Threshing Day as a gift for readers who have already finished the series and want more time inside the world while waiting for the next mainline book. It is not a bridge between Onyx Storm and book 4. It is a detour into moments that have already happened.

Recommended reading order

  1. 1. Fourth Wing
  2. 2. Iron Flame
  3. 3. Onyx Storm
  4. 4. Threshing Day (optional companion)
  5. 5. Empyrean Book 4 (when it releases)

What to read before September 29

If you have not finished the first three Empyrean books yet, now is the time. Threshing Day is written for readers who already know these characters, their dragons, and the world they survived. Starting with Threshing Day will spoil major reveals and leave you confused about who these people are and why their Threshing moments matter.

Read Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm in that order. The series has a continuous timeline with cliffhanger endings, so skipping around is not an option. If you are already caught up and want more Empyrean content before September 29, these guides will help you stay sharp on the details.

Fourth Wing Books in Order

Full Empyrean series reading order, release dates, and book 4 status updates.

Fourth Wing Characters Guide

Refresh your memory on the riders, dragons, and bonds that matter before Threshing Day drops.

When Is Fourth Wing Book 4 Coming Out?

Latest news on the real book 4 release date, writing status, and what Yarros has said about timing.

Books Like Fourth Wing

Dragon riders, fated mates, morally gray love interests, and war college stakes while you wait.

Frequently asked questions

When does Threshing Day come out?

Threshing Day releases on September 29, 2026. Pre-orders are available now in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Is Threshing Day book 4 of the Empyrean series?

No. Threshing Day is a companion book, cataloged as The Empyrean #3.5. It is not the fourth mainline book that continues Violet and Xaden's story after Onyx Storm. Rebecca Yarros is still writing the actual book 4, and no release date has been announced yet.

Do I need to read Threshing Day before Empyrean book 4?

No. Threshing Day is a companion collection, not required to follow the mainline Empyrean story. It adds backstory and side character perspective, but skipping it will not leave you lost when book 4 arrives.

How long is Threshing Day?

Threshing Day is 176 pages in hardcover and roughly 5 hours and 30 minutes as an audiobook. It is significantly shorter than the mainline Empyrean novels, which are each 500-plus pages.

What is the deluxe edition of Threshing Day?

The deluxe first edition of Threshing Day includes sixteen full-color original illustrations by artist Joe Requeza. It is available only in the US and Canada while supplies last. If you want the illustrated version, pre-order the first edition rather than waiting on a later printing.

Is Threshing Day spicy?

No details about Threshing Day's spice level have been confirmed yet. The mainline Empyrean series is rated 18+ with a spice level around 3-4 out of 5, but Threshing Day is focused on origin stories about character-dragon bonds, not romantic relationships. Expect it to be less spicy than the main series, if at all.

Sources

All facts about Threshing Day verified as of August 25, 2026.

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