- Threshing Day is not Book 4 of the main Empyrean saga by Rebecca Yarros
- It is a collection of 13 stories set around Threshing Day and the Empyrean world
- The book released on September 29 and became a major BookTok event
- A leaked audiobook sample on Spotify stirred pre-release controversy
- Use this guide to place the anthology correctly in your reading order
Is Threshing Day Book 4 of Empyrean?
No — and this is the single most common point of confusion among Empyrean readers. Threshing Day is a story collection, not the fourth mainline novel in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series. It gathers 13 stories centered around Threshing Day and the broader Empyrean world, giving fans extra depth on characters and events rather than advancing the core Basgiath storyline the way Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm do.
The confusion is understandable. Marketing around the release kept calling it "the next Empyrean book," which many readers interpreted as "Book 4." In publishing terms, it functions as a companion anthology — closer in spirit to a novella collection than to a numbered sequel.
Video Highlights:
- Threshing Day contains 13 stories tied to Threshing Day and the Empyrean world
- It released on September 29, after a pre-release leak
- An unauthorized audiobook sample appeared on Spotify before launch
- Rebecca Yarros publicly called out Spotify over the incident
- The video also covers how this differs from the ACOTAR 6 leak situation
If you are waiting for the true Book 4 of the main saga, treat Threshing Day as an optional but rewarding side trip — expect character-focused short stories, not the next chapter of Violet's journey.
Empyrean Reading Order at a Glance
Here is where the released Empyrean books sit as of October 2026, with Threshing Day placed correctly:
| Order | Title | Type | Role in Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book 1 | Fourth Wing | Novel | Main storyline begins at Basgiath |
| Book 2 | Iron Flame | Novel | Direct sequel, war escalates |
| Book 3 | Onyx Storm | Novel | Third mainline installment |
| Companion | Threshing Day | Story collection (13 stories) | Side stories, not Book 4 |
| Book 4 | Untitled | Novel | The true next mainline entry, still to come |
Do not read Threshing Day expecting Book 4 plot progression. It is anthology material — you will get world-building and character vignettes, not the continuation of the main arc.
Mainline Novels
- Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
- Core plot and POV
- Read in order
Threshing Day Collection
- 13 stories
- Set around Threshing Day
- Companion reading
Future Book 4
- Not yet released
- True sequel to Onyx Storm
- Details still under wraps
The Spotify Leak: What Happened Before Release
Threshing Day generated headlines before it even hit shelves. Around mid-September, an unauthorized audiobook sample appeared on Spotify — and because it surfaced through the official Spotify audiobook listing, many listeners reasonably assumed it was an intentional preview. It was not. The sample was removed, and Rebecca Yarros publicly called out Spotify after having already asked readers not to share spoilers.
This matters for how you experience the book. Leaked fragments strip away the exact first-discovery moment Yarros designed for release day.
| Event | Platform | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized audiobook sample appears | Spotify (official listing) | Reached readers hunting for the book |
| Author response | Public callout by Rebecca Yarros | Sample taken down |
| Reader guidance | Author asked fans to avoid spoilers | Many chose spoiler-free approach |
Avoid leaked audio, transcripts, and secondhand "wait until you find out" comments. Even casual mentions in BookTok comments can spoil stories in a 13-piece collection.
How to Read Threshing Day Spoiler-Free
Finish Onyx Storm First
Complete the three mainline novels so every reference and character beat in the stories lands with full context.
Mute Leak-Heavy Tags
Before release week, mute BookTok tags and keywords tied to leaks so samples and screenshots never reach your feed.
Buy or Preorder From Official Channels
Use the official publisher listing or your preferred retailer — not reuploads or sample clips circulating online.
Read Stories in Order
Anthologies are usually sequenced deliberately; read front to back so recurring threads connect as intended.
Spoiler-Free Checklist:
- Finish Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm
- Mute leak-related tags on social media
- Avoid unofficial audio samples and transcripts
- Read all 13 stories in published order
- Save theories and reactions for after finishing
Going in cold is the reward: the collection's 13 stories are built for first-discovery moments, exactly what leaks threaten to take away.
FAQ
Q: Is Threshing Day book 4 of the Empyrean series?
No. Threshing Day is a companion story collection containing 13 stories set around Threshing Day and the Empyrean world. The actual Book 4 — the next mainline novel following Onyx Storm — is a separate, still-unreleased installment.
Q: What is included in Threshing Day?
The book is a collection of 13 stories centered on Threshing Day and the wider Empyrean world, offering character-focused side content rather than mainline plot progression.
Q: When did Threshing Day release?
Threshing Day released on September 29. Shortly before launch, an unauthorized audiobook sample appeared on Spotify, was removed, and Rebecca Yarros publicly called out the platform over it.
Q: Do I need to read the main books before Threshing Day?
Yes. For the best experience, finish Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm first so characters, events, and references in the 13 stories carry their full weight.