Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate—and where a single choice can forge a rider … or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

The Empyrean series is best read in order:

Fourth Wing

Iron Flame

Onyx Storm

Though Threshing Day can be enjoyed as an introduction to the series, due to contained spoilers, it is best read after Onyx Storm.

Narrated by John Skelley (Thadeus Palme), Zion Jang (Brennan), Frankie Corzo (Mira), Teddy Hamilton (Xaden), Anthony Palmini (Garrick), Jake Bordeaux (Dain), Giordan Diaz (Bodhi), James Aaron Oh (Sawyer), Robb Moreira (Ridoc), Nick Mills (Liam), Laura Knight Keating (Sloane), Chase Brown (Aric), Justis Bolding (Imogen), and Jasmin Walker (Rhiannon)