Threshing Day [Dramatized Adaptation]

The Empyrean [Dramatized Adaptation] #3.5

by Rebecca Yarros

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.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of 39 actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Narrated by Gabriel Michael as Xaden Riorson, Torian Brackett as Dain Aetos, Taylor Coan as Rhiannon Matthias, Robb Moreira as Ridoc Gamlyn, Henry W. Kramer as Sawyer Henrick, Rayner Gabriel as Garrick Tavis, Jessica Schly as Imogen Cardulo, James J. Johnson as Bodhi Durran, Casie Platt as Mira Sorrengail, Danny Gavigan as Brennan Sorrengail, Rob McFadyen as Liam Mairi, Renee Dorian as Sloane Mairi, Belsheber Junior Rusape as Aaric Greycastle and GM Hakim as Colonel Thadeus Palme. Featuring Julian Dailey as Aotrom, JW Rone as Sliseag, Joel David Santner as Prince Alic Tauri, Jessica Threet as Glane, Scott McCormick as Professor Kaori, Jillian Levine-Sisson as Trina, Michael Glenn as Marbh, Jon Vertullo as Cath, Tia Shearer as Eya, Wyn Delano as Asher Sorrengail, Stephanie Németh-Parker as Sgaeyl, Dawn Ursula as Thoirt, John Kielty as Chradh, Danny Montooth as Cuir, Steven Carpenter as Teine, Jenna Sharpe as Feirge, David Burke as Baylor, Patrick Boylan as Deigh, Delton Engle-Sorrell as Molvic, Yenni Ann as Joelle, and T. Shyvonne Stewart as Avalyn. With additional performances by Amanda Forstrom, Sara Matsui-Colby, Sarah Ruth Thomas and Khaya Fraites.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy

Audible Audio

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and coffee addict. She is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. A mother of six, she is currently surviving the teenage years with all four of her hockey-playing sons.

Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Check her out online at www.rebeccayarros.com.

Reviews

[lauren dedinsky]

🐉✨Threshing Day✨🐉


5⭐️ for the vibes and dragons alone and another 5⭐️ for all the character povs we got!

aahh going back into the empyrean series was everything!! especially while waiting for the next book to release

as always i dont post spoilers here so know you are safe to read this 😅

i loved being able to go back in time/to the books and go through all the different characters’ threshing days. i always wondered what these characters experience was like and not only that but you get to hear/read their dragons speak to them as well. you get to see/hear their dragons choose them and it was something that i truly didnt think i needed why also was always curious about at the same time.

also having a full cast of narrators made this so incredibly fun and engaging to listen to!!

[Theresa Marie]

Threshing Day gets an easy 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me!

I absolutely love the Empyrean series, and Threshing Day was no exception. Getting a more intimate look at both the cadets and the dragons made the story even more engaging and gave so much depth to characters I’ve already grown attached to.

This novella perfectly captured everything I love about the series—heart, tension, and incredible world-building. Every page left me wanting more, and honestly, there isn’t a single thing I would change.

A perfect 5-star read!

[Lyndsay Juhl]

I loved this. If made me remember how much I loved Fourth Wing and all the characters. This was so well done. We got just enough info in the minds of all our main and favorite characters. And why their dragons chose them. And just enough info to confirm so thought I had about them. I loved it and really hope we get at least a few different POV in the next book. There is so much happening all over the continent and just in the school it would be nice to see from others eyes.

[Ms Jennifer Archeron]

this was objectively fun to get more context and first hand POVs. it just kinda felt like fan fic

[Elizabeth Heyward]

I absolutely loved this! It was great to learn more out characters we already know and love! My favorite was Imogen. It was great seeing a different perspective and side of the characters!

[Lariiii]

I genuinely don’t think I have the words to properly explain what this book meant to me.

The Empyrean universe has become a second home to me. Basgiath, the dragons, the cadets, the wing leaders, the professors, all of it. It’s that “it’s not my house, but I know my way around it” kind of place. I knew I missed this world, but I don’t think I realized just how much until I opened this book.

Getting to experience the Threshing through the eyes of thirteen different characters was such a special experience. Some stories changed the way I see characters I thought I already understood. Brennan completely surprised me, Mira felt incredibly personal, and Garrick… well, if I ever said I didn’t care about Garrick, I was wrong. That man invented yearning.

Bodhi’s story broke my heart. The weight of living in Xaden’s shadow, carrying his family’s expectations, and feeling like his entire life had already been decided for him was heartbreaking. Imogen’s story hurt in a completely different way, especially seeing how long she had loved Garrick while being terrified of losing another person she cared about.

Dain’s story made me understand him more. I can understand the child who desperately wanted his father’s approval and was trying to live up to the only family he had left, even if that doesn’t erase the consequences of his choices. And watching him break the rules of the Codex to save Sloane? Yeah. I’m convinced those two are endgame.

Ridoc and Aotrom sharing exactly one brain cell was exactly what I expected and somehow even better. Rhiannon’s story didn’t leave much of an impact on me, and Aaric’s was probably the one I cared about the least, but even those chapters felt like getting another little piece of this world.

And then there’s Liam. My golden boy. Seeing more of his relationship with Xaden and how deeply loyal and devoted he was nearly destroyed me. I already loved him, but this somehow made everything hurt even more.

Sloane’s story was another one that nearly broke me. The fact that she and her dragon were both grieving the loss of a brother, and that they found a way to heal alongside each other, was genuinely beautiful.

This book didn’t necessarily give me the huge plot progression I was expecting. What it gave me was something I didn’t realize I needed: a chance to go home.

To Basgiath. To the dragons. To these characters.

I read it slowly because I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to stay there a little longer. And now that I’m finished, I’m just sitting here wondering how I’m supposed to go back to normal life and wait until May.

[Garrett Eiben]

This was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. It gave me so many interesting views from so many people I’ve wondered about. It gave us the view and vibes of many. It gave us love interest, and as the hopeless romantic I am … I loved it all.

1. Garrick and Imogen; please talk and explore it pleaaaaaaaaaaase. I want that to work too much
2. Ridoc and Aotrom; talk about two peas in a pod; this pairing is so much better hearing about the two bicker back and forth
3. Sloane … and (LBB … Lil B Boy I said in 4th wing) … is there something. But also hurt my lil heart
4. Dain … (aka Lil B Boy) … omg his dad actually was an ass; maybe he isn’t LBB??
5. Teine is kinda a little sassy jerk

Somethings not sure of … Imogen; confirmed - I thought she had a second signot … now it’s confirmed that she should right? Does this mean other dragons are imposters too?

[Cassandra Albrecht]

This book was such a great and cute little read but was filled with lots of possible information! I cannot wait for the 4th book to come out to get answers! It was great to get the insight of everyone’s relationships with their dragons as well as insight into their personal motives in the war. This is definitely a must read! If you are invested and love this series this book is going to mean so much for you!

[Koko]

Listened to this as an audiobook on a long road trip, and honestly, audio is the only way to go with this book!! Seriously. The narration made the experience so much better and was perfect for a long drive. Such a fun listen!

[Tania]

Not as gripping as the prior books, but I did enjoy the additional insights and still glued enough to finish in 2 days (most in the first). It does have spoilers to the series (depending on when you read/listen)

[Nikki Ebert]

What a treat! Brief time reunited with some fave characters and additional backstory. Laughed, cried, had a fab time!

[Bonnie L]

This was everything I wanted it to be and more. Honestly, I went in very open minded without specific expectations. 👏 👏 👏 Rebecca Yarros.

[Lany]

As someone who gets lost and confused easily with audiobooks I really enjoyed the short story format. I loved all the personalities you got to hear from the dragons

[Ariane]

Tellement fun d’avoir les histoires🥹 Sloan❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Super léger et court, mais rien de negatif à dire donc 5⭐️

[Ginny]

Nothing but about a dozen characters getting their dragons. Kinda fun.

[Amy Hackett]

The Empyrean series is my favourite of all time, and it felt so good to be back again! I love how each chapter represented the characters’ exactly, and it was so nice having Liam back 🥲

[Keli]

Received this as a pre-order. I enjoyed getting to see some of the other characters fleshed out. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Mel Gastel]

Love the little Easter eggs

[Chayna Aldas]

So good, I need more

[Terry Naylor]

Just as good as all the other books. An interesting insight into the dragons and the writers. The only negative is that it was way too short.