As we approach Rebecca Yarros’Onyx Stormrelease, I’ve had a lot of time to consider some of Yarros' more subtle clues and hints sprinkled throughout the previous books. In the year or so sinceIron Flame’s release, several convincing theories have emerged online—from whatViolet’s second signetwill be, to Xaden’s fate after becoming venin. But after conducting my own series reread in preparation for the sequel toYarros' bestselling fantasy series, I’m convinced I have a solid grasp on what will come next.
Thankfully, Yarros has also dropped several teasers ahead of the third book’s release—from Xaden’s new bonus chapters inFourth Wing’s paperback edition, to a full three-pageOnyx Stormexcerptin Cosmopolitan UK. The selected passages from the teasers are carefully thought out, andwhen comparing the new information revealed to earlierFourth WingorIron Flameplotlines, it’s easier to surmise where Yarros plans to take the story.
10Naolin Will Be Revealed As The Venin Sage
He Became Venin When He Resurrected Brennan
Naolin, Tairn’s previous rider, has been a consistently mentioned character throughout the series—a peculiar pattern in Yarros' narrative considering the fact that he’s believed to be dead. But, Brennan only states that Naolin’s attempts to save him “cost him everything,” whereas Tairn refuses to speak of him at all—as if what truly happened to Naolin is too difficult to relive.
With a signet ability as powerful as a siphon, Naolin would be considered a prize among venin ranks—as it’s clear the venin are drawn to those with powerful signets, like Xaden and Violet.
It is also revealed that the venin can create wyvern through the use of runes, andif Brennan was brought back to life through venin magic via Naolin, it would explain the rune symbol on his hand. I also believe that, with a signet ability as powerful as a siphon, Naolin would be considered a prize among venin ranks—as it’s clear the venin are drawn to those with powerful signets, like Xaden and Violet. All of which convinces me thatNaolin could be the venin sage inIron Flame.
9Brennan Will Betray Aretia & Navarre
Brennan May Be Under The Same Venin Control As The Wyverns
While I in no way wish for Violet to go through something this devastating, I truly believe Brennan will be revealed as a venin spy inOnyx Storm. Operating under the idea that Naolin turned venin to bring Brennan back to life,the rune on Brennan’s hand could be what made his resurrection possible—with the rune acting as a life source similar to the runes used to create wyvern. InIron Flamewe learn that the wyvern are controlled by the venin who created them through the use of runes.
While runes are a means to keep wyvern alive, they are also used to help control them. I’m convinced this meansBrennan is being controlled to further the venin agenda—and what better way to do that than to act as a spy among Aretia’s high ranks. Aretia has long partnered with gryphon fliers in hopes of collecting enough alloy from Navarre to arm the population. However, not every drift of gryphon fliers wishes to spare Navarre from attack—and several times throughout the series it’s implied they are attempting to break down Navarre’s wards.
8Violet Will Be Immune To The Venin
She May Have Been Exposed Before She Was Even Born
The venin, when drawing power from the earth, drain everything in the vicinity of life—leaving behind a section of land devoid of all color. AndViolet’s character description is often spoken of in similar terms to the life-draining abilities of the venin—with her brown-to-silver faded hair, pale eye color, and physical body more prone to strains and breaks. All of these traits are said to be caused by what killed her mother, but I believe these are actually the effects of being exposed to venin power while in the womb.
One convincingFourth Wingtheorystates Violet’s father was likely researching the venin before his death—and a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Nolan to General Sorrengail indicates they were looking for a cure, potentially for Lilith herself or even Violet’s father. If Violet were to be exposed to the life-draining abilities of the venin before she was even born, her life would be considered a miracle.
7Violet’s Ex Will Be Revealed To Be The Crown Prince Halden
She Claims To Have Dated Someone In The Infantry
In bothFourth WingandIron Flame, Violet references her dating history, claimingshe has had two previous relationships before Xaden—but Yarros has not yet dropped any names. Violet also confirms that at least one of her exes is in the infantry quadrant during a conversation with Xaden about her past relationships. This detail supports my theory that Halden—the crown prince of Navarre—is one of Violet’s exes.
Cam had to sneak into the Rider’s Quadrant and use an alias in Iron Flame because King Tauri forbade his sons to enlist after the death of his heir, Alic.
The introduction of Cam Tauri inIron Flame—who goes by the alias Aaric Greycastle—is another big indicator that the royal family will play a role in future narratives. AndViolet’s obvious history with Cam makes it clear she’s spent a lot of time with the royal familydue to her mother’s position as Navarre’s general. ThroughoutIron Flame, Violet also struggles with feelings of inferiority when compared to Cat, knowing that both she and Xaden are of royal blood—a fact that Violet has an odd insecurity about.
6Xaden Will Become A Full Venin Sage
Iron Flame’s Epilogue Hints At His Future Struggles
While I’d like to say Xaden will be cured inOnyx Storm, Yarros' early book sneak peeks convince me otherwise. For instance, in the back coverblurb forOnyx Storm, Xaden is seemingly training a group of students at Basgiath—but his mind-to-mind conversation with Violet calls out a disturbing possibility. During the sequence, Xaden tells Violet that she’s the only one capable of killing him—a clear indicator thatXaden does not feel well-equipped to control the temptations of becoming venin.
ConsideringOnyx Stormis only the third in a planned five-book series, I’m expecting Xaden’s venin predicament will continue to progress in futureEmpryean Seriessequels.
The back cover also highlights Violet’s desperation to save Xaden, even going as far as to make an edit to Violet’s addendum in the Book of Brennan—stating “I will save him” instead of the iconic “I will not die today”. The epilogue inIron Flamealso points to Xaden’s future struggles with becoming venin, ashis conversation with Jack Barlowe proves he feels the addictive need to draw more power from the source.
5One Of Violet’s Closest Friends Or Family Will Die
This Follows A Pattern Set In Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
It’s clear Yarros does not hesitate to kill off fan-favorite characters throughout the series, as both Liam’s and General Sorrengail’s deaths hit readers hard inFourth WingandIron Flame. While these deaths on the surface are seemingly random, they actually follow a pattern Yarros set from the first book—and it makes me concerned for the fates of Violet’s closest friends and family inOnyx Storm. So far,each major death has come from someone considered to be a “protector” over Violet.
It’s unclear who Yarros has marked for this fate inOnyx Storm, but based on the trend, my instincts tell me it’s either Mira, Dain, or a friend from Second Squad. As the war with the venin has only just begun, and the venin have marked Violet as someone they need to capture, it’s likelyseveral of these characters will take it upon themselves to protect Violet, thus putting themselves in harm’s way.
4Tairn Will Be Killed
He Has Often Proclaimed Violet Will Be His Last Rider
As devastating as this will be, I think it’s highly likely Tairn won’t survive the events ofOnyx Storm. While I’m hoping I’m wrong,there are too many choices Yarros has made throughout the series that foreshadow such an event—specifically through the technicalities relating to Tairn and Sgaeyl’s mating bond, and his proclamation of choosing Violet to be his last rider. Due to Tairn being mated to Sgaeyl, and theirs being one of the strongest seen in centuries, their lives are closely entwined.
This concept is explored often throughout the narrative, as Xaden is initially invested in Violet’s survival for the sake of his owndragon inFourth Wing,whereas their strong bond inIron Flamerestricts the amount of time they can withstand being apart, lest they die. Tairn also has stated that Violet will be his last rider—an odd sentiment considering he’s relatively young.Yarros' heavy emphasis on this concept is unnerving, and in my opinion, is preparing readers for the possibility of his death.
3Imogen’s Signet Will Play A Larger Role
Yarros Teased This In Xaden’s Fourth Wing Bonus Chapters
Yarros hasn’t explored Imogen’s character, or her signet ability, nearly at all throughoutFourth WingorIron Flame—but the decision to reintroduce her signet in the new Xaden bonus chapters hints she has major plans for her character inOnyx Storm. Imogen’s ability to erase people’s memories is one of the most powerfulFourth Wingcharacter signets, and until the bonus chapters, was never seen in action. I believe this meansImogen’s signet has been used throughout the series more than readers have yet been made aware.
Fourth Wing Secretly Hinted At A Major Imogen Twist (& Violet Won’t Be Happy About It)
Fourth Wing’s bonus chapter reveals more about Imogen’s signet and hints at a sinister plot twist to come in Onyx Storm, the next entry in the series.
In the excerpt, we learn Imogen used her signet to erase the memory of a healer who was treating her in Montserrat—all to escape and deliver alloy to a drift of Gryphon Fliers. It’s clear Xaden was aware of this plan, butthis instance calls into question other times Imogen may have used her signet ability. Because of this, I believe Imogen’s signet will play a major role throughoutOnyx Storm’s narrative, and that Yarros has plans to reveal several past uses of her signet—whether for good or evil.
2The Venin Want Violet Because She Has The Power To Control The Dragons
Violet’s Relationship With Dragons Is Unique
On multiple occasions,the venin refer to Violet as “the one who commands the skies”—seemingly speaking to her powerful lightning signet. However, givenThe Empyrean Seriestitleis named after the overarching government of dragons in Navarre—and that Empyrean itself translates to the sky, or heavens—I believe it’s likely the venin want Violet for her ability to control the dragons. This is no new concept, as Violet has on many occasions spoken directly to dragons that are not her own.
Violet’s relationship with the dragons throughout the series is completely unique to her character, as is seen during her interactions with the green dragons at presentation, and her ability to command Codagh—Melgren’s black dragon—to fire the wards in Basgiath. In these instances, Violet is taking a risk speaking directly to the dragons. The fact that the venin have named her “the one who commands the sky,” but don’t specifically call out her lightning ability, convinces meYarros is adding a double meaning to the nickname.
1Dain’s Character Will Have A Big Redemption Moment
His And Violet’s Relationship Begins To Mend In Iron Flame
After Dain’s massive betrayal inFourth Wing, it’s obvious throughoutIron Flamethat Violet wants nothing to do with her ex-best-friend. However,Iron Flame’s narrative also hints that their relationship will eventually mend—as Dain puts in a lot of effort to fix all that he has done wrong. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they will restore their friendship. Instead, I believe some major event will restore their friendship, and it will happen throughDain’s redemption arc inOnyx Storm.
His character did a lot of damage inFourth Wing, but I trust Yarros will do a great job convincing Violet and readers to give his character another chance inOnyx Storm.
Dain is no longer the antagonist his character was inFourth Wing, and once he began to accept his mistakes inIron Flame, I knew Yarros was planning to redeem his character in the remainingEmpyrean Series. However, I thinkhis redemption will have to manifest through some major book event—like risking his own life for another, or even dying himself—to get readers, and Violet, fully on board inOnyx Storm.
