Fourth Wingreaders eager to see the romantasy novels adapted for the small screen is up for exciting times ahead following a new update about the book. Rebecca Yarros has explicitly confirmed that there’s“no chance”theFourth Wingshow will repeatGame of Thrones’mistakeof overtaking the source material.
There is an optimistic outlook with Rebecca Yarros as the project’s executive producer and her strong faith in the production team.Yarros must remain involved by keeping it an adaptationrather than its own animal. This would prevent the adaptation from makingGame of Thrones’biggest mistake.
Given Their Length, Amazon’s Fourth Wing Show Was Never Going To Pass The Books
A Standard Streaming Season Doesn’t Cut It For Most Empyrean Books
It seemsunlikely that theFourth Wingshow will adapt one book for each seasonbecause of the sheer length ofIron Flame and Onyx Storm.Given the gravitas of the events ofOnyx Storm,it seems likely that book 4 will be a similar length.Fourth Wingcould work as one season and, much likeGame of Thrones,the tidiness of the first book would provide a great story structure for a first season. However, the sprawling universe ofEmpyreanseries requires more depth than the standard 7-8 episodes per streaming season.
…Amazon has also confirmed that it will be years before theFourth Wingshow is actually released…
Regardless of this, Amazon has also confirmed that it will be years before theFourth Wingshow is actually released. Even withYarros’ self–promised break before the next bookin mind, the show was never going to surpass the books. It is encouraging that the showrunners are taking their time producing the series - there are a lot of key considerations to making it appealing on screen. For example, having the dragons speaking mentally and Violet and Xaden also conversing mentally needs thought in how this translates to television, although Yarros’ excited response toFourth Wing’s screenplay dialogueis promising.
Iron Flame & Onyx Storm Will Probably Need 2 Seasons To Cover Everything
The Worldbuilding In Books 2 And 3 Is Immense
There is a lot of important worldbuilding done inIron FlameandOnyx Storm,which means they need more than two seasons to cover everything. Part of what makes theEmpyreanseries so compelling is that the reader gradually learns more about the Venin threat, the secrets of Navarre’s military, and the Sorrengail family and Violet learns more.Unraveling this too quickly would miss out on a lot of interesting details, plus there is potential for beautiful sets that would be wasted if rushed through.
ByOnyx Storm,the world is opened up to include the Isles, which have dramatically different environments.
For example, the“impractical and sublimely gorgeous”palace of King Tecarus inIron Flamebears exploration, and could span two episodes having had so much previously set at Basgiath. ByOnyx Storm,the world is opened up to include the Isles, which have dramatically different environments. This requires aGame of Thronesscale of production, and because the Isles correspond with the Gods in the series, there is a lot of valuable worldbuilding in spending more time in these areas than there is in the book.
More Seasons Will Give Rebecca Yarros More Time To Finish The Next 2 Fourth Wing Books
Rebecca Yarros Has Been Releasing The Books At A Breakneck Pace
Upon releasingOnyx Storm,Rebecca Yarros shared that she would be taking a break before the next book, potentially setting it back by a year. This would have been understandable, considering her involvement with theFourth Wingadaptation - but she has since clarified what“break”really means. Yarros posted onInstagram:
“After Onyx Storm pushed my body and mental health to every possible limit, I told myself I could take a year to heal. […] I truly believe it was that self-given permission that’s made it feasible to be back here so much faster than I ever thought possible. Working on Fourth Wing’s graphic novel has been the best bridge to bring me back to my desk!!!”
It seems like she is working on the graphic novels rather thanEmpyreanbook 4, but she has also surprised herself by working again more quickly than predicted after the mammoth task ofOnyx Storm.Even if she took her time with the next book, the schedule of production and the time needed for each book means there is unlikely to be an issue. Further, Yarros has confirmed previously that she has given the production team the bare bones of where she is taking the story long-term.
Yarros worked onOnyx Stormincredibly quickly, considering the scale of the novel and the setup for the cliffhangerOnyx Stormending.
Still, it is a relief that she has more time and that her pace will likely not have negative implications for the adaptation. Yarros worked onOnyx Stormincredibly quickly, considering the scale of the novel and the setup for thecliffhangerOnyx Stormending. This did somewhat harm the storytelling, with severalFourth Wingreaders feeling the worldbuilding was“rushed”to meet the fevered demand for theEmpyreanseries.
One Fourth Wing Character Is So Horrible In Onyx Storm, I’ll Actually Be Disappointed If They’re A Venin
Yarros has done a great job at introducing a variety of villains to the narrative, but if another one ends up being venin, it will be too predictable.
Onyx Storm’s sequelseems like it will have less romance and more contact viaViolet’s second signet. Slowing down the pace of writing will help the author explore this part of their connection more, as well as reveal more about the Gods to readers without that time-pressured element creating a breathless narrative.Fourth Wingfans may have to wait a bit for what comes next, but it might be the best way to go.
