Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Onyx Storm's ending dash any hopes of Xaden being cured, but it also reveals that a lot went wrong during the book's climax.
Violet learns as much when she returns to Aretia without any recollection of the last 12 hours, then discovers there have been shocking losses in her absence. Onyx Storm's cliffhanger ending also reveals that she and Xaden are now legally married — though he's nowhere to be found. With so much happening at the end of the book, Rebecca Yarros raises plenty of new questions heading into the next Empyrean Series sequel. It seems likely the coming installment will answer most of these queries, though some could be left for the series' finale.
10 Why Did Andarna Return From The Irids So Quickly?
Onyx Storm's Sequel Must Explain Her Reasoning
Andarna spends much of Onyx Storm searching for the rest of her kind: the mysterious seventh breed of dragon revealed in Iron Flame. After a long journey to the Isle Kingdoms, she eventually finds them — but Andarna's family isn't as welcoming as she hopes. Called irids, the dragons who left Andarna behind are very different from those who comprise the Empyrean. They're more peaceful, but they also look down on Andarna's relationship with Violet. Despite initially rejecting her, one of them offers Andarna a chance to leave Violet and get to know her kind. She takes him up on the offer.
The next Empyrean Series book will need to shed light on her decision.
Andarna returns to Violet fairly quickly, however, and she does so in the midst of Onyx Storm's final battle. Needless to say, there isn't much time for a heart-to-heart between the two characters. Readers don't know why Andarna returns, much less why it happens so soon after she leaves. The next Empyrean Series book will need to shed light on her decision. It's possible that she realized she fits in better among Violet, Tairn, and Sgaeyl than she does among her own kind. There's also a chance there's a deeper explanation, like her learning important information from the irids.
9 What Is The Connection Between The Venin & The Irids?
Do The Irids Hold The Answer To Defeating The Empyrean Series' Villains?
Onyx Storm sees Violet and her friends finding the irids, but the Fourth Wing sequel doesn't elaborate on their connection to the venin. The entire reason Navarre prioritizes finding the irids is that its leaders are hoping they'll know how to defeat the venin. The irids dodge their questions upon meeting them, but it can't be a coincidence that Andarna was left behind around the same time the venin were defeated initially. It's likely the two events are connected, even if Yarros has yet to tell us how.
Everything Onyx Storm Reveals About The Venin
Rebecca Yarros put a lot of detail into Onyx Storm, further exploring the nature of the venin and their unique traits, powers, and abilities.
Additionally, the silver-haired venin, Theophanie, is eerily interested in Andarna throughout Onyx Storm. While she wants to be Violet's teacher, she seems even more intrigued by her dragon. This further s the notion that Andarna and her kind could be the key to conquering the venin. After all, Theophanie may be looking to eliminate the threat Andarna poses. The fourth Empyrean Series book needs to give readers more insight into the irids' history, explaining how they're connected to the venin.
8 How Will Violet's Dream Walking Be Used Against The Venin?
The Irids Say Her Second Signet Is "Dangerous"
Violet's second signet is revealed in Onyx Storm, as she and Xaden realize she's been dream walking. This allows her to tap into other characters' nightmares in both Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, though she's mostly used her ability on Xaden. However, it seems inevitable that Violet's dream walking will play a much bigger role going forward, especially since the irids tell Andarna she's given Violet something "dangerous." Violet's second signet also makes her a type of Inntinnsic, which readers know is one of the most powerful and feared types of abilities in Fourth Wing's world.
Onyx Storm Signets Explained: Every New Power & Who Has Them
Rebecca Yarros' magic system is already vastly extensive, but Onyx Storm makes sure to introduce an even larger variety of powerful signet abilities.
The next Empyrean Series book must show why Violet's second signet is so dangerous, revealing how she'll use it in the war against the venin. It's possible she'll be able to communicate with or spy on Xaden using this power, but that can't be all she's capable of. Perhaps Violet can use her dream walking to mess with the enemy's head, or maybe she can extract information from both the venin and Navarre's higher-ups. This is one of the most interesting additions to The Empyrean Series' lore, so hopefully, Onyx Storm's sequel follows up on it well.
7 Why Does Theophanie Want Jack Barlowe Dead?
Jack May Know Something Useful About The Venin
Jack Barlowe doesn't play a huge role in Onyx Storm, as he refuses to answer Navarre's questions when he's imprisoned — and he's only slightly more vocal with Violet and Xaden. However, Theophanie wants Jack dead in the sequel, and she even attempts to kill him during Onyx Storm's ending. It doesn't appear that she succeeds, but her actions raise questions about why Jack is so important. Berwyn also seems invested in keeping him alive, though that's likely due to their connection.
Theophanie's behavior heavily suggests that Jack knows something she wants to bury, which means he could be crucial to defeating the venin.
Theophanie's behavior heavily suggests that Jack knows something she wants to bury, which means he could be crucial to defeating the venin in future Empyrean Series books. It's hard to say what would make Jack spill venin secrets, but perhaps Violet can use her second signet to enter his mind. However it happens, Jack's importance needs to be explained in the next Fourth Wing sequel. Iron Flame brings him back for a reason, and it likely goes beyond what we've seen from him so far.
6 Who Is Xaden's New "Brother"?
Another Character Turns Venin At The End Of Onyx Storm
The Xaden acknowledges that he has a new brother, lamenting that Berwyn has additional leverage over him. He also wonders how this new initiate could be willing to turn after watching everything he's gone through. But while Xaden dwells on this character's fate, Onyx Storm never actually says who turns venin during its final chapters. This mystery is left for the next Empyrean Series book, which must give us the person's identity.
Bohdi and Garrick seem like the most obvious choices, as both of them witness Xaden's struggle throughout Onyx Storm.
Bohdi and Garrick seem like the most obvious choices, as both of them witness Xaden's struggle throughout Onyx Storm — and they're both seen in dire straits during the book's final battle. Garrick is also missing at the end of the sequel, and Xaden's marriage suggests Bohdi isn't around to rule Tyrrendor. Of course, it's possible another character could be Xaden's new "sibling," like Brennan or even Ridoc. No matter what the answer to this question is, it's certain to break readers' hearts. However, Onyx Storm's sequel still needs to solve this huge mystery.
5 What Is Xaden's Plan At The End Of Onyx Storm?
Xaden & Sgaeyl Come To An Understanding
Xaden fully accepts his venin transformation at the end of Onyx Storm, and he and Sgaeyl come to some sort of understanding after he draws from the source. Sgaeyl seems appalled by whatever Xaden is planning, and he tells her, "It is the only way." They agree to ask Violet for help, which likely explains Xaden's marriage to her, as well as her memory loss in Onyx Storm's final chapter. However, the book is purposefully cryptic about whatever Xaden intends to do, and Violet isn't able to give readers insight after having her mind wiped by Imogen.
The Violet & Xaden Scene We've Been Waiting For Has To Happen After Onyx Storm's Ending
After the Violet and Xaden twist at the end of Onyx Storm, it seems inevitable that the couple will get one satisfying moment readers are waiting for.
The next Empyrean Series sequel will have to reveal what Xaden is up to, and it seems probable that he's planning to take the venin down from within their own ranks. It's unclear if this is even possible, as venin become increasingly more corrupt as they continue to use their power. However, if Xaden can resist his darker impulses, he might be able to pull this off due to the sheer strength of his signets. Combined with venin power, he could become stronger than players like Berwyn. If he does, perhaps he'll have a chance of ending them.
4 Who Are The Missing & Dead Characters From Onyx Storm's Final Chapter?
Aretia Is In Chaos When Violet Returns To It
When Violet returns to Aretia in Onyx Storm's final chapter, she learns that multiple people and dragons are dead, and that several other people are missing. Brennan doesn't elaborate on who's gone, though he does reveal that Garrick is among the missing fighters. There could be other important players who haven't returned from Onyx Storm's big battle. That's not to mention the mystery of who is killed at the end of the book — along with how and why.
While it doesn't seem likely that Yarros killed off any super important characters behind the scenes, there's a chance readers will recognize the names of the dead.
If dragons are also dead, it seems likely that the venin had a hand in these losses. Xaden is being blamed for the chaos unfolding in Aretia, but Violet has no recollection of what happened. There's more to Onyx Storm's ending than initially meets the eye. And while it doesn't seem likely that Yarros killed off any super important characters behind the scenes, there's a chance readers will recognize the names of the dead in the next Empyrean Series book. The sequel also must tell us whether Xaden really killed them, or if there's something more sinister going on.
3 What Happened To The Missing Dragon Eggs At The End Of Onyx Storm?
Xaden Is Being Blamed For Their Disappearance
Dead bodies and missing people aren't the only things causing chaos during Onyx Storm's ending. Brennan also tells Violet that dragon eggs have been stolen — a concerning revelation depending on who has taken them and for what purpose. Onyx Storm's follow-up must dig deeper into this, explaining what happened to the eggs and where they've gone. While the venin stealing them seems like an obvious answer, it's not necessarily the right one.
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During Violet's trip to Unnbriel, she learns that they want dragon eggs in exchange for an alliance — an exchange that's immediately shot down. However, it's possible someone is striking that deal regardless of Navarre's consent. Xaden could be taking the eggs to Unnbriel, and even Aaric is a possibility. The dragon eggs could also have been given to the irids, as they believe dragons shouldn't be used for human wars. There are multiple possibilities, but one thing is certain: the missing eggs will be important in the next Empyrean Series novel.
2 Why Does Imogen Wipe Violet's Memory?
This Could Create Tensions Between Imogen & Violet
Violet doesn't marrying Xaden at the end of Onyx Storm, nor does she recall where she was as chaos unfolded in Aretia. This is because Imogen uses her signet on Violet, wiping her recent memories. When Violet questions Imogen, she claims that she did what Violet asked. However, it's not entirely clear what this comment means. Violet enlists her help to protect Xaden at the beginning of Onyx Storm, so it's possible that Imogen used her signet without Violet explicitly requesting it. She may have done what was best for Xaden, as Violet wanted earlier.
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Fourth Wing introduces many powerful signets, but which abilities in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series are the strongest and most useful so far?
Imogen could also be in on Violet's and Xaden's plans, which need to be outlined in the next Empyrean Series book. If this is the case, Violet may have wanted Imogen to wipe her memories so that she couldn't incriminate Xaden or anyone else. The motives behind Imogen's actions aren't entirely clear at the end of Onyx Storm, but its sequel can shed further light on her actions. Of course, given that Violet can't anything, she may still be at odds with Imogen in the next book.
1 Will Xaden Ever Be Cured After Fully Turning Venin In Onyx Storm?
It Could Take Two More Books To Answer This Question
Violet tries to find a cure for the venin throughout Onyx Storm, maintaining hope that there's a way to return Xaden to his normal state. The irids insist that there is no way to fix Xaden, and Xaden himself accepts his fate at the end of Onyx Storm. However, this doesn't necessarily mean there isn't a cure; there could be one that isn't widely known about yet.
Whether she'll succeed at finding a cure remains one of the biggest questions heading into the next Empyrean Series book.
Violet seems unlikely to give up on Xaden — in fact, Onyx Storm's ending suggests she's still going along with his plans — so there's still a chance she'll find a way to reverse his condition. Whether she'll succeed at finding a cure remains one of the biggest questions heading into the next Empyrean Series book. However, it might take two books to reveal what becomes of Xaden and his venin transformation. After all, Onyx Storm is only the third installment in what's meant to be a five-part series.
Onyx Storm
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- Entangled: Red Tower Books
- Publication Date
- 2025/01/01
- Franchise
- The Empyrean Series
- ISBN#
- 1649374186
- Author(s)
- Rebecca Yarros
