Rebecca Yarros Empyrean Onyx Storm Theories

If you're a big Fourth Wing and Rebecca Yarros fan like I am, let's talk all things Onyx Storm releasing Jan 2025! It's the third book in the Empyrean fantasy series and I can't wait. If you can't either, let's theorize together - drop your thoughts in the comments!
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[@tiffanyferris3209]

Yes!!! Finally someone has figured out the correlation between Xaden and Onyx.

[@HedlesChikN7th]

I saw one theory that I’m a really invested in: Naolin is not dead, he is now venin. We’re led to believe he died saving Brennan “but it cost him everything.” I think it’s very possible only this “dark magic” could bring someone back from the dead and taking power from the earth was the only way to save Brennan (similar to how Xaden did it for violet). Some went as far to say Naolin IS the Sage. But I’m not sure if that’s necessary. Maybe there’s a “court” or “board of directors” venin, like it’s not just a single leader (the sage). If that’s the case, then maybe Naolin is there

[@big.pizzle]

this is such an interesting theory. If he is the Sage, it would explain why the Sage wants something from Violet.

[@amynsreads]

I have heard this theory as well and I’m really trying to understand how the dragon can sever ties with the rider. I think you’re right he is still alive and the only way to save Brennan was doing that because there wasn’t enough power even with Tairn. But when will he come back and will Violet redeem them all???

[@amynsreads]

Then it’s interesting does he want her because he knows she is the key or because they’re actually all bad?

[@dinivaneck5209]

I was thinking that Naolin might be the Sage or at least venin too... Until I realized that becoming venin does not remove your bond from your dragon - or so it seems with Jack and Xayden. So if Naolin was alive, he would still be bonded to Tarin and Tarin wouldn't have bonded Violet.

[@racheleparks22]

my biggest fear is that she’s going to kill off rhiannon. there were close calls with both ridoc and sawyer, so there’s a false sense of security with iron squad

[@amynsreads]

Fair point!! I think it will be one big person per book and Rhi could be it… I’m wondering if it’s Mira though for book 3

[@AdalynFriberg]

I’ve thought the same thing about Mira and Rhi. I think it’s gonna be Rhi tho bc a gut feeling since the third book. I’d actually cry though😢

[@amynsreads]

@@AdalynFriberg saaaaaame!!

[@GamingWife42]

The petty nature of Violent in this book drove me up a wall. I was relieved when it cooled down. But I did love the ending!!

[@amynsreads]

Yesssss I hope we have less of that version of her in the future! The end tore me apart!!!

[@Miss_AriStarry]

Xaden mom is venin and she gave them the onyx stone. Xaden probably have the onyx eyes because his mom has the same onyx eyes.

[@amynsreads]

Do you think she is the sage? I've heard a lot of people talk about V's dad being the sage but Rebecca herself said he was gone before...

[@AdalynFriberg]

I think Sloane and Aaric are going to have something. I think if Xaden DOES die (and I don’t think he will) then I think Violet will go on like Four did in Divergent and not be with anyone else.

[@amynsreads]

Sloan and Aaric is a good thought. I had similar thoughts! I’m pretty positive Xaden won’t Die die

[@mandeeTerrane]

I have a different theory about the titles. You say they each just have one meaning but I would propose they each have two. Fourth Wing- the wing VI’s squad is in but also in bonding two dragons Vi got four wings instead of the usual 2. Iron Flame- from the instructions to set up the ward stone but also Vi’s squad could be considered the iron flame, thy are the iron squad and are in flame section, so they are also the iron flame. It’s highly possible that Onyx Storm could have a double meaning. My guess is that it relates to both Xaden and the wyvern. (Or any of the million other possibilities)

[@amynsreads]

I love those especially Violet getting 4 wings!!! Now my brain will be swirling again!!!

[@skz4419]

I'm not saying I think Mira is going to turn out to be the bad guy, but I do think there's something going on there with her. She doesn't seem to fully believe in Violet, as evidenced by the way she talked about Violet to Lilith at the beginning of Fourth Wing. She kept talking about how weak Violet was and how she would never be able to survive in the Riders Quadrant, and I think Mira's a little bitter that Violet succeeded so well. Rebecca mentions a few times in the books that Mira always has to be right about everything and be the best at everything and I think she's going to be kinda mad that she's being outshone by Violet, who Mira didn't even think could survive until Threshing. I also think that she's mad that both Violet and Brennan knew about the revolution and everything going on with the venin and wyvern before she did, and she certainly had a different reaction to finding out that Brennan is alive than Violet did. I don't know what she's going to do, but I just don't completely trust her. Also I 100000% agree that Rebecca better not let anything happen to Tairn. He is one of the best characters in the entire series and I love his grumpy-but-still-loving dad energy. If he dies then my entire world will shatter like Xaden's window😭✋

[@amynsreads]

I totally agree there is an opening for Mira and something happening there. And your last comment about Tairn and the window - love that you added that!!! I have to read it again with annotation before Onyx Storm!!!

[@andreaauzenne2656]

Hope it pick up where the last book ended.. an hope they do an audio book til i get each book

[@amynsreads]

I’m sure it will on both! Have you gotten into graphic audio??

[@elizabethsteenvoorden32]

I like your idea on her first signet being BOTH using/giving power or that Violet is just pure energy and she just doesn't know how to use it yet. Very cool! I also like that this opens it up so that she could have another signet. I do think the second signet will have something to do with needing information/ getting information. Whether it is in you otherworldly way? I do think your theory makes a lot of sense. For the death in the next book, I fear it's going to be Mira. Which would kill me because the women just want to be a badass while wearing an outfit with pockets! ... I love her so much. But Mira is Violet's last family protector. Lilith is dead, so is papa and Brendon... well he was never Violet's protector. I've also wonder about a potential relationship with Aaric! There are so many little comparisons in the books to Aaric and Xanden, both physical (movements) and mannerisms, where you feel there is a seed of attraction for Aaric. For example, I think it's written that they move the same, or something like that. I also wondered if maybe Xaden and Aaric are distantly related? Who is Xaden's mother? Or is Xanden's Duke father related to prince Aaric? Is that another reason why Aaric brother, the one Xanden killed during threshing, hated Xaden? Maybe, because they were family and Xanden's dad stepped out of line with what the "family" was saying?? haha just crazy thoughts... Though I have to say, I wouldn't hate it if Aaric ends up being end game. In the last book Violet and Xanden were pretty toxic. That being said if they can ultimately figure their shit out I do want Violet/ Xaden as end game. Rebecca has said that the next book is the Xanden book and book 4 is Andarna's. So, I feel that papa Sorengail's research will come out then. IF the next book is all about Xaden than I feel we'll get to know Navarre's political people, like the king. Thus finding out a lot more about Xaden's family, the duke's family??? When I was rereading Fourth Wing there was a mention about how in between the "Barren Lands" and Pomirii there is the shadow land... shadows... Xanden... is his mother from there?! Another weird thread of a theory I had was, maybe Xanden's mother is from the shadow lands and Xanden is already predisposed to turning venin and by extension being super into Violet from the get go. Hear me out, Xanden was attracted to Violet from the first time he laid eye's on her. He did also want to kill her because of who her mother was, but there was still an instant attracted to Violet. Who else was obsessed with Violet... Jack fucking Barlow. Who is also obviously venin. And why are they so obsessed with Violet? Maybe it's something about her sickness and her mom's fever when she was pregnant but it's also telling that Violet's main signet is just pure energy. What do venin want/need? Energy/power. I don't know but there is something there. .... listening to you I just had a thought, what if Lilith turned venin or pulled from the sorce when she was pregnant and that's why Violet's is the way she is, weak body but a conduit for power??? Okay, i'm stoping now.

[@amynsreads]

Oh I absolutely think there was something where she bargained to save Violet while pregnant thus the connection to another world!! And the obsession from Jack too oh man… there is def something!! I still am trying to figure out the “I’ve been yours longer than you’ve imagined” thing!! I think they need each other to save their people and he knows some thing she doesn’t??? I need to go annotate my newly obtained physical copy!!!

[@amynsreads]

And don’t stop I love it!!!!

[@kristinadams3511]

I think she can heal soales

[@amynsreads]

Oh interesting… expand please?

[@JB-mw7zt]

Oh I don’t see tairn on that cover 😢

[@amynsreads]

I don’t know if this is the final cover but that would rip my heart out to the MAX which is why I’d be scared!!!

[@youtopea]

Maybe it's not andarna either? Maybe sygeal got pissed enough at xaden to end up on the cover? I want to believe that because of the bonds between rider and dragon and especially between tairn and sygeal and that there's still 2 books in the series after this one that tiarn can't die because it would kill violet. RY is very clear that she won't write more from xadens pov because it would reveal too much to the reader and she wants us to experience it through violets eyes. I don't like the idea of making such big emphasis on if the dragon dies the rider will die unless they're venin only to have 2 dragons bond so that one could be killed off but leave the rider alive due to their other dragon. Maybe if violet turns venin? But I don't want both main characters to be venin, keeping violet not venin provides a good balance and she would be able to argue in xadens defense to others opening up for a plot that mirrors xaden and the marked ones. Xaden took a deal where his life is at steak if marked ones fuck up, maybe violet makes a similar deal to protect xaden? She keeps him from turning even more or she looses her life? It would work to be motivation for xaden to not draw from the power source since its made clear he would never do anything that would risk her life. I'm holding out hope because every place I check for the book shows a book cover that says "cover yet to be revealed" so maybe the one shown isn't actually officially the cover. The top of the cover is also cut off so maybe he's just above the rune and in the part we can't see

[@amynsreads]

@@youtopea it may be something someone created for sure. I agree Tairn can’t be honest in book 3 at least not YET! Though I’m not putting it past Rebecca to gut us like that later 😭 hoping not!!! I definitely think both of them together is the cure but figuring out how… love your thoughts!! Thanks for sharing!

[@khaleesidelrey8215]

Are you on tiktok? Or Instagram? I like your content ❤

[@amynsreads]

Both! AmyNsReads and thank you!!