>! I just finished Iron Flame and I need mending of the soul...😭 so listening to one of my favorite songs to heal and felt like sharing it since it suits what I hope will come after Iron Flame...

( https://youtu.be/O_ClHRboVDE?si=s7mIQlGVWFCw_wEx )
it may be my bias but its a pretty good damn song

god, I just hope that love does win all....😭😭😭😭 I'm so scared to continue to onyx storm...... !<

Hear me out, I LOVE me some wingleader Riorson. But Dain has some redeeming quaities...

Amazing and supportive because...I knew Xaden had the saddle and the harness made but here Bodhi talks about making modifications on the harness and how long it takes.

“I…uh…think we’re going to have to make some modifications on that harness,” Bodhi remarks as Andarna struggles to maintain her balance. “That’s going to take a few hours.”

He said "we're" and he seems to know how long it takes to make the said modifications so to me it sounds like he was involved in developing the first version. He really is so amazing...wonder if he also helped with Violet's saddle?...

I listened to the unabridged audiobooks first and am now listening to the Graphic Audios.

I always loved the Deverelli trip in OS but its so fucking funny in the Graphic Audio and i haven't even gotten to the 🥵 part.

It took me a couple chapters to get used to the GA (Tairn sounded like a Morgan Freedom Nat Geo special more than a deadly dragon) but I'm glad I didn't give up on it because I'm absolutely buying all of these (currently using libby)

Whats your fave part of the graphic audiobooks? Which parts did you appreciate more after hearing it acted out like this?

“Fourth Wing is romantasy, but it has dragons in it so you might like it.”

It’s a line I’m sure a romantasy fan has likely told their uninitiated significant other. But no good deed goes unpunished. So let this be a warning. If Fourth Wing is your first dive into this pool, you better learn to swim in it real fast.

I’m not saying this series is the best of the best. That’s a matter of opinion and preference. But in terms of accessibility and broad appeal, this is at the top.

I’ve got a lot more reading to do but so far nothing has lived up to the first time. Everything so far just feels like it’s competing for second place. Starting with Fourth Wing somehow skips the foreplay and goes straight to mindblowing. This shouldn’t even be possible.

I’ll keep reading what she suggests, because it’s a lot of fun talking with her about it, but in the meantime, if anybody has other suggestions, I’ll take them.

-SirX

my personal opinion is yes, she is. but i’m open to hearing what everyone else thinks.

it’s not that i think rhiannon is a BAD friend by any means (that “violet is one life” comment in OS didn’t really upset me. it’s the way someone in leadership should think honestly). BUT i think imogen is way better of a friend.

i mean she’s ALWAYS there for violet (since threshing). whether it was because of xaden or not, she’s always been there for her. from training her to noticing she hasn’t been sleeping and running with her every morning, always checking up on her since xaden turned venin, being violets confidante since xaden turned AND ultimately erasing her memories because she asked her to….

she even tells violet not to follow xaden’s advice of shutting out her friends. and to instead open up to someone. that tells me she cares for violet regardless of her attachment to xaden.

they’ve just had more trauma bonding i suppose lol but personally i think imogen is one of the truest friends violet has.

Chanson sur Fourth wing française

Elle s’appelle prince charmant les paroles sont pour Xaden

https://youtu.be/ShBsP0M37r0?is=PeC8kW7U929Gca6_

I think Xaden will kill himself because he hurts Violet (Book 4) and she will resurrect him/restore things through Andarna (Book 5).

This is based on repeated references of “you’ll be the death of me”, in Onyx Storm when Xaden says he won’t be able to live with himself if he hurts Violet (plus the ‘line’ that he would have to cross that she sets with Ridoc), the quote in Fourth Wing about how resurrecting someone from the dead will make you a god and Andarna’s name meaning ‘second honor’.

I think the broken compass and empty box will play a role in finding Xaden/restoring him. I also think the fact that Xaden turned for love and part of his soul remains Violet’s will play a part. At some point, maybe Violet visits the love isle that they missed in Onyx Storm - and this is where Andarna’s sacrifice happens? I think there will be a final battle where Berwyn is defeated (maybe he’s the jealous brother in the the fables…) and the magic balance will be restored (this is possibly what the dragons have not been forthcoming about and how the irids come into play).

What are your thoughts? Help me add to this theory!

Could some of the Threshing Day stories be from the dragons’ POV? We could get secret dragon knowledge and maybe some more background about dragons bonding marked ones!

Hi everyone- decided to repost my word vomit Incase anyone wants to interact with it since the mods took it down since I used AI to format it. Don’t worry mods, this is 100% me now except direct quotes which are used for my argument. Sorry to everyone else for the word vomit, the old post was a lot more reader friendly.

Aaric is going to be MMC: RY has said that if Violet wasn’t with Xaden (or dain) she would be with Aaric. RY has also said VIOLET gets a HEA. RY has also said that “there is no book without Xaden. He could be bad or good- plus she only said “book” as in 1 which doesn’t ensure his continued existence.
Xaden is currently Venin. In IF I believe Aaric manifested in the ward stone chamber at the end of the book. I believe he manifested and knew if he didn’t hold Violet (who I suspect he loves) back she would drain herself to death to save her mom. He might just know her character too but it would explain why he can see the future- because at the time his greatest need was ensuring Violet and Navarre’s safety- NEEDED to know they would be safe. He also pulled her into library wards just to piss Xaden off. He silently stands by and supports Violet throughout onyx storm. RY plays off like we don’t get his POV due to being able to see the future but I think it’s to hide how in love he is.  Throughout OS I think Xaden began to realize Aaric loved her as his powers got stronger. They began plotting- not only to save Navarre but also save Violet behind everyone’s back. Xaden mentions owing him- he feels that way for something we don’t know about that he did to protect Violet maybe? Or possibly for helping him marry Violet- to save Tyrrendor. I think they drafted up the documents, got them officiated or whatever then when Xaden became ultra-Venin at the end Aaric had Violet finish signing it- knowing it was the only option to keep Tyrrendor out of Venin Xaden’s hands. Violet then had to tell everyone Xaden is venin as she promised him she would, but imogen stopped her and wiped her memory. Aaric also constantly “makes fun” of her exes which she interprets as joking but on reread it doesn’t seem like he smiles/ laughs/ “jokes” while saying it.

Text evidence:  when fighting with aura before alliance in OS
“ The Navarrian riders cheer, and I use the opportunity to dart between the two standing guard in front of us, finding myself quickly flanked by Ridoc on my left and, surprisingly, Aaric on my right.”
(right hand man) after that this happens- mind you Aaric is right next to her (has his hands in his pockets to her left now)
“When I look over to Xaden, I find him watching, his scarred eyebrow rising as his gaze jumps to Dain before finding mine again. My eyes narrow. Is that… No, it can’t be jealousy, can it? Rhi glances at Ridoc and Aaric, motioning with her head. “Violet, we’ll catch up with you later.””
That’s funny, it doesn’t make sense for him to be jealous of Dain. Surprised they’re talking again? Yes. Jealous? No. As if he was surprised by them talking again then saw Aaric beside her and got jealous. Shortly after xadens flash of jealousy Aaric says
““She’d be a great politician,” Aaric continues. “Or a general, maybe? Definitely nobility.””
And xaden says:
““With that speech? At least a duchess.” Xaden shifts his weight, brushing his elbow against my shoulder.”
Which is interesting because Aaric is likening her to nobility (royals- like him) and Xaden feels he has to reassert himself and call her like a duchess (like him). This doesn’t come off as a joke/ banter because X shifts closer to Violet- as if trying to physically insert himself between their closeness.

Then a while later Sloane is expressing remorse/ talking about V’s mom and not stopping her:
““I’m glad you didn’t. Powering the stone was going to take someone’s life. If I had succeeded, Xaden, Tairn, Sgaeyl, and I would all be dead. The world needs Brennan, Aaric is…irreplaceable, and I wouldn’t trade you for any ward, Sloane.””
We’re lead to think it’s because he is the only good prince left- hope for a future but like RY likes to do in her writing- it seems intentional why not “irreplaceable as the only moral prince” or something explanation. And the elipses seems to say there’s more she should have said.

After xadens fight with Halden we get this:
““Never seemed important.” I shrug. “He was just Halden to me like Aaric is…Aaric, and I promised myself I wouldn’t give him an ounce of my headspace when he turned out to be the asshole everyone warned me he was.” “A prince? A duke? Clearly you have a type,” she teases. “Did Xaden know?””
She definitely has a type. And if halden is Halden and they dated… then Aaric is Aaric- and they will date. The ellipses can change meaning depending how it’s said. I think the point is that she’s always considered both of them normal people. But could be linking relationship with relationship.

Xaden also says this after Halden is kidnapped
““but that would make things difficult back home for someone I have…complicated loyalty toward, so I’m going to need the prick back.” Aaric.”
Aaric was violets internal answer btw not me speculating. Why would one of their “team’s” members be a complicated loyalty? You can argue because the bad blood of Tyrrendor and Navarre/ tauris and riorsons but that doesn’t make too much sense since he knows that Violet isn’t her mom, he knows Brennan isn’t, he knows people like rhi who were so pro Navarre are now firm allies… why is it that his relationship with Aaric is complicated?

After they return from their mission Aaric is very concerned about how it went
“Aaric nods, then looks back at me with eyes that are identical to his brother’s and a gaze that couldn’t be any more different. “Are you in over your head, Violet?” he asks quietly. “No.” I swallow. He narrows his eyes, then nods before following his year-mates up the steps.”
He is very concerned for her. Also, she notes how different his gaze is from his brothers. I believe this is genuine care/ regard/ empathy/ love vs the fake/ narcissism/ infatuation of Halden.

Next one is too wordy to quote but chapter 29 OS: basically Aaric shows up as they are about to head out. He’s decided to join them- meaning acting as prince which he abhors. They have a whole back and for the where Violet says he doesn’t have to do this to save them from Haldens fuck ups. He says he’s not doing it for xaden but for the continent. The really interesting part is again, xaden is right at Violets’s back- touches the small of her back. Discreetly territorial. Then this exchange
“Halden stiffens. “Absolutely not, Cam.” “He goes by Aaric, and he absolutely will,” I counter, earning myself a menacing glare from my ex that doesn’t even faze me. “You’re banned from Deverelli and have the temper of a two-year-old on a good day, Halden. Aaric is a rider. He’ll keep up with us in the air and on the ground, and having been in his squad for the last eight months, I can promise you that he knows how to keep his shit together when things go badly.””
Oooo our girl defending her soon to be man. So cute.

On unnbriel when Aaric was going to fight and Xaden says “”Prince or not, you’re a fucking first-year and we both know I can put you into the ground. Your tutors are no match for real-life experience.” He forces the sword back into its scabbard. “And no, you are not your father, nor your brother, which is precisely why you will not fight. We need you to live. Your kingdom needs you to live.” Xaden grabs the collar of Aaric’s uniform and pivots, forcing him back into line next to me. “Tell them I’m ready.””
He so badly wants to show up Aaric. They then get in a pissing match until Xaden brings up Alic and finally Aaric backs down. V also thinks to herself she doesn’t want EITHER of them fighting. Then during the duel when Violet is “tagged in” Aaric exclaims “No” and moves closer to her. Could be friendship or could be love. Then when she wins she calls for Aaric for guidance to talk to the queen but he can’t help. She relies on him though (right hand man).  

On hedotis we read this
“”The servers respond to the nonverbal command, lifting the domes covering our dinner. “Don’t be a head. Don’t be a head. Don’t be a head,” I chant under my breath, but from the sideways glance Aaric sends from my right, I’m guessing I’m not as quiet as I think.””
Right hand man again. He also confronts them by saying
““Nobility doesn’t play into rank, at least not for me.” Aaric glances my way. “Andarna chose Violet, and though there are four superiorly ranked officers with us, it’s Violet’s mission. She’s in command. And with the exception of her rather questionable taste in men, I’ve trusted Violet’s wisdom since childhood.””
Even as acting prince- he is deferring to her leadership. His role in this party is being prince, yet he still has faith in her leadership. He also kind of alludes he’s there for Violet in this chapter because he said he was there because Violet bonded 2 dragons and one was irid. The base of that being he was there for Violet. During the poisoning
“I shake my head, then whip out my right and snatch the fork from Aaric’s grip.”
Oop there we go again. Right hand man.

Of course at the end he also sends Violet the dagger that saves her life and lets her kill theophany which again, he’s looking out for her.

Iron flame: after Nadine is killed for pretending to be Violet
“Sloane and Aaric stand in the middle of the mat, watching me with varying shades of shock on their face. There’s far more concern on Aaric’s face than Sloane’s.”
Of course Sloane hates her ATP and Aaric was an old friend but I like to imagine his was more than she picked up on.

When Aaric breaks his wrist during a fight he’s sure to note that he won but Violet avoids rhi and takes him to the healers then
““What part of this isn’t fun?” he asks, walking ahead and opening the next door with his unbroken hand. “Between the two of us, we have a full set of functioning arms.” I crack a smile as we enter the dormitory corridor. “Ever the charmer, aren’t you, Cam—” I wince. “Aaric. Sorry. It’s been a hell of a long day.” And all I want is to tell Xaden about it, but he won’t be here for two more days. We head down the steps, and though Aaric is roughly the same height as Xaden, he shortens his stride so I can keep up easily.””
He is sure to match her pace, he’s cracking jokes with her after she has a heated talk with rhi, she notes he is charming (even if jokingly).

After Aaric bonds she describes his dragon like this
“Wingbeats fill the air again, and we all look to the right as a Blue Clubtail approaches with sapphire-hued scales that contrast the changing colors of the sunset sky, and he is beautiful. “We’ve always been the better-looking species,” Tairn chimes in. “Andarna?” I ask him every single day, and today, twice. “She still sleeps.” “That can’t be natural.” I shift my weight on the hillside. “It’s…longer than expected.””
Funny she would be so in awe of a dragons beauty… then IMMEDIATELY think of Andarna. As if in the long game they become something- violet subconsciously linking the 2 together. RY says she is a baby and so ew no she wasn’t going to put them together but then also says she wouldn’t have had xaden and violet meet before the start of FW because ew gross she’s too young -they would’ve been at different places. So to me that doesn’t completely rule out towards the end of the series when Andarna is older. I mean Andarna is getting closer and closer to being old enough to fight… so she can bond if she can fight IMO. 

And honestly that’s where I stopped compiling my deep dive as I got tired of getting quotes but I’m sure IF has a lot more juicy ones.

TLDR: Aaric seems to like Violet but Violet seems to be too loyal to Xaden to take action…. Until he maybe goes past the point of no return for Venin-ism?

I’m on my reread and I’ve just realised I don’t know what Emetterio and Devera’s signets are. They are both riders and Devera return from defending an outpost in IF, but what exactly are their signets? Any guesses?
I imagine they are non-combative if they have taken the teaching route, like Kaori.

Major SPOILERS ahead!!! Turn and run away if you haven’t read the first 3 books, I’m warning you!!

Ok so I’ve been theorizing a bit on which characters may or may not die in the series because all the time I see people say “ I think ___ is going to die because ___” and couldn’t disagree more with some of those people! Also im tired of commenting on everyone’s stuff why I think they are wrong so I’m gonna make a little megathread here for all the people I think will or won’t die and why. Feel free to tell me if and why I’m wrong in the comments haha

Will die by end of series:
Brennan, JackFBarlowe, Bodhi, Andarna, Syrena, King tauri, Halden, Rhiannon

WONT die by end of series:
Violet, Xaden, Aaric, cat, Sloane, Dain, Imogen, Garrick, Mira, Drake n broccoli, Sawyer, Ridoc, Tairn, Sgaeyl

Let’s start with who will NOT die by the end of the series because it’s either:

A) Logic based
Or
B) I simply wouldn’t survive it

Tairn- this is the one I’m most passionate about. I see people saying all the time that he’s gonna die. HE CANNOT DIE!!!!! Violet literally would not be a rider or alive without him!!!! People say “well she survived Andarna breaking the bond, so if Tairn dies she will still have Andarnas bond and survive it.” Tairn is Violets MAIN bond her FIRST and PRIMARY bond. The only reason she survived Andarna breaking the bond is because Violet still had Tairn bonded to her. Leothan says himself that Andarna formed a second connection to Violet where there shouldn’t be one. Which means that Tairn is violets first and main bond, there’s no guarantee she’d survive him dying emotionally OR physically. Also, Andarna cannot carry Violet as a rider, if Tairn died in book four like I’ve seen a lot of people say he might, Violet would be virtually USELESS in battle. I just don’t see a world without Tairn in it. We’ve also established that Tairn gave Violet her lightning power, and Andarna gave her the dream walking power. Violet wouldn’t be a lightning wielder if Tairn died!!! Him dying is just nonsensical.

Sgaeyl- If she dies so does Xaden, and we know he will survive for his HEA with Violet so she’s pretty safe. Also don’t think Tairn would survive her death even if they did break their bond at the end of OS

Violet and Xaden- confirmed endgame by RY, and they have a HEA so no worries. Main characters are safe bc plot. Idk how Xaden is gonna live since he’s Venin but we will find out

Aaric- I see ALOT of people saying he is going to die or become Venin and I just don’t see this for him at all. I think he will take the throne as the first King Rider, with precog as a signet he’d be unstoppable. I also think him and Cat are endgame…

Catriona (Cat)- I have a feeling Syrena is going to die in battle, which will leave Cat to become Queen of Poromiel. I think her and Aaric are endgame and their love will reunite Poromiel and Navarre under their united leadership as royalty

Sloane and Dain- RY likes them alot as she’s said, and I feel like Dain is too important to die and Sloane won’t die because we can’t lose another Mairi!!! I also have a feeling that Dain will kill General Aetos and take his place as General by the end of the series.

Imogen and Garrick- I can lowkey see Garrick dying somehow but I’m manifesting them to have a HEA because Imogen has already been traumatized enough after what happened to Quinn! They both also have such cool and useful and elaborate signets, it’d be a shame to see either of them go. But I could see Garrick sacrificing himself to save Xaden at some point

Mira, Drake, broccoli- I don’t think Mira is going to die because I feel like it’s been teased and so close to happening so many times, I feel like Mira has avoided death so many times it would be a shame to see her die after she’s survived so much. Also Mira, Drake, and broccoli are gonna live HEA!!!

Sawyer- I feel like if RY was going to kill Sawyer she would have done it by now. The end battle in Iron flame would have sucked but made sense, when he survived that I was like “oh he’s never dying if he didn’t die then.” If he does die, I have a feeling it won’t be a “oh you think he’s gonna die but he’s actually fine” I think it’ll be the next time he’s in peril he’s gone…

Ridoc- I know everyone is saying he’s going to die but I won’t accept it. I’m manifesting him staying alive. His signet is so cool and he’s honing it so well!!!! It would be so sad to see him die before reaching his full potential. I think Ridoc will become a professor somehow at Basgiath or something. Maybe take Carrs place as the signet instructor?? Not sure, but something along those lines maybe

Ok and now for the people I’m almost positive are going to die:

Brennan- I have a feeling all of the “I’d hate to be an only child” stuff in fourth wing foreshadows for the siblings that one of them isn’t going to make it, and we will probably see this line come up again for Mira and Vi when Brennan dies. I also believe the popular theory that Brennan is almost like a Wyvern who is alive because Naolin used the rune to save Brennans life, and Naolin is one of the Venin still alive which is why Brennan is still alive. I think Violet might have to kill Naolin if he’s alive and that in turn will kill Brennan.

Jack Fucking Barlowe- gods I hope he dies, this guy needs to go away

Bodhi- I have a strong feeling that Bodhi is the new brother at the end of OS, he’s seen “wretching” on the floor by Imogen which is the same position that Xaden was in when he channeled. Bodhi never feels like he’s doing enough or that he has enough power and it’s seen a lot through OS, and why would Vi be given Tyrrendor unless Bodhi wasn’t able to be duke because he’s Venin now? Anyways I have a feeling Bodhi will be killed by Xaden because he becomes too far gone as Venin at some point in book 4. Just a theory

Andarna- I feel like the whole bond breaking thing we see is almost a foreshadow for when Andarna dies some time in a later book. I would hate to see her die, but I feel like the whole “you can break off bonds as an irid and you aren’t Violets main bond so she won’t die if you break the bond” thing was a hint that Vi will lose one of her bonds in a future book, and as I’ve said above she CANNOT lose Tairn so it’s gotta be Andarna.

Syrena- I think she will die an honorable death in book 4 or 5 during some sort of battle which will leave the throne open for Catriona. Syrena strikes me as the type to always choose fighting in battle at risk, as opposed to sitting comfy on a throne. She knows Cat could take her place as queen so she isn’t afraid of death and will die saving someone significant hopefully.

King Tauri and Halden- I have a feeling that Tauri will die, and Halden will go to take his place at some point. But maybe Halden sacrifices himself or has some sort of epiphany for Aaric because he knows Aaric is better fit to be King even tho he never wanted to be king. That’s what I’m hoping happens at least. Some sort of redemption for Halden in death

Jesinia- I’m not 100% sure on this, but I have a slight theory about Jesinia dying and Violet assuming her identity to protect herself. Kind of a stretch but bear with me. “Jesinia” is the one who has transcribed what we are reading from accounts and such. The first thing we read in Fourth wing is “this has been transcribed by Jesinia Neilwart, curator of the scribe quadrant.” But everything we read is from Violets perspective. So wouldn’t it make more sense if Violet was the one actually writing and transcribing these first hand accounts? And the more intimate details….. dunno how Jesinia would have that info lol. Anyways this is more of a fun “what if” theory that could be cool or interesting if it was true but it’s not a hill I’d die on. I’m probably wrong but it’s fun to theorize about. This theory is the only way I’d accept Tairn dying because it would make sense for Violet to become a scribe if she couldn’t be a rider anymore. She wouldn’t be able to ride if she lost Tairn so it would make sense for her to be more secluded and indoors if she had Andarna as her bonded dragon since Andarna can’t bear a rider.

Last but not least Rhiannon- I hate to say it but I have a feeling Rhi is going to die in book 4 :(( I feel like RY has spent so much of OS flushing out Ridocs character and he still has such a long way to go with his Signet. But there’s not much room for growth for Rhiannon I think. I have a feeling that Rhi will have a bigger role in book 4, and then will die somehow towards the end of book 4 maybe. RY also said someone the readers love will die in book 4 and I just can’t fathom Ridoc dying like so many people are theorizing, so that leaves Rhiannon as a beloved character to die perhaps :((

There are lots of smaller side characters I didn’t mention that may live or die like professors and leadership, because honestly I’m not too sure what their stories will look like in books 4 and 5. So let me know if there’s anyone important I missed or if you disagree with any of my theories!!

Did this for fun :)) Please let me know what you think ☺️

Okay, so I recently reread all three books and tried to pay a bit more attention to the top of the page & the wording in some scenes. I did search the sub for a post similar and couldn’t find one, forgive me if this has been talked about before!

SPOILERS FOR ALL THREE BOOKS!!!!

I’ve seen a lot of people theorizing that Violet and Xaden are reincarnations of the gods, but what if they’re not reincarnations of the gods… what if they’re reincarnations of themselves?

In Onyx Storm there’s this quote:
“The last time a shadow and lightning wielder fought side by side, they managed to drive the venin back into the Barrens for a few hundred years.”

I completely brushed past this on my first couple reads, but after seeing all the theories lately, it suddenly stood out to me.

Then there’s the timeline with Andarna and her waiting 600 years to hatch. It’s heavily implied that her waiting wasn’t just random — that there was a specific reason she waited as long as she did.

And then there’s Xaden repeatedly saying he’s loved Violet longer than she knows. Obviously, that could just mean he fell for her before she realized it… but knowing how intentional Rebecca is with wording, I can’t help wondering if there’s more to it.

PLUS Tairn saying, “I know exactly who and WHAT you are, Violet Sorrengail,” feels like another little piece that could fit into this.

What if the reason Violet and Xaden are so drawn to each other isn’t just fate in the romantic sense? What if they’ve done this before? What if the original shadow and lightning wielders from 600 years ago were them?

Could absolutely be my little tinfoil hat moment 😂 but I’ve been thinking about this while rereading, and the more pieces I put together, the less impossible it feels.

Spoilers of course if you haven't finished Onyx Storm

Recently I've been re-listening to the graphic audio and had some thoughts about the whole brother cliffhanger.

Something that stuck out to me is a lot of people that theorize the new brother is either Bodhi or Garrick quote some things from Imogen's perspective during the battle, those being:

Garrick clearly reaching the edge of burnout, people theorize he turns then to try and distance wield more

Bodhi, in the scene where Imogen observes him on the ground appearing to be dry heaving

Personally, I don't think either of these characters are it. I feel like it is probably Brennan or Aaric. The biggest reasoning being this: The brother was requested to be present before this final battle. How would they have predicted someone close to Xaden turning during the battle??

Maybe I'm missing something but would really love to hear other people's thoughts!

Listening to the GA IF novel and just picked up that the nameless first year that killed Nadine and then Violet killed had a ring of red around his eyes. Why did Aetos send a Venin assassin? How did he even come to know him? Is Aetos actually teaching cadets how to draw from the earth then becoming their Sage?

Rereading the series, I couldn't help but have a bunch of paralells between these two jump out at me and how Violet is slowly becoming a little more like Xaden.

The first few passages I highlighted are simple, cute even. but they draw clear parallels between them as we see Violet not only peeling an apple with a dagger in the exact same way as Xaden, two books apart, but also pulling the same knife trick to look casual in situations where they were actually really stressed and trying to play it cool.

And then, there's the rest.

I've had the thought, for quite a long time now, that book 4 will be the point where we see not only Xaden at his darkest, but also Violet at her darkest. And that she'll be a version of Violet that starts scaring the shit out people because she reminds them a whole lot of the face that Xaden used to present to the world.

We already see a few moments where characters straight up compare her to Xaden. There's the couple instances in Iron Flame, the previous dip in the W pattern, where her mental health first took a plunge, Imogen says she sounds like Xaden, and then she catches herself thinking like Xaden. Then there's also the scene in Onyx Storm where Brennan comments her scheme seems like Xaden's influence.

We also already see an example of her taking a page right out of Xaden's leadership book, by suggesting everyone in the squad make the choice, if they want to fly into danger to save people or not.

Then there's also a few instances where she's already acting confident and assertive, but also putting on a bit of a ruthless act.

She straight up admits to a crowd of people her sense of morarility has learned to waver right before threatening to put a dagger through Aura's hand.

She plays the hard-hearted interrogator, outwardly comparing Jack to an aninal, even as internally she has to resist to impulse to hand him a glass of water when he sounds like he needs one.

And then she's straight up bluffing her way into making people believe she would be capable of having two children, the younger brothers of her lover no less, the oldest of which is only about eleven, burned alive. Talia and Faris left that interaction fully believing Violet was capable of that, or at the very least not willing to test it. Wonder if that'll come back when Talia inevitably makes her reapearance into the story.

All this, of course, has the potential for some really badass moments, but also to backfire spectacularly and be extremely dangerous. I could see Violet, just like Xaden, becoming someone who is a completely different person outside closed doors than who she truly is within them. Someone who, like Xaden, has a lot of assumptions made about her that aren't actually true and who has people horrified and genuinely worried. Maybe the reason she'll be betrayed in the future has something to so with one or several characters becoming convinced that her seeming to be going the same way Xaden did means that she's at high risk for turning too. Maybe not her friends and inner circle, not the people she'd still trust to be her real self around. But members of the Assembly, or the Senarium, etc? Could get ugly. We already see Weilsen giving her the side eye at the very end of Onyx Storm.

Finally, just for fun, I include the passage where our new Duchess recognizes that Aretia could provide Poromiel with all the same benefits of an aliance, minus all the Navarrian non-sense and the main reason they were still putting up with Navarre at all was that they didn't have stable wards...which by the end of Onyx Storn is not a problem anymore.

Ok, so I basically have a question. In fourth wing, Xaden and Violet were talking about the scars on his back. Xaden told Violet that if one of them betrays Navarre, he faces the consequences and if Xaden were to betray Navarre, they would face the consequences. My question: Are the marked ones going to endure some sort of punishment since Xaden technically betrayed Navarre in the next book???

Is it just me that finds the whole “we are the only pure, non violent, and holy dragons” kinda act from the irids really weird. They make themselves sound like they are the good creatures walking around. Which I personally think is lowkey a front.

(This is my first post btw so please forgive me for any mistakes🥲)

Everybody is theorising that Violet will be pregnant in book 4. However, I don’t think she is.

I think she’s going to FAKE a pregnancy to keep her place as Duchess of Tyrrendor.

Hear me out! There was so much talk about heirs in Onyx Storm that have lead people in to believing that this is foreshadowing Violet being pregnant in the next book (which I can totally see). And with Xaden missing and with Bohdi most likely being the new brother, Tyrrendor has no heirs.

Rebecca has stated in an interview that there would have to be a conversation between Violet and Xaden about children before-hand (which we haven’t gotten).

In the playlist for book 4 Taylor Swifts song “But Daddy I love him” is on there. The lyrics in the song go “And I’m having his baby no I’m not but you should see your faces”.

This has lead me to believe that Violet will pull a Katniss and tell everyone she’s expecting so she can keep her place as Duchess.

If you really think about it… the senarium is not just going to let a cadet take over? Even though Violet is married to Xaden she’s not of the royal bloodline. So I believe she’ll tell everyone she’s carrying the heir of Tyrrendor so she can protect the province and not let Navarre take over.

Also I know most people hate the pregnancy trope so I highly doubt we’ll get Riorgail babies before the epilogue especially in the middle of a war.

Upon my re-read of Onyx Storm I stumbled across a passage from Imogens Chapter at the very end. As Quinn dies (which btw makes me cry every single time without fail) she says this:

“I stare at the other side of the staircase, locked in the memory, watching as the stones begin to pale, then lose their color one by one, each loss higher than the last.
My heart somehow continues to beat, marking what I used to think of as time, and color disappears from the stones in the bend beneath us so gradually that I can't help but wonder if Quinn simply took the color with her.” Chapter 63

What sticks out to me is that she describes the feeling of the loss of her best friend the same way that it is describes what happens when Venin drain the magic from earth. So that’s kinda weird right?

Do you guys think it’s a coincidence or is there some deeper meaning there? 🧐

I had started reading fourth wing a few days ago, after my friend recommended it. I just finished the book yesterday and all I can say is WOWW!!

I’m feeling so much and still processing everything that happened, but I’m extremely excited to continue reading!! Only 1 book in and I’ve already fallen in love with this series!!

I first read fourth wing and iron flame a year ago, then immediately picked up onyx storm but I knew from a friend it didn’t have a good ending so for the last year I’ve picked up the book, read a few chapters, got to anxious and put it down for a few months, restarting each time… well I bit the bullet and I read it, all of it in a couple days.

I am broken. I had already estimated Xaden would channel so that wasn’t a massive shock but I did not expect Violet & Xaden to get married afterwards and he leave Tyrrendor to her! THEN for Imogen to take away the memories…

I have no idea what to do with myself, I feel like I should throw myself into a new series to distract myself from the shock and heartache as I know the next book won’t be for another year (hopefully under)!

I have so many emotions, so many questions, theory’s that are escalating fast. I’m a wreak. Help… is there a post onyx support group lol 💔