Major spoilers ahead. I’m going to assume you’ve finished the entire series. These chapters include spoilers from all the books, not just Fourth Wing.
This chapter’s epigraph tells us everything we need to know about what’s about to happen…just not in this particular chapter. Major Afendra tells us about sparring and just how dangerous it is. And while we touch base on when and how sparring works within the chapter, this is foreshadowing for later.
There, at the beginning of the chapter we get “We commend their souls to Malek.” The god of death. He was still mentioned first, at the very beginning of the book. Having said that, we didn’t know who Malek was until now. We assumed, but didn’t know. Malek. So many theories about this intriguing god. And let’s not forget, Rebecca Yarros herself said that he is her favourite god. Something tells me he is going to play such an important role soon.
Chapter 4 is about forging friendships. Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer. The fearsome foursome that we love so much. Interesting how Ridoc (sure, a smart ass) is presented as a jokester but becomes so impressive and insightful throughout the series, especially in Onyx Storm. I still think there is something very important about his arc.
I love how interesting the conversation is between Dain and Violet, explaining how Xaden wants her dead. When in reality, we all know that Xaden probably made it clear to everyone that “she’s his only and nobody should touch her,” and how he is meant to protect her. Cute, though. Cute. It kinda sets the tone for a lot of tension and I like that.
And here we are, learning about more signet powers, too. I love how there’s drama, action, and intrigue, yet the author continues to drop information that we need to build the world. It’s the dialogue that makes it flow further and further. This is also the moment we learn about Dain’s power, which is pretty significant. Retrocognition. It’s also the first time we hear about inntinnsics. This chapter gives a lot of information, that’s for sure.
“No way.” I smile, taking a calming breath as I remember Xaden’s uniform didn’t have any patches on it.” – Haha, okay, read this one again – it’s kinda cute, isn’t it? We all know the reason why Xaden’s uniform doesn’t have any patches.
Another interesting Easter Egg here: how Dain was good friends with Amber Mavis… yeah, we all know what that means. But also how wrapped up in his head he is, thinking that wingleaders see the Codex as sacred, knowing full well that most wingleaders find ways to break it.
Do you remember when I was trying to prove to you that Xaden is an inntinnsic? Before Iron Flame came out? Well, let’s start again, together, to point out all the times he’s been seeing her, reading her mind, or she’s been feeling him.
“The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a chill races down my spine as I cross the center of the rotunda, then my steps halt.”
I loved how cool, calm, and collected Xaden was during his… pretty much… monologue. And cute Violet just… bolted.
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