It goes without saying that THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven’t read this chapter of Onyx Storm, please go read it first.

It’s fair to say that Chapter 10 has so much going on—a lot of new information and a lot of Easter eggs, as we discussed. I don’t know about you, but I would say that Onyx Storm is my favorite in the series so far. There is literally non-stop thrilling adventure. I now have big expectations from chapter 11.

The chapter opens with a recorded correspondence from Cliffsbane to Lyra Mykel. Assuming this was before the wards were raised and fliers and dragons were still talking to one another rather than being just mortal enemies.

“In the hope and excitement this new development of the bonds between dragons, gryphons, and their humans brings, I wonder who has stopped to contemplate the nature of magic’s balance. Do we not risk the equal rise of the very powers we seek to wield?”

Food for thought. I’ve been pondering this a little. I have a theory about dragons not being as good as we think. They do take magic and wield it. What is the price they pay for that? After all, venin also take magic and pay with their soul. Humans are being given magic via their dragons, so technically, humans by themselves don’t seem to break the balance. But it’s worth contemplating, indeed, that magic likes all things in balance. So why does magic give to dragons without expecting something in return?

On that note, let’s dive right in. The chapter immediately gives us another clue: there are venin within Basgiath. “But I knew as soon as the cream-robed scholars whispered about the seventh breed in your war college.” In the scribe Quadrant too. I know, I know, everyone evil seems to now be venin but come on, Markham is one of them, right?

We know that Andarna was left behind some six centuries ago. But why would a venin want to lay eyes on her? Also, does this sound familiar? Who else wanted to see her? General Aetos (Fourth Wing).

“Or ever,” Dain’s dad chimes in. “We were actually hoping that you might ask your dragon to allow us to study her. For purely academic purposes, of course.”

We continue the chapter with Theophanie stating, “You truly don’t know what she is, do you?” And it just about reminds me how little we know about irids or Andarna’s kind. During her interviews, Rebecca Yarros did promise that Book 3 (Onyx Storm) will cover Andarna. So I’m quite excited to understand more.

Theo also mentions “how short mortal memory” can be—rather than what, Violet wonders. And that’s a very good point because it has two implications. Either venin can live forever as long as there is magic to feed them, or this is a nudge to the Gods.

Theo clearly states that Xaden will come to them. And Violet will follow. Even more interesting, Theo feels like she’s in direct competition with Berwyn. Berwyn won Xaden. Theo wants Violet to pick her as her teacher, as her Sage.

And oh, the next part of the chapter is so chilling I can’t even… Theo clearly states that Berwyn is subpar, and given her facial expressions, it’s clear that she does not like the other maven at all. Plus, she states that while under her, Violet is allowed to keep both her dragons. Wait…WAIT. I think this is an Easter egg. Berwyn does not allow his initiates to keep their dragons. UGH! Is Sgaeyl in danger?

Plus, we reiterate the two things Violet needs more: control and knowledge. She does. Control for Xaden, knowledge on how to cure him.

“Do not dehydrate on my account” said by Tairn is for the quote book.

So…Garrick is not just an exceptionally powerful air wielder. Nope. He’s our distance walker. I do love it when we get these extraordinary signets. Do you sometimes imagine Garrick as this gorgeous hunk of a man with a dimple? I cannot wait to see what cast we will have for the Fourth Wing series.

Anyway, moving on. Here is a fun little Easter egg for you.

“Did you know?” I ask Tairn.
“We do not gossip about our riders.”

During one of her Q&As, Rebecca Yarros was asked what dragons gossip about. And she said: their riders. So I think this was a little cute, funny thing to make us smile.

Chapter 11 is also when we learn about arinmint. Also, we learn that exporting it out of Aretia is illegal. Interesting. I do have to wonder if the reason why Xaden smells (or smelled) like mint all this time is because of this very herb.

“The twin boys are seven, with her ochre complexion, dark hair, and honey-brown, grief-stricken eyes, which must be why the two feel so familiar to me.” This refers to Maren’s brothers.

This was an Easter egg for what’s to come in the book. It’s fascinating to me just how easily Violet dismisses certain things. I assume, we all do.

It’s nice to know that Brennan finally changed his name back from Aisereigh to Sorrengail. But yeah, if we thought we couldn’t hate General Aetos more, he proves us wrong over and over again.

I do have a question here. Let’s muse together a little. If General Aetos is in the same category as Varrish (and let’s face it, we all know Varrish was a venin somehow), then he can sense Xaden, right? He’s doing this to him (and by this I mean sending him beyond the wards, or not allowing him back in the college) on purpose so he breaks, right?

[…] “It’s been a few centuries since any sitting member of the Senarium has worn black.” We know that from the royal archives in Iron Flame. Do we think this was done so those in power are not potentially attracted by dark magic? That they cannot be as easily corrupted?

The chapter ends with Xaden telling everyone to get out so he can kiss Violet. Oh, that man…

Overall, a solid chapter that brings the story forward with just a couple of Easter Eggs here and there.

Onyx Storm Read Along

• Onyx Storm Read Along: Prologue
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 1
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 2
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 3
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 4
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 5
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 6
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 7
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 8
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 9
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 10
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 11
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 12
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 13
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 14
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 15
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 16
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 17
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 18
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 19
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 20
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 21
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 22