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.

The chapter opens with additional details on the second Krovlan uprising. I feel like we’re finally getting closer to understanding what really happened.

The foreign troops (Deverelli) disappeared, allowing the Poromish forces to crush the Krovlan rebels. Asher Sorrengail makes it a point to state that something significant must not have been upheld by the Krovlan rebellion, given that the Deverelli vanished into thin air overnight.

There’s so much I want to understand about this rebellion. First, why did Krovla rise against Poromiel for the second time? It strikes me as odd.

Going back to Iron Flame:

“This shelf is all journals of the commanding generals of the riders?”
Aaric lowers his hood and glances over his shoulder at me.
“They used to be separate positions.” I move to the last section of the center pedestal. “Healers, infantry, or even scribes could be the General of the Armies until about two hundred years ago with the second Krovlan uprising. After that, the commander of the riders commanded all Navarre’s forces.”

Again, we don’t fully know what happened, but the second Krovlan uprising must have been so significant that even Navarre restructured its command. Are we all curious to know what happened during the first Krovlan uprising as well?

The chapter continues with the quest squad traveling on horseback around Matyas, Deverelli’s capital. The description has whimsical elements, but I have a feeling we should pay close attention to this supposedly “pacifist” island nation. They’ve hidden “treasures” under the canopies, indicating they keep whatever happens within the city hidden from aerial surveillance. Everything is also built from stone—rather convenient against dragon fire.

“I’ve assured her Tairn’s within range and can set this whole place on fire within minutes if I call for him.”

But I don’t think that would work at all, considering stone doesn’t burn…

Another nugget of information:

“What we really need is a freaking communication rune for the others—if such a thing exists.”

Something tells me we’re bound to come across one eventually.

I have to say, the exchange of conversation at the beginning of this chapter makes me so excited. I love a menacing Xaden, but a happy Xaden? That’s the most charming thing ever. I imagine the guy, calm, happy and drop dead gorgeous on his horse.

And can we appreciate this description?

“Everywhere I look, there’s a purchase being haggled over, a fruit I’ve never tasted, a flower I’ve never smelled, a bird I’ve never heard. It’s a sensory feast, and I consume it like a starved woman.”

This perfectly captures how we all feel when we step into a new world while on holiday. Rebecca Yarros nailed it with such an elegant phrase.

Do you remember this?

“Let’s go, Krovlish.”

Why do the people of Deverelli speak Krovlan? Were they once part of Krovla? And again, I keep asking: the isles were once part of the continent, right? A single landmass from ocean to ocean, as per the Fourth Wing description from the Fables of the Barrens.

“An ancient kingdom that spanned from ocean to ocean and a Great War among three brothers who fought to control the magic in this mystical land.”

What actually happened that the isles are no longer part of the continent? And why would an island like Deverelli speak Krovlan of all languages?

Two more things to note about Deverelli: they also speak the common language, and they don’t share a currency with Navarre. But as Xaden said:

“Gemstones seem to speak in every language.”

Before entering Tomes & Tales, Mira says:

“Even if he did, we can’t be in two places at once.”

This line feels like foreshadowing. Could this be a signet we haven’t seen yet? Something like Quinn’s astral projection but honed to perfection over decades? Is this a hint that a super Venin has this ability?

We also learn that while the Deverelli people appear “peaceful,” they still have serrated blades. Whether they know how to use them—or even train with them—is another question entirely.

The chapter ends with Narelle acknowledging Violet. Can we just pause for a second and appreciate how incredible each chapter of Onyx Storm ends? Every single one feels like a mini cliffhanger. Rebecca Yarros is such a phenomenal writer.

Now, let’s find out about the books Asher Sorrengail wrote for Violet!

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
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 23
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 24
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 25
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 26
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 27
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 28
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 29
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 30
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 31
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 32
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 33
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 34
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 35
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 36
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 37
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 38
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 39
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 40
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 41
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 42
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 43
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 44
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 45
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 46
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 47
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 48
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 49
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 50
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 51
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 52
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 53
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 54
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 55
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 56
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 57
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 58