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. Please note that some mild spoilers from future chapters will be found here.

Three weeks later! We’re moving into the end of April. Again, I’m keeping track of all these dates for our timeline.

The beginning of the chapter doesn’t give us much. It feels like this and that is happening, but there isn’t much to pay close attention to. To use Violet’s words, the chapter feels like “a bow with its string pulled tight, just waiting for the order to be fired.”

To keep in with the timeline, the day after tomorrow (so maybe the last week of April?), the Iron Squad is headed for their Aretian rotation. I suppose that’s great news, as we’ll get to see Xaden again soon.

Hey, look, a cute little Easter egg here: “Aaric throws his arm across Lynx’s chest and drags him back, bumping into Sawyer just before the door bursts open and the Duke of Calldyr flies through.”

If you know, you know. But if you don’t, just underline this for later when we’ll learn a little more about first-year signets.

“His gaze jumps to mine like a compass pulled north.”

In case you needed a reminder that, in fact, a compass was given to Violet on the Isle of Luck. Maybe that compass does not point north, but it sure will point to… the right destination she’ll need.

And check out this little detail. It’s begun. Violet is already checking for Xaden and his shadows. How to find him, how to feel him. “Still, just in case, I watch the shadows, spotting the darkest one.”

Can I ask about this sentence here? What does Xaden mean by “You are a prince, but not the prince?” Halden is first in line. So he is actually the prince, no? Does Xaden know more about Tyrrendor’s past and who the rightful royal seat belongs to?

“You are a prince, not the prince. Bring your troops into Tyrrendor, and Aaric will suddenly find himself first in line for the throne.”

“His cold eyes glance my way, chilling my blood, and then he does a double take.” – Does it mean that part of his soul is actually making this happen? He channeled three times. Did he lose part of himself then? Do venin really feel…nothing?

And woaaaah—what the hell did Rebecca Yarros do here? Lynx? Lynx is a shadow wielder? That’s… unexpected. And a bit meh. I feel nothing for Lynx and really don’t love him being “our side’s” shadow wielder.

“I don’t understand. You’re our generation’s shadow wielder.”
“Not anymore. Magic knows.” Xaden’s shoulders dip as he turns slowly to face me, his brow scrunching in apology before he schools his features.
“He’s the balance.”

Lynx is the balance. There is always a balance. Which begs the most important question: Is Violet the one meant to tip the balance? Is that why the venin want her so badly? Because they do not have a true lightning wielder? Does that mean that for every signet, the venin have it too and Violet is the only one more powerful than every other signet combined?

“What happens to Tairn and Sgaeyl if you give in?”
Xaden’s jaw flexes.
“Do venin get once-a-week visits?” I take a step closer and lift my chin. “Does their bond survive you turning? Does ours? You and I are tethered for life, Xaden Riorson. Am I expected to turn with you? Is that the only way to keep our dragons alive if you give up?”

Is this… foreshadowing? I think it is. What does happen to Tairn and Sgaeyl? Will Violet have to turn? That would literally mean that she is indeed tipping the balance. Let’s not forget that according to Rebecca Yarros, she wanted Violet to turn at the end of Iron Flame. It’s not impossible that we will have them both turn.

And just like that… I think we’re actually losing Xaden right now. “I just fought with every weapon in my arsenal, and it wasn’t enough.”

And please, read these beautiful words over and over again:

“I have the utmost respect for you, Cadet Sorrengail, but this is a crucial time that will determine the path of the province for the next millennium. Your purpose is as great as his in a wholly separate arena, and if that purpose makes it impossible for you to be what Tyrrendor needs—”

Their purposes are wholly separate to bring peace on this continent. And as readers, I think we need to accept this. We just…don’t want to.

And then he says something even more important: “I just hope you two will figure out the balance between it all.”

As if Lewellen knows, he says that they both need to figure out the balance between it all. Because that’s what magic requires: balance. While I know that Lewellen does not know about Riorson, his words hit differently this time.

Well, Violet does reply, and in a weird way, she’s not wrong.

“We’re already balanced because we’re both strong for ourselves and each other.”

Not quite. He is dark and she is light. He is venin, she is the lightning wielder who can kill him. He is the most powerful dark wielder, no doubt. She is the only one more powerful than him… Already balanced, indeed. Just not the way she imagines it.

“And I’m telling you I promised to help keep Tyrrendor safe, but not at his expense.” I think this is a bit of an Easter egg for Book 4, by the way and foreshadowing for Onyx Storm ending.

I feel like this book is getting more and more intense. Is it fair to say that so far, it’s our favorite book in the series?

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