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.
I know it’s unusual for me to start with a question, but why does Ridoc want to join the quest squad so badly? Ridoc has always liked Violet and loyally followed her. But ever since Rebecca Yarros teased that someone close to Violet will betray her, I’ve been guarded. That said, in my previous theory about the Gods, I pointed out that Ridoc claimed he’s the “God of land navigation.” Maybe he knows he needs to go with Violet to keep her safe.
Chapter seven opens with the squad heading to the infirmary to meet Dyre, who continues to serve Violet after becoming indebted to her in Iron Flame when she saved his life. This is a perfect moment to reappreciate how skilled Violet is with poisons and tinctures. She prepares a concentrated purple valerian root for Dyre to use in emergencies. It feels like a gentle reminder from Yarros that, even though poisons aren’t as prominent lately, Violet still relies on herbs and remedies.
Now, let’s talk about this Easter egg: “Then you’re fucked, because I can’t think of a single rock or earth wielder in our history.” Why would a rock wielder be so powerful? Well, remember what Xaden said in Iron Flame: Stone doesn’t burn. Much like dragon scales. Interesting, right?
Ridoc seems to take the spotlight again, reminding Sawyer to put his uniform on. Moving forward, we learn something huge: Violet’s little plan? Only her squad knows about it—Xaden doesn’t. Not only that, but the Aretian riot fully supports them, while the Navarrian riot is still in the dark.
One thing is clear: when it comes to trouble, the Sorrengails are always at the center of it. Is it just me, or can Mira “sense” when something is wrong with Violet? We know she’s not an inntinnsic because she would’ve known what Violet was thinking in Fourth Wing when Violet told her about the wyvern and venin. But here’s an interesting line from the previous chapter: “Mira’s eyes narrow in my direction, like she’s the inntinnsic in the room and not Xaden.” Could there be more to this? Some form of emotional inntinnsic?
Another intriguing detail in this chapter: Violet uses the expression “the six of us” again. She said it in the previous chapter without much thought, but here it refers to a different group of six. Is this an Easter Egg from Rebecca Yarros or something used to throw us off?
Then there’s this line: “We watch a spot on the top line of runes differentiating Navarre’s wardstone from Aretia’s bubbling outward.”
I’ve read it ten times, and I still can’t figure out what it means. Does Violet remember the Aretian wardstone’s details so vividly? Is this a reference to the spot we see on the book’s cover art? If anyone has thoughts on this, please share in the comments!
Ridoc adds: “Kind of wondering what protection we just took off.”
When Sawyer lifts his hands again, we know for sure they removed some kind of protection—and that’s terrifying. However, the second rune removal was correct, and it’s official: the fliers can now wield within the wards.
Mira, practically a walking ward herself, confirms she’s 99% sure the protections against dark wielders are still intact. So what is missing?
Battle Brief is new and exciting: fliers and riders are taking it together now. We also find out that Cat told Tecarus they can wield, and negotiations have resumed between Navarre and Poromiel. And guess what? Dain Aetos is reinstated as the Fourth Wing’s wingleader. For a brief moment, it feels like all is right in the world.
But no—wrong. Because seconds later, Colonel Aetos (ugh, yuck!) storms into the room and charges Violet with high treason against the Kingdom of Navarre.
When Rebecca Yarros said that this is a non-stop thrilling adventure, the woman did NOT lie, that’s for sure…
Read the Next Chapters:
- 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
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