Onyx Storm – Recap and What do we know so far

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Written by: Cory

Onyx Storm - Recap and What do we know so far

It goes without saying that THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven’t read Onyx Storm, please go read it first. Maybe you are looking for a spoiler-free version of my Onyx Storm review.


Are you ready to begin? While this post does not contain any major theories yet, I promise I’m bringing them ALL to you starting Monday. Plus, if you want to re-read the book with me and dissect every chapter in all the details, then please make sure you check my read-along. Please note that the following will not be in the order of the book but just how I remember it all.

First of all, jeez, this was a whirlwind of emotions. I honestly thought that based on Rebecca Yarros’ interview, where she mentioned writing in a W format, I expected Onyx Storm to be slightly happier, as in, for the ending to be on a high…kind of similar to Fourth Wing when we discovered that Brennan was alive. That felt happy. We were left curious for sure, but happy. The ending of Onyx Storm left me reeling. I wanted to throw the book in the fire. Well, not really, as I LOVED it—it’s a figure of speech, but you understand me. It left me screaming. I have so many questions, theories, and things I want to discuss; it’s insane.

The prologue was pretty great, actually. It answered a lot of our questions and picked up right where we left off. I appreciate that Violet KNOWS about Xaden being venin. Also, it’s been confirmed fully, so we know where we stand from the start. Also, Bodhi and Garrick know, and immediately after, Imogen. It was only natural that Rhi, Ridoc, Jesinia, and Sawyer would find out too.

Andarna was pretty cool at the beginning too. She confirmed for us that she can indeed kill venin with fire, which upholds my theory that she is our weapon—or at least one of them.

It was interesting to know for sure that colors play an important role in Onyx Storm too, especially for Xaden’s eyes. Also, interesting observation, but when his eyes become amber from gold, I remembered whose eyes are amber: Brennan! Brennan’s eyes are permanently amber. I wonder if there is a connection.

Also, Xaden does not smell like mint at all, but we don’t seem to talk about it anymore.

The most important thing we’ve ALL been waiting for is Violet’s second signet. The confirmation that she’s a dream-waker makes me very excited. She is a type of intrinsic but passive. However, she can meddle, and I think this will come in useful when she will need to talk to Xaden in Book 4. My theory? She will walk in his dreams and talk to him. Violet being a dream “seeker” was a theory I wrote here last year, but honestly, it had not been very welcome. I’m surprised it turned out to be the right one.

We learn that dragons can break bonds. It was pretty horrible to read, and my heart BROKE. Yup, I did cry, just like you did. Don’t pretend otherwise. But on a serious note, that opens up a huge can of worms: Can all dragons break bonds, or only Andarna? Also, how come Violet continued to access her signet after Andarna broke her bond? This opens up theories about irids and signets, as well as how venin can still wield. Is it because they can retain magic AFTER they kill/break bonds with their previous dragons? Or were the venin who can wield bonded to irids previously? It was mentioned that in order to become venin, you needed access to magic first. So all venin were either riders or fliers first. Which means ALL should be able to wield. And yet not all seem to.

Also, can we take a moment to read over and over that part when Theo asks Violet who bonded her first? The same conversation Andarna later had with Leothan later on? Why is that so important? Because I feel like it’s crucial information.

Why did we introduce more POVs? Imogen and Quinn were…ugh. Yup, I cried. It was Liam part two, let’s face it. And the fact that RY told us flat out that in Book 4 a character we love will die? Ugh.

Also, OMG, Imogen has a second signet. And as far as we’re concerned, only Dain knows about it? Speaking of second signets: Garrick is amazing. Garrick is our distance wielder and can I just say, I now finally understand why Rebecca Yarros she’d take him on a deserted island. Well play, Mrs Yarros, well played.

It was sensational to open up the world to the islands and to learn more about the Gods. I suppose we now learn about all of them. Please take note of the fact that we did not end up going to the island of Loial, which I think is where the cure for Xaden will be. Why? For both war and love change souls irrevocably. This is definitely the clue for it.

The compass that was given to Violet? That compass is 10000% not broken. That will be what’s needed to lead her either to the island of Loial, or to Xaden. Either way, something tells me that the compass indicates the direction of love.

Erm…islands don’t have magic right? Yet, Violet can still communicate with Tairn and Andarna. Tairn cannot communicate with Sgaeyl and her connection with Xaden is also gone. Andarna doesn’t need magic to channel. She is magic! That’s why Violet can still talk to them both.

At the end of the book, so much happens I don’t even know where to begin. But I do think that in Xaden’s point of view, we learn all but a small piece of his soul is gone. And that small piece is the only one left—the only thread linked to Violet.

When Violet wakes up, there is so much to digest. Missing eggs? Wiped memories? She’s married? We’ve been talking about her being Xaden’s consort as a cute thing for Deverelli Island. But there is also talk of an heir. Xaden doesn’t have an heir. I wonder if we’ll introduce this in the next book? I’m not sure how I feel about it, but at the same time, it would be an interesting progression. I would prefer it to be just about Xaden and Violet, though, FYI.

We finally learn more about Violet’s hair color. She had been taken to the islands by her dad. This was a surprise and an interesting one. She’s been touched by Dunne but not dedicated. There is so much to unpack here, and I will put together a theory for it. Also, Theophanie was such a fascinating character here. I can’t tell you that I hated the maven. I actually quite liked her.

Theophanie herself has been dedicated to Dunne, and I wonder what was the whole thing with her turning her back on Dunne. Does that mean the Gods can be met? Talked to? Because then, Violet will definitely meet Malek. Literally, by the way, not in a “she will die” way. I think we will introduce more of the Gods in Book 4 as they will play a pivotal role in finding a cure for Xaden.

I can’t help but wonder if Theophanie has any sort of relation to the Sorrengails. I know that Lilith manifested her signet as a powerful storm-wielder to be the balance of the dark wielder. Much like how Lynx became the balance to Xaden when he manifested shadows. But still, so much is left unknown. I guess we need to dig into her journals faster.

We finally learn about Violet’s dad, Asher Sorrengail. But please note that when he went to the island, he was Asher Daxton. Why did he change his name when he married Lilith?

This is probably the time to point out something interesting. Asher was not a Sorrengail right? He became one. Lilith did say “all Sorrengails are riders”. But not Asher. Unless…he became one at some point, bonded to an irid? That would make for an fascinating theory.

At the beginning of the book, we talk about every possible path when we discuss finding a cure for venin. I can’t help but wonder: Her path is not yet determined, as we kept reading about Violet. Is there a connection here?

While I initially hated that Tairn calls Xaden “the dark one,” I think this is very relevant. BTW, he calls Violet The Silver One and Andarna The Golden One. I have this feeling Tairn knows a lot more. And there is significance to this. He continues to be grumpy about Xaden but let’s not forget my theory that Tairn severed his bond to Naolin. I still don’t think Naolin died. I think he turned.

He touched Brennan’s palm to imbue him with more power! It’s why he has the “dark” mark on the palm and not the “non existent” mark like the one Sloane imbues with her normal magic. Nowhere does it say that Naolin died. “Tairn’s previous rider”. “The one before”. “Tairn’s fallen rider”. And Tairn refuses to talk about him. He almost died because he severed the bond. I will die on that hill! So we can not cut Tairn some slack for being so upset that Xaden is “the dark one”.

I LOVED Sgaeyl at the end. I still respect her so much and would like to understand more about how much she must be hurting. Also, she saved Violet. Whoa. Like, Sgaeyl picked Violet and carried her even if briefly. That was…awesome.

We learn about Xaden’s mom. I honestly did not love the fan theory that she is venin, and I’m so, so grateful that she’s just some lady on an island. I don’t think this is the last of her, by the way. But I’m happy we cleared that out. It also kind of means that indeed Bodhi and Xaden might not be siblings, as per my theory, but just cousins. I’m still sure there is more to it than that.

The ending of the book was confusing, right? To confuse you even more, there are talks about son, brother, and more. I think this is to do with Jack Barlowe and Xaden Riorson becoming “brothers” after Xaden changed. So many theories about the ending.

Is Berwyn Jack’s dad? That would explain why Barlowe said at the end of Iron Flame, “Welcome to our fucked-up family. Guess we’re brothers now.” Nope…I don’t think so.

I glance past Berwyn, past Sgaeyl and the venin, to my new brother and the unconscious dragon lying in the valley beyond the canyon, guarded by seven wyvern”. Again, Xaden says “my new brother.”

My opinion? I think venin can form bonds. When recruited by a sage, they become bonded. As Xaden says, he would not be able to kill Berwyn any more than Violet. This leads me to believe that yeah, they form bonds—they become a family. Which would explain why they call to each other and feel each other. Ugh, so, so horrid. Sounds dark and gross and icky. Oh and I think Berwyn is actually Naolin and the new brother? I think that’s Brennan. I have a whole theory about it if you want to debate it with me.

What’s up with the missing eggs? Queen Marlis wanted twelve eggs. Two of each breed. Could it be that the missing six are in exchange for her army? Another option is that some of these eggs are Sgaeyl and Tairns? Even if we were to put the eggs on Unnbriel, I somehow have reservations about it. There is no magic on Unnbriel so why bring hatchlings there? Wouldn’t they hurt? Unless the point is to keep them safe from riders and venin.

I have questions about “the cycle of rest” Tairn needs. Recover from what? Three elders are dead. Did Tairn kill them? Was Codagh one of them? What happens to the bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn? Why does Violet not feel Xaden anymore? Is it possible that Tairn broke his mating bond? They can’t be separated, or they start to hurt. What exactly do we know of bonds? Can dragons separate? I’m supposed to be the one who comes up with theories but my head is spinning!

Can we take a moment to appreciate the tender moment between Dain and Sloane? I mean it one tender, one-sided because Sloane was not having it. But Dain? I think Dain might be into Sloane. He was so gentle and loving and called her “LIFE”. Also, he called her Life, which means she is the opposite of death. So my theory that she will help imbue the Barrens stands (for now). Sloane and Dain are end game, right? We all see it. There will enemies to lovers there.

Can we look at the map, please? What’s up with the writing on black background? We have three only where everything else is in white background: Tyrrendor, randomly, the Iakobos River and the Bay of Malek. The Iakobos is where Xaden threw his Sage (the maven) first. Is that why is black? Tyrrendor, makes sense since he is the Duke of Tyrrendor. But the Bay of Malek? Is that where we’ll find Xaden stationed?

I’m sure I will continue to update this as I read and re-read. I very much look forward to your theories. Please let me know in the comments section below.

Onyx Storm Read Along

Onyx Storm Theories

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27 responses to “Onyx Storm – Recap and What do we know so far”

  1. I am honestly not finished YET but I WAS TOO CURIOUS ;_;

    I am currently at chapter…. Uhm… somewhere when we get a special professor xD
    BUT I dunno where to write it but here…. Andarna says something in a chapter in the beginning what stuck to me “I don’t know HOW you use my magic” (or smth like this) Dunno the exact quote in english…. However… THAT makes me wonder… DO riders like… somehow CHOOSE there signet? (not active at the moment I know but COULD they? )

    And the bond breaking u mentioned (noooooo not andarna ;_; but tbh can’t wait to get to that part) Could that mean that dragons COULD break their bonds to somehow save their riders? like in a deadly situation the dragon breaks bonds and gets killed and… the rider lives on? Or WAS this previously the case and the dragons choose not to bc… reasons?
    I am honestly hyped for the next chapters and I’ll try to catch up soon xD

    1. Nooooooooo, these are all spoilers 🙁 Although I suppose you are going to have a lot more fun reading it slowly now that you know.
      Andarna was so shocking to me. I do think dragons can break bonds which goes in hand in hand with my theory about Naolin (I still think Tairn broke the bond there).
      I don’t think riders can pick their signets, it’s still a chemistry between rider and dragon.

      I have so much more to add to this article today because new things keep on coming to me haha

      1. Still I am not at the breaking point (literally xD ) But the Andarna thing made me wonder another thing: (I couldn’t help it to read somewhere else some discussions about it 😅) Andarna was THE one who would have bonded to Vi EVEN when she would’ve been a scribe (as we know from book 2) so I mean Andarna is STILL a teenager dragon with a temper … BUT she seems wiser sometimes as Tairn… so WHAT if she didn’t actually severed the bond but blocked it THAT hard that it felt severed… like in chapter 5? dunno when Tairn got smashed against that mountain… so MAYBE the bond was still there but MUCH less strong than a hair that Vi didn’t feel it (maybe bc of some Irid magic? dunno) And STILL I think that Andarna bonded WAY before with Vi… even BEFORE Vi herself knew she would bekome a rider… (i think at the moment she hatched the bond was made or maybe even in the egg? ) I mean come to think about it… Vi got this ability to sweep away pain and emotions in a box…. like… what if this was her signet all the time? or some feathertail magic all along? I personally can do it too (to a specific point) BUT it comes with MASSIVE CONTROL over ur body. So what IF there is more to the bond between Andarna and Vi… SO MUCH more.
        And yes… Tairn knows SOMETHING …. we got a glimpse of that in book one when he says “I knnow exactly WHO and WHAT you are Violet Sorrengail!”

        I am going to listen to the audiobook today and try to catch up some chapters xD

        I AM HYPED
        Yours Kuro

        1. I’m so so excited you are hyped.
          I do wonder if the bond was only blocked. She is a teenager and she is…known to break the rules so to speak. But then Violet did feel empty for it. Not blocked, empty. It makes me think she did break the bond, then rebonded her towards the end.

          Weird thing btw, I think Violet has 3 signets! In fact, I am pretty certain of it. And one of them is control. 🙂

          1. When I just hit send on this comment above i had to go to work… BUT I read a VERY interesting theory that in fact not andarna blocked the bond but the other Irid… and the control thing is VERY likely bc… her squad follows her without questions…

          2. I did wonder that btw. Because technically HE seemed to do the work at the time.

          3. CORY
            I was now at the breaking point AND GRAMPS SAID IT HIMSELF AND DID SOMETHING himself….. First of all he blocked Vi to the others…. AND said: If u want to come back u are able to bond her again EVERYTIME u wish….

          4. That was sooooo hard to read. I could not deal. Why on earth would Andanrna do something like that?
            And then I remembered: teenagers!!!

  2. I’m pretty sure the only reason Andarna was able to break her bond with Violet is because Tairn bonded her first. I’m pretty sure that’s why the other Irid, forgot his name, was asking who bonded her first. With that in mind I’m pretty sure if Andarna had bonded her first she may not have been able to break the bond. I actually didn’t think any thing of it when Andarna was able to break the bond because it made sense for her to be able to do it since the other Irid was asking about who bonded first. Let me knoe what you guys think.

  3. I think a huge piece of information that RY left towards the end is when Sloane imbues power from Dain to Brennan to heal Mira. While the act is similar to what she has done before (to Lilith to power the ward stone), a key difference is noted by Violet when it’s done. Before, it had left a “hand mark” where Sloane had “imbued from and to”. But that wasn’t the case here. Violet notices that no mark was left in Dain’s arm nor Brennan’s neck where Sloane touched. I haven’t fully pieced together how this is going to play into the next book but it makes me wonder if the Brennan is venin theory (or something along those lines) will come into play. Thoughts?

    1. Hi Kara, welcome 🙂
      I went back to Iron flame to when Sloane manifested and when she siphoned the life out of Lilith. Neither time they talked about a hand mark. The only time a hand mark was mentioned was when Jack (venin) drained a little of Dain. And Brennan said he cannot mend that.
      I wonder if the remark was that she indeed is not death, she is life. She does not leave marks on people when there is magic transferred. She is like a vein, like a transfusion for lack of better words. I think she will be able to CURE the disease. Basically, imbue magic back into drained land.

      1. This is what I came to say! It really stuck out to me that after Sloane did what she did, both guys had marks that were no longer there. Do we know what the mark on the back of Brennan’s neck is? Did Naolin turn venin to bring him back and that mark was left by him? I also think Sloane is part of the cure, or Dain is somehow. But we still don’t know what Sloane’s second signet is and I’m sure she will have one since she is a marked one, or at least a marked one’s sibling.

        1. I do think Naolin had turned somehow. The truth is, I stand by my original theory that Tairn didn’t almost die because Naokin died. In fact, it’s always because “he’d lost his rider” not because he died. I believe Tairn severed the bond and he almost died in doing so. Which explains why Tairn is so upset about Xaden, explaining that he is beyond redemption.
          Sloane is def part of the cure. She will infuse magic in the Barrens too. She is life 🙂

  4. I don’t know if Andarna officially severed the bond. When she came back to help Violet with Theopenia at the end there was no whistle tone heard. She just spoke to Violet like they normally would and Violet could still dream walk.

    1. I have so many questions about this. Did she sever the bond and simply re-bonded just like before?

      1. If you remember, Violet seems shocked to see Andarna there, to hear her through the bond so I’m not even sure they are bonded completely again since all irids can talk to whomever they choose. I think she’s going to have to clarify that in book 4.

        1. I am so so excited about Book 4 I can’t even. And it’s not even been a week since the release. We’re all going to cry 🙁

  5. The way I read it, Leothan tells Andarna that the bond is magic and that she is irid and she is magic so she can break the bond. He later goes on to say that only an irid can forge a second connection when there shouldn’t be one and that if she breaks the bond she can always re-establish it if she chooses to. I wonder if this is something specific to irids. I mention this in a comment in your post on onyx storm endings that I read a theory that the irids channel their power from the sky and that I’m beginning to wonder if they channel their powers from the gods. I agree that I think Andarna truly broke their bond and the ending is where she chooses to re-establish it.
    My theory is the irids have channel their power in a way that is either from the sky/gods/pure. The other dragons once had the ability to do so but now they channel their power from the land. The venin channel from the land/source in a corrupted way. So when Xaden turned full venin his power and bonds changed. He bonded with his venin family and established a new bond that is based off corrupted power which prevents the full connection to Violet who is tied to the power of the sky/gods/pure.

    1. This is why I think the venin (Theo) asked Violet who bonded her first: Tairn or the Irid. Because I think the venin somehow knows that they can use Andarna to establish bonds somehow.
      Also, can we take a moment to realise that the venin do seem the dragons are the evil “guys”? One has to stop and wonder why?
      Sure venin are evil but nothing is as black and white.

      Plus let’s not forget that not everyone can turn venin without having been offered the chance to channel via dragon of gryphon first. Venin are past riders/fliers somehow.

  6. Hi! Just finished book in English, yay to me! 😀 it was crazy ride!
    So.. not all the venins are past riders/fliers. Theophania was not and yet she was storm wielder. I think during the dedication process she had access to magic too. But the Dunne’s priest in Aretia doesn’t seem to be gifted with magic.
    I think in next book we will meet granny Niara and search for more informations about the dedication process. And then there is this prophecy? The one with the “heart beating for her turning dark”? And choosing her path? Uf.
    I was quite disapointed when I found out that Brennan knows about Xaden being venin. If the Brennan was venin too, he would know how to stop the process at least. Right? I hoped he would help 🙁 There is still something more to his amber eyes and rune on the palm of his hand, but I don’t think he is venin anymore. And we didn’t get any new informations about Naolin, ugh..
    Can you please tell me where to find mention of the Brennan’s mark on the neck? I know just about the rune and suddenly Violet is thinking of it after Sloane wielded.
    And why the hell Violet wanted to errase her memory?!
    And Aaric wields precognition! So so cool and very helpfull!

    1. Dear Martina, welcome welcome! Did you enjoy it? My German read Iron Flame in English because she just didn’t want to wait for the German release anymore.

      – not all the venins are past riders/fliers -> Jack did say that in order to become venin if you haven’t seen the source of power, you need to be taught.
      – Theo was not a previous rider -> What makes you say that? What if she was and developed a signet and her dragon died? She seems immortal, dragons are not. They usually live a century right?
      – I agree, I think we need to meet the gran and discuss things with her.
      – Did you see my latest theory? Brennan is the one who turned at the end, I’m certain of it! 100%. I don’t think Brennan was venin, but I think he is now.
      – My money’s on Naolin being Berwyn btw
      – Do you remember when Sloane transferred the power from Aetos to Brennan? That’s when Violet mentions that there is no mark on his neck. But he has one on his palm, the same as Aetos has one on his arm.
      – I think Violet wanted her memory erased to protect everyone she loves for when she will inevitably be questioned/use a mind reader on her. It’s a great way to have deniability 🙂 because there is virtually nothing you remember. It’s really smart!

      1. I did enjoy it very much! It was my very first english book and I was a little worried, but since the translating of the IF took almost a year.. well I had to try it 😀 definitely helped reading previous books in Czech and kind of practicing on all your theories and bonus chapters from RY, so I didn’t have problem with specific terms. RY writing is not very difficult to read so I am proud of me for getting myself from comfort zone and give it a shot 🙂
        – I did not read all of your theories yet, but I am getting through them and all comments so I understand better why she let Imogen to errase her memory
        – I don’t think Theo was a rider, she was dedicated and probably complete the process. From what was told about dedication – they accept only children whose future is certain. You will become a rider in like 24 years. And even if they will accept people of any age, I can’t imagine why would rider go to a temple to dedicate himself. And riders have acces to magic so they can turn venin right away. See what I mean?
        – ok ok, so that mark was just in my head 😀 Violet only compared Jack’s siphoning of Dain left mark and Sloane’s did not..

        1. You should be incredibly proud! Finishing an entire book—especially a fantasy one—, in another languiage, is no small feat. It’s absolutely amazing!

          I’m sure you’re going to love reading it in Czech once it’s released, but I totally get how frustrating it must be to wait a whole year.

          I see what you mean about Theo. If she wasn’t a rider, then did she have some other special access to power? But remember what Jack said—someone has to teach non-magical people how to take power; they can’t just do it on their own. Only riders and fliers can naturally see it and take it. I wonder if Lilith’s lack of connection to the temple was because of Theo. Lilith was meant to be the answer to Theo, right?

          And the mark—it’s so confusing! I keep rereading that part. Why does Brennan have one on his palm? Someone must have channeled from him! But as Zuzle said in one of the comments, surely Violet can tell the difference between a grey mark and a rune?

  7. Isn’t Xaden’s “new brother” Panchek? The way I read it was the each venin created by the same Sage are “brothers”. They determine that Theophanie asked Xaden to bring Jack, not Bhodi, to Draithus. Then we find out that Panchek is the betrayer and is the reason why the venin attacks have been so successful and that he’s been turned venin.

    1. I don’t think so. Because Xaden mentioned that this guy had seen him for 5 months. How he struggled and stumbled. I don’t think he would have had these emotions about Panchek

      1. I’m not gonna lie, I struggled through this whole book. There were times I would be reading a sentence and feel like words came out of left field. I also could remember half the characters. So I’m rereading the entire series, like I should have done from the start. I’m hoping the second time through things click a little more for me.

        1. That’s ok tho. I feel like her books can sometimes be heavy with info and can leave us confused. Give it another read. Maybe read along with us? (I have a read along series with easter eggs and explanations?) <3 either way, I hope you will enjoy it

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Hello! This site is dedicated to the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve made this place to explore the rich world of Empyrean, full of characters, theories, and places. Each post is carefully researched and updated with the newest details from the series. This site is also a great spot for discussing theories about the Empyrean Series. 🐉
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