I have so many mixed emotions right now. But before we begin and dive into Violet’s second signet, I want to take a moment to wish you all Happy Holidays. This time of the year is all about spending lovely moments with our loved ones. And, of course, it’s the best time of the year to rest, reset, and read a ton of books.

If you wish to join me on 1st January to start my journey of re-reading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame in preparation for Onyx Storm, you are more than welcome.

Violet is a truth sayer – That’s Violet’s second signet

Right, now let’s dive right in: Violet is a truth sayer—or at the very least, something similar. And the more you read into it, you realise there are so many instances that were such a giveaway for it.

And by the way, if you don’t follow Rebecca Yarros on Instagram, this whole thing started with her posting a story (see below). Her sister drew Violet’s signet tattoo and wrote, “Sorrengail for truth.”

It’s fair to say thank you for our winter holiday present from Rebecca Yarros, right? Because, let’s face it, she kinda told us Violet’s signet before Onyx Storm, and I’m so ready for it.

As you know, I LOVE analysing these sorts of things, and I’m going to do exactly that. I’m going to tell you all the reasons why I think Violet is a truth sayer (or truth sayer-adjacent, haha).

Let’s begin.

Xaden: Let’s get real. I can hold their hands and make them a bunch of bullshit empty promises about everyone making it through if that helps them sleep, but in my experience, the truth is far more valuable.

Well, in Fourth Wing, we begin strong with Xaden stating that the truth is valuable. Of course, we all know that, but it’s nice to have confirmation.

My heartbeat kicks up to a full gallop, as if my body knows the truth my mind hasn’t quite accepted yet.

Violet doesn’t have her signet yet, but it’s nice to see these Easter eggs here. Her body knows the truth 🙂 And what’s interesting is that if you pay attention moving forward in the books, you’ll see these references everywhere.

“You and Andarna lied to me, too.” The treachery of it is too much, and my shoulders dip from the weight of it. “You knew what he was doing…”

“We both chose you,” Andarna says, like that makes it any better.

Please note how Andarna replies with something else. It’s clear they can say selective truths, but they cannot lie to her.

The truth rarely needs effort, my dad used to say.

And how true is that for our girl Violet…

“Yes. And I could lie to you, Violence, but I’m not. No matter what you think right now, I have never lied to you.”
Sure. Right. “And how do I know this is the truth?”
“Because it hurts to think we’re the kind of kingdom that would do this. It hurts to rearrange everything you think you know. Lies are comforting. Truth is painful.”

Interesting. Truth is painful. And it is. I have this feeling Violet will struggle with her signet moving forward, and it will take a while until she figures out how to use it properly—the same way her lightning is a burden and painful until she figures it out.

“Whether or not Violet will believe me, I’ve never lied to her. Not once. I’ve just never been entirely truthful, either.”

As we move into Iron Flame, we realise just how Xaden was able to escape this truth sayer: by stating selective truths. You don’t have to lie to a truth sayer… you just don’t have to be entirely truthful.

“And I sure as hell have never lied to you. But the art of telling selective truths is something you’re going to have to master, or we’ll all be dead.”

Moving into Iron Flame now. See? Selective truths. And the beauty of it is that it actually works. This is how Violet will be able to bypass those truth sayers.

“But when the lives of everyone around you depend on how well you can lie, it’s not easy to realise it’s the truth that will save you.”

Is this an Easter egg for future books, do we reckon? Or just a nudge to what’s coming in that interrogation room?

“The lie rolls off his tongue as smoothly as the truth, which is both impressive… and infuriating, because he doesn’t have a single fucking tell.”

But somehow SHE knows…

“And I would reconsider your insinuation that a Sorrengail isn’t truthful.”

Ladies and gents, this is probably the only other thing that screams Easter egg to me. How did Lilith know? Did she know? Is this related to ALL Sorrengails? Are they all truthful? And then, let’s remember that it’s Brennan who changed his last name. We all know why he did, but does that mean he is NOT truthful anymore? Because he’s technically not a Sorrengail? I have so many questions about this bit here. I think it’s so powerful.

“Tell me what happened, Cadet Sorrengail.” Mom cocks her head to the side and gives me the look—the one she used all throughout my childhood to unravel the truth when Brennan, Mira, and I would join ranks to hide any mischief.”

Again, probably convenience, but I DO love that Easter egg there.

“Selective truth,” Xaden reminds me. “Tell no lies.”

Why, though? Is Lilith a truth sayer? Why shouldn’t she lie right now?

“My stomach twists at the idea of having to lie to her. Selective truths.”

Even Violet is fast adopting this. Selective truths. The whole book is, weirdly enough, about truth, isn’t it?

“Panchek thinks that was someone looking for revenge on my mother, and I didn’t say I don’t believe you,” I counter with selective truths.”

“I haven’t hidden shit from you. I’ve simply told you selective truths.”

Lieutenant Nora is a truth sayer. We know this is a signet, we know how it works (to do with bodily functions), and we know how to bypass them. Much like a lie detector.

The only signet more terrifying than an inntinnsic is a truth sayer. And yet we let them live.

Then, we have fliers with this “ability” too. “Give us one truth, and we’ll allow you to meet with the viscount,” the central flier says, his reddish brows knitting.

Moving forward, I would like to point out that Violet also had her suspicion that Devera is good. She didn’t trust herself at the time, but that was her hunch.

“Stop being so scared of the answers or waiting for me to give them to you. Demand the truth! I need you to love all of me—not just what you decide to see.”

“I’m a type of inntinnsic.”

So she could demand the truth. And funnily enough, Xaden could not lie to her anymore. Because she did demand it. And Xaden himself said he is a type of inntinnsic. There are many. And truth sayers are a type of inntinnsic too.

Finally, what did Violet say she needs most? Violet made it clear that she is a person who needs information to centre herself. Well, it might just be that information gives her control, which means she could be a type of inntinnsic.

Right, over to you. What are your thoughts? Is Violet our truth sayer? Did Rebecca Yarros give us the biggest hint? Or do you think “Sorrengail for Truth” has something to do with the family, as per my above comments? Let me know in the comments section below.