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You’ll love these Onyx Storm theories for book 4 if the ending of book 3 in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros left your jaw on the floor. This is an ALL SPOILERS post that dives deep into readers’ top questions based on the shocking cliffhanger ending of the fantasy book Onyx Storm. You’ll also find a few miscellaneous theories I have as a fan of the series who’s taken over 1,000+ notes on it. So, let’s “fire” it up!

Onyx storm with iron flame and fourth Wing by Rebecca yarros.

Onyx Storm Theories: What will happen in book 4?

Need to recap first? Check out my Onyx Storm summary by chapter and guide to the Onyx Storm ending.

Who in the venin “brother” in Onyx Storm?

It’s clear that someone else close to Xaden turned venin. Most clues point to Bodhi (Xaden’s cousin and right-hand man) or Garrick Tavis (a rider who is missing at the end).

First, Xaden said this person saw what he was going through as a venin for several months, so that narrows things down.

Bodhi clearly states he wants to remain Xaden’s right-hand man (chapter 55). In chapter 60, his dragon, Cuir, mysteriously snatches him away from helping Violet battle Theophanie. In Imogen’s chapter (63), she sees Cuir wounded and Bodhi retching, which may also be a clue. It’s also a clue that the venin initiates are called brothers, and Bodhi has always been like a brother to Xaden.

On the other hand, Garrick is clearly missing at the end of the book. In Imogen’s chapter, he says he can’t walk so he “better find some … way to do something.” Both of these Easter eggs hint at some big reveal about Garrick, but it isn’t necessarily that he’s venin.

Both of their signets (Bodhi’s countering signets and Garrick’s air-wielding and distance-wielding) would certainly be interesting for a Venin to have.

I can go either way on who I think it is, which is probably by design.

Personally, I think there will be even bigger venin reveals beyond Garrick or Bodhi in books 4 and 5.

Three people who feel very suspicious to me are Melgren, Naolin, and Tecarus. For the commanding general (Melgren) to be venin would be such a big deal for the plot, which is why I like it. And Tairn’s refusal to talk about Naolin feels so much more suspicious than grief, particularly since we know Naolin channeled too much power when he “died.” Lastly, things have always been kind of weird when Tecarus is around. Perhaps he even played a role in Queen Maraya’s death as next in line to the throne.


Who is missing or dead at the end of Onyx Storm?

In the final chapter, we learn that four riders, their dragons, and three elders were murdered in the valley. Four riders, including Garrick Tavis, and six eggs from the hatching ground remain missing.

Besides Garrick, Xaden’s whereabouts are also unknown, though it’s not clear whether he counts. Per Rhiannon’s (a rider) chapter, she inspects the Medaro Pass, near Draithus. We know the wards don’t extend past Draithus, leaving her vulnerable. Maren (flier), Cat (flier), Sawyer (rider), Neve (flier), Ridoc (rider), and Bragen (flier) are with her. It cannot include Violet, Brennan, or Imogen, who are present.

This leaves us with four possible riders that are clearly hinted at as being dead or missing: Garrick, Xaden, Rhiannon, and Ridoc. Of course, there may also be other known characters at issue, including Dain, Sloane, and Aaric, who play roles in the final battle.

I think the most likely death here would be Rhiannon. Ridoc provides much-needed humor, Xaden is essential, and Garrick has significant new powers as a distance wielder (and possibly a venin). Rhiannon hasn’t been as crucial in this book, but her death would still feel very big and emotional.

Characters like Dain, Sloane, and Aaric seem to have more to do in this series, too. We still don’t know why Sloane referenced Dain’s power or anything about his mother, for example. Sloane seems to be a replacement for Liam– with siphoning powers at that– and Aaric’s importance is also growing, given his precognition.

The dragon eggs may be missing because the Queen of Unnbriel (the isle of Dunne, the goddess of war) wanted them in chapter 33 in exchange for an army. Recall that Xaden and Violet seem to have been married in Unnbriel, given that the high priestess there blessed their marriage in the final chapter. Both events may have occurred at the same time.


What will happen to Xaden and Violet?

Xaden left a note telling Violet: “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.”

Sentence one implies Xaden left Tyrrendor, but not necessarily, particularly if Sgaeyl and Tairn are still mated. (Though many readers believe they aren’t. Tairn needs a cycle of rest, which suggests something significant happened to her beyond what we currently know.) So, Xaden may be near or far but, at face value, doesn’t want to be found.

Sentence two implies he’s saying that Tyrrendor is Violet’s and that she’s now the duchess. However, he may also mean the ring and/or his soul. The ring may contain his soul (which departed in chapter 65 and was referenced at length in the book) or some other magic from the Blade of Aretia (per chapter 47).

For Tyrrendor to be Violet’s, Xaden’s cousin Bodhi would likely have become venin or died.


Other Theories For Book 4 in the Empyrean Series

There have been a lot of hints that the Emerald Sea will be explored, and I’m excited about that! It’s currently largely unexplored, and sailors don’t return.

The characters also suspiciously haven’t explored the isle of Loysam yet. I can’t imagine that the isle of Loial, the god of love, won’t become part of the narrative. I wouldn’t be surprised if this occurs closer to the end of the series. It would feel very “all you need is love.”

Some tension between Dain and Sloane may be romantic. I can totally see this happening. I get the feeling that Rebecca Yarros loves these two characters.

Violet’s signet powers will continue to develop. Let’s be honest: Dreamwalking didn’t feel all that significant to learn as being Violet’s second signet. But, if she develops it further and can meddle in other’s minds, it may become a really big deal, especially with Xaden “gone.” Or, she may develop another magical power or her lightning-wielding signet further, distinguishing her from the others who have two signets. (Read more Onyx Storm signet spoilers.) For example, she currently requires a conduit to channel lighting. And, her signet isn’t really lightning-wielding– it’s power that she chooses to wield through lightning.

Aaric will continue to play a much bigger role. I think it’s pretty clear that Aaric’s character arc is growing. His signet (precognition) is incredibly powerful, and without him, Violet probably wouldn’t have defeated Theophanie. When you think about all he may know about the future, it feels pretty mind-blowing how much he can affect what happens. I can see circumstances under which he becomes king, but I can also see circumstances under which he will die, so as not to spoil too much of the future and the characters’ free will.

The gods will continue to play a bigger role in the battle against venin. The gods played a bigger role than usual in Onyx Storm, including the isles and their involvement in Xaden’s and Violet’s marriage at the end. We learned too much about them for them NOT to become more significant in what happens next. It would be interesting if Xaden remained in Unnbriel and is in some way now tied to Dunne, the goddess of war who requires a lifetime of service and is the most wrathful. Plus, Unnbriel may have their dragon eggs!

Violet may be or may become pregnant. I’ve heard many other readers theorize this, and I do think it will happen eventually, but not now. It’s just something readers would crave and can add a lot to the plot. It may also open the door to another generation for Yarros to write about. I just think it feels more like a happy ending later and an unnecessary complication now.

If you enjoyed this post about the Onyx Storm theories, check out these posts about the fantasy romance book series next:

Want to discuss the ending and/or your predictions and theories? Onyx Storm leaves the reader with SO MANY QUESTIONS! So, share a comment below on anything from who’s the new venin to what happened between Xaden and Violet.

book with coffee mug on top of it.

remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules

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