Rebecca Yarros’Onyx Stormhas finally arrived, and after several midnight release parties were held in celebration across the U.S. and Canada, fans are ready to dive back in. After nearly a year of preparation for the third book’s release, fans will find there is still a lot ofdetail to remember fromIron Flame, and even fromFourth Wing. As each subsequent book in theEmpyrean Seriesis released, the world-building and cast of characters will inevitably grow larger—and keeping track of the different characters, provinces, and signet abilities can be a bit daunting.
Onyx Stormis no different, andYarros makes sure to include a vast amount of detail from previous booksfound in her bestsellingfantasy book series. For those who have struggled to remember some of the more obscure characters found inOnyx Storm, this list should help to provide context as to where the characters have popped up before, who they are, and their relevance to the current narrative andfutureFourth Wingsequels.
1Aura Beinhaven
Seen In Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
Aura Beinhaven’s character is seen briefly in bothFourth WingandIron Flame, mentioned only a handful of times throughout the series up untilOnyx Storm. In the first book,Aura is a Squad Leader in Fourth Wing—at least until Xaden orders her squad and Dain’s to trade placesin order for him to be in Violet’s chain of command.
Aura is one of many riders who choose to stay in Basgiath, and does not fly to Aretia with the revolution.
Aura’s character is also promoted to Second Wing’s Wingleader, and also holds the position of Senior Wingleader over the entireriders quadrant inIron Flame. Later in the novel, once Xaden and Violet reveal Basgiath’s lies, Aura is one of many riders who choose to stay in Basgiath, and does not fly to Aretia with the revolution.
2Caroline Ashton
Caroline Ashton was a first-year unbonded cadet inFourth Winguntil she bonded with the dragon Gleann after his previous rider died during their first flight lesson.Caroline is known to have been a close friend of Jack Barlowethroughout the first and second novels. InIron Flame,she’s also one of the cadets who works closely with Nolan and Markham to help Jack recover after Violet nearly killed him in Basgiath’s war games. And it was Caroline who Colonel Markham summoned to retrieve Jack and reveal to every other cadet that he survived during Battle Brief inIron Flame.
3Winifred Colbersy
Seen In Fourth Wing
Winifred Colbersy makes a brief appearance inOnyx Storm’s early chapters, but this is not the first time her character has been mentioned. InFourth Wing,Winifred is first seen when Violet is sent to the healers' quadrantafter Imogen breaks her arm during a sparring match. Winifred is the wife of Nolan, and while she has no signet of her own, is an accomplished healer who has often helped to heal Violet once the Sorrengail family moved to Basgiath.
4Colonel Lyron Panchek
Seen in Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
Colonel Panchek is the commandant of Basgiath War College, and is mentioned in a few scenes throughoutFourth WingandIron Flame. Being the commandant, he’s only ever present for the first and last riders formation of the year—welcoming new cadets, and congratulating the ones who survive.
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Panchek was one of the many in Basgiath leadership who was present for threshing, and was visibly shocked to see Violet fly in on Tairn—and is equally shocked inIron Flamewhen Xaden and his squad return from their insane war games experience at theend ofFourth Wing.Onyx Stormlater reveals why.
5Lewellen
Seen In Iron Flame
Lewellen is mentioned very briefly inIron Flameonce Violet discovers Xaden is the noble heir who will one day become Duke of Tyrrendor. However, Xaden explains at this time that, in accordance with the Treaty of Aretia, and the aftermath of the Tyrrish rebellion,the House of Lewellen assumed governance in Xaden’s place—transferring power to Lewellen. Xaden also implies that Lewellen is on the revolution’s side, which is then confirmed and actively shown throughoutOnyx Storm.
6Captain Grady
Professor Grady, known as Captain Grady inOnyx Storm,was first introduced inIron Flameas Violet’s professor for RSC, the riders' survival course. Grady is a new professor when he begins teaching inIron Flame, and his class aims to teach riders navigation, survival techniques, and how to withstand interrogation.
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He is also the creator of the serum that blocks a rider’s signet and the ability to speak with their dragon. In one of their simulated tests, Grady is surprised to find Violet and her squad escaped from Basgiath’s dungeons, and later names them the Iron Squad for their success.
7Viscount Tecarus
Tecarus is the viscount of the Poromish province of Krovla, and is first seen inIron Flamewhen Violet flies to his home in Cordyn to display her powers in order to retrieve a luminary for the revolution. Tecarus is known to be a collector of precious things, and sees Violet as such after she wields lightning in Cordyn. Tecarus is also next in line to the Poromish throne, with his nieces Syrena and Cat Cordella named as his heirs. Thanks to Tecarus and Violet’s agreement inIron Flame, he proves easier to work with inOnyx Storm.
8Duke Lindell
Duke Lindell is first mentioned inFourth Wingwhen Liam is speaking to King Tauri at the Reunification Day celebration.Duke Lindell, of House Lewellen, took guardianship over both Liam and Xaden in Tirvaineafter their parents were executed as punishment for the rebellion. Duke Lindell is also described as a good and loyal man by King Tauri in thisFourth Wingscene, although his character does not show up until theevents ofOnyx Storm.
9Drake Cordella
Drake’s character was never present in previousEmpyrean Seriesnovels, althoughhe is mentioned in one scenario inIron Flame. When Violet, Mira, and Brennan fly to Cordyn in order to negotiate for the luminary, they meet both Syrena and Catriona Cordella. During this, Mira mentions that she’s heard of their brother, but Cat quickly corrects her and says she must be thinking of their cousin, Drake.
10Felix Gerault
Felix Gerault only pops up in a few scenes throughoutOnyx Storm, but he was present more often inIron Flame.Felix is a leading figure in the revolution and one of the six members of the assembly in Aretia. During the novel, he often spent time attempting to trainViolet’s powerful signet, gifting her with the conduit to help her practice utilizing her power in smaller, more effective ways. Felix is also the one who states that Violet doesn’t just wield lightning, but raw power.
