Anticipation for Rebecca Yarros’Onyx Stormis at an all-time high, but nearly a year after its release,Iron Flame’s twist endingcontinues to perplex readers. While Yarros has dropped several teasers heading into the third book’s publication—including a three-page excerpt fromOnyx StorminCosmopolitan UK—there are still several questions concerning Xaden turning venin. Xaden’s big reveal comes at the very end ofIron Flame, but when the story picks back up in Xaden’s end-of-book bonus chapter, Yarros skips ahead in the story’s timeline.
Xaden’sIron Flamebonus chapter continues with both Xaden and Violet sleeping together at Basgiath, presumably following the battle with the venin—but Yarros does not disclose what happens in between the two events. Given the two are back to sleeping in the same room, it’s safe to assume they aren’t too concerned with Xaden’s condition—and subsequentOnyx Stormsneak peekshave further proved this point.Xaden turning venin was set up to become a major plot point in book three, so it’s interesting that every glimpse into thenextFourth Wingbookhas somewhat downplayed this massive reveal.
Onyx Storm Needs To Address The Most Perplexing Part Of Iron Flame’s Xaden Reveal
It Seems Neither Violet Nor Xaden Are Too Concerned
Xaden’s bonus chapter seemingly picks up only a few hours afterIron Flame’s ending, as Violet is seen sleeping beside Xaden in a dorm at Basgiath—and is clearly still grieving the loss of her mother. Knowing Yarros planned to keep readers guessing afterIron Flame’s cliffhanger ending,it’s no surprise she skips over some important storyline content. But there are still several questions as to what exactly happened after Xaden’s venin reveal. Unfortunately,Iron Flameconcludes without disclosing how this will affect their relationship in future novels, and their missing dialogue is perplexing when compared toOnyx Storm’s plot.
This Onyx Storm Theory Suggests Fourth Wing’s Already Problematic Dynamics Could Get Even Worse
If Andarna mates another dragon, Fourth Wing’s love-triangle relationship dynamic may return in Onyx Storm when Violet is bonded to another rider.
It’s crucial thatOnyx Stormaddresses this early on to help explain what happened between the last few pages ofIron Flameand the start of Xaden’s POV. Both the bonus chapter and the three-pageOnyx Stormexcerptare clear indications that Violet and Xaden are still together. However, with Xaden becoming venin,it’s bound to cause more than a few relationship issues and bring about plenty of consequences. For instance, Yarros has yet to reveal how Xaden and Sgaeyl’s relationship will fare after this revelation—and it’s unclear how dragons in general would react.
The Next Fourth Wing Book Can’t Avoid The Consequences Of That Big Xaden Twist
Xaden’s Choice To Become Venin Shouldn’t Seem Too Easy
So far,Onyx Storm’s plot revealshave shown Xaden faring incredibly well with his new-found venin status. While this is a huge relief,it does downplay the high stakesIron Flamehas built surrounding Xaden’s overall fate. However, it’s possible that Yarros will build up to this gradually. Xaden is known to be one of the strongestFourth Wingcharacters, and his mental fortitude could assist him in fighting against his new venin nature. But the consequences of his choice shouldn’t be easy to avoid, and hopefully,Onyx Stormwill clue readers in to his internal and external struggles.
Clearly, Yarros is withholding vital information about the venin, and nothing about the transition is bound to be so black and white.
Iron Flame’s bonus chapter does touch on this idea briefly, and Xaden admits he feels the desire to draw more power from the earth when he sneaks down to speak to Jack Barlowe. But this is the only indication Yarros has given regarding Xaden’s temptations,leaving readers to wonder how dire this situation actually is. Barlowe does mention that there is no cure, but earlier inIron Flame,even he seemed like he was changing for the better. Clearly, Yarros is withholding vital information about the venin, and nothing about the transition is bound to be so black and white.
Downplaying Iron Flame’s Ending Would Hurt Onyx Storm’s Stakes
Becoming Venin Should Have Drastic Consequences
IfOnyx Stormdoesn’t raise the stakes to becoming venin,Iron Flame’s Xaden twist won’t feel as important as it was made out to be. And so far,earlyOnyx Stormpassageshave made it seem thatthere are little consequences surrounding his decision to draw power from the source. If other characters were to learn of this, it raises questions about why the people of Navarre can’t just try to create their own venin army instead. It’s importantOnyx Stormreveals the various risks one would take to become a venin—otherwise the story’s villain plotline could potentially fall short.
The Wait For Onyx Storm Is Slightly Less Agonizing After The Book’s First Sneak Peek
The wait for Onyx Storm mostly feels agonizing because of Iron Flame’s ending, but the first sneak peek at the new Fourth Wing book makes it easier.
The venin have been made out to be the worst type of enemy from the very beginning ofFourth Wing, andhopefullyOnyx Stormwill showcase the slow corruption their raw power influences. As the wait forOnyx Stormis coming to an end, Yarros is sure to reveal these burning questions and the truth behind Xaden’s venin state. And while it seems all is well for Violet and Xaden at this stage, it is likely Yarros will continue her trend of shocking plot twists and add several surprises toOnyx Storm’s later narrative.
