Rebecca Yarros recently revealed the back cover ofOnyx Storm, andthe sneak peek at theupcomingFourth Wingsequelmakes the wait for its release slightly less agonizing. Readers sometimeswait years for new fantasy books, so the 15-month break betweenIron FlameandOnyx Stormisn’t terrible by comparison. However,Iron Flame’s cliffhanger endingis enough to make even a shorter wait feel excruciating. After all, the final moments of the book put both its male lead and its central romance in jeopardy.
Xaden becoming venin is one of the biggest twistsThe Empyrean Serieshas delivered, and it’s likely to have major repercussions inOnyx Storm.This is especially true when it comes to his relationship with Violet, which will be tested more than ever in the upcoming sequel. His life could also be on the line if anyone at Basgiath finds out about his secret. And that’s not to mention that Xaden could become the villain of Yarros' story. The possibilities are endless and nerve-wracking, butOnyx Storm’s back cover suggests things won’t escalate right away.
Onyx Storm’s First Sneak Peek Gives Some Closure For That Iron Flame Cliffhanger
The Back Cover Blurb Suggests Xaden’s Situation Hasn’t Outwardly Changed
Onyx Storm’s back cover blurb, shared onInstagramby Red Tower Books and Rebecca Yarros, catches readers up with Violet and Xaden after the events ofIron Flame.And it offers some closure for the previous book’s big Xaden reveal, even if it’s just a glimpse of what’s to come. Part of the reason the wait forOnyx Stormhas been so agonizing is because it’s unclear what will become of Xaden after turning venin. The sneak peek ofOnyx Stormsuggests that, at least initially, his life won’t look all that different.
10 Onyx Storm Theories I Hope The Next Fourth Wing Book Confirms
There are so many theories about what could happen next in The Empyrean Series, but I hope Onyx Storm confirms these predictions when it debuts.
While the blurb says nothing about Xaden’s internal struggles,he appears to still be training with Violet and the other cadets from Basgiath War College. He’s on guard — the pullout ends with him suggesting Violet may need to kill him — but he’s right where readers left him. This means Xaden doesn’t immediately change sides inOnyx Storm,nor does he leave the resistance upon becoming venin. Given that Violet and Xaden’s dialogue is italicized, it also appears their bonds with each other and their dragons are still intact.
While Xaden is by no means in the clear, it doesn’t look like his character or his relationship with Violet will be at risk as soon as the thirdFourth Wingbook opens.
Needless to say, thisOnyx Stormreveal squashes some of the biggest fearsaboutIron Flame’s ending. While Xaden is by no means in the clear, it doesn’t look like his character or his relationship with Violet will be at risk as soon as the thirdFourth Wingbook opens. A slower corruption of his character may unfold instead — though Jack Barlowe’s venin transformation raises questions about whether it always makes a person evil.
The Wait For The Next Fourth Wing Sequel Is Slightly Less Agonizing After This First Look
Onyx Storm Still Has Plenty Of Questions To Answer
Iron Flame’s ending makes it seem as thoughOnyx Stormwill be a wild ride from start to finish. However, the back cover blurb suggests the more heart-wrenching parts of the story won’t show up right out of the gate. Given Yarros' track record, we can assume the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook will still include tragic twists. In fact, many readers are expecting a bloodbath. But it may take a while to get there, andOnyx Storm’s sneak peek suggests that the Xaden situation, at least, may not be as bad as it seems. That lessens the anxiety approaching its release.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
