Honestly, the cliffhanger at the end of Iron Flame left most of us staring at the wall for a good twenty minutes. Rebecca Yarros didn't just drop a bomb; she leveled the whole building. Now, the wait for Onyx Storm, the highly anticipated third book of Fourth Wing (the Empyrean Series), is reaching a fever pitch. If you’ve been scouring Reddit or TikTok for crumbs of information, you’re not alone. The transition of Xaden Riorson from the ultimate shadow-wielding hero to... well, a venin, has changed every single rule of engagement in Navarre.
It’s messy. It’s devastating. And it's exactly what the story needed to raise the stakes.
When is Onyx Storm actually coming out?
Mark your calendars for January 21, 2025.
Red Tower Books and Entangled Publishing aren't making us wait too long, relatively speaking. While some fantasy series take years between installments, Yarros has been a machine, though she has recently been vocal about slowing down slightly to prioritize her health and ensure the quality of the narrative remains high. This is a good thing. We want a polished, heartbreaking masterpiece, not a rushed draft. The preorder frenzy has already hit major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with various "Deluxe Limited Editions" featuring sprayed edges and fancy endpapers already being snatched up by collectors.
The plot thickens (and gets darker)
The title itself, Onyx Storm, feels like a direct nod to Xaden’s scales—or rather, Sgaeyl’s scales—and the shadows he commands. But there’s a dual meaning there. "Onyx" usually represents protection and strength, but "Storm" implies chaos.
We’re moving past the "school drama" of Basgiath War College. While the college remains a central hub, the war is no longer something happening "out there" behind a magical veil. It’s on the doorstep. Violet Sorrengail is no longer the frail girl with the breakable bones; she’s a weapon. But how do you fight a war when the person you love most has become the very monster you’re trained to kill?
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What most people get wrong about Xaden's "Turn"
There is a massive misconception floating around the fandom that Xaden is "evil" now. He isn't. Not yet.
Being venin is a craving. It’s an addiction to power. Yarros has drawn parallels between the venin’s pull and a soul-crushing dependency. In the final chapters of Iron Flame, Xaden turned to save Violet. He reached for the earth's power because his own reserves were spent and Jack Barlowe was about to end it all. It was an act of sacrificial love, which makes the fallout even more tragic.
In the third book of Fourth Wing, we are likely going to see the "cure" arc. Or at least the attempt at one. We know from the lore—specifically the bits and pieces Violet finds in her father’s research and the ancient texts—that the journals of the original Six and the one who "waited" might hold the key. But here’s the kicker: there is no recorded cure for being venin. Once you pull from the earth, the balance is tipped.
Violet is going to spend a significant portion of Onyx Storm in the archives. You can bet on that. Her scribe brain is her greatest asset now, even more than her lightning.
New characters and shifting loyalties
Expect the cast to expand. We’ve already been introduced to the Assembly in Aretia, but there are other provinces and hidden cells of resistance that haven’t seen the light of day yet.
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- The Poromish perspective: We need to see more of the fliers. Their relationship with the gryphons and how they view the dragon riders is still tense.
- The Sage: This creepy antagonist isn't done with Violet. He’s been haunting her dreams, and many theorists believe the Sage wants Violet not just for her power, but for her "silver hair," which some suspect is a mark of a previous venin encounter (perhaps involving her mother during pregnancy).
- Andarna’s evolution: Our favorite feisty chameleon dragon is no longer a "feather-tail" hatchling. She’s a "7th breed." This is massive. The fact that she can camouflage and is essentially a prehistoric outlier means she holds the power to possibly kill venin in ways the other six breeds cannot.
The tension will be unbearable
Let’s talk about the romance. The "spice" factor.
Yarros has mastered the "us against the world" trope, but Onyx Storm introduces "us against ourselves." The physical intimacy between Xaden and Violet is now dangerous. If Xaden loses control while he’s with her, he could accidentally drain her. That creates a forced proximity and a "touch-starved" dynamic that is going to drive readers absolutely insane.
It’s a brilliant narrative move. It moves the conflict from external battles to the very bed they share.
Why the "Third Book" is the turning point
In a five-book series, the third book is traditionally where the "all is lost" moment occurs. It’s the bridge between the setup and the endgame.
We are going to lose people. Important people. Yarros has already proven she’s not afraid to kill off fan favorites (RIP Liam, we still aren't over it). In the third book of Fourth Wing, the casualties will likely be heavy hitters. Fans are currently sweating over the safety of characters like Rhiannon, Ridoc, and even Tairn. Though, if Tairn goes, Sgaeyl goes, and if Sgaeyl goes, Xaden goes... and then Violet goes. The soul-bond web is a safety net for the plot, but it's also a ticking time bomb.
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Theories that actually make sense
If you want to be prepared for Onyx Storm, you have to look at the "Breadcrumbs" Yarros dropped in the first two books.
- The Venin General: There is a theory that Violet’s father isn't actually dead, or that he became venin himself. Why else was he so obsessed with the "folklore" that turned out to be real?
- Violet’s Second Signet: Yarros confirmed Violet has a second signet from Andarna. It has manifested, but Violet (and the readers) might not have realized it yet. Is it the ability to talk to the dead? (Remember Liam in the finale?) Or is it something more subtle, like gravity or truth-telling?
- The Isles: We haven't explored the islands outside of the main continent. There are hints that other civilizations have dealt with venin differently.
Navigating the hype: What to do now
The wait is long, but the community is active. If you’re looking to kill time before January, there are a few productive things you can do to stay in the loop.
First, go back and re-read the epigraphs. Those little snippets at the start of every chapter in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame are not just flavor text. They are historical documents from the future. They are written by Jesinia Neilwart, who we know becomes the Curator of the Scribe Quadrant. The fact that she is "translating" these stories into Modern Language tells us that the world as we know it changes drastically.
Second, pay attention to the colors. In this series, colors matter. The silver in Violet’s hair, the orange of Raegan, the black of Tairn. Onyx Storm is likely to introduce a new elemental or visual cue that shifts our understanding of dragon magic.
Preparing for the release
- Double-check your preorder: If you want the first edition with the sprayed edges, verify that your retailer still has stock. These editions are notorious for overselling and then canceling orders last minute.
- Avoid the "leak" culture: As we get closer to January 2025, fake spoilers will be everywhere. Stick to official channels like Rebecca Yarros’s Instagram or the Red Tower Books website.
- Re-read the "Xaden POV" chapters: There are bonus chapters out there from Xaden’s perspective. Reading them now, knowing he’s turned venin, adds a whole new layer of tragedy to his internal monologue.
The third book of Fourth Wing isn't just a sequel; it's the beginning of the end for the Navarre we knew. The walls are down, the shadows are hungry, and the storm is finally here.
Next Steps for Readers:
Start your re-read of Iron Flame specifically focusing on the "Varrish" chapters. There are subtle hints about how venin sense power that will be crucial for understanding Xaden’s struggle in Onyx Storm. Additionally, keep an eye on the official Empyrean Series website for the inevitable "character guide" updates that usually drop a month before release to help refresh your memory on the massive roster of riders and dragons.