Warning: Spoilers ahead! We will be discussing key plot developments and the conclusion of “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros (now available), so proceed with caution if you haven’t read it yet. Seriously, stop here if you wish to avoid what unfolds in Book 3. If fans of Rebecca Yarros were shaken by the cliffhanger in “Iron Flame,” then the ending of “Onyx Storm” will leave them in complete disbelief. This hugely popular romantasy series has built an intense narrative within the world of Navarre across its first two installments, “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame,” focusing on the passionate relationship of dragon riders Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. Their intense romance and loyalty have won the hearts of countless readers globally. When Xaden took the extreme step of drawing magic from the source ― a dangerous act that destroys the soul ― to save Violet at the climax of Book 2, it left fans in shock. Surely, Xaden can’t become evil, right? There must be a solution, right?

The answer revealed in “Onyx Storm” (Entangled Publishing, 527 pp., $29.99) is a definitive no ― a heartbreaking truth that Violet and Xaden grapple with until the very end of the book. Continue reading for further insights into “Onyx Storm”:

What is the second signet of Violet?

In Chapter 50, Violet uncovers her second signet after waking from a nightmare that she realizes is actually Xaden’s. The duo pieces together recent events and discovers it isn’t the first time Violet has entered someone else’s mind while they dream. Xaden tells her that she has the ability of a dream-walker: “It must be your second signet ― the one that being bonded to Andarna gives you. It makes sense. Her kind are peaceful, and the skill itself would be passive, even a blessing in such a culture.” This signet is a form of inntinnsic, a psychic talent so feared that dragon riders who exhibit it are executed immediately. “It’s more perilous than lightning,” Xaden explains, comparing Violet’s two dragon-enhanced abilities.

What has happened to Xaden?

The cliffhanger of “Iron Flame” left readers in suspense after Xaden drew magic from the source, effectively transforming into a venin to save Violet during the Battle of Basgiath. This shocking twist about choosing the wrong path for the right reasons left fans speculating on the fate of a hero who is no longer himself. Throughout “Onyx Storm,” Violet desperately seeks a remedy: anything that might restore Xaden’s soul or halt his descent into becoming a dark-wielding venin. Despite his best efforts to resist the darkness within him, Xaden ultimately taps deeply into the source of magic when the stakes are at their highest during the book’s climactic battle. “In my final act of defiance, I turn into the very thing I loathe. Perhaps it’s for the best that I can’t feel anything at all,” Xaden reflects, unleashing “the fury of an onyx storm” to shift the tides and protect Violet and his bonded dragon, Sgaeyl. The book concludes with Violet returning to Riorson House after being missing for 12 hours, experiencing memory loss, wearing a wedding ring, and holding a note in Xaden’s handwriting that states, “Don’t search for me. It’s yours now.” So, when can readers expect Book Four?

What type of dragon is Andarna?

After two installments, readers finally learn the identity of Andarna and the classification of the seventh dragon breed. Andarna is classified as an irid, a uniquely magical type of dragon. “Our breed is destined for peace, unlike the others,” explains one irid to Andarna, Violet, and their companions upon their discovery of these hidden dragons on a secluded island. “We embody magic,” adds another member of Andarna’s kind, sharing thoughts through mental links typically reserved for rider-dragon pairs. Details about irids are unveiled — they can change their color at will, choose their tails (Andarna opted for scorpiontail, while the others she encounters are feathertail), and there are hundreds of them — raising further questions about their existence.

How many books will the Fourth Wing series have?

Yarros, known for multiple romance and fantasy novels outside the “Fourth Wing” saga, confirmed her plan for five books in the Empyrean series in 2023, according to Variety. There is currently no information regarding the release dates for the final two installments.

Is the Fourth Wing series spicy?

Yes, the three books in the series are categorized as moderately spicy and are designed for an adult audience. The intimate scenes are explicit but do not overshadow the main plot. Online reading communities like Goodreads, Reddit, and BookTok often label them as “medium spice” or “not overly explicit.”