WithOnyx Storm’s release daterapidly approaching, it’s worth remembering the biggest developments fromFourth Wing— but it has been a while since the first installment ofThe Empyrean Seriesdebuted.Fourth Winghit shelves in April 2023, introducing readers to the kingdom of Navarre, which is protected by magical wards and a powerful military. That military is broken into multiple quadrants, and the most important forFourth Wing’s purposes is the Riders Quadrant.
As its name suggests, the Riders Quadrant sees its members bonding and learning to ride dragons. Readers followFourth Wingheroine Violet Sorrengailas she enters Basgiath War College and becomes a rider, despite being trained for the studious Scribe Quadrant her entire life. Violet’s journey reveals who she is at her core, but it also unearths harsh truths about the kingdom she lives in.Fourth Wing’s endingshows Violet that the real enemy isn’t gryphon riders, as she’s been taught. Andthere are several other big revelations that readers should keep in mind moving forward inThe Empyrean Series.
10Violet Is The First Person To Bond Two Dragons
Fourth Wing’s Heroine Sets Herself Apart With Tairn & Andarna
Despite the othercadets at Basgiath deeming Violet “weak,“she ends up bonding two dragons inFourth Wing— and she’s the first person to ever do so. After defending Andarna from Jack Barlowe and two other cadets, Violet earns the respect of a Black Morningstartail named Tairn. Tairn is one of the oldest and strongest dragons inThe Empyrean Series,and he becomes very protective of Violet as their connection grows. Violet also bonds the small Feathertail, Andarna, who isn’t nearly as large and powerful as Tairn.
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When Violet returns from the Threshing and announces that she’s bonded two dragons, Navarre’s leaders aren’t thrilled about this development. Even the dragons who make up the Empyrean must meet to discuss it. Ultimately, they allow Tairn and Andarna to bond Violet simultaneously, settling the matter. Once dragons make a choice like this, humans no longer have any power over it. This ends the debate over Violet’s unprecedented bonding situation, butFourth Wingcould be setting up bigger revelations through Violet’s dragons.
Her unique setup lays the foundation for more intriguing developments in futureFourth Wingsequels.
Given that Violet is the first person to bond two dragons, there’s no telling how her bonds differ from those of other riders. Most riders perish when their dragon does, but Violet could stay alive if only one of her dragons dies. Andwe know that Violet will have two signets: one from Tairn and one from Andarna. Needless to say, her unique setup lays the foundation for more intriguing developments in futureFourth Wingsequels.
9Feathertails Like Andarna Are Just Young Dragons
This Is Why They’re Small & Have Different Features
Most people in Navarre believe that Feathertails like Andarna are naturally small, but Violet and Xaden learn this isn’t the case.Andarna reveals that Feathertails are just young dragons, meaning Andarna’s size and soft features — like her feathers and lack of claws — are simply due to her age. They’ll change as she grows older, but Violet and Xaden agree to keep the truth about Feathertails a secret inFourth Wing.As not much is known about Feathertails, there’s a concern that humans could poke and prod them for information.
The dragons have a lot of control over their bonds with humans, but those with ill intentions could attempt to change this if they learn about Feathertails.
The existence of younger dragons could also see Navarre seeking to control them, something they’re incapable of doing with older and more powerful ones. The dragons have a lot of control over their bonds with humans, but those with ill intentions could try to change this if they learn about Feathertails. Violet’s father was researching them before he died, so it’s likelythe existence of Feathertails will play an important role inOnyx Stormand future sequels.
8Tairn And Sgaeyl’s Mating Bond Connects Violet And Xaden
The Two Have The Ability To Communicate Mentally & Their Lives Are Intertwined
Violet’s dragon, Tairn, is mates with Xaden’s dragon, and this connects the two characters inFourth Wing.While Violet and Xaden grow invested in each other for other reasons, it’s initially this mating bond that brings them closer. Because Tairn and Sgaeyl are mates,Violet and Xaden are able to communicate with each other mentally, just as they do with their dragons. Violet’s and Xaden’s fates are also seemingly intertwined, as it’s believed that one of them dying would kill the other.
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These details of Violet and Xaden’s relationship are worth remembering, especially afterIron Flame’s twist ending. As the two characters throw themselves into more dangerous situations, the mating bond could put both of their lives at risk.There could also be new revelations about it in futureEmpyreanbooks, as this sort of connection is rare in Yarros' universe. Xaden and Violet are learning about it through their own experiences, which means new information could easily arise as their dynamic shifts.
7Violet Discovers Her Lightning Wielding Signet During The War Games
Her Power From Tairn Could Make Her One Of Fourth Wing’s Strongest Characters
It takes Violet a long time to unlock hersignet inFourth Wing,butshe realizes that she can wield lightning during the War Games. She actually manifests this power earlier, during her first kiss with Xaden, but it’s Jack Barlowe who brings it out fully. When Jack nearly kills Liam during a capture-the-flag battle, Violet lashes out with her power. The book soon reveals that she’s the first person to have a lightning signet in hundreds of years, and this ability could make her one of Navarre’s strongest dragon riders when she learns to control it.
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Fourth Winghighlights that controlling Violet’s power isn’t easy, though, as she struggles to aim her lightning throughout the rest of the novel. Even so, her signet is a massive asset to whomever she’s fighting for.There’s a reason even the venin show interest in it duringFourth Wing’s final battle.
6Navarre’s Government Hid The Existence Of Venin From Its People
This Is The Main Conflict Of The Empyrean Series
Venin are only alluded to for most ofFourth Wing’s run, but their existence fuels the entire premise ofThe Empyrean Series.Violet first mentions them as made-up creatures included in fables to scare children. However,Fourth Wing’s ending reveals that the venin are very real— and that Navarre is hiding this truth from its people. The kingdom’s wards protect them from the venin’s power, but this comes as a price. Navarre is willing to sacrifice everyone outside its borders for its own safety, which contributes to the tensions between them and the gryphon riders, as well as the Tyrrish Rebellion.
AfterFourth Wing’s final battle, there’s no doubt that this is the threat Violet and Xaden will face for the remainder ofThe Empyrean Series.
AfterFourth Wing’s final battle, there’s no doubt that this is the threat Violet and Xaden will face for the remainder ofThe Empyrean Series.Navarre’s leaders are clearly an obstacle to doing away with the venin, but the venin are the true enemy.Readers would be wise to remember everythingFourth Wingtells us about them, from the fact that they channel from the earth to their ability to channel into their wyverns.
5Violet’s Father Knew About The Venin & Wyvern Before He Died
There’s More Going On With Mr. Sorrengail
Fourth Wing’s venin reveal is massive, and one detail of it promises to come up in futureEmpyreanbooks.Violet’s father clearly knew about the existence of these creatures before he died, raising questions about the true nature of his demise. In a letter left inside Violet’s copy ofThe Fables of the Barren, Violet’s father alludes to the way Navarre erased its own history. He also reminds her that folklore is passed down, making it rooted in reality. His confidence that Violet will “make the right choice” suggests he believes she’ll learn about the venin and attempt to stop them.
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Fourth Wingdoesn’t reveal how Violet’s father knows about the venin, though his time in the Scribe Quadrant likely has something to do with it. It’s possible that Violet’s father knew too much, explaining his death prior to the events ofFourth Wing.And even if Mr. Sorrengail did die of natural causes, his research is likely to be the key to winning the war against them. He’s the most obvious source of information about the enemy, so Violet’s father is sure to come up again in future books.
4Dain Used His Signet On Violet Without Her Consent
Violet’s Former Best Friend Has Explaining To Do After Fourth Wing
Fourth Wingintroduces Dain Aetos as Violet’s lifelong best friend, but the two struggle to see eye-to-eye throughout the novel. This reaches a boiling point at the end of the book, whenViolet realizes that Dain betrayed her by reading her memories. Dain’s signet allows him to see into people’s memories by touching them, and he doesn’t need their consent to do it. He learns of Xaden and Bohdi’s trips to Athebyne through Violet, telling his father about their rule-breaking and giving Colonel Aetos the ammunition he needs to put them in harm’s way.
Whether Yarros chooses to keep them at odds or sets up a redemption story for Dain, this will be a defining moment in his character arc.
With Violet and Xaden survivingFourth Wing’s ending, they’ll likely return to Basgiath — and Dain will have some serious explaining to do. While he doesn’t like Xaden,Dain’s betrayal of Violet is a huge deal. Whether Yarros chooses to keep them at odds orsets up a redemption story for Dain, this will be a defining moment in his character arc. It’s also one that requires further explanation, as it’s not enitrely clear how much Dain knows about his father’s plans fromFourth Wingalone.
3Colonel Aetos Betrayed Xaden & The Marked Ones At The End Of Fourth Wing
Dain’s Father Looks A Lot More Sinister
Dain doesn’t look so good at the end ofFourth Wing,but his actions are nothing compared to his father’s betrayal.Colonel Aetos intentionally sends Xaden and the other Marked Ones into a venin attack at the end ofFourth Wingafter learning of Xaden’s trip to Athebyne. Navarre’s leaders don’t hide their contempt for the Marked Ones, and Colonel Aetos tries to do away with them with his War Games mission. He gives Xaden and the others a chance to leave Resson undefended and rejoin Fourth Wing’s ranks, but he likely knows they won’t do this.
There are some huge questions aboutFourth Wing’s ending twist to answer, so readers should keep a close eye on Dain’s father moving forward.
While Colonel Aetos' intentions are fairly clear-cut,Fourth Wingdoesn’t explain how he knows that the venin will attack Resson when he sends Xaden there. There are some huge questions aboutFourth Wing’s ending twist to answer, so readers should keep a close eye on Dain’s father moving forward.
2General Melgren’s Doesn’t Work When Three Or More People With Rebellion Relics Gather
This Vulnerability Will Likely Be Important Later On
The final chapter ofFourth Wingexplains Xaden’s sentiment that his rebellion relic is a “gift,” revealing thatGeneral Melgren’s signet doesn’t work when three or more Marked Ones are together. Melgren can see the outcome of battles inFourth Wing,but this twist gives one of Navarre’s most powerful leaders a significant blind spot. It’s what allows the Marked Ones to gather secretly at Basgiath, and it’s the reason that Melgren can’t predict what will happen when Colonel Aetos sends them to their deaths at Resson.
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Fourth Wingrepeatedly highlights how powerful General Melgren is, and his rank makes it likely that he knows about the venin. This means Violet and Xaden are likely to face him at some point duringThe Empyrean Series.Thus, his vulnerability will almost certainly come up again. Perhaps the Marked Ones will be tasked with outsmarting Melgren, as their relics give them an advantage over an otherwise hard-to-beat enemy.
1Brennan Sorrengail Survived The Tyrrish Rebellion
The final moments ofFourth Wingdrop the bombshell revelation thatViolet’s brother, Brennan, isn’t actually dead, despite what everyone in Navarre believes. He saves her life after she’s stabbed by a poisoned blade on the battlefield, and he welcomes her to “the rebellion” before the book comes to a close. It seems Brennan is way ahead of Violet when it comes to realizing the truth about Navarre. However,Fourth Wingdoesn’t elaborate on how he survives the Tyrrish Rebellion or becomes wrapped up in the fight against the venin.
Onyx Stormwill debut on June 30, 2025.
Iron Flameoffers slightly more insight into Brennan’s survival, but even the second book leaves some massive questions surrounding his fate. With any luck,Onyx Stormwill dig deeper into Brennan’s backstory and seemingly miraculous survival.Fourth Wingsets it up to be an important twist for future books, even if it doesn’t offer many details.
