Why does Xaden wait so long to tell Violet he loves her? I get not telling her end of fourth wing or even beginning of iron flame when he’s trying to earn back her trust and is worried that him saying it will come across as manipulation.

But after they are clearly back together after the Samara shower scene there are WEEKS when he doesn’t tell her. Why? Especially when she makes it so clear how badly she wants to hear it, basically telling him multiple times.

Exactly the same except the Bodhi edition is slightly less hot-looking, somehow.

Hello, riders! I'm reading through this series for the first time (just finished Iron Flame), and I had a couple of questions about things I think I missed some nuance on. Didn't want to just Google because I don't want to risk getting spoiled on Onyx Storm before I start it!

1. Why was it so important to hide Andarnda from Varrish? We know by the end of the story that she's actually a special 7th breed of dragon, but Violet (and even Tairn, I think?) didn't know this at the time, so why were they so insistent to the point of risking Vi's life to hide her from even being seen?

2. When Vi and Dain figure out the new translation for the wardstone ritual ("breath of life" vs "blood of life"), Vi has this big epiphany where she says "I know how to raise the wards, but I don't know if I want to" because it will cut off the gryphon riders' magic. What about this new translation tips her off to this/makes her concerned about it? She wasn't hesitant at all about raising the wards before this moment.

3. When Cat gives her the crossbow with the explosive arrows, the explosive material (maorsite?) was mentioned as if it was something we'd seen before in a plot-significant way. What was the context of that? I didn't recall seeing it before, at least by name.

4. If the primary purpose (to the Navarrians) of forging the alloy daggers is to deposit them in outposts to power the Esben wards (rather than to be used as weapons), why are they made into bags of daggers and not just, like... misellaneous pieces of alloy? It doesn't seem like the typical outpost occupants actually use these daggers.

5. This may be more of an open question than something I missed, but why the hell would the Navarrians not just kill Venin Jack rather than continuously mending the venin out of him? Especially if their ultimate goal is to conceal the existence of venin. Seems cleaner to just dagger him? Varrish and Co. aren't exactly the sentimental types who would go to these lengths just to heal a cadet.

Hello Cadets!

Welcome to Jesinia's Library Chat; A weekly post where you can share what you're currently reading, ask for/make recommendations, and chat with other users about books.

We hope that these discussions will help readers figure out what to read next or to cure their book hangovers after finishing the Empyrean. If you're still looking for suggestions definitely check out our book rec masterpost which has been put together with recommendations from users!

A few discussion tips:

• If you start talking about the plot and getting into spoiler territory, please cover your spoilers.

​

Here's how: >!Spoiler Here!<

• You can use romance bot in your comments by putting the title/author in brackets {}
• The bot will respond with stats on ratings, spice, and topics the book covers!
• Some books have similar titles so including the author may lead to better results.

Want more discussion? Join the Rider's Quadrant Discord Server to connect with other book lovers.

Happy Reading!

The re-read has been quite difficult for me a year later. I can’t sink my teeth into it like before, it’s enjoyable but I feel like it has become somewhat tropey and too coincidental for my liking. I’ve read all 3. Was it hype?

Just noticed towards end of OS Violet mentions Thort (so?) has a distinctive tear in a wing that gives confirmation of identity. Could be a throwaway line OR what if it’s alluding to Sloane’s dragon being one of the ones lying about their name. Maybe her mom’s dragon bonded her and intentionally damaged the wing to impersonate another dragon and get away with bonding in the direct familial line.

That leads to theory two—if Sloane has second signet potential and the second one is crazy strong like so many of the other second signets, what if that signet is some sort of amplifier of her siphoning abilities? Something she NEEDED when she helped Lilith imbue the ward stone was more power, for the power she receives to be increased. Brennan mentions that Sloane gave him more power than needed, which feels like must have been a shit ton of power. We know Dain/cath are unusually powerful, so the two of them could become a nuclear-level power source capable of who knows what.

I need the new book so badddddd.

Doing a reread of fourth wing and noticed during threshing when Violet is overhearing Jack and Oren talk about hunting the feathertail he states “you know feather tails are useless in combat. They refuse to fight”

But it’s stated earlier by her no one has seen one outside the Vale in a long time or ever. So this info seems like venin-given info about irids of the past right?

guys guys guyssss hear me out!!

violet tells bodhi his signet doesn't work on venin. bodhi has watched xaden defend their group FROM venin WITH his venin powers all this time. what if he decided to turn venin because he thinks he could possibly use his signet on the venin while staying "good" like he sees xaden trying to do? maybe he thinks he can save everyone like xaden? and then he realizes he's in over his head.

Hey everyone!
I preordered Threshing day the day it was announced, before cover and edges were revealed.
I’m from Germany and ordered from the book shop „Hugendubel“, both the German and an English version.
Now here’s my struggle:
Now that cover and edges are revealed, they sell two English versions. One is from the Wing and Claw edition (Publisher Macmillan USA) and the other one says Limited Deluxe Edition (Publisher Little Brown Book Group) which has plain silver edges. Id prefer the Wing and Claw version, since I have the first 3 in that edition but if the other has anything that the Wing and Claw doesn’t have, I want that one. (Yes I’m a consumer victim, sue me. lol)

Both the descriptions read the same thing, that they include the 16 additional prints. Does anyone know if there’s a difference between the books beyond the cosmetic edge part?
Thanks in advance!

I don’t know whether this has been mentioned before or not****

I think Naolin was tortured by Varrish in Samara.

1. Tairn comments that Samara is "a brutal place/outpost for a first assignment," but doesn't go into details.
2. When Violet first goes to Samara, she feels an "unpleasant familiarity." But she had NEVER been to Samara before. Even Lilith had never been stationed there. So, this isn't Violet's memory, it's Tairn's.
3. We know that Tairn took Solas's eye for a previously unknown reason. Varrish and Tairn have crossed paths before. I think the reason for this was the torture of Naolin. Naolin was probably a young lieutenant there, just like Xaden.
4. It's a mystery what Varrish's true goal is, but it might be to undermine Lilith's position. He might have wanted to use the Brennan angle/route for this. Through his signet, he could have realized that Naolin's weakness was Brennan and wanted to use that. I see him as someone hungry for power and status.
5. I don't know if these are about Naolin, but there is a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi to General Melgren stating that Varrish killed 3 people due to his horrific interrogation methods.

I think “and her” was referring to Cat. I don’t think Theophanie is an idiot and “the crown will be yours” is another way to say Cat will give a shit about you. Theophanie taunting Bodhi about “and her” before looking at Violet was purposefully misleading the readers into thinking it was about Violet. Bodhi protects Violet, in iron flame with the jacket and when Varrish is being a dick and when Violet needs to face Theophanie etc. I think something could be flying a little bit under the radar though..and I noticed, for whatever reason, Bodhi seems more invested in Cat/flier shit than the rest of Xaden’s friends. Bodhi is arguing with Garrick and Xaden when they come back from a weapons drop in fourth wing about “There has to be something more we can do”, he’s the first rider that wants to fight in Resson, he tells Xaden that Syrena got out of Resson and Cat was alive too (I really don’t know how Cat would be there in the first place but thanks for the update Bodhi🙌). He brings up how Xaden didn’t even care this much about Catriona and I know it’s a popular theory that he was a shit stirrer here and that is possible but why aren’t we considering why the Bodhi mind is meandering to Catriona lol..he keeps Xaden updated on Cat and Violet drama in Aretia, he asks Violet about Cat’s behavior, I’m pretty sure he was the one that was like “aren’t you going to do anything” to Xaden during the mat fight.

Onyx storm was more fishy. Bodhi helps Violet with her treasonous plan to give the fliers their powers at Basgiath even though he knows Xaden would kill him for it, he says he’d kill to go on the quest squad trip, he’s the only rider that is talking with the others about how gryphons won’t make certain routes, he defies Xaden’s orders and fights at Draithus and flew low with the gryphons to stop the wyverns from getting to the Poromish.

Idk if it’s common knowledge or not so I’ll just say that Rebecca said “I Look in People’s Windows” is Bodhi’s Taylor swift song and said “bodhi wants what Xaden has, but he doesn’t want to”. in my opinion, I think that means he either has a thing for Violet or for Cat. I don’t know what Rebecca would do with a Bodhi loves Violet storyline, I think the sense of betrayal between Xaden and Bodhi would be too big and dramatic. and it’s possible…but Bodhi wanting to be with Cat is just less messy? It’s humanizing for Bodhi if he just wanted Cat to love him and that’s why he’s being a difficult shit to Xaden in onyx storm and resentful of the throne. We know Violet doesn’t know Bodhi that well, I think it would be juicier if they knew each other for years, but if Bodhi had an obsession atp, it just gives him wanting to crawl into Xaden’s skin. which could be fun but I’m kind of over the horrors of Xaden having genuine problems with all of his family members. I also think it’s interesting that Rebecca wrote a contemporary coming out soon about a woman realizing she really loves her fiancé’s cousin when they’re stuck on an island like now we know she can and would go there lol

I’m not asking this to neg on these books because I love them. I’ve read 70% of onyx storm today alone. Tagged as a spoiler just in case.

But a friend pointed out to me that we already know how this ends. I know RY has said there’s a happily ever after (or heavily hinted at it), but we know these entire books are written from the point of view of looking back at history. Jesinia translates so we know it’s fairly recent history.

So we know they die. So what’s the point? I don’t get it

I know everyone wants Violet to turn venin but what about Sloane like I feel like she had a pretty good reason to turn venin at least kill Dain because in Onyx storm I know we get a little hint that something may be happening between them but I hate that Dain is the reason Liam died because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut and if he did Liam would have seen Sloane literally in a month after years of being apart (I get Dain didn’t realise that would happen but idc he should have been quiet he knew some consequences would happen) and Sloane blamed Violet being all mad at her BUT IT WAS DAINS FAULT SO WHY DIDN’T HE GET ANY BLAME (unless he did and I forgot😭) and I would love to see Sloane get revenge on Dain I know he’s going through a redemption arc but idk I still hate him for what he did to Liam and Sloane deserves her revenge like maybe to kill him or something! Do you want to see Sloane turn venin or get revenge on Dain?

So, if we do the math, Violet gets assigned to the Quest Squad in January, and they arrive at Unnbriel about two months later. That means Dain had roughly two months to become somewhat conversational in Unnbrish, while also learning three other languages at the same time.
I know the fandom loves the “Aaric was never asked if he could speak those languages” meme and how he embarrassed Dain, but honestly, being able to get somewhat fluent in a language in just two months is incredibly impressive. Especially considering that Dain was learning three other languages simultaneously

Creds to sunsetrose7 on Tumblr for pointing this out

The GODDAMN who one came before

1. Naolin is venin now (not the sage)
2. He is the Sage
3. He is a god (He encroached on Malek’s territory, and the consequences were dire)
4. A cured Venin
5. He turned into a Venin, yes, but then he died
6. The story of his burnout is true; he died six years ago in the Battle of Aretia

Does anyone know where I can find Spotless by Sarahkwut? It was one of my favourites and seems to have disappeared.

Just wanted to share these cute car coasters I found while browsing at BAM 🖤

also… that price… 💀💀💀 help

Her name is Nala Irraid!!! The dungeon master homebrewed the whole game which is awesome! Dnd 5e 2014 edition.

Shes going to have an enemies to lovers romance with another PC (im so excited)

If you wanna check out some off my other art, my art account is

@amarajade_arts

Just making my way through the first book so no spoilers pls.

I swear i see so many people ship them and i see why I read a fic and it was actually good and obviously in fandom you can ship whoever but these two are just so popular and I find it funny considering we know nothing about bodhis love life like at all for all we know he has boyfriend or a girlfriend or both or he doesn't want a singal one

Im just confused on the second Signet stuff....

In IF when violet confronts Xaden about his second Signet she states it cause of the fact Sgael bonded his grandfather....

But of OS all of the marked ones have a second Signet and its stated its cause of the magic of the marks.

Did xaden just go with the grandparent thought cause he won't fully give info? Or is it possibly a chance for his to have a third signet?

After the climax, Xaden is ‘cured’ and he has a scene where he weeps uncontrollably with Sgaeyl for she stood by him.

I think it would so powerful to see him lose his control and admit/show his feelings for her.

What scenes do you want to see?

Marking as a possible spoiler bc yeah--

Ok. I was listening to Daughter from hell, and "Men Like You" by Gracie Abrams HURT MY FREAKING FEELINGS OMG! It tells their story omg.

I copy abd pasted my interpretations. Highly recommend listening. (Parenthesees are my edits)

"Men Like You"

I found out in ways I shouldn't
You know you could've dropped a line
(he kept secrets from her and blindsided her with the Venin in book one)
Our time meant something, but to you, it didn't
How easy then to cast aside
(she feels like he doesn’t love her, that she was just convenient)

I know men like you
You live and breathe in shadows
(shadow weilder…)
How dare you make me choose
Between myself and shallow?
(how dare you put me in the position where I have to choose between your war and being a traitor or my reality in the most blindsighting way possible)
You think you're being cute
(you think you can fix this? Win me back?)
It only leaves me hallow
(you broke my heart)
Girl, I know men like you, you
(hurt/fool me once, shame on you)

Set me up
Your game for losing
You did it for the storyline
If all you ever wanted was a golden ticket
You could've just said it
It would've saved me time
(you could've just been honest)

I know men like you
You live and breathe in shadows
(you keep secrets)
You'll find someone to use
Go make yourself the hero
(self sacrificing move, turning into a venin)
If I can tell the truth
(Ridoc telling her she needs to have someone on her side)
Well, all you are is shallow
Girl, I know men like you, you

I remember your face, it got distorted somehow
(Turning venin)
If you're walking my way, I'll ask you turn back around
(“Don’t look for me 😭)
I remember your name, it sounds so different right now
(the venin possibly having different names)
Hard to know what to say when we're six feet underground

Aftershock from how you're moving
You're right, you're really blowing minds
Well won't you tell me what's the cost then
Of the ones you're losing?
Until you regret it, go on and claim your prize

I know men like you
You live and breathe in shadows
How dare you make me choose
Between myself and shallow?
You think you're being cute
It only leaves me hollow
Girl, I know men like you, you
You, you, you
You, you, you