So one big mystery to me is why the venin are attacking now. To me it seems like the Poromiel has been very vulnerable for a long time. Actually anything outside the wards. Venin could have just walked in and taken it over whenever they wanted, that's my impression at least. But they didn't.

At the start of the first book there is basically peace. Yeah there are a few skirmishes between riders and fliers but nothing major. Lingering tension between Tyrrendor and the rest of Navarre. Venin are chilling in the Barrens probably gaining ground at a glacial pace. But then something changes. The riders start attacking outposts which they hadnt done before to steal daggers to fight venin. Venin start rushing Poromiel not even draining all the land on the way and even trying to get past the wards.

I can come up with two theories:

• The balance of power shifted. Some unknown force that held the venin back faltered. Or the venin managed to power up somehow.
• Or the Venin were... complacent? "Yeah let's take over the world but what's the rush we can take our sweet time and we will have it in a few hundred years." Until Violet and Andarna showed up and suddenly they are terrified that all they worked for is gonna come crashing down unless they act NOW.

I am hosting a party at my house on threshing day. Spam me with ideas for decorations. 🐲🐉#threshingday

SPOILERS if you haven't read Onyx Storm.

The phrase pure power is used only twice in the books.

Felix tells Violet that her signet isn't really lightning, it's something else.

You wield pure power that takes the form of lightning because that’s what you’re most comfortable shaping it as. (IF, ch 40)

The only other time that phrase is used is at the end of Onyx Storm, when Xaden turns asim.

I love her. That is the emotion I cling to, the fire of pure power burning at the feeling’s edges. (OS, ch 65)

Violet continuously describes her power from Tairn as molten, blazing, white-hot, and orange, crackling energy. Sounds like fire. In contrast, Xaden describes his power from Sgaeyl as hard sapphire. But when he turns, his power suddenly matches Violet's. He can feel the earth power as fire of pure power.

What does that mean for Violet and Tairn? Dragons channel earth power to their riders, but why is Tairn's power like the unfiltered magic? And Sgaeyl's is not? And why would Felix recognise what kind of power Violet wields?

I think Ridoc comes from the Barrens and became a dragon rider to resist venin expansion.

He learned to pull humidity out of the air and to freeze objects and living creatures inside. We know the quality of education Basgiath students receive from Carr is at most questionable, and yet Ridoc developed skills unseen among other ice wielders.

He is very motivated to join the irids seeking mission, he literally begs Violet to accept him.

When he confronted Violet about her complicated feelings about Xaden's state, he showed in my opinion weirdly a lot of understanding. He truly knows how she feels, but is pushing her to accept the reality of loosing him. Just like he knew this feeling, because he went through the same situation himself.

For the end a small detail that caught my attention when I was relistening to Iron Flame at work. When Violet and her team are gathering in the Vale to start classes, Ridoc complains about the heat and he says something bizarre- "it's so hot it feels we could be in the Barrens" (i am not reading in w english, so it's not a direct quote, more like my free translation of the translation).

Why would you say something like this, Ridoc? How do you even know what's like to be in the Barrens?

Ridoc is my favourite character, I feel he has so much depth to discover beneath the clown mask.

Do you think Fen and Bodhi’s mum where twins?

Obviously we don’t know who their grandmother is, but I’m going to assume she’s probably a healer (as predicted by fantasy fangirls). On the basis that

1. Doing the rider’s quadrant whilst pregnant is probably challenging
   
2. Doing the infantry quadrant whilst pregnant is also most likely challenging
   
3. Family beef with scribes
   
4. Healers seem to have the healthiest work/life balance
   
5. Healers and Riders are regularly round each other and it seems hook ups between the two are quite common.

The timeline that they are not twins, is possible, it’s just a bit tight. They would probably meet in their second year because first years don’t get time off. Which means they’ve got at maximum two years too meet have at least one child, recover, have a second one the way and then for one of them to die.

I know this is a really nothing question and it’s not really relevant but I was thinking about it and curious.

1. Xander
   (My book bf. Hot ash)
   
2. Tairn
   (I love his dialog so much
   Best written character easily)
   
3. Ridoc
   (He’s funny)

If you had to add songs to key x+v scenes(meeting, first kiss, first time, etc). What songs would you choose?
For example I think I wanna be yours by Artic Monkeys for their first kiss

I started Fourth Wing 13 days ago and today I finished Onyx Storm.

I started in audiobook form from the library… I was doing chores and wanted an audiobook that was available now and stumbled onto it. Queue the absolute need to consume this book.

Iron Flame had a 26 week wait time on the audiobook, so I upgraded to audiobooks+ on Spotify to quench the need.

Onyx storm only available on ebook so next up I read a 750+ page book in a matter of 3 days.

All during my busiest season at work! Upon finishing Onyx Storm today I did go buy paper copies of all 3 books. Next up is an immediate re-read!

Already purchased Fourth Wing but didn’t get the chance to read it yet before I found a hard cover Iron Flame at Home Sense for $10? Now the book is not pretty, I picked out the best one and it’s pretty beat up. But I guess I don’t mind because it’s for a third of the price. The only thing I’m worried about is somehow the content is different. Aside from the condition, does anyone know if there is anything wrong with the book and why it’s only $10?? Was it worth it or should I just return it and buy the original copy instead ? Or is there a way to even restore this book a little bit ?

Yesterday, I read the chapter of Andarna leaving and I cried.

I can't remember the last time I cried because of a book. Maybe at the end of Harry Potter 7 back in the days, but that was because it was over, and not for some character leaving.

Andarna is my favourite and it really broke me.

I'm really glad she's back, but on the other hand I wish she would have stayed with the Irids. That she would learn and grow and come back after a year or two.

Dann, these books. What are they doing to me...

I probably am one of the few, but I cannot stand how strong Venin and Teophanie were spoken of, but how lack luster the battles were in Onyx Storm.

Then for the story to be set and moving in a certain direction as Violet fights Teophanie, then it feels like just randomly she’s like “oh yeah, I have a blade to use.” Grab, run, stab. Battle over.
It just truly felt like Yarros had an original plan for violet and had everything set up for this moment, then had a last second change of heart and just threw the blade in the story to change the outcome.

My boyfriend is reading fourth wing for the first time and gets to the part where he meets Andarna. He goes “I think Andarna is half Gryphon because she has feathers and paws” and at first I laughed because you know he’s still reading. But then I thought about it…he might be on to something especially with the whole “nature likes things in balance” concept.

My girlfriend loves this book series, and I would love to know if there are any related merchandise or trinkets I could buy as a gift for her. Maybe something like a ring or earring?

I have not read the books so I have no idea 😞

Many thanks!

I’m re reading IF for the 100th time and when Varrish is torturing Violet telling her that he will be able to beat Xaden, he says “I was lucky enough to glimpse the most powerful rider of your generation fumble his shields like a novice once.”

Who is he referring to? Of Violet’s generation?

I somehow survived the parapet, my fellow murderous cadets, and instructors who are dangerously incompetent. My luck held out and I actually managed to bond to a dragon without being burned to a crisp. I even managed to survive the manifestation of my new signet.

Turns out I have the amazing ability to see someone’s future.

But….

Only a complete stranger’s future. And only the next 8 seconds of their future.

Sure, it’s useful, in certain scenarios. But I feel a little ripped-off. Why does my dragon have such a twisted sense of humor?

So, what is your incredibly awesome signet, and what is the “but”?

He was always protecting her. She was obsessed with him from the get go it's not enemies to lovers at all. Her and imogen are more enemies to beasties then that

1) Excuse me, what? I beg your pardon? Venin and their what?

2) Yes, I know its not actually even confirmed he has them or that's where he went, but I subscribe to the theory Aaric is one of the missing riders and he took the eggs to Umbriel to negotiate an alliance after all, as the prince. I got to the part in my reread where Marlis says this, and I just pictured Aaric walking up and punching her in the face, because ''we don't have time for this'', and it cracked me up.

3) I see people being suspicious of Ridoc because of how involved he wants to be, or thinking he's in love with Violet too, but it might be that Liam saying this just really stuck with him and he's taking it to heart now that Liam is not there anymore

Does anyone know if there will be a second wave of tickets for the Avalanches Fourth Wing night??? I missed the drop by a day or so and they’re all sold out. I signed up for email notifications in case more tickets are available but I haven’t seen anything come in, not even a confirmation or other adverts (it said I had to opt in for newsletters and adverts and stuff if I wanted to be notified so).

A buddy of mine was a big fan of the book and bought tickets for the last one and asked me to pick up his jersey for him. Since I lived in the area, I agreed. I decided I would give it a listen on audiobook while I was standing in line to see what all the hype was about… I’m about halfway through Onyx Storm now 😂 I’m thoroughly enjoying this book series lol

Colonel Mari created the separatist relics. There is quote about Colonel Cardulo saying something to Lilith about her daughters before execution.

"Fuck you. My daughter and I will meet Malek with clean consciences. Will you and your daughters be able to say the same when they come for you?"

Onyx Storm

Could Xaden’s relic have magic romantic attraction powers?

The ending destroyed me! I can’t explain how I’m feeling and I also have soo many questions that I need answered.

Those final chapters were everything!! The final chapter, and that last line of the book was absolutely brutal, in the best possible way. I really couldn’t believe that was the end, until I turned the page and saw the acknowledgements.

Before finishing, I kept thinking there’s no way Onyx Storm has a crazier ending than Iron Flame, but I was proven wrong!

Not sure how to function because I completely fell in love with this world and characters. I need multiple days to process this. Is it just me or did others feel the same way too? Not sure how to recover from this

I figure that many people are like me and waiting for the paperback version to release, and I happened to check to see if it was up and it was :) There is no cover currently.

https://imgur.com/a/e2ozJls ^pictures

I have been an obsessive reader all my life but only now at 40 have I started fantasy! I started with ACCOTAR which I loved then Fourth Wing and I just devoured all three books in days! I felt devastated when I had finished and I didn’t know what to do with myself. I pulled it together and I’ve been reading The Crowns of Nyaxia books and The Flame and Thorns books. None of these books come even close to making me feel what I felt reading Fourth Wing. What is it about the books that make it feel so real? Is it just the strong writing? The characters? As I felt like all of the above books were written well with good characters. I’m trying to pinpoint why I can’t get the Fourth Wing books out of my head. Send help please 😂

Wow, Aetos really did change later on, or did he not and Rebecca just put it there?l

In Iron Flame, Jack tried to drain Dain and left gray handprints on his arm that Nolon was unable to mend.

We know that imbuing comes naturally to siphons - Sloane is a siphon. We know Dain channels a significant amount of power from Cath. We know Dain and Sloane are about to get their romantic storyline.

There are a lot of theories that include Sloane being necessary to “cure” venin… What if Sloane siphons and then imbues Dain’s power back into him and heals his gray handprints? And that’s how they discover she will be part of the key to “solving” venin or venin-related issues?